Lihit Lab AQUX Spread Double Pen Case Review: Big Capacity Without the Bulk Damage

Introduction

Lihit Lab’s AQUX series has a habit of turning the humble pen case into something closer to a small storage system. The Spread Double Pen Case is the big-capacity entry in that lineup, released in February 2025 alongside the Stand Book Pen Case, and it is clearly aimed at people who carry a lot of stationery and care about keeping it in good condition.

At 3,520 yen including tax, it is not the cheapest pen case on the market, but the storage it offers is unusually generous for the category. This review covers how it is built, what fits inside, and a few things worth knowing before you buy.

First Impressions: Capacity and Build

The first thing you notice is the thickness. Compared to the smaller Stand Book Pen Case from the same series, this one has a smaller footprint but more than double the depth, and it is even thicker than a classic large-capacity pen case like the Lihit Lab box-style designs. Despite the depth, the nylon and polyester material is not the noisy, rustly kind; it has a softer, more substantial hand feel that suggests decent quality.

What really stands out is the structure. The corners and sides are firm, helped by internal piping with a core that keeps the case’s shape even when it is empty. Two zipper pockets use coil zippers with solid, easy-to-grab pulls that slide smoothly. One small caveat: this type of case can rattle a little when shaken, though the single pulls on each zipper keep the noise relatively minor.

Inside the Case: Ten Protected Pen Slots

The left side features a pen holder with six individually separated elastic slots, so each pen sits in its own position rather than jumbled in a pile. Between the slots are cushion loops, which act as walls rather than pen sleeves, meaning neighbouring pens never touch each other. The same approach carries over from the Stand Book Pen Case.

A cushion plate runs through the case, protecting the contents from top to bottom so pens cannot press against stationery on the opposite side when the case is closed. And the opposite side is the surprise: a second pen holder that takes four more pens, for a total of ten slots. If you own pens you do not want to scratch, this is the core appeal of the design.

Pockets and Secondary Storage

Storage does not stop at the pen holders. Fold the pen holder panel to the right and you reveal a tall pocket that fits a ruler or memo pad, wide enough for three 15 cm rulers laid side by side. The back of the pen holder has three mesh pockets, best suited to pen cases, erasers, and other small accessories.

The second zipper pocket is a catch-all compartment with no dividers, and it swallows a surprising amount: markers, scissors, glue, and assorted small items all fit comfortably. It is a straightforward “stuff it in” space that complements the organised slots elsewhere.

Everyday Use: What Works and What to Watch

Loading the pen holders takes a little care. With the case already partly filled, inserting pens can feel tight, and the zipper sits close enough to the pen slots that you need to hold it back while storing pens. Coil zippers are less risky than metal ones here, but it is still a detail worth noting. Very slim pens also wobble a little side to side in the elastic slots, though the cushion loops keep them safe regardless.

Thick pens are a different story. A fountain pen with a 14.9 mm barrel slides in with room to spare, though heavy stretching of the elastic over time is possible, so cautious owners may prefer to keep oversized pens toward the outer edge of the holder. On the plus side, the cushion plate can be folded inward so the stored pens line up visibly, making them easy to find and remove.

Two practical tips emerged during use: keep tall items in the tall pocket, because short items become hard to retrieve, and treat the mesh pockets as small-item space. Perhaps the most impressive result is that even when the case is packed completely full, it closes without any sagging or losing its shape.

Buying Advice

This is a case built around protecting what you carry, and it makes the most sense for stationery enthusiasts, especially those who love writing instruments and want to transport a large collection safely. It is a bit thick to hand-carry comfortably on a daily commute, but the price is reasonable for what it holds, and office workers could equally use it as a desk-side storage box.

If the Stand Book Pen Case from the same series felt too small for your needs, this is the natural step up.

Conclusion

The Lihit Lab AQUX Spread Double Pen Case delivers on its main promise: a genuinely large, well-organised capacity with ten protected pen slots, layered pockets, and a structure that refuses to collapse. Its quirks, mainly the tight feel when loading and the thickness itself, are reasonable trade-offs for how much it protects and carries. For heavy stationery carriers, it is an easy recommendation.