Shimoda Action X70 HD Starter Kit (w/XL DV Core Unit) - Army Green (520-145)

I’ve been using this for a while now. Full disclosure i use it more for my electronics like laptops, steam deck, tablets, etc than for cameras. I was also skeptical due to how expensive the backpack with core unit is (almost $600 with the XL core unit), so i had some bias against it. However, overall, it’s an excellent backpack with a lot of though put into it. What I Love:. - The main compartment is huge and easily fits bulky electronics, not just cameras, making it extremely versatile for travel. Like I said, I use it more for other electronics than for a camera. - The top pouch us expandable and fantastic for extra cables, small gear, or even a change of clothes — it really adds to storage space. - The XL Core Unit, which is got through the starter kit, keeps electronics organized, safe and stabilized, which is a huge help when moving between locations. - The shoulder straps are adjustable (S, M, L) and fit my size perfectly, and it’s nice that Shimoda also sells women-specific straps with extra pockets for phones or small accessories. - There are an abundance of inner pockets, including the padded laptop slot, makes it easy to organize everything without digging around. - The hip strap, which is adjustable, has useful pockets, and can be removed entirely if not needed — perfect for flexibility. - Overall, the backpack feels high-quality; the material and texture feel premium and durable. - I also appreciate the sde pockets, which are great for water bottles, tripods, or other gear you want easy access to. What I did not Like: - There is a key fob in the top pocket but it is placed in a rear inner section of the bag, making it less accessible. It would be much better near the zipper or in the other inner pocket where the quick access zipper is located so you wouldnt have to dig through to reach it. - The top pouch closure works by folding and clipping a strap, which is fine, but if the pocket is full it can be tricky to close. An additional zipper could make it more secure and easier to use, espwcially if you want to put something like a sweater or jacket. - The chest strap feels small and weak relative to the size of the backpack. I know it’s designed to work with the hip strap, but since the hip strap is removable, a thicker chest strap would help distribute heavier loads more comfortably. - Some areas feel like there is unused or wasted space. For example, the laptop compartment could benefit from additional small pockets for charging cables or accessories, since I currently have to store my laptop's charging cable elsewhere. - While there are shoulder straps/harness for women, it is an additional cost. I feel its unfair and there should be a way to pick if male or female in regards to shoulder strap/harness when buying the backpack. -So about the rain cover, my purchase of the backpack came with one, but i saw other reviews mention it’s an extra purchase. It’s only $15, but clearer information would be helpful. TLDR: The Shimoda Action X70 is exceptional due to being functional, durable, and thoughtfully designed backpack. It’s perfect for photographers, travelers, or anyone who needs to carry a mix of electronics and personal gear. The few design tweaks I mentioned are minor compared to its overall quality, and the pack handles heavy loads and bulky gear with ease. I highly recommend it.

TL/DR: Small but mighty - I carry a good amount of gear, and BARELY managed to sqeeze it all into this bag. Overall I really love it and think it will be a permanent part of my kit. I debated between this and the 30L, but opted for this due to it being international carryon friendly. I carry the following: - OM System OM-1 camera body - M. Zuiko 300 pro lens - M. Zuiko 90 pro macro lens - M. Zuiko 20 pro lens - Zeiss conquest binoculars - Ricoh GRiii camera - 14" Macbook Pro - Samsung Galaxy Tab 9 - Lots of batteries, memory cards, other accessories No question, I'd have been better off getting the 30L, but the good news is that I did somehow get all of my gear to fit in this smaller 25L. The 14" macbook does NOT fit in the laptop sleeve (which is rated for only 13", so I get it), but it does fit in the front slider, and I can put my tablet in the laptop sleeve. The core unit is pretty small, but I managed to get my camera body, 300 lens, and macro to fit into it. And then I have my binoculars and 20 pro lens and Ricoh in the top section. There is no extra room for any other items inside the bag, but I can see a lot of opportunities to attach things to the outside of the bag using the strange zip out water bottle contraptions and included straps. I love the harness, very comfortable, and makes the bag feel a lot lighter than it is. Really appreciate that they designed a harness for women! Love the vertical adjustability of the harness as well, and I'm so glad I could remove the waist strap (hate those things). I like the zip pockets on the harness, especially one that fits a nice big phone. And there are tons of accessory pockets throughtout the bag which is super nice. The materials and construction are really top notch, love it all. I wish it was about an inch wider, because if it was, I'd be able to turn the core unit sideways and have a bit more vertical space available in the bag, and would also have the option of putting a larger core unit in.

Great bag, nice color. Would be great for travel and hiking/wandering. I was looking for a more everyday backpack for camera gear so this was a little too involved for my needs.

I am a wildlife photographer, so I am often taking long and multi day hikes with my gear, and this camera backpack has been the most comfortable and spacious one I’ve used yet. The padding and strap sizes are perfect and feel very nice while wearing for long distances. There are plenty of straps you can adjust to get the pack fitting just right on your back, which makes all the difference, and the 4 adjustable shoulder strap sizes allow for perfect fitting as well. The versatility in the number of pockets, straps, and pouches this backpack has is also very impressive. I find myself having no issue carrying everything I need and more. If you use a telephoto, such as the canon ef 100-400 ii, the medium core does force you to choose the absolute necessary equipment you need, but I don’t find this a real issue as there are different core sizes and medium fits my needs better as I usually need to carry more camping gear anyways. The material used is very robust feeling and has had no problem in the rain and dirt. I’ve yet to use the rain cover in the rain and have had no issues. I’d still recommend using it, especially if it’s a strong storm. Overall, I really don’t have any gripes with this backpack. It may be expensive, but you get the quality you pay for.

I really like the overall design and color of this Shimoda backpack. The build quality feels solid and durable, and I expect it to last a long time. However, there are some functional issues that make it less practical for everyday use. The rolltop doesn’t roll easily and feels awkward to secure. I often find myself double-checking to make sure it’s actually closed properly, which can be frustrating. The zippers were another letdown. They aren’t as smooth as I expected and can be tough to open, especially compared to how easily they close. When you're in a hurry to grab your camera, the time it takes to open the zippers could easily make you miss the shot. Comfort is another downside. The shoulder straps dig into my shoulders, even on short walks around the neighborhood. For a bag designed for photographers on the move, I was hoping for a more comfortable carry. Overall, it’s a tough and attractive backpack, but some usability and comfort issues hold it back from being great.

I just had my first outing with this camera bag for an 8 hour photo/hiking session. I was very pleased with the comfort and ease of carrying it fully loaded. I am short (5’0”), so I was worried it would be overwhelming for me. Shimoda has designed the bag with adjustable fit, with S,M,L choices for strap placement. There are also 2 chest straps, especially for women. My iPhone 14 fits very nicely in a compartment on the front strap, making it easily accessible. There is a “pass through” strap to allow it to fit on the handle of your rolling suitcase. There is side access to the camera compartment for when quick photo opportunities present themselves. My tripod felt snug and secure in a side holder that tucks away easily when not in use. It came with 2 extra clip straps for fastening other items to your bag (sleeping bag, etc). The bag is very well thought out and the only downside for me was I kept forgetting where I put everything! There are so many pockets so I had to devise a system to remember where I put each item, which is not a bad problem to have at all. We had a small group of 6 photographers on our hike, and 3 others also had Shimoda bags, so I have to conclude that it is a favorite amongst the pros.

Exceptional pack. Rugged, well thought out, and great attention to detail. Superb build quality and very comfortable fully loaded. I did repeated 10 mile hikes with 4 heavy prime lenses, tripod, Z9, 2 telephotos and my personal gear. No issues at all. Comfort was constant and the pack never sagged at all. The reverse access was perfect as I was hiking the coast and putting the bag down on sandy rocky ground over and over to change lenses or kit. Having the access on the “inside” againtst your back meant the sand and dirt never touched the gear and was never picked up and transferred to me. Could not recommend enough.

Actually 4.5 stars. This is a near perfect pack. The only thing wrong is that there is no mesh ventilation panel for breathability so your back will get sweaty!! Not sure where you're supposed to be able to put a hydration bladder either as that was shown on the website. But overall, I think I will enjoy using this camera pack. I may be able to get away with not using my daypack, although I will miss that mesh ventilation panel. Also know that the phone access pocket will not fit phones that have cases around them.

Es la mejor mochila que puedes comprar

Super Artikel, Mega gute Polsterung, super guter Tragekomfort, auch wenn mit Gewicht, guter Zugang, schön stabil und alles! Auch das Laptop Fach ist der Hammer und so einfach im Zugang!!

Amazing backpack! I've gone through several photography backpacks and this has hit every point. Super well designed and thought out. It actually has support for hiking for an 8hr excursion without exhausting your hips and back. The cinch down point are exactly like a mountaineering backpack. Everything is thought out and designed perfect. The removable side pockets for the tripod or water-bottle are wicked!!!! you can mount it anywhere and/or use it on your hip or backpack. Rolltop to cinch down or expand. Very water resistant material. I now have two of these bags. One 50 and one in the 25L. I have had a peak design, thule bags, lowepro's, and several bags from other companies, this is by the best I've had for travel and photography.

Muy buena mochila, excelente calidad