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

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.

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.

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 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.

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 accessoriesNo 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.

I really love this pack. I’m a professional photographer and the versatility for different needs between project shoots and travel is amazing. My only problem is I have a tendency to pack it too heavy, however the hip belt is perfect for getting the weight off the shoulders. It’s very hard to find a pack that has so many ways to configure both for my body and for the gear I want to pack. Totally worth it!