Shimoda Action X v2 – A New High Bar In Outdoor and Adventure Photo Packs?

The Shimoda Action X v2 is an updated version of the brand’s technical adventure and nature photography backpack. The v2 update sees two new sizes added to the lineup, a host of new features, Women’s specific models, and user-driven refinements to Core Units. In this review, I’ll be taking my usual in-depth look at the whole lineup to help you decide whether an Action X v2 is in your future. Buckle up. There’s a lot to talk about, so I think this will be a big one!

Disclosure: Shimoda sent me these bags to review. No money changed hands, and they did not get to see the content before it was published. These are my honest views about the Action X v2 bags.

Shimoda Designs has offered Shutter Muse readers a 10% discount on anything purchased through their online stores. US, Canadian, UK, French, or German residents should use the discount code ShutterMuse10 after clicking here to access the store. Australian readers should use the same code on the local Shimoda distributor’s site, Maxxum, instead.

Throughout this review, I will refer to these bags using their full name, i.e., Shimoda Action X50 v2, or shortened versions such as Action X50 or X50. Using v2 every time would be tedious to read, so it is safe to assume that I am always referring to the new v2 versions of the Action X bags unless I specifically say otherwise.

Shimoda Action X v2 Key Features

I’ll dig into these in more detail, but for now, here’s a quick rundown of the impressive list of features found on the Action X25 v2, Action X30 v2, Action X40 v2, and Action X50 v2.

• Removable, adjustable hip belt
• Adjustable torso length
• Padded side, top and base handles
• Luggage handle pass-through
• Helmet holder
• Apple AirTag pocket
• 2x padded laptop sleeves
• Ice Axe Loops
• Shoulder strap pockets for phone and water bottle
• Adjustable roll top for volume expansion
• Reinforced padded base
• Quick Access Zipper
• Modular Core Unit camera insert system
• Included rain cover
• Removable tripod and water bottle pockets “Drop Pocket”
• DWR and Carbonate Coating
• YKK SplashGuard zippers
• TPU Ski straps

Shimoda Action X v2 Colors and Sizes

The Action X v2 is available in five sizes and four colors. Action X25 v2 and Action X40 v2 are new sizes in the lineup, as is the existence of Women’s Action X25, X30, and X40. The Women’s Series bags, with specially shaped shoulder straps, are only available in Teal. The Action X25, X30, X40, and X50 are available in Black, Yellow, or Army Green. The Action X70 HD is only available in Black or Army Green.

The new yellow color is a bright, fun way to add to the Action X v2 options. It’s a great choice in the mountains or when you need a color that pops in photos and videos. I can see this being a popular choice for YouTube content creators that don’t want to blend into the background all the time in their videos. Of course, wildlife photographers will continue to love the stealthy Army Green color.

Special Note On the Action X70 HD

The X70 HD is a huge camera backpack designed primarily for cinematographers and wildlife photographers who carry heavy equipment and super-telephoto lenses. It’s also the best camera bag for people who want to go multi-day trekking with a camera and camping gear. While this bag is technically part of the Action X v2 lineup, featuring all the v2 updates, there are enough differences between it and the rest of the lineup that I decided to write a separate review for that model. Read on if you’re most interested in the Action X25, X30, X40, and X50. But divert and head to my Action X70 HD review if that is where your focus lies.

Shimoda Action X v2 Specifications

	Action X25 v2	Action X30 v2	Action X40 v2	Action X50 v2	Action X70 HD
Weight (shell)	3.9lbs / 2.01kg	4.2lbs / 1.9kg	4.6lbs / 2.1kg	4.6lbs / 2.1kg	6.2lbs / 2.8kg
Outside Dimensions (in):	10.6W x 18.9H x 6.7D in.	11.8W x 20.1H x 6.7D in.	11.8W x 20.9H x 7.9D in.	11.8W x 22H x 7.9D in.	12.2W x 23.2H x 9.1D in.
Outside Dimensions (cm):	27W x 48H x 17D cm	30W x 51H x 17D cm	30W x 53H x 20D cm	30W x 56H x 20D cm	31W x 59H x 23D cm
Inside Dimensions (in):	10.4W x 18.7H x 6.3D in.	11.6W x 19.9H x 6.3D in.	11.6W x 20.7H x 7.5D in.	11.6W x 21.9H x 7.5D in.	12W x 23H x 8.9D in.
Inside Dimensions (cm):	26.5W x 47.5H x 16D cm	29.5W x 50.5H x 16D cm	29.5W x 52.5H x 19D cm	29.5W x 55.5H x 19D cm	30.5W x 58.5H x 22.5D cm
Max Laptop Size	14″	16″	16″	16″	16″
Compatible Core Units	XS25 / S25 / L25 RST	XS25 / S25 / L25 RST / Medium Mirrorless / Large Mirrorless / XL30 RST	XS25 / S25 / L25 RST / Medium Mirrorless / Large Mirrorless / XL30 RST / Medium DSLR / Large DSLR / XL40 RST	XS25 / S25 / L25 RST / Medium Mirrorless / Large Mirrorless / Medium DSLR / Large DSLR / XL40 RST / XL50 RST	XS25 / S25 / L25 RST / Medium Mirrorless / Large Mirrorless / XL30 RST / Medium DSLR / Large DSLR / XL40 RST / XL50 RST / Large DV / Extra-Large DV / Extra-Extra-Large DV

Action X Vs. Action X v2 – New Features

You may have bought one of the original Action X packs, and now you’re wondering whether you should upgrade to one of the new v2 models. Or, you may remember seeing the Action X bags in the past, but they didn’t come in quite the right size for you or were missing a feature you needed. With multiple new sizes and a long list of new and updated features for v2, it’s worth revisiting this series. Here’s what’s new for v2.

• Two new sizes: Action X25 v2 and Action X40 v2
• Three new women’s specific sizes: Women’s Action X25, X30, and X40
• New yellow color
• There are now two padded laptop sleeves instead of one
• A hidden AirTag pocket was added inside the bag
• Side tripod/water bottle pockets are now removable to wear on the hip belt
• Phone pocket expanded to fit iPhone 13 & 14 Pro Max
• A rain cover is now included, and a new rain cover pocket has been added to the interior base of the bag
• The hip/waist padding on the belt is now adjustable for smaller waists
• Luggage handle pass-through added, and also acts as padded side handle
• A base handle was added for 2-handed moving the bag around on the ground or into vehicles
• Large DSLR Core Unit lengthened to fit better a mounted Sony 200-600mm lens and the Nikon Z 800mm lens

I enjoyed using the original Action X bag I bought from their Kickstarter launch campaign some years ago, so I was pleased that they didn’t make any drastic changes to the bags for v2. You won’t notice the difference from a distance unless you’re looking at the brand-new yellow color. Still, Ian Miller, Shimoda’s chief designer, has come up with a long list of carefully thought-out updates that each contribute meaningfully to the overall usability of the bags. Action X v2 is product refinement at its best, and by using it, you see how meticulous Ian has been with a redesign that has been two years in the making.

New X25 and X40 Sizes Welcomed

When I first got details of the planned updates to the Action X lineup, I was particularly pleased to see the new X25 and X40 sizes on the list. Reviewing the Shimoda Explore v2 series, I underlined what a breath of fresh air the smallest Explore 25 v2 backpack was. Outdoor photography backpacks typically come in larger sizes, and trying to find a smaller pack usually means moving down through a brand’s product line to a cheaper, inevitably inferior product. People of smaller stature shouldn’t be forced to use inferior bags. Shimoda’s Explore 25 v2 finally gave those people a smaller camera backpack with the same features and high-quality materials as much larger bags. Now they have twice as many options with the Action X25 v2 introduction.

The Action X25 v2 isn’t just for smaller people, though. Sometimes I want to carry one camera with one or two lenses, and I want to do it in a bag that offers the same level of comfort and features as the bag I use when carrying two bodies, six lenses, and some camping gear. I can easily pack a small 2-lens camera kit, my laptop, and enough clothes and toiletries for a 3-4 day trip into the Action X25 v2.

Even as I sit here finishing this review a couple of days before the bag’s official public launch, that’s exactly my plan. Tomorrow, I hop on a plane from the Yukon to Vancouver, then from the West Coast to the East Coast, for a 4-day trip with only the Action X25 v2 on my back. This bag is a perfect solution for fast and light days in the mountains or multi-day travel excursions where you don’t want to feel weighed down as you hop from the airport to the city and back again.

So, we’ve established that I love the new Action X25. What’s the new Action X40 all about? Obviously, the X40 sits between the Action X30 and the Action X50, but it’s not quite as simple as that, and it all comes down to Core Units. The Core Unit system is discussed in greater depth later in the review, but the quick version is that the X30 uses the shallower Mirrorless Core Units. In contrast, the X40 and X50 use the deeper DSLR Core Units that accommodate gripped or pro-sized bodies.

Both the X40 and X50 will hold the Large DSLR Core Unit, so their camera carrying capacity is identical. Though the X40 sits in the middle, it’s best to consider it a smaller X50 rather than a larger X30. The Action X40 has the same width and depth as the X50 but is 1.1 inches shorter. This slight height change also means that the X40 fits within the carry-on regulations for international flights with more airlines, and, as I mentioned, it does this while still being able to hold as much camera gear as the X50.

Here’s a real example: The maximum height for international carry-on with Air Canada is 21.5″. An Action X50 v2 is 22″ tall, so the thought of using it on one of their flights gives me some anxiety. Perhaps I’ll get a gate agent that’s having a bad day and enforcing every rule. The Action X40 v2, on the other hand, has a height of 20.9″. I can still carry the same camera gear but be completely reassured that if they ask me to put my bag in the dreaded luggage cage, it’ll fit without an issue. The new Action X40 v2 might be the Goldilocks bag in the lineup, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out to be the most popular option.

Women’s Action X Series

Alongside the Action X v2, Shimoda also launched a new Women’s Series of backpacks, including three Women’s specific versions of the new v2 Action X25, X30, and X40, and two versions of the Explore v2 in 25L and 30L sizes. These bags are largely the same as their regular counterparts but come in an exclusive Teal color. They also feature specially contoured shoulder straps that use a twin sternum strap design to alleviate awkward pressure points around the chest. Shimoda has always been at the forefront of creating camera bags to fit a wider range of body types, and it’s great to see them continue this.

When I unboxed a Women’s Action X30 as part of the package Shimoda sent me, my partner Kait–usually ambivalent about the constant stream of gear that arrives–grabbed it from me. She was smitten when I showed her the shoulder strap design and explained the features. With a big smile, she said, “I love it!!” Right then, I knew we’d be keeping that one for her because, as she said tp me, she’s never seen any backpack with straps designed for women. Let alone a camera bag.

Action X Design and Features In Depth

Roll Top Section

The top section of the Action X packs has a roll top design that adds a few liters of extra volume when it’s needed. Inside the top section is a suspended gear “bucket” that helps to separate all your non-photographic gear from the camera compartment below. Built into the sides of this, you’ll find two large zippered mesh pockets, with the rearmost also containing a quick-release key clip. This top gear bucket zips out of the bag if you want to convert your Action X pack into a single-volume hiking or travel pack.

Quick Access Zipper

A roll top is excellent for expandability and versatility, but it’s not the fastest way to get into a bag. Therefore, the Action X backpacks have a zipper that runs right across the top of the bag beneath the roll. In practice, you’ll use this quick-access zipper far more than the roll top entrance. When the zipper is open, it’s wide enough to insert or extract even large objects like drones or heavy down jackets.

Camera Access

Camera access on the Action X25, X30, X40, and X50 can be done through the zippered back panel of the pack or a side hatch. The rear hatch gives you direct access to everything stored in your protective Core Unit, while the side hatch is designed to provide you with fast access to a camera with a lens attached to it.

Front Pocket

The bag’s front pocket features a pair of zippered pockets for organizing small, flat items like circular filters. The large main area in this pocket is split in two by a padded divider. For backcountry skiers, this section is large enough for an avalanche shovel and probe. Everybody else will probably use it for storing layers or separating wet gear. Drainage holes in the bottom of the pocket give melt water a place to go.

Side Pocket

On the opposite side of the bag to the camera hatch is a slim pocket perfect for storing rectangular filters or other similarly flat items. You can also see the stowed water bottle/tripod pocket opposite in its own pocket. If you have the water bottle/tripod pocket deployed, that frees up another pocket for use.

AirTag Pocket

I’m a big fan of Apple AirTags for keeping track of essential items. I’ve written before about how I use these to keep track of my bags while I’m traveling, and now Shimoda has made that easier by adding a hidden AirTag pocket within the bag’s front pocket. Love this!

Torso Length Adjustment

The pack’s torso length can be adjusted between three different positions. When you get the pack, it’s worth trying all three. I wouldn’t have said I have a long torso, but I found the longest position most comfortable.

Shoulder Straps

The shoulder straps are made from EVA foam and forgo any Air Mesh to shed snow and dirt better, thus preventing it from being rubbed back onto your clothing. The straps are heavily contoured to the shape of your body and, despite looking a little thin, do an excellent job keeping things comfortable on a long hike. I particularly like the way the strap widens around the pockets. This extra surface area works wonders stabilizing the bag on your body while you hike, bike, or just generally move around in the outdoors.

Shoulder Strap Pockets

The shoulder straps feature two large pockets. A zippered phone pocket on the wearer’s left side will fit an iPhone 13 or 14 Pro Max. If you’re not using this for a phone, it’s a handy place for an InReach Mini or other small GPS device. While moving through airports, you can clip a pen onto the nylon webbing in this pocket to help you with the endless customs forms.

On the wearer’s right side is an expandable pocket. This can be used for a small water bottle, a phone too big to fit into the other pocket, or even a can of bear spray. I find the latter option particularly useful since I live in a place called Grizzly Valley in the Yukon. There are no prizes for guessing how it got its name!

Sternum Strap

The sternum strap has an emergency whistle and an elasticated section to allow your chest to move while huffing and puffing up the next mountain.

Hip Belt

The hip belt is removable, and Shimoda has made this easier by providing a small plastic tool to slide into the back panel and loosen the hook-and-loop. Once removed, you’ll notice that the hip padding is in two sections, joined by a small adjustable nylon webbing. Loosening or tightening the webbing adjusts the positioning of the padding on your hips, and Shimoda says this will add comfort for people with smaller hips.

Handles

The Action X v2 has three padded handles on the top, side, and bottom to help you lift the bag into vehicles or move it around on the ground at your shooting location. The side handle is wide enough to use as a luggage handle pass-through for those traveling with a roller.

Laptop Carry

The Action X25 can carry up to a 14″ laptop, while the X30, X40, and X50 can carry up to a 16″ laptop. There are now two laptop pockets to choose from: The first is on the inside of the back panel, accessible through the rear camera access hatch. The second padded sleeve, new to the v2 bag, is in the bag’s front pocket. I like having both options. The rear sleeve has thicker padding and is a better place to store a laptop if you’re out in the field. On the other hand, the padded sleeve in the front is a better place to store a computer while traveling. It’s much easier to access for intermittent use and extraction at airport security.

Tripod Carry

A tripod can be carried on either side of the bag by folding the Drop Pockets out of their zippered compartments. Cleverly, the strap length on the Drop Pockets can be adjusted to move them up or down, better accommodating tall tripods. If you prefer, you can also strap a tripod to the front of the bag, although this isn’t my recommendation as it places the weight too far back from your center of gravity.

Water Carry

A 1L Nalgene bottle fits into the Drop Pockets on the side of the Action X v2. You can also relocate one or both of those pockets to the hip belt if you want to carry a larger water bottle up front. If water bladders are more your thing, there’s a bladder hanger in the front pocket and bladder hose routing ports on both sides, letting you feed the hose to your preferred side. The third option for carrying water is to use a small collapsible bottle stashed in the expandable pocket on the wearer’s right-hand side of the shoulder straps.

Rain Cover

Every Action X bag comes with a rain cover, and now there’s also a dedicated rain cover pocket on the inside of the main compartment beneath the Core Unit. Although the bag’s exterior materials are DWR coated for water resistance, it doesn’t hurt to have a rain cover if you get stuck in a prolonged downpour that would otherwise eventually find its way through the seams and zippers to your gear.

Helmet Holder

The Action X bags come with a helmet holder made from stretchy material that clips onto the front nylon webbing. Useful for skiers, snowboarders, climbers, and bikers riding, skinning, or hiking to the next line. It can also help secure large soft items to the front of the bag, such as a sleeping bag or a heavy down jacket.

Core Unit Choices

Core Units are protective camera inserts designed for Shimoda’s range of photography backpacks and roller bags. By choosing different sizes of Core Units, you can customize your pack to carry varied camera gear and non-photographic equipment combinations. Shimoda’s Core Units have an internal frame that gives them a lot of structure. Consequently, the walls can be thinner than many other padded camera cells, maximizing the available space in your Action X backpack.

Core Units come in multiple sizes (S, M, L, XL, XXL) and three depths (DV, DSLR, and Mirrorless). The deepest Core Units, the DV lineup, only fit in the Action X70 HD, so I will skip those in this discussion. If you want to see those DV Units in action, check the X70 HD review. RST Core Units included a top zipper that allows vertical extraction of a camera mounted to a telephoto lens. Each size of Action X backpack has a matching RST Core Unit available that fills the bag’s entire volume for maximum camera gear capacity.

Action X25 v2 Core Unit

The Action X25 is narrower than all the other bags in the series, and so has a dedicated line of Core Units: XS Core Unit, S25 Core Unit, and L25 RST Core Unit. While all other sizes of Action X bags are available as “Shell Only” or “Kit” with a Core Unit, the X25 is only available as a kit with the S25 Mirrorless Core Unit.

The included S25 Core Unit is sized to fit an unattached 70-200 f/2.8 and a 24-70mm attached to a body. With those in place, there’s still extra room for another lens standing vertically, like a 16-35mm or 20-70mm. The XS25 is sized to fit an attached 24-70mm f/2.8 and one or two other lenses.

The L25 RST is the largest of the three, and using it requires removing the top suspended section within the roll-top of the bag. You lose the two zippered pockets from that section, but gain a substantially increased camera payload, and the ability to carry telephoto zooms like the Canon 200-800mm, Sony 200-600mm, Sony 400-800mm, and Nikon 180-600mm. You can also extract those lenses from the top of the bag with a camera attached, making the Action X25 a formidable lightweight wildlife photography backpack.

Action X30 v2 Core Unit Choice

The Action X30 only has the depth to accommodate Mirrorless Core Units. If you buy the bag as “shell only,” ensure you don’t add any DSLR Core Units to your cart. They will not fit. If you buy the Action X30 kit, it’ll come with a Medium Mirrorless Core Unit. Your other options would be an S25 Core Unit, discussed above in the Action X25 section, the Large Mirrorless Core Unit, or the XL30 RST.

For the Action X30, I prefer the Medium Mirrorless or the XL30 RST Core Unit. The Large Mirrorless doesn’t leave much room in the top section of the bag, making it awkward to utilize the organizational pockets effectively. At that point, you may as well remove the top section and use an XL30 RST that consumes the entire interior of the bag, but has the compensating virtue of allowing top access to the content of the Core Unit through the roll-top. Choose that RST model if you want to carry large telephoto zooms in the Action X30.

Action X40 v2 Core Unit Choice

The X40 is deep enough to carry DSLR depth Core Units, which means you can carry a gripped or a pro-sized camera body. You could still opt to use a shallower Mirrorless Core Unit, but be aware that there is no mechanism in an Action X packs for securing the Core Units in place. When you pick a Core Unit that matches the bag’s depth, this doesn’t matter. They wedge nicely in place. However, if you choose a shallower Unit, it will float around inside the bag unless you are wedging it in with other gear. If you do that, you should leave the dust cover on the Core Unit to prevent things from falling out into the pack’s main body.

If you buy the kit and not the “shell only” option, the Medium DSLR Core Unit comes with the X40. This takes up almost exactly half the bag’s interior volume, leaving plenty of room in the top half of the bag for multiple layers, a drone, or other supplies for a day of hiking, biking, climbing, or skiing in the mountains.

The Large DSLR Core Unit (v3) will also fit in the Action X40. When the Action X v2 series was launched, Shimoda updated the length of that Core Unit to work better with a few popular telephoto lenses used by wildlife photographers. If you use a Sony 200-600mm lens, you can fit that into the Large DSLR Core Unit attached to a camera. If you shoot with the Nikon Z 800mm lens, this will fit unattached into this Core Unit. The new Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS and the Olympus 150-400mm, along with older lenses like the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8, EF 400mm f/4 DO II, and Nikon 120-300mm f/2.8 will also fit.

If you use the Large DSLR Core Unit in the Action X40, be aware that it will consume 15.7″ of the bag’s 20.7″ internal height. This doesn’t leave you much room in the bag’s top section. Still, this combination is an intriguing option as it represents a very efficient way to travel with a large amount of camera gear while still remaining within international carry-on baggage limits.

Your other options include the newer XL40 RST and XL50 RST Core Units, which provide top access to your gear through the roll-top. Technically, the XL40 RST was designed for the Action X40, and the XL50 RST was intended for the Action X50. However, I have personally tested the XL50 RST in the Action X40, and the roll-top still closes just fine. This is my preferred combination as it allows me to carry a mounted 600mm f/4 lens in the Action X40, while still keeping the height of my bag within stricter airline carry-on regulations. Since the Action X40 can hold the larger XL50 RST Core Unit, I see little point in buying the Action X50 over the X40, unless you are very tall and need the XL torso length option only found on that bag.

Action X50 v2 Core Unit Choice

The Action X50 v2 has the same width and depth as the Action X40 but is 1.1 inches taller. The same Core Units will fit in the X50 as in the X40, and the pros and cons are essentially the same. The biggest difference is the additional 1.1 inches of depth in the bag’s roll-top section when pairing it with the Large DSLR Core Unit.

Note that there is no point in ever choosing the XL40 RST for the Action X50. Using the RST Core Units means removing the suspended top organization section of the bag, so selecting the 1-inch shorter XL40 RST over the XL50 RST doesn’t provide any additional organizational room at the top of the bag. While it will give you an extra inch of space, your items are not secured and could slide down the side of the Core Unit. If you want top access to your camera gear in the Action X50, choose the XL50 RST Core Unit.

Carrying a 600mm f/4 in the Action X40 or X50

A common question is whether a 400mm f/2.8 or 600mm f/4 lens will fit in either the Action X40 or X50. The answer is yes, they will if you use the new RST Core Units. A 600mm f/4 lens fits unmounted in the XL40 RST Core Unit, which is compatible with either the Action X40 or Action X50. A mounted 600mm f/4 fits in the XL50 RST Core Unit, which, again, fits in either the Action X40 or X50.

For the 400mm f/2.8 users, you can mount a camera to that lens, and it will fit in either the XL40 RST or XL50 RST Core Unit. With these 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 lenses, I recommend storing them in the Core Unit with the camera at the bottom and the lens hood at the top. This positions the slight bulge from the width of the standard-sized lens hoods up above the back panel in an area where you will not feel it while wearing the pack. If you swap the native lens hood for an aftermarket, lower-profile hood from Zemlin Photo or use a collapsible LensCoat TravelHood, you don’t need to worry about its orientation.

Shimoda Action X v2 vs. Explore v2

If you’re considering a Shimoda Action X v2 pack, there’s a good chance you’re also considering a Shimoda Explore v2 pack. The Action X v2 is available in 25L, 30L, 40L, 50L, and 70L capacities, so there is a considerable size crossover with the Explore v2 lineup’s 25L, 30L, and 35L sizes. Women’s versions of the Action X v2 are available in 25L, 30L, and 40L, compared to the Women’s Explore v2, which is available in 25L and 30L sizes.

On the face of it, these two bags are very similar. Both bags are ruggedly built, weather-resistant backpacks for outdoor and nature photography. They both feature a similar harness system with torso length adjustment and the same back panel camera access for use with Shimoda’s range of Core Unit camera inserts. Dig a little deeper, though, and some differences stand out. If you’re on the fence, I recommend you read my Explore v2 review once you’re done with this one or read this detailed Action X vs. Explore comparison. A feature summary and comparison can also be found in the table below.

Feature	Explore v2	Women’s Explore v2	Action X v2	Women’s Action X v2	Action X70 HD
2nd laptop sleeve in front pocket	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Luggage handle pass-through	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Adjustable length waist belt padding	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Adjustable torso length	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Base handle	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Secondary zippered front pocket	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Hidden passport pocket	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Hidden AirTag Pocket	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rain cover pocket	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rain cover included with bag	Optional	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Helmet Holder	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Metal buckle hardware	No	No	No	No	Yes
HD Belt with pockets	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional	Yes
Shovel handle/avalanche probe pocket	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Ice axe loops	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hydration tube compatible	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Removable tripod/water bottle pockets	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional
Front straps across the bag	Optional	Optional	Yes	Yes	Yes
Side camera access	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Top closure	Zip	Zip	Roll	Roll	Roll
Lockable zippers	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Shoulder and hip padding	Air Mesh	Air Mesh	EVA Foam	Air Mesh	Air Mesh
Compatible with RST Core Units?	No*1	No*1	Yes	Yes	Yes

What About the Urban Explore Backpack?

Shimoda launched the Urban Explore backpack long after the Explore and Action X bag as an everyday carry option for photography enthusiasts who spend most of their time in urban environments. As I discovered when I wrote my review of the Shimoda Urban Explore, it’s a great bag. However, it’s a camera bag designed for a broader market and lacks many of the adventure-focused features of the Action X bags. Few people considering the Action X will find the Urban Explore a better choice.

Still, if you’ve read this Action X review and wish there were a less technical-looking, simpler, and slightly cheaper bag that still maintained Shimoda’s style, the Urban Explore might be for you. Alternatively, there’s enough design, size, and functionality gap between the Urban Explore and Action X bags that hardcore Shimoda fans may find a good reason to own both—one for everyday work-week carry and one for weekend mountain adventures. I fall into this category, as I usually use the Action X70 HD or X50, which are far too large for everyday city use. The Urban Explore 25 makes a nice companion bag for those larger packs.

Action X50 Vs X70 HD

	Weight (shell)	Dimensions (in):	Compatible Core Units	Price
Action X50 v2	4.6lbs / 2.1kg	11.8W x 22H x 7.9D in.	XS25 / S25 / L25 RST / Medium Mirrorless / Large Mirrorless / XL30 RST / Medium DSLR / Large DSLR / XL40 RST / XL50 RST	$Check Price
Action X70 HD	6.2lbs / 2.8kg	12.2W x 23.2H x 9.1D in.	XS25 / S25 / L25 RST / Medium Mirrorless / Large Mirrorless / XL30 RST / Medium DSLR / Large DSLR / XL40 RST / XL50 RST / Large DV / Extra-Large DV / Extra-Extra-Large DV	$Check Price

I don’t think comparing all Action X v2 sizes to the Action X70 HD is necessary. There is too much of a size difference between most of them. However, some people will undoubtedly try to decide between the two largest models, the X50 v2 and X70 HD. If you are looking at the X50 v2 and thinking it might not be big enough, I would first encourage you to read my dedicated review of the Action X70 HD. Unlike the Action X25, X30, X40, and X50, which all have the same features, the X70 HD does have enough differences to warrant its own review. I’ll summarize some differences here if you’re unsure if you should consider the X70 HD.

Stepping up to the Action X70 HD from the Action X50 gives you thicker, more comfortable shoulder straps that use Air Mesh instead of EVA foam. You also get a thicker, more comfortable hip belt featuring more Air Mesh and two large zippered pockets. What you lose by choosing the X70 HD are the second laptop pocket in the front of the bag and the side camera access. Instead, the X70 HD has two substantial side pockets to carry large tripods.

Considering the compatibility of the Core Unit, the key change is that selecting the X70 HD allows for the use of all three sizes of the DV Core Unit. These units are deeper than the DSLR Core Units designed for the X50. The increased depth of the DV Core Units help carry rigged-up cinema cameras. Additionally, this extra depth enables you to vertically extract a 400mm f/2.8 or 600mm f/4 lens from the X70 HD.

On the other hand, while the X50 can accommodate both of those lenses in the largest XL50 RST Core Unit, they are too wide to be removed through the vertical opening. If you value that top access, vertical draw feature and want to utilize it with a 400mm f/2.8 or 600mm f/4, you need the Action X70 HD.

It’s also worth noting that the size of the X70 HD exceeds any international or domestic US carry-on regulations. My review contains some options and workarounds for that potential issue, but it will always be more of a consideration than trying to travel with an Action X50 v2.

Shimoda Backpack Accessories

Shimoda has an excellent range of accessories for the Action X v2 backpack lineup. Here are some of my favorites.

Capture Strap

Shimoda’s Capture Straps replace the standard left-hand shoulder strap on the backpack, offering a better, lower, and more adjustable location for mounting camera clips from brands like Peak Design and Ulanzi, at the expense of the phone pocket featured as standard. These optional replacement straps are available in colors to match your backpack.

Shimoda HD Belt

The Shimoda HD Belt is an optional heavy-duty hip belt that provides increased comfort and stability with heavy loads. It also features two zippered pockets, suitable for quick-access items such as snacks, GPS devices, thin gloves, or a winter hat. This is the same belt that comes as standard on the X70 HD and is available in Black, Yellow, and Army Green.

Shimoda Booster Kit

The Shimoda Booster Kit allows you to fine-tune the fit of your Action X backpack by extending the straps in three key areas. It’s particularly handy for taller and broader photographers who need more room in the backpack’s harness.

Shimoda Top Loader

The Top Loader is Shimoda’s camera holster, available in three sizes. You can wear it on the backpack as a chest harness or attach it to the hip belt. Check out our review of the Shimoda Top Loader for more information.

Shimoda Soft Cores

The Soft Cores are great for organizing and protecting smaller accessories, vlogging kits, action cameras, or compact mirrorless systems. They are designed to fit into the roll-top section of the Action X backpacks. Check out the Shimoda Soft Core review for more details.

Shimoda Accessory Case

Shimoda’s Accessory Cases are ideal for organizing your chargers, cables, and audio equipment. Check out the Shimoda Accessory Case review for more details.

Core Unit Filter Pocket

The Core Unit Filter Pocket is an optional extra, perfectly designed to pair with Shimoda’s standard Core Units, and secures using hook-and-loop fasteners. The Filter Pocket holds up to four 100mm filters in a retractable case. If you’re a landscape photographer with a few NDs or polarizers, this case offers excellent protection and a clever design.

Shimoda Accessory Pouch

The Accessory Pouch organizes your batteries and other small items. An internal zippered pocket lets you sort dead batteries from fresh ones. Check out our review of the Shimoda Accessory Pouch for more information.

Shimoda Panel Wraps

The Panel Wraps are a great way to organize sets of accessories for you to grab depending on the shoot that day. They are available in three different sizes. Check out our review of the Shimoda Panel Wraps for more information.

Conclusion

The new Action X v2 series offers an unprecedented choice for the outdoor photographer. With five different sizes and three women’s specific versions, there should be a size that’s right for everyone. Features such as adjustable torso length, adjustable hip padding, and the strap Booster Kit help comfortably fit the Action X packs to all body shapes and sizes. Shimoda needs to be applauded for the efforts they have gone to in this area, including several features I have never seen on any backpack before. Let alone a camera bag.

Adding this inclusive design philosophy to what was already a great backpack and then sprinkling in a long list of carefully thought-out updates makes the Shimoda Action X v2 series an easy recommendation. Whether you are a landscape, adventure sports, travel, or wildlife photographer or anyone else that ventures outside to take photos, these bags should be on your wish list.