The Shimoda Side Lite is an ultralight camera bag that offers side access to your protected camera gear, along with a roll-top and a large front dump pocket for your non-photographic outdoor essentials. This bag aims to provide the usual Shimoda carrying comfort for long days on your feet, while shedding enough weight to make those days even more enjoyable. In this review, we’ll take a detailed look at the Side Lite’s features and compare it to the other camera backpacks in the Shimoda Side Series lineup.
Disclaimer: Shimoda provided the Side Lite backpack for testing and review. No money changed hands, and they did not get to see the review before it was published.
Table of Contents
Shimoda Side Series Explained
Before we dig into the specifics of the Side Lite backpack, we need to take a second to understand the big difference between Shimoda’s Side Series backpacks and all of its previous camera packs. The Side Series comprises three side-access backpacks that work in conjunction with Shimoda’s Top Loader camera holsters to create a multi-purpose ecosystem of camera-carrying solutions that adapt to your needs as your day or photographic trip evolves.
Instead of using the brand’s well-known Core Unit system for camera protection, as seen in the Explore and Action X series of backpacks, the Side Series relies on Top Loader holsters. These offer a protective pod for cameras and lenses within the backpacks and can also be repurposed as shoulder bags, hip holsters, or chest harnesses once removed from the pack.
The Top Loaders are available in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. The Small and Large sizes are available in Black or Boa colors. The Medium is also available in Black or Boa, along with a third black and white cross-hatched pattern, which is exclusive to the Side Series bags when purchased as a kit (Top Loader + backpack shell). There is no cost saving to buying the kit, though. All it does is give you access to that medium-sized black and white Top Loader. If you prefer a different size or color, you can purchase the backpack shell and Top Loader separately. To get more details about the holsters, check out my Top Loader review.
Shimoda Side Lite Specifications
- Shimoda’s Lightest backpack
- Also available with a women’s harness
- Rain cover included
- No laptop sleeve
- Volume – 22L
- Outside Dimensions – 10.4W x 16.9H x 5.9D in (26.5W x 43H x 15D cm)
- Inside Dimensions – 10.2W x 16.5H x 5.5D in (26W x 42H x 14D cm)
- Weight (shell) – 2.4 lb (1.1 kg)
- Price at review time – $239.95 / $319.90 (kit) – Check current price.
Side Lite Design and Features
I always like to break down the bag’s features and share some detailed images. Although the Shimoda Side Lite is, by design, a fairly minimal backpack, it still has a few tricks up its sleeve that aren’t immediately obvious after a cursory glance at the exterior images. Let’s dig into them now.
Front Stuff Pocket
The Side Lite’s front pocket is a single volume with an elasticated top. It’s a great place to store everything from extra layers to a water bottle or a filter pouch.
Roll-Top
The Side Lite features an expandable roll-top design with a lightweight magnetic fastener attached to a nylon webbing strap for secure closure. To maintain minimal weight, the roll top adopts a design that sets it apart from the typical roll-top buckle systems used in other Shimoda bags, including the Action X Series and the Shimoda Sidecountry. Instead of buckling both sides of the rolled top together, the rolled material is secured by a single nylon strap. One advantage of this design is that the strap also compresses the contents of the bag’s top section. If you pack softer items at the top, you can squish them down when the strap is tightened.
Onsen Bag
Inside the bag’s roll-top, you’ll find a lightweight removable pocket that Shimoda calls an Onsen Bag. The Onsen Bag is secured into the top half of the bag using hook-and-loop and two snaps. Left in place, the Onsen Bag splits the backpack in two, separating your non-photographic items from the Top Loader camera holster in the bottom half. Once removed, the Onsen bag can be carried with its nylon handles. If you leave the Onsen bag out of the bag, the bag acts as a regular backpack with a single 22L internal volume.
Quick Access Zipper
Shimoda calls this the quick-access zipper, and it provides access to the top section of the bag without unrolling the roll-top. The problem is that the roll-top’s nylon securing strap runs right across the middle of the zipper (see above photo). This means that to open the zipper fully, you need to release the roll-top’s securing strap. At that point, you may as well access your gear from the wider opening of the roll.
If you have to release the nylon webbing and buckle anyway, the zipper provides no added benefit, and the bag could have been even lighter without it. Additionally, since the roll-top isn’t buckled together in the same way it is on the Shimoda Sidecountry, and so is held closed by the compression of that nylon webbing strap, it tends to unroll when you undo the strap to open the front zipper.
One way this zipper could be helpful is when you’re packing the top section of the bag with a lot of gear. If you strategically place any smaller, quickly-needed items near that zipper, you can sneak some things from the zipper without undoing the nylon strap. Or, you may be able to access some items from the middle of your stack of gear.
Side Zippered Pocket
One side of the Side Lite backpack features a large zippered opening. On the inside, you’ll find a smaller zippered pocket that’s ideally sized for a filter or two, if left in their plastic filter cases. Opposite the small zippered pocket is a larger soft pocket that suits small tabletop tripods, accessory cases such as Shimoda’s own Filter Wraps, or a small water bottle.
Camera Access
On the opposite side of the zippered pocket, you’ll find an access hatch into the bag’s main compartment. Designed to work in conjunction with the Shimoda Top Loaders, the Side Lite is compatible with either the small or medium versions of those holster-style shoulder bags. They can be purchased individually, or you can buy the Side Lite as a kit that includes the bag shell and a medium Top Loader in a black and white hatched pattern that matches the bag’s exterior design. Once installed in the backpack, the Top Loader’s lid can be connected to the zippered flap so that it opens as one, giving you quick access to your gear when you swing the bag round to your front on one shoulder.
Note that the black and white Top Loader from the kit has a white interior, which may or may not be to everyone’s liking. I suspect this will start to look dirty fairly quickly, and I prefer the “Shimoda Blue” interior of the Black and Boa brown colored Top Loaders. There is no cost savings when you buy the kit, so order the size and color of Top Loader that best suits your needs.
The small Top Loader is sized to carry a mirrorless camera with an attached lens, similar in size to a 24-70mm f/2.8. The medium Top Loader can accommodate a standard-sized mirrorless camera with an attached 24-70mm lens, as well as a second lens. Or you can use the medium to carry a pro-sized or gripped camera body with an unattached lens alongside it.
Tripod Carry
The Side Lite backpack features identical side pockets on both sides. When not in use, the pockets are pulled flat to the side of the bag by an elastic strap in one corner. A nylon strap with a custom Shimoda metal g-hook secures a small travel tripod.
Sternum Strap
The Side Lite’s sternum strap is easily adjustable and features a safety whistle, an elasticated section that makes it feel a little less constrictive while you move around or breathe heavily, and an elastic strap keeper to tidy up the slack.
Back Padding and Lumbar
On the bag’s back panel, you’ll find two sections of padded, aerated mesh. I found that this setup provided ample comfort for a bag of this size. The lower of the two padded sections, the lumpar pad, is thicker.
Shoulder Straps
Shimoda’s backpack shoulder straps have several standard features. Despite sacrificing some other features in favour of weight savings, the Side Lite’s shoulder straps feature all the same features as its larger siblings in the Explore and Action X range. The left-hand shoulder strap features a zippered phone pocket that can hold an iPhone 16 Pro Max. The right-hand shoulder strap features another zippered pocket that can hold a small collapsible water bottle, or a can of bear spray–handy for people like me who live in bear country!
You’ll also find a selection of nylon and elastic loops for attaching small accessories such as GPS devices or even wireless microphones. The left-hand strap also features an action camera rail that is compatible with the Peak Design Capture Clip and similar knock-off products.
Hip Belt
The Side Lite’s hip belt is lightly padded, features a rail on each side for attaching carabiner accessories, and is removable. Elastic strap keepers manage any dangling straps, and the belt can be configured in what Shimoda calls ‘locked-in’ or ‘free fit’ options. The Locked-In setting widens the rear portion of the hip belt by threading it through two nylon webbing straps, which helps keep the bag closer to your back with less pack movement–ideal for active pursuits.
Rain Cover
The Side Lite comes with a black rain cover. Including a rain cover is especially important with this bag because the front pocket lacks an additional closure mechanism beyond elastic. Without a rain cover, the items in the bag’s front pocket would quickly become wet during a heavy rain shower.
Can You Use Core Units in the Side Lite?
The Shimoda Side Lite is designed to be used with the Shimoda Top Loader, not the standard Core Units. Unlike Action X and Explore Series backpacks, the Side Series packs do not feature a zippered back panel. Although they have a side access door, and you might be able to use it with a Core Unit that also has a side access hatch, the depths of the Core Units do not perfectly match the depth of the Side Series bags. Most of them fit somewhat loosely, which can cause contents to slide out if the rest of the bag isn’t packed tightly.
Compared to Other Side Series Backpacks
If you’re considering Shimoda’s Side Lite backpack, you may wonder whether the other Side Series backpacks, such as the Side Street or Sidecountry, might be a better solution for your needs. The Site Lite is only available with a 22L volume, while the Side Street comes in 22L and 28L varieties. The largest of the three bags in the series is the Sidecountry, available in 28L or 32L sizes. The available volumes alone may influence your decision. Also noteworthy is that the Large Top Loader doesn’t fit in the Side Lite, but does fit in both sizes of the Side Street, and both Sidecountry models. Further differences are noted in the table below, or you can read my Sidecountry review or Side Street review.
| Feature | Side Street | Side Lite | Sidecountry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | 22L or 28L | 22L | 28L or 32L |
| Weight (shell) | N/A | 2.4 lb | 2.9 lb or 3.1 lb |
| Weight (kit with medium Top Loader) | 3.9 lb or 4.2 lb | 3.5 lb | 4.4 lb / 4.6 lb |
| Color | Anthracite or Boa | Black & White | Black & White |
| Laptop Sleeve | Up to 16″ | No | Up to 16″ |
| Laptop Sleeve Is Removable? | No | N/A | Yes |
| Hidden AirTag Pocket | Yes | No | Yes |
| Removable Onsen Bag | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Small Top Loader Compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Medium Top Loader Compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Large Top Loader Compatibility | Yes | No | Yes |
| Available as a Kit with Medium Top Loader | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Available As an Empty Backpack Shell? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sternum Strap Safety Whistle? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Side Tripod Pockets | Yes | Yes | No |
| Removable belt | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shoulder Strap Phone and Accessory Pockets | No | Yes | Yes |
| Camera Clip Compatible Shoulder Strap | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price at Review Time – Shell Only | N/A | $239.95 | $299.95 (28L)/$319.95 (32L) |
| Price at Review Time – Kit | $269.95 (22L)/$299.95 (28L) | $319.90 | $379.90 (28L)/ $399.90 (32L) |
Conclusion
The Shimoda Side Lite adopts a unique approach to camera bag design compared to anything I have tested in recent years. Rather than cramming it with features that add weight, it aims to achieve a balance between comfort, functionality, and all-day carryability. The bag’s contoured shoulder straps are exceptionally comfortable, and I like the functionality of the Top Loader holster bags. They offer ample protection for gear in the pack, and work well outside the pack as holsters, shoulder bags, belt packs or chest harnesses.
My biggest concern about the Side Lite is its price. I’m not saying that it’s overpriced. When you handle the bag, see the hardware, feel the materials, and wear the bag, you come to understand why it costs what it does. The issue is that for many people, this is likely a secondary niche-use camera bag because of its limited camera carrying capacity. Can you justify spending $320 on a second camera bag to save a pound, especially if it’s one you’ll use only occasionally? That’s up to you. If you decide to, I think you’ll love it.
Where to Buy (+ Save 10%)
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.
It’s always appreciated when you use my links for your purchases. I recommend shopping directly with Shimoda, if you can, to take advantage of that 10% discount. However, using one of our other links is also appreciated if you are unable to do so.
