Shimoda Soft Core Units Reviewed

Shimoda’s line of Core Units now includes three soft-sided cases designed to protect compact camera kits, vlogging setups, and to protect and organize a range of other content creation accessories, from microphones to action cameras, external monitors, and auxiliary support accessories.

While Shimoda’s standard semi-hard-sided Core Units are designed specifically for the brand’s lineup of outdoor photography backpacks, namely the Action X and Explore series bags, the Soft Cores, along with the brand’s Drone Core range, are a more universal design. Of course, they fit perfectly in existing Shimoda backpacks, but also fit equally well in camera bags or any other bag from most other brands. In this review, I’ll run you through the features and specifications of these handy new protective options.

Disclaimer: Shimoda provided the Soft Cores for test and review. No money changed hands, and they were not allowed to see the content before it was published.

Shimoda Soft Core Specifications

The Shimoda Cores are available in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. Each size is available in two colors: Black or Boa. To see how the dimensions and weight of the Soft Cores compare to Shimoda’s other Core Units, please consult my extensive Core Unit comparison guide.

Soft Core Design and Features

All three sizes of Soft Core have the same features. On the front of the case is a flat-profiled zippered pocket suitable for instruction manuals, notebooks, or other thin items such as lens wipes, action camera filters, or USB cables. On the outside of the cases, you’ll also find a nylon handle for carrying them or extracting them from within a larger camera bag.

Inside each case is a generous number of thick, softly padded, flexible dividers, along with a further zippered organizational pocket. This internal pocket conceals an Apple AirTag compartment, while the pocket itself is designed to accommodate bulkier items than the flat exterior pocket. You’ll find you can use it to store batteries, some chargers, and larger filters in protective cases. The build quality of the Soft Core Units is exceptionally high, featuring Cordura face fabrics that feel durable enough to withstand rough use in the kinds of rugged environments Shimoda users typically take their gear.

Which Size Is Right?

When it comes to choosing the right size or Soft Core Unit, there isn’t a steadfast guide. However, I will note that the Large Soft Core is a perfect fit for the top section of a Shimoda Action X40 or X50, and the Medium Soft Core is an ideal fit in the top section of an Action X25 or X30. Of course, you aren’t limited to using them in those bags. There’s nothing to stop you from using these in any camera bag into which they will fit, or using them in a travel duffel or backpack not explicitly designed for camera gear. The best thing to do is to carefully consult the dimensional specifications and plan what you want to carry.

Small Soft Core

Medium Soft Core

Large Soft Core

Conclusion

The Shimoda Soft Core Units are a great addition to the brand’s accessory line. Unlike the standard Shimoda Core Units that are semi-hard-sided and designed to fit specific Shimoda backpacks, these Soft Cores are a multipurpose product, and the soft-sided, but still thickly-padded nature of them gives you far more flexibility when it comes to jamming them into the leftover space in any Shimoda or non-Shimoda camera bag. Internally, the AirTag pocket is a welcome addition, and the two zippered pockets add a layer of organization that has been lacking from most other padded camera protective cubes of this type.

Since these Soft Cores arrived for testing, I have found numerous uses for them. They have carried a complete one-camera, two-lens kit within backpacks, organized my action camera kit, and protected my standard travel kit of spare camera parts, charging gear, and cleaning supplies within my usual travel duffel. Whether you are a Shimoda camera bag user or not, I highly recommend these useful cases to help tame the chaos of trinkets, dongles, cables, hard drives, and other accessories that seem to multiply in your kit every year.

In the past, I have used standard Shimoda Core Units, F-Stop’s ICUs, Peak Design’s Camera Cubes, or Think Tank Stash Master protective cubes wedged into backpacks, travel bags, and suitcases to hold all the additional stuff that doesn’t usually go in my main camera bag compartment. The introduction of these Shimoda Soft Cores, with their AirTag pockets and zippered organizational pockets, looks set to change my usual photo trip packing protocol.