Alongside the Action X v2 pack launch, Shimoda unveiled a new Women’s Collection of camera bags based around the Explore v2 and Action X v2 packs in their lineup. We have individually reviewed the standard Action X v2 series of packs and the also-new Action X70 HD. In this post, we’re going to take a look at the new Shimoda Women’s Collection. We’ll discuss the differences between the standard versions of these bags, the bespoke women’s versions, and the various other options that Shimoda provides for women to get a comfortable fit with any of their photography backpacks.
Table of Contents
Shimoda Women’s Collection Camera Bag Lineup
The Shimoda Women’s Collection comprises five Teal-colored camera packs based on the Explore v2 and Action X v2 packs. It includes:
- Shimoda Women’s Explore 25 v2
- Shimoda Women’s Explore 30 v2
- Shimoda Women’s Action X25 v2
- Shimoda Women’s Action X30 v2
- Shimoda Women’s Action X40 v2
A previous article has discussed the difference between the Shimoda Explore v2 and Action X v2 packs. There’s no need to go over that again. What is essential to know is that the Women’s Action X and Women’s Explore packs feature identical, bespoke women’s specific shoulder straps. The Women’s Action X v2 packs also feature the Air Mesh back panel and shoulder strap padding from the Explore v2 series. This is distinct from the standard version of the Action X v2, which uses high-density EVA foam padding. Aside from those two changes, the Shimoda Women’s Collection packs are the same as the regular versions.
Pack Specifications
| Women’s Explore 25 v2 | Women’s Explore 30 v2 | Women’s Action X25 v2 | Women’s Action X30 v2 | Women’s Action X40 v2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (shell) | 3.5lb / 1.57kg | 3.6lb / 1.65kg | 3.9lbs / 2.01kg | 4.2lbs / 1.9kg | 4.6lbs / 2.1kg |
| Outside Dimensions (in): | 10.6W x 18.3H x 6.6D in. | 11.6W x 20.3H x 6.6D 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. |
| Outside Dimensions (cm): | 27W x 46.5H x 17D cm | 29.5W x 51.5H x 17D cm | 27W x 48H x 17D cm | 30W x 51H x 17D cm | 30W x 53H x 20D cm |
| Inside Dimensions (in): | 10.2W x 17.9H x 6.2D in. | 11.2W x 19.8H x 6.2D 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. |
| Inside Dimensions (cm): | 26W x 45.5H x 16D cm | 28.5W x 50.5H x 16D 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 |
| Max Laptop Size | 14″ | 16″ | 14″ | 16″ | 16″ |
| Compatible Core Units | Small Mirrorless | Small Mirrorless / Medium Mirrorless / Large Mirrorless | Small Mirrorless | Small Mirrorless / Medium Mirrorless / Large Mirrorless | All Sizes |
Shimoda Women’s Collection Straps
The standout feature of the Shimoda Women’s packs is the shoulder strap. The straps curve away from the chest area, while dual sternum straps eliminate awkward pressure points. To further help adjust the packs for all shapes and sizes, they feature adjustable torso length and a clever adjustable hip belt that allows you to reposition the hip padding for those with smaller waists.
Core Unit Choices
Shimoda’s Core Units allow you to customize the camera carrying capacity of their photograph packs. Each Shimoda Women’s pack comes with a Core Unit, but many people buy additional sizes to suit specific needs. They are available in three depths (Mirrorless, DSLR, and DV) and various sizes from Small to XXL. The naming of the Core Unit depths can be confusing, so let me summarize what they can hold:
- Mirrorless Core Units – For mirrorless cameras or DSLRs
- DSLR Core Units – For gripped mirrorless cameras, gripped DSLRs, or pro-sized DSLRs/Mirrorless (Canon R3, Nikon Z9, etc.)
- DV Core Units – For super-telephoto lenses or large cine cameras.
Not all Core Units fit in all of Shimoda’s packs. Below is a list of Core Units compatible with the Shimoda Women’s Collection packs. Core Units in bold are the ones that are included with the pack as part of the kit. You may wish to buy one or more additional Core Units to tailor your camera kit to different missions.
Compatible Core Units
- Women’s Action X25 v2 – Small Mirrorless
- Women’s Action X30 v2 – Small Mirrorless / Medium Mirrorless / Large Mirrorless
- Women’s Action X40 v2 – Small Mirrorless / Medium Mirrorless / Large Mirrorless / Medium DSLR / Large DSLR
- Women’s Explore X25 v2 – Small Mirrorless
- Women’s Explore X30 v2 – Small Mirrorless / Medium Mirrorless / Large Mirrorless
Shimoda Women’s Shoulder Straps
What if you don’t like the Teal color of the Women’s Series bags or want a pack size that isn’t offered? That’s where Shimoda’s Women’s Shoulder Straps come in.
Aside from the Women’s Series bags already mentioned–fitted as standard with a women’s specific strap– Shimoda also makes a standalone series of women’s shoulder straps that can be used to convert other colors and sizes of Shimoda packs to a more female-friendly shape.
There are three main reasons you would buy one of the women’s straps instead of one of the Women’s Series bags: First, it broadens the range of available backpack sizes. The Women’s Series bags are available in the most-popular 25L and 30L sizes for the Explore v2 and 25L, 30L, and 40L sizes for the Action X v2. If those sizes don’t suit your needs, you can buy a regular Explore 35 v2, an Action X50 v2, or an Action x70 HD and then fit it with one of the Women’s straps.
The second reason you might consider going down this route is if you prefer to have an Explore v2 or Action X v2 in a color other than the Teal that is exclusive to the Women’s Series. Since the women’s straps are available in Yellow, Black, and Army Green, you can choose a regular Explore v2 or Action X v2 in any of those colors and convert it to fit your body. Or you can mix things up with a combination, like pairing a yellow strap with a black pack.
The third reason you might choose the Women’s Strap instead of simply buying one of the Teal Women’s Series bags is if one of the optional straps better fits your body shape. All of the Teal Women’s Series bags come pre-fitted with a women’s specific strap designed to fit most people. However, choosing a separately purchased women’s strap opens up those three different sizing options.
While all these options make choices a little complicated, and while I wish the Women’s Tech, Simple, and Petite straps were also available in Teal, it’s better to have an abundance of choices than a shortage of options. The downside to doing things this way, instead of simply buying one of the Teal Women’s Series packs, is that you must buy the pack and the Women’s strap separately. Although the Women’s straps are a very reasonable $34.99, this cost must be factored into your overall decision. Are the additional color choice or sizing options worth the extra cost? For some, they will be.
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.
I recommend shopping directly with Shimoda, if you can, to take advantage of that 10% discount. However, using one of our other links is always appreciated if you can’t do that. Shimoda doesn’t ship directly to Canada, so fellow Canadians should buy from B&H Photo using the links below to take advantage of their free shipping and easy pre-paid duties.
Shimoda Women’s Series Camera Bags
The Women’s Series packs come in the Teal color and include women’s specific shoulder straps and a Core Unit.
- Women’s Action X25 v2 Kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
- Women’s Action X30 v2 Kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
- Women’s Action X40 v2 Kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
- Women’s Explore 25 v2 Kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
- Women’s Explore 30 v2 Kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
Regular Action X v2 Series
If you’d prefer an Action X v2 in a color other than Teal, women can buy the regular bags in Yellow, Black, or Army Green, and add on the optional Women’s Shoulder Strap.
- Action X25 v2 Kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
- Action X30 v2 Shell – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
- Action X30 v2 Kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
- Action X40 v2 Shell – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
- Action X40 v2 kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
- Action X50 v2 Shell – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
- Action X50 v2 Kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon
- Shimoda Action X 70 HD shell – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon
- Shimoda Action X 70 HD Kit – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon
Regular Explore v2 Series
If you’d prefer an Explore v2 in a color other than Teal, women can buy the regular bags in Black or Army Green and add on the optional Women’s Shoulder Strap.
- Explore 25 v2 Kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
- Explore 30 v2 Shell – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
- Explore 30 v2 Kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
- Explore 35 v2 Shell – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
- Explore 35 v2 Kit – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Shimoda Core Units
The Shimoda Women’s series packs come as a kit with an included Core Unit. Many people like to buy an additional Core Unit to tailor their camera carrying options to different missions. If you choose the “shell only” option of one of the regular bags, you must choose at least one Core Unit.
- Small Mirrorless Core Unit – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama / WEX (UK)
- Medium Mirrorless Core Unit – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama / WEX (UK)
- Large Mirrorless Core Unit – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama / WEX (UK)
- Small DSLR Core Unit – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama / WEX (UK)
- Medium DSLR Core Unit – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama / WEX (UK)
- Large DSLR Core Unit – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama / WEX (UK)
- Large DV Core Unit – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama / WEX (UK)
- XL DV Core Unit – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama / WEX (UK)
- XXL DV Core Unit – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama / WEX (UK)
Shimoda Pack Accessories
- Shimoda Core Units – Shimoda / B&H / Amazon / Adorama
- Shimoda Accessory Straps – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
- Shimoda Accessory Pouch – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
- Shimoda Top Loader – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama / Moment
- Shimoda HD Hip Belt – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon
- Shimoda Drop Pocket – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon
- Shimoda Booster Kit – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon
- Shimoda Women’s Shoulder Straps – Shimoda / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
