Shimoda Action X Camera Bags – New Bag Line on Kickstarter

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by Jakub HanOctober 21^st, 2019

Shimoda Action X Camera Bags is a new Kickstarter campaign from an established camera bag maker called Shimoda. They are offering a new line consisted of three backpacks with sizes from 30l, through 50l, up to 70l with newly designed Core units. The larger Action X70 bag with DV core unit can accommodate even larger cine camera setups. Shimoda further introduces new rollers and a versatile Top loader.

Action X line of bags on Kickstarter. Source: Shimoda

Camera bags designer and manufacturer Shimoda has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for their new Action X Camera Bags series. The campaign has gotten pretty successful, and it is already way past the funding goal. There is, however, still time to participate until November 29.

Shimoda Action X Camera Bags Line

The Action X camera line includes a wide variety of products. They target this line primarily at outdoor photographers and filmmakers, who often have to face changing weather conditions, for instance in the mountains. The Action X line includes 3 new backpacks, new Core Units, new rollers, and a versatile Top Loader.

Action X Backpack in use. Source: Shimoda

As part of their Kickstarter campaign, Shimoda will donate 1% of the total sales generated to Give Back To Nature, a community of adventure and landscape photographers with the goal of planting 1 Million trees to landscapes destroyed by deforestation. Shimoda’s goal is to generate enough sales through their Kickstarter campaign so their donation can plant over 10,000 trees.

Shimoda Action X Backpacks

There are three new backpacks in the Action X line – the Action X30 (smallest – 30l), X50 (middle-sized – 50l), and X70 (largest – 70l). All Shimoda Action backpacks feature large fast-access side-panel and main rear-panel opening. There is also a volume-adjustable roll-top, which lets users pack their gear according to their needs and it helps to ensure a compact and stable fit.

Action X Backpacks. Source: Shimoda

The largest Shimoda Action X70 features a very large, expandable, zipper-sealed pocket on each side. This is designed to easily accommodate tripods, water bottles, gimbals and other gear that can be a challenge to pack. Just like the X30 and X50, it also has TPU ski straps, a removable helmet holder, adjustable torso-height, shoulder strap mounted phone or accessory pockets, and a removable belt.

Largest Action X70 Backpack. Source: Shimoda

All Action X Series packs feature:

• Adjustable torso-height
• Expandable Roll-Top with 7L of extra storage
• 15-inch laptop sleeve
• Removable/swappable harness straps compatible with the Women’s Strap Collection as well as “Extra Cushion” Plus Straps
• Two tripod or water bottle pockets
• Large side-access opening
• Removable waist belt
• TPU ski straps
• Removable helmet holder
• Padded, shoulder strap mounted phone pocket
• Shoulder strap mounted water bottle or accessory pocket
• Numerous accessory attachment points and straps
• Two heavy-duty carry handles
• Weatherproof YKK SplashGuard zippers

Shimoda Core Units

Core Unit is the heart of every Shimoda backpack. It is sort of a case with extra protection and dividers, which houses camera gear. They offer more sizes depending on the size of the gear and backpack.

New Core Units. Source: Shimoda

Shimoda’s newly revised Medium Mirrorless Core Unit v2 is specifically designed to work with the X30 backpack. Its depth easily accommodates non-gripped Mirrorless and DSLR bodies.

The updated Medium and Large DSLR sized v2 Core Units are designed to match perfectly with the X50. The DSLR depth is built to accommodate gripped bodies whether DSLR or Mirrorless and are ideally suited for those wishing to carry compact video setups with a cage or those using L-Brackets.

The updated v2 Core Units now feature an integrated side-access point in the Core Unit sidewall. This connects with the side-access panel of either the X30 or X50 backpacks. Along with the easy-to-use divider system, each Core Unit now houses a lightweight aluminum frame around the rim to provide more efficient weight distribution and side-wall support.

Third, the largest category is the extra-deep DV (Digital Video) Core Units (available in Large or X-Large). They can even house a larger ready-to-shoot (rigged) cine camera set-up. Wildlife or sports shooters will appreciate its ability to pack and protect a super-telephoto lens.

Action X Backpack in use. Source: Shimoda

Shimoda Top Loader

The new versatile Shimoda Top loader was designed for quick access to Mirrorless and DSLR cameras coupled with zoom lenses. It can also fit compact drones like the DJI Mavic. In its normal configuration, the bag fits a camera with an attached lens up to 24-70mm 2.8. By unzipping the padded bottom extension, users can comfortably fit the camera with an attached 70-200mm 2.8, or a 24-70mm with the lens hood extended.

Action X Top Loader. Source: Shimoda

Users can carry the Top loader by itself either with the included shoulder strap or attached to the belt. This provides a low-profile, stripped-down way to carry a camera. Additionally, there are four ways the Top loader can be paired with the new Action X backpacks:

1. Users can attach the bag to the waist belt of the pack to provide quick storage for the camera while shooting.
2. With the use of the optional accessory straps, users can attach it to the chest so that it doesn’t interfere with their range of motion while walking around.
3. It can be positioned inside an Action X30 or X50 backpack to be accessed quickly through the side zipper. In this instance, it acts like a super-adaptable Core Unit.
4. It can be attached to the waist belt, which was removed from one of the Action X backpacks, providing a comfortable and supportive lightweight carry option to explore with.

Shimoda New Carry On and DV Rollers

Finally, Shimoda has revamped its current Carry On Roller plus introduced a new size to accommodate their new DV Core Units. Both rollers share the same “doctor-bag” style opening. The retracting access allows the trolley’s footprint to remain minimal while either open or closed.

Action X Carry On Roller. Source: Shimoda

The Carry-On Rollers are constructed with a Nylon Carbonate PU coated shell providing extra-durability and water resistance (rain). Oversized YKK zippers promise longevity and durability over the life of your roller. The increased ground clearance comes via large 100mm, shock-absorbing wheels that are quiet yet capable to handle rough terrain.

Action X DV Roller. Source: Shimoda

A new outside pockets with passport, phone, and accessory sleeves are easily accessible. The larger outside pocket is ideal for books, water bottles or even a tripod and gimbal. The lower profile pockets are particularly convenient for meeting international carry-on compatible dimensions. All Shimoda Rollers are Core Unit-compatible, allowing users to switch from pack to roller and back with minimal effort.

Custom Shoulder Straps

It is interesting to see how Shimoda paid attention to all aspects of the bags. They even developed and designed special shoulder straps for their female customers. They offer a comfortable fit and come in three styles — Simple Petite, Simple, and Tech. Female supporters can choose their straps of choice at the end of the campaign.

Shimoda also offers an extra padded Plus shoulder straps for men.

Shoulder Straps. Source: Shimoda

Kickstarter Rewards Prices

Shimoda prepared ten different awards on their Kickstarter. These are ranging from $250 for Action X30 starter kit (Action X30 backpack with medium mirrorless core unit and rain cover) to $1,300 for Action X Production house kit, which includes the whole Action X lineup.

They also offer the so-called Action X Do-it-yourself kit for custom orders. Customers can choose which products they want and pledge the exact amount.

The bags are expected to be delivered to all Kickstarter backers in December 2019. Color selection will be done after the campaign ends. Women will be offered a shoulder strap set (simple, simple petite, or technical) in their choice of color for each bag ordered. Shipping charges for all custom DIY Kit orders and Add-On orders will be applied when the campaign ends.

Action X Backpack in use. Source: Shimoda

Even though Shimoda is an established company and this campaign clearly includes finished products, we feel obliged to say this at the end of every crowdfunding-related article: Please be aware of the risks when backing a project on a crowdfunding platform. Please read Kickstarter’s terms of use – especially Section 5 “How funding works”. Keep in mind that there can be significant delays when delivering the product. Some projects even don’t get delivered at all.

What do you think of the Shimoda Action X bags line? Do you have experience with their other products? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.