This is the best backpack review I've ever seen. My goodness, I was going insane as I watched a dozen other reviewers making endless justifications for clear inadequacies in the design, but you've very concisely pointed them out, offered a realistic example of why they are inadequate, and then moved on. Exactly what a review should be. Thank you, sir!

I can only echo what others have said before me: An honest review without sugarcoating any shortcomings in the bag design. I wish I had watched your video earlier, I could have saved a lot of time. The review was very helpful in my decision making process between this bag and two competitors. In the end, I decided against the Shimoda bag and ordered the Nya-Evo Fjord 60-C instead. Thanks again for your excellent video. I'll check out your channel for more photography content. Best regards from Germany.

This is most detailed review on backpack i have ever seen. Very good and big thank you!

Thank you Mark, for the extremely honest and informative review. It provided a true insight to the bag which is very much appreciated!!

Thank you for detailed review. The best review of Action X series!

Brilliant and thorough review. Thank you for taking the time.

Best review I have seen of the Action X! Cheers!

Thanks. great to see a review of this bag that wasn't just 100% glowing.

Thanks for this review! It's nice seeing the negatives of this backpack, too.

I like very much this review - thanks for pointing all aspects of the backpack.

Really good review! Many thanks!

Thank you for the lengthy review - I found it very helpful determining if this would be the bag for me.

Best review I have seen in a long time ;)

Good review, Mark and I agree with your comments having used it for 6 months now. The key reason why I love this bag so much is the comfort while hiking as they have taken lots of clues from real extended hiking backpacks vs. "photographers" bags, most of which are not comfortable for extended periods. The hip belt is fantastic and really does transfer weight via the frame to the center part of your body vs sitting on top of your back as so many bags do. ICU storage is good, though tight with the Lee150 Filter bag (as you have) and the SW150 hood. I purchased the waterproof cover as the ripstop nylon seems only water resistant. To your point, no bag is perfect, but this the best I've used to date, by far. I'm sure they will improve the design with newer models.

A great, thorough video.Having recently broke my old Lowepro bag I researched many new ones including this which I eventually bought. As you said, no bag is perfect and compromise is always needed. I hope that I get at least 7 years service out of this bag (as I did with the Lowepro) because they are sooooo expensive! Thanks for your efforts 🙂

First of all, thank you for that detailed review, knowing what someone didnt like (or had issue with) helps me so much more in deciding if a bag is for me, than someone giving a review "i love everything in this bag". It gives me confidence in my "remote" buying decission (as you cant try on most bags these days unless you have a shop that sells them close by). Ramble Ahead: I own a Lowepro 450 AW for hiking and if i need to carry longer lenses (Airshow for example, yes switzerland has airshows in the alps :D ) i found the backpack to just lack that little extra space for a Jacket or an additional bottle on the inside ( i like to carry at least 1.5L on summer hikes, preferably 2... just because a cool wind is blowing doesnt meen the sun isnt trying to cook my skin off my body) . And what you showed with the EOS R and the 70-200 is roughly what i have as a size limitation. (i own the R6 and 70-200 f2.8 EF but i guess those are near identical). I usually dont go out on hikes when its raining sideways, but if you go up high you never know. What i love with the Lowepro AW series, you have an integrated raincover you can pull over the backpack even while walking without taking the backpack off. I need to think about the points you mentioned in terms of water proofing. As for the size... i first was looking at the X30 but i think the X50 would be a better option for long dayhikes where i need to carry more stuff. Else i end up with two similar bags with the same capacity issue. I mostly plan to take my 70-300 (or the 200, about the same lengh) with me. and a 16-35 f4, all adaptet. Thats about it. Later maybe the RF 100-500 but then i dont need the 70-300 anymore. A starter kit costs here 420$ which isnt exactly cheap, hence i am really happy about detailed reviews like yours compared to when i buy a lowepro that only costs 150 or so $

Excellent review Mark. Thank you very much. There's half a dozen issues in the design of the bag that would get on my nerves so I think I'll stick with my Mindshift Backlight 26L for now.

Very thorough! Thank you Mark.

Very comprehensive! I have been considering this bag for a few months now. I have been through many. All have some good, some bad, and some ugly. As a life-long packaging engineer (37 years) it's the little picayune oversights like those that you mention that irritate me the most. I have yet to find the "perfect" photographer's backpack. This is a HUGE help in narrowing down my decision. Thank you!

Very helpful in my buying decision. Thank you.

Watched ur mind shift backlight reviews first, saw in comments u went with this bag. Your backlight review was really good and I might be sold on the 36 but wanted to check out this one first since u said u bought it over the other two. While I appreciate the honest review, this bag looks like it has some pretty big issues and very surprised u picked it over the others. I couldn’t keep watching past 13 mins, way too many legit issues. Thanks for the review, now a little more research to make sure there’s nothing that fits my needs better than the backlight. Appreciate your hard work!

Other reviewers please take notes, this is how you do a review video. Spot on

Love this review!

Interesting how spot on your comments were on some of the aspects or this bag. So much so, that it feels like shimoda watched this video when making their V2 bags.

Good and interesting review, thank you

Very thorough. I need you to review every bag. It feels harsh but fair.

I bought the bag, in big part to your honest and detailed review. I knew what I was getting into and how to mitigate some issues, so thank you. 1) The extra accessory straps that I got will come in hand for carrying on the top or bottom of the pack. 2) The booster strap set has already proven very useful for carry snowshoes (three sets at one time, to be exact…). 3) I bought the Women’s simple straps, which made attaching a Peak Design Capture Clip in just the right spot very…simple. 4) I also bough Superior Wilderness Designs (SWD) water bottle shoulder pouch and hip belt pockets. I’ll sew webbing in the right places to secure them 5) I’m still considering a Zpacks DCF backpack rain cover. It may not be worth it. 6) Also considering the small core unit as my kit grows, but no need now.

Great video. Hope all is well

Great review.

Thank you for a very helpful video!

What a great review - and so nice to hear it from one who actually bought it himself! I do like that you take on all the details and thus end up with almost half an hour. Thank you. I have one question for you since I am considering the f-stop Tilipa 50L against this bag (or maybe even the Shimoda Explore 60). The question is, if you know if it it possible to attach e.g. a tent externally at the bottom of the bag and e.g. at sleeping bag at the top? From googling and youtubing it seems to be possible with the Tilipa 50L using their "gatekeepers".

I paid for this Back bag with the bigger insert unit $ 295.--. Was on sale with a discount. I love it. I don't care sometimes the zipper is a little bit difficult to open. But the straps has to be somewhere to hold the case on the gravity point together to center the weight out. You have to pack your bag smart. Find out what you need the most time and place it where you have quick access. Expendable pockets are good ... but some people overdue and this put stress on the zipper and can go bad. I own 4 different back bags. Each of them for some special reason. All in one I am very happy and had no problems. Would buy again. Make me a raincoat from a strong trash bag. I never needed.

"and because they don't have the word 'photography' in them they're a lot cheaper" :D ain't that the bloody truth! Thanks for the thorough video. I appreciate the fact that you told many measures that others tend to leave out, for example your own height (I'm 6'3" and many bags don't fit well but this actually might).

Mark is by far the most honest review of this backpack. I bought this bag anyway, but in my case after tearing the eyepiece rubber and scratching the Lumix S1, I decided not to keep the bag. In addition, several elements mentioned in your review annoyed me also in daily use. In fact, no bag is perfect, that doesn't make the X50 a bad backpack, just that for me it unfortunately doesn't work. For now, I am considering buying an Ajna Dura Diamond. I hope I will be more satisfied with this one. Best Regards.

perfect review!

Thank you very much for the valuable input~ Was considering getting this one, I used to have the Fstop Keshmir UL, but then, realized that the Fstop 30L is even bigger than this Shimoda 50L...cannot believe it.

Great video. I've watched a couple dozen reviews on Shimoda bags (Mostly looking at the Explore V2 actually) and almost ALL of them have been sent the bag. They aren't as critical of the bags because they want to be sent more in the future, or aren't as bothered by the faults because they don't have to use it if they don't want to and don't have to look at their bank accounts afterwards. I wonder how many of those people even know how much the bag costs. So it's great to see a review from someone who actually paid for it and will be more critical of the issues. Looking forward to ordering one myself, and returning the Wandrd Prvke which I got which shattered all of my expectations, from reviewers who I'm assuming didn't actually buy the bag.

That has got to be the best review for a bag i have seen, been looking at this bag or the new explorer 2 series. you clarifies some worries i had. May i ask what make those small carry bags are for the batteries

This seemed a well considered and balanced review. If there is one thing that I have absolutely wasted money on over the years it's been camera bags. So many hyped products turned out to be absolute rubbish, at least for me. My favourite camera bag remains the first one I purchased, a very simple and small shoulder bag by Tamrac. Since then, I have accumulated a number of bags/packs, none of which has really worked as well as I would have liked. Anyway, I have ordered a Shimoda X30 which will hopefully solve my carry problems and wind up being that last bag I have to buy for a very long time.

Crazy money, £295 for a bag that doesn't do the job. I use my Berghaus Arete rucksack cost me £35 on fleabay and pop my camera in a Lowepro case offering far more alternatives and just as much protection.

Excelente video. Se agradece la claridad. Saludos desde el Altiplano, en Chile 👋🏻🌎

This is probably one of the best reviews on a Shimoda bag. Better than all the ones that have just had it given to them a few days before and gush lovingly over it. I am considering the V2 models, but slightly annoyed that that use a breathable padded mesh on the back/ straps etc on the women's version but not on the men's.

Thanks mark! I've had just special ordered this bag into a local retailer who doesn't normally carry them and these can be hard to find right now in Canada. I learned a bunch of things about the bag from your video that I didn't already know from having watched other videos and that is incredibly helpful. I'm curious to know if you've learned anything more about the weather resistance of the bag since making this review?

Hi Mark, Thanks for the honest and detailed review! I am curious what your experiences are now that you have used the bag for over half a year.

Thanks for that great video, with all the information. I was looking around for a photography bag for hikes in the alps in Germany. Well i guess this bag will be my future one. I have an Fujifilm xt3 with 3 lenses and some filters. I guess the medium core unit will fit great. I have one little question, do u think that the straps outside of the bag are capable to carry a pair of skis? Thanks again for all the information!

I really leaves my wondering, why they wouldn't use stretch material for all the inner pockets. I thought that would be an industry standard tbh.

Thanks for the review. Can you fit a 40cm tent pack in the top compartment with the Medium DSLR core unit inserted, providing the upper section is fully loaded but still closed (like on the 26:43 shot on the right)?

Excellent review thank you. Do you think you could fit 2 small mirrorless core units on their side in the x50?

Can you attach peak design capture camera clip to the straps of this bag? Thanks

I am trying to decide between this backpack and the Compagnon Element Backpack. Tough decision...

Thanks for your detailed review. I also want to buy myself a similar backpack. But I did not find information anywhere, does the basic compartment for photographic equipment come with it? The description has Large DSLR Core Unit v2. It is he?

A) Honestly, you're a great reviewer. It took 20 minutes (fully packed with information) to get to the back access/ICU itself and I mean that as a great compliment, because it was all practical and entertaining. B) Do you have a Bosch washing machine? :) *I came here to decide between Shimoda x50 and F-stop Tilopa. Do you have any experience with the other by any chance? Thanks for what you do and good luck on your endeavours!

Can we put a tripod in the bag & not outside? It works? I prefer to avoid steals

Thank you for the thorough video. Is there a strap or loop to pass a rolling carry on handle through to wheel the bag on top of a rolling carry on?

Thanks for a thorough and honest review of this backpack! I wonder if you have also considered one of the Mindshift Rotation backpacks, and if so, what was your reason for choosing against it?

Best video on this bag that wasn’t a prepaid advertisement!! Did you consider the X30? If you were considering the 26/36, why not the X30 which is expandable to 37l? Where does the physical carry size compare to the mindshift 26/36L back light packs?

Great review, and great observations. It makes you wonder who (if anyone) actually tests the bags pre-launch, and has the balls to question and criticize the designer. Nobody, I’d guess…

I have many of the same complaints. I actually just ordered and F-Stop Tilopa after using the Action X for 3 weeks in Africa on Safari. My new 13" MBP got pretty scratched up and if I used my Sony a1 and attached it to my 200-600 I ended up having to pull off the rubber eye piece. Even if you buy the extra dividers you may find you still have to double up stuff.

Struggling to choose between the x50 and the F-stop tilopa ! any advice welcome. Great Review!

Thx for your test i would Line to know if my iPhone 12 pro Max can fit on thé frontal smartphone pocket

Do you think this bag could fit as a personnal item for air travel?

I really think that this bag needs a version 2 to be competitive! @Shimoda

If you want to film in intense downpours your best bet is to use a gopro hero 9. No camera bag is totally water proof unless its a surfing bag. What gripes me about these expensive bags is gimbal storage and hydration seems like a after thought . I would like for once to store my gimbal in a internal protected sleeve or something ,not a outside pocket were all the weight goes on too once you lay the bag down. The helmet carrier looks like a loin cloth lol the overall look of the bag looks nice though. Iam on the fence about the looks of the harness lol it is pretty wide almost like a support bra but is probably comfortable o well.

thank you for the best review of this, no one tells you the core compartment has to be purchased separately, and i really appreciate you mentioning the Peak design capture clip i was worried mine wouldnt fit this,, thank you!!

4:40 Good news: Shimoda included rain cover for x40 and my x70 HD back packs.

The kind of reviewer I want reviewing any related photo gear Holds no punches. Clearly you are not an affiliate of the company . There is a photo mantra that many go by - everything is a compromise with tradeoffs. All any of us can do is find what best serves are needs best, short of designing it your self. In all fairness Shimoda is one of the better ones out there presently, although I like Gregory & Osprey hiking bags that open in the rear as well, and are very comfortable.

Good review. They should have handed a few of these out for testing by photographers. maybe they did and did not take into account any feedback provided.

Wish they had made a pocket so you could mount a tripod down the middle, on the sides or bottom is awkward.

Very comprehensive review.,why don't they just include the rain covert's not like the bag is cheap. overall seems to be a good bag, and as you say there's no perfect bag. do you feel this is the best you can get ?

It occurs to me that a piece of scrap card or paper from the bin held under the waistbelt while inserting it into postion and then pulled out might work well. Also, should they be referring to the straps as for "females"? Maybe for people with mammary glands irrespective of gender or sex might be more acceptable.

Thanks for review. I’m leaning towards Mindshift bag as I prefer tripod to mount on the back not on the side, esp if it’s a large tripod.

16 inch mbp fits in there..

Been wanting this bag for awhile . I prefer the altlas series bags though hydration bladders should be side mounted on camera bags . Like the atlas athlete the icus are non removable though . The benifit is no frame in the way .

Glad I never bought one

I'm sorry, but there are so many reviews on camera backpacks, certainly this one.

The back has no curve to rest pack's weight on wearer's lower back. Something bugging me in me peak design travel backpack.

....if...you are stuffing your bag That much,Then You need A bigger bag.That is all.

While I appreciate the detailed review, the incessant whining got on my last nerve. Thanks!! NOW I have no more nerves left!! 🤣

This video was tough to get through…I have used a TON of bags in my life…and while no bag is perfect, this Shimoda bag is as close as any bag of this style and size I have ever tried. That being said…did you enjoy this bag? Did you like anything about it? Are you generally someone who only looks for and therefore finds the negative things in life? This review was 28 minutes of downsides and “supposedly’s”. Did you even enjoy making this video? I’m not sure why I’m so triggered but the tone of this review is so low, so nitpicky, it makes me wonder if there is a product on this planet that you actually get joy from using. Is there a review of something you love or do you prefer to take contrarian points of view on everything you review? By the way, I don’t own this bag…I just find it hard to believe that for a product that’s well made, highly rated and selling well, you are the one person telling it like it is. I wish you the best of luck sir, and thank you for making this review…but if you excuse me, I now need a shower and some sunshine.