Hey Friend!
I’m super excited to share the new Action X bags from Shimoda. As a pro team member I’ve helped develop and test these bags in some of the harshest shooting conditions. From out on the ocean to the top of mountains, these are the best action sports camera bags I’ve been able to get my hands on.
I am working on a longer form review style video, but you can watch a rough BTS style walkthrough of the bags in my video down below!
Okay LEt’s Talk about these BAGS.
The new top loading bag is great for wearing on your chest during big climbs. It’s an awesome way to keep your gear close to you while working hard.
Bags are personal, and there are a lot of factors that go into what we chose to protect our gear and take it into the mountains.
What would your perfect camera bag look like?
What size?
How much room for gear?
What kind of fabric would it be made out of?
For me it’s not a decision I take lightly, as the right gear can make all the difference when it comes to shooting videos in extreme environments.
The Hardest Kept Secret.
I’ve been apart of the Shimoda Pro team since before the launch of their first series of adventure bags, the explore series. Those bags are incredible. But since the launch of these bags we’ve been working on a series of bags that kicks things up even further. More on that in a moment.
What makes Shimoda special is the mastermind behind the design of the bags. Someone who is a practitioner of getting into the outdoors and is passionate about making gear that is cutting edge and ready to be used.
You might not know his name, but he has earned the reputation of one of the most respected outdoor camera bag designers in the world. His decades of experience speaks for itself, but over the years Ian Millar has been behind some incredible products that you’ve definitely seen in instagram posts and on the backs of some of the hardest working photographers from all over the world.
Thats why I was humbled to be apart of that first kickstarter launch, and also getting to play a roll in helping prototype test and give feedback on a more action focused line of bags. A line of bags for those who are pushing the limits of both their craft, and the gear used to get the job done.
The Next Chapter
What I was most excited about was a larger mountain ready bag with some of those same innovations that Shimoda implemented in the explore series. Those little features that I’ve come to rely on, but in a larger heavier duty form factor.
From the choice of fabric, to the quick access pockets on the shoulder straps and every little detail in-between, no aspect as been overlooked.
What Sets the Bags apart
If you are new to Shimoda, the biggest difference you will notice out of the gate, is a proper back packing harness. This is huge. A harness that can actually adapt to the size of your body and transfer the weight of the bag properly with its internal aluminum frame. This is essential for any bag you want to keep on your back for hours while having confidence on the side of a mountain.
So that’s how you carry the bag, (which is truly a game changer if you are coming from a traditional generic fitting bag) but the next stage is maintaining intelligent gear protection with quick access to everything you would need on the mountain.
The bags are designed to adapt and change to your shooting style and the project you are working on. If you want to carry more camera gear, go for it! Add more ICU’s (or a large one) and you’ve got more protected storage. What if you want room for cloths or other equipment in the bag? Just use a smaller ICU and take advantage of more volume in the bag!
All corners of the bag are just slightly tougher than the explore series. Making sure to withstand years of hard use. A big thing that I am really excited about on the 70L is how the side pockets work. It’s not a dinky water battle holder like most bags, instead it is a massive protected expandable pocket.
This is rad because now your tripod can go on the side of the bag and ACTUALLY STAY THERE! Seriously. No more slipping tripods, no more wrapping the straps around and around hoping it will stay in place. You can open up this expandable pocket, and it works as a perfect storing location for anything from tripods to sliders or a bottle of wine.
These pockets are awesome. I am so pumped with how they turned out, and it’s a testament to the rewards that come from re-thinking how previous bags have been made in the past.
I have a lot more to say about these bags, but in the meantime if you have any questions hit my up on instagram as I’d love to answer them.
The bags are live on kickstarter right now, so head on over to check out all features!