Samuel talks about his new Shimoda Action bag

Samuel Bouchoms is a Belgian nature and landscape photographer ánd one of the Kamera Express ambassadors. He recently bought the Shimoda Action X40 V2 backpack to replace his old one, and he would love to share his insights in this article.

Samuel’s collection of gear grew: Time for a new bag!

I had been using basic 30L camera bag for five years: it could hold a camera, two lenses in the insert and accessories. It was fine for day trips and session in Belgium, I even travelled with it quite a few times. But, as my collection of gear grew and both hikes and travels became more intense, it lacked the adequate space and flexibility, leading to poor weight distribution which caused some back pain. For landscape photographers who often walk long distances with an extensive equipment, a well-balanced and properly fitting bag is crucial. These were the key issues that this new backpack needed to address: comfort and capacity.

Typically, for a landscape session, I carry a Canon EOS R5 paired with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L (II) USM, RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM, RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM, a tripod, filters, batteries and cleaning supplies. In addition, it should hold essentials like a water, waterproof jacket/midlayer, snacks, first-aid kit, headlamp and potentially a powerbank.

On paper, 3 bags were checking the boxes, but I ended up choosing the Shimoda Action X40 V2. Did it deliver on its promises? I took it with me to Madeira for an eight-day field test, to try it out. I even added two more lenses to my set of gear for the occasion: a Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 and a Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS USM..

His first experience with the Shimoda bag on Madeira

My first impression was how well the backpack is built: materials used in its construction are of high quality, the structure feels sturdy, zippers feel solid, and the front ones are water sealed. With a 40-liter capacity, I never ran out of space, even when adding hiking and safety accessories, without using the additional 7 L offered by the roll-top.

Storage is ample, with loads of pockets and pouches. I opted for the medium insert and was happy it could accommodate all my photo-gear except for the RF 100-400mm lens, which I had to place in the top compartment when carrying everything—though this only happened once. In addition, by opting for a small insert for when I travel with less gear, my sleeping bag and ultra-light tent could fit inside the bag.

First requirement: check! For bigger lenses, like 150-600mm or big telephoto primes, one may look for the big insert, though.

This is all I could carry in the bag during this trip:

In typical use, the bag weighted 10kg with 1.5 L of water, topping at 12kg when including all the lenses and an extra layer. But it’s never been an issue as the weight is well-balanced, the straps are wide, padded and very adjustable and, crucially, they fit slimmer body-shapes and shorter torso very well. Even with an 1.5 L water bottle in the upper compartment, I experienced no discomfort nor back pain after hours of use when walking or crouching is strange positions to take photos. Second requirement: check!

Finally, we experienced a range of weather conditions: from humid early mornings and mild rain to 30°C sunny afternoons. Cold and windy peaks, being seawater splashed on the shores, dragged on abrasive lava-ground or soft-humid mossy forest, the bag always handled it very well and protected the gear just fine. The only minor issue is that it’s designed more toward cooler climate than hotter ones, and despite some breathable space, the back & straps can get hot quickly.

Key features

In summary, the Shimoda Action X40 V2 stands out for several reasons:

1. Quality of materials: the backpack looks well-built and sturdy.

2. Capacity: Ample storage never ran out of space, modular. Lots of pockets to organize the gear and accessories, and many loops and straps to add gear to the outside.

3. Comfort and adjustability: Designed to be worn for extended periods, very-adjustable, ergonomic shoulder straps and well-fitting waist belt.

Any drawbacks?

While the Shimoda Action X40 V2 is a great backpack, it has a few minor annoyances:

1. Deep front pockets: The deep front pockets can cause smaller items to slip to the bottom, making them hard to reach quickly. Similarly, with the medium insert, there is a gap between the top pouch and camera insert in which small items like lens caps / filters / batteries can get lost in it in the heat of the action.

2. Front zipper difficulty: The water-resistant front zippers can be a bit challenging to close with one hand, and often chop the small loops nearby. It can become a bit of an annoyance for impatient people, like me.

3. Breathability: Although the back of the bag is designed to be breathable, it is more suited for cooler weather than hot conditions.

4. Lateral water bottle holder… don’t hold it very well. I never carried my water bottle on the side and had to put it in the upper compartment, which noticeably altered the weight distribution.

Conclusion

The Shimoda Action X40 V2 has proven to be a great bag that I enjoy using. Despite some minor annoyances that more time with it may solve, the bag did check all the requirements I set, most notably capacity and comfort. It makes for a great companion for photographers needing a durable, spacious, and comfortable bag that can handle various weather conditions and extended hikes while protecting our gear from the elements.

Shimoda Action X70 v2

Shimoda Action X50 v2

Shimoda Action X40

Shimoda Action X30 v2

Shimoda Action X25 v2