Shimoda Explore 30 v2 Women’s Series
Summary Verdict
Thanks to its adjustable shoulder straps and waist belt, designed specifically for women, the Shimoda Women’s Series Explore 30 v2 backpack gives a comfortable carrying experience. Its smart design is matched by its organisational capabilities, offering numerous pockets and compartments for gear. Whether for travel, landscape photography, or daily use, this backpack is a reliable option for photographers in need of a comfortable and functional backpack that can hold a lot of kit.
The Shimoda v2 Women’s Series backpacks won the SheClicks Accessory of the Year Award 2024.
Score: 5/5
For
Versatile and spacious
Female-specific and very comfortable
Durable materials and tough build
Against
You may need a larger Core Unit
Fairly expensive
What is the Shimoda Explore 30 v2 Women’s Series?
The Shimoda Women’s Series Explore 30 v2 is the larger of the two backpacks in Shimoda’s Explore v2 Women’s Series. As such, it’s a high-quality backpack designed specifically for women, blending functionality with style for photographers on the move.
This backpack, part of the Shimoda Women’s Series, offers a female-friendly design with adjustable elements to ensure a comfortable fit, even when fully packed. Its sleek appearance is complemented by a myriad of pockets and compartments, allowing for efficient organisation of photographic equipment and personal items.
The Shimoda Women’s Series Explore 25 v2 is a smaller alternative to the 30L backpack reviewed here. Shimoda also offers three Action backpacks in the Women’s Series, the Action X25 v2, Action X30 v2 and Action X40 v2. The Action Women’s Series backpacks have many of the same features as the Explore bags, with the mina distinguishing feature being the Actions roll-closed top compartment and extra external straps and mounting points.
Shimoda Explore 30 v2 Women’s Series Price
$385 / £369 with Medium Mirrorless Core Unit
Shimoda Explore 30 v2 Women’s Series backpack with the Peak Design Travel Tripod mounted on the side.
Shimoda Explore v2 Women’s Series Specifications
Warranty: 5 Years
Weight: 25 starter kit (with Small Mirrorless Core Unit) 2.4kg , 30 starter kit (with Medium Mirrorless Core Unit) 2.5Kg
Colour options: Teal
Outside Dimensions : 25: 27W x 46.5H x 17D cm, 30: 29.5W x 51.5H x 17D cm
Inside Dimensions: 25: 26W x 45.5H x 16D cm, 30: 28.5W x 50.5H x 16D cm
The shoulder straps (or harness) of the Shimoda Explore 30 v2 Women’s Series have pockets and pouches for holding key items like your phone. The waist strap is removable.
Key Features
Although Shimoda has offered female-specific shoulder straps for a while, this is the first time that the company has offered a collection of its Explore and Action Backpacks with them as standard. The Women’s straps are designed to fit women’s curves better than conventional straps, enabling extended periods of wear without discomfort.
Adjustability is a key aspect of this backpack, and the shoulder straps can be attached to any one of the three loops on the bag’s back, catering to various user heights. Moreover, Shimoda offers the option to switch these straps for different models, ensuring the perfect fit for everyone.
The backpacks also feature a removable waist belt, which is especially helpful with heavy loads as it enables your hips to take some of the weight.
As the Shimoda Women’s Series Explore v2 backpacks open from the rear, you have to take the bag off your back to access your kit in the main compartment. The key benefit of this is that nobody can get into the main section of the bag while you’re carrying it. Another bonus of this approach is that you don’t have to put the straps and back of the bag on the gound to open the main section. It prevents you from getting covered in mud.
However, there’s a handy side opening that lets you get your hands on a lens without having to put the pack on the ground.
Like Shimoda’s other backpacks, the Women’s Series backpacks have a modular design and can accommodate the company’s ‘Core Units’ in their main compartment. These Units are designed for carrying cameras, lenses and accessories, and they have padded inserts that can be moved to fit around your gear. The units can be bought as a kit with the backpack or by themselves.
At the top of the Explore v2, there’s a zip-closed section, which is ideal for holding personal effects like your purse, a light jacket and a packed lunch. This also has two air mesh zip-close pockets to keep small items where you can find them.
With travel and time away from home in mind, the Women’s Series Explore 25 v2 and 30 v2 have two laptop/tablet sleeves that can hold laptops up to 16-inches. The front sleeve has a concealed Apple AirTag pocket.
There’s also a zippered pocket on either side of the Explore v2 backpacks, with each having a removable mesh pocket that can hold a tripod (aided by a strap located above) or a water bottle.
Build and Handling
The durability and craftsmanship of the Shimoda Women’s Series Explore 30 v2 are noticeable from the outset. Although the outer fabric has DWR (Durable Water Repellant) and carbonate coatings to protect against moisture, a rain cover is included for added protection.
The backpack is designed with convenience in mind, sporting comfortable handles on the top, bottom, and side, with the latter also serving as a pass-through strap for luggage.
Earlier, I mentioned that the shoulder straps on the Shimoda Women’s Series Explore 30 v2 backpack can be fixed at three different heights to accommodate photographers of different statures. At a petite 5-foot 2-inches (just about), I find the 'S' setting, which is for smaller individuals, to be perfectly suited to my needs.
Adjusting the strap's position is straightforward. Initially, you'll need to open a zipper at the top to expose the velcro closure. Once it’s accessible, simply separate the velcro, detach the strap from its existing loop, and then rethread it into the desired loop. Following this, reattach the velcro and secure it back with the zipper.
Once the straps are adjusted to the appropriate height, the fit can be fine-tuned using the lifter straps at the top of each shoulder strap. This makes for a more comfortable distribution of the load’s weight. In addition, the backpack has two adjustable chest straps and a waist belt, ensuring a custom fit for each user.
Prior to packing the main compartment, it's advisable to open the side compartment of the Core Unit and place it into its dedicated slot through the side access of the backpack. This clever design feature grants easy access to the Core Unit's interior simply by opening the side flap of the Explore v2, making it easier to swap lenses quickly.
Performance
I have used all the backpacks in Shimoda’s Women’s Series and the straps are very comfortable to use. I’ve tested the Shimoda Women’s Series Explore 30 v2 and Action X25 v2 the most extensively.
The Shimoda Explore 30 v2 Women’s Series reviewed here comes with the Medium Mirrorless Core Unit, which can hold a full-frame, single-grip mirrorless camera up to 12cm tall and a few lenses including a 70-200mm f/2.8. I used to carry a range of cameras and lenses, including a Sony A7RV with a 70-200mm f/8 lens mounted and four other lenses.
By itself, the Core Unit weighs just 500g. It features EVA-laminated dividers and sidewalls and has a lightweight aluminium frame for rigidity. Although the Unit’s walls and dividers are thin, they protect your camera gear effectively without bulk.
I’m quite small so I have to pull the waist belt and sternum straps to their shortest lengths to get the right fit in the summer when I’m wearing a thin top. My preference would be to pull them both tighter if if the option were available, but the waist belt still sits on my hips and takes some of the weight from my shoulders. Even though I’d like to tighten the sternum straps a little further, the shoulder straps stay in position well, making the Explore 30 v2 very comfortable to carry. It can’t make a heavy load magically lighter, but it makes it much more bearable.
Verdict
The Shimoda Women’s Series Explore 30 v2 presents a more traditional and streamlined alternative to the Action X v2 series, with fewer external straps and faster top-compartment access method. Yet, it retains the same customisable fit and comfort that Shimoda is known for, making it an excellent choice for photographers seeking both style and functionality.
SheReviews
Name: Rhiannon Lawler
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Favourite type of photography: Landscape
Website: rhiannonlawler.co.uk
Instagram: @RhiannonLawler
Which model of the Shimoda Women’s Series backpacks do you have?
I have two, the Explore 30 v2 and Action X40 v2
Do you have any other backpacks? If so, which?
No.
What was it that attracted you to buy the Shimoda backpack?
I previously owned the original model with the women’s straps and found them extremely comfortable. They spread the weight well across my body, and they’re a great design.
When do you use it?
Workshops and day trips.
What do you like about the backpack?
I find them extremely comfortable, and they spread the weight well across my body. Great design.
Has it lived up to your expectations?
My expectations have been exceeded.
Do you find it comfortable to carry?
Extremely.
Is there anything you would like to change about the backpack?
I don’t like the tripod and water carry pockets on the new design. I think the original design was better. My water bottle falls out when I bend over with the bag on. As a previous Shimoda backpack owner, it’s also frustrating that the women’s bags have to be purchased as a ‘kit’, you can’t just buy the bag and reuse your old core units, which is possible for the unisex range.
Were there any other backpacks that you considered buying instead?
No, I’ve tried a lot previously!
How much kit do you carry regularly?
One camera body and three lenses, or two bodies, one drone and three lenses. I also usually carry a tripod and some filters.
Is there anything else you would like to add about the backpack?
Sometimes the straps are a little squeaky, which is a bit annoying!
Name: Laura Elliot
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Favourite type of photography: Wildlife
Instagram: @lauraelliotphotography
Which model of the Shimoda Women’s Series backpacks do you have?
The Explore 30 v2
Do you have any other backpacks? If so, which?
No, I sold my others as I wanted one bag that could do it all.
What was it that attracted you to buy the Shimoda backpack?
The versatility! I wanted a bag that could carry my camera gear, a packed lunch, or indeed could be used just as a standard rucksack.
When do you use it?
I use it for going out doing photography when I have a lot of kit to carry, I've taken a smaller kit with a packed lunch and my nature journaling supplies or I have even used it minus the insert for a work trip away as my main luggage.
What do you like about the backpack?
So many things! The bag is very comfortable to wear, has great padding to ensure my gear is protected, has lots of fabulous storage pockets, and has given me the ability to have a single bag for multiple uses.
Has it lived up to your expectations?
Absolutely, it was a lot of money to spend, but it has been worth it.
Do you find it comfortable to carry?
Very. Even with heavy camera gear, it is very comfortable.
Is there anything you would like to change about the backpack?
One niggle is the side open for accessing your camera or lens quickly, normally I would swing a bag to my right side and take it out that way, but with this bag, you only have the option to remove your camera from the opposite side. It takes a little getting used to.
Also, I love the fact that having the medium insert inside means that I still have room on top for my lunch, but the unit is just a bit too small to house my Canon R5 camera with the 100-500mm lens and the lens hood mounted. I could go for the large Core Unit, but this is quite an additional expense and would then reduce the capacity to carry other things. It would have been great if you could select the size of insert you want to come with it.
Were there any other backpacks that you considered buying instead?
Not really, I have had many bags over the years and each had something that meant it just wasn't quite right. This Shimoda backpack seemed to tick all of my boxes and was the only one I could find that did so.
How much kit do you carry regularly?
Mostly my Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM.
Is there anything else you would like to add about the backpack?
Nothing other than what I have already said.