Shimoda Explore V2 30 Water - Review

If you're a travel photographer, a backpack is more than just an accessory. It's an essential tool that needs to be tough, durable, and functional to withstand the rigorous demands of travel. That's where the Shimoda Explore V2 30 Water Resistant Camera Backpack comes in. This pack is designed to be the perfect travel partner, with features that will make your life on the road easier. In this review, we'll take an in-depth look at this backpack and see how it fares under intense scrutiny.

Design and Features

One of the standout features of the Shimoda Explore V2 30 is its travel-friendly design. The pack meets the strictest EU and Asian Carry-On regulations. It also fits under some airplane seats, making it the perfect carry-on bag for air travel. Additionally, it features a luggage handle pass-through, lockable zippers, a base handle for easy 2-handed carry, a hidden passport pocket, and a quick dual-access document/book sleeve. This combination of features makes the Shimoda Explore V2 30 an excellent option for photographers who want to maximize their carry-on allowance while traveling.

The backpack also features multiple access points to allow you to quickly access your gear without having to take off the entire pack. The side opening is ideal for quick under-the-arm access, while the rear opening allows wide, unobstructed access to the bulk of your gear for less time-sensitive shooting situations. Both access points feature lockable zippers, ensuring your gear stays secure while traveling.

Another standout feature of the Shimoda Explore V2 30 is its adjustable torso height. With three height options and approximately 7.5 cm (3 in) of vertical adjustment, this backpack ensures a custom fit for everyone. Whether you're short or tall, male or female, you can adjust the backpack's height to match your torso length, making it comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

The pack also comes with a medium Mirrorless V2 Core Unit Modular Camera insert, which provides shockproof protection for Mirrorless, SLR, and DSLR cameras and lenses. The insert ensures that you never carry more padding and weight than necessary, allowing you to increase your layout options with two or more Core Units by stacking and shifting how they are placed in the pack. This modular system is something photographers will appreciate, as it allows them to customize the pack's internal layout to match their specific gear needs.

Lastly, the Shimoda Explore V2 30 comes with a quick-deploying water bottle and tripod pockets on both sides of the pack. These pockets allow you to carry essential outdoor equipment, making this backpack an excellent choice for photographers interested in landscape or outdoor photography.

Performance

The Shimoda Explore V2 30 is an excellent backpack that performs exceptionally well in real-world situations. The backpack's waterproofing and durable construction ensure that your gear stays safe and dry, no matter the weather conditions. The pack's modular system is a particular highlight, allowing you to customize the pack's interior to ensure that your gear is secure and stable inside. The pouches for water bottles and tripods are also a nice touch, as they ensure that you have everything you need for a day out in the field.

The backpack's adjustable height system allows you to customize the pack to fit your body type, making it comfortable to wear for extended periods. Additionally, the multiple access points mean that you have easy access to your gear without having to take off the entire backpack. This feature is handy, as you can quickly retrieve specific gear items when you need them without having to stop mid-shoot to unpack everything.

Conclusion

Overall, the Shimoda Explore V2 30 Water Resistant Camera Backpack is an excellent choice for any travel photographer looking for a durable, functional, and customizable backpack. The pack's travel-friendly design, waterproofing, modular system, adjustable height, and multiple access points make it an excellent option for photographers who want to maximize their gear while minimizing their luggage. With the Shimoda Explore V2 30, you'll have everything you need to tackle any photography adventure you embark on.

Shimoda Explore V2 30 Water

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