Same parent company as Tenba, which I’ve always had good experience with. Shimoda seems more geared to the peak/wandrd kickstarter type audience. I like the brown color.
When you took this on the plane were you able to fit it under the seat ? I’m wanting to make this bag my ‘personal item’ so I can also have a carry on. Thanks
I was so close to buying one of these (I have the Shimoda Explore 40L) and living in Shanghai it's £100 less here, but when comparing it to the packs I'm using now it failed on two counts 1) no storage space for a jacket/hat/rain jacket when walking around town and b) no waist belt (important for long days exploring towns). The BESNFoto (very similar size) I'm using now has both a detachable waist belt and a roll top for any personal items - otherwise it's very similar (material not as good but functional) and it costs ¼ of the price. My second is a Dulepro Explorer which again has a detachable waist belt and a top storage that opens in the same way as the Urban Explorer and many of the same design elements, again it's around ¼ price so can easily be replaced if it becomes tatty (still using 2 x Dulepros after 2 years hard use).
I own the Urban explorer for about 2 months now and i cant say that i am really overwhelmed with it. The build quality is what you should expect from a bag in this price range, so i wouldnt highlight this. Whats bothering me are three things: 1. The straps have a strong tendency to chafe on your shoulders if you are only wearing a t-shirt. 2. The outside material was a bad choice. Whenever you put the bag down on the ground or touch a wall with it, you get irremovable scuff marks immediately. My two 2mo bag looks like its 2 years old already. 3. Its less spacious than it could be. Proper padding is fine, but this is just too much for a day bag. The padding from the outside, the cage and the thick dividers use up way too much space. I can put less things in my 25L Shimoda than i had in my former 18 Liter backpack. I am lucky to have gotten this for 200 Euro "2nd" hand from someone who used it just for 1 hour and already had seen enough of this.
Well, in my experience with bags (I have over 30 different bags, using different materials, from nylon, to cotton canvas and anything in between) they all get marked. The question is, how easy to clean if they do get dirty (some people call them characters and like them weathered and aged over time). This Shimoda is pretty resistant to smudges, though if you use the bag roughly and put it on harsh gravel ground or scrap along a brick wall, you will get scratches that won't be able to remove, especially with this lighter colour. If you get the black version, you can 'touch it up' with shoe polish and make scratches less visible. I've got the yellow Action X v2 and I managed to remove marks and smudges quite easily. this explorer is easy to wipe clean but if you get smudges, it's a little tough to remove completely without some work.
yes, nice backpack, but looks unnecessarily expensive. I personally use Olympus' simpler model of backpack. There, in the photo tray, easily accessible, my Olympus em1 mark II with 12-40mm f2.8, 60mm macro f2.8, 40-150mm f2.8 and 300 f4. in a small compartment, filter and extra battery. In the large compartment, I can fit an extra rain jacket and coffee. In the outer compartments, thermos and trhpod. A light and comfortable pack for the street and also for photo walks in nature. And an affordable price
I've definitely been eye balling this brand! I am currently in the market for a small subtle bag for my Lumix LX100. Any ideas? I thought about one of the mini Billinghams. I usually use KF Concept, but I feel like exploring new options.
Very nice and informative review but you failed to mention and show where the rain cover is stored in the bag. I think that’s a terrible place to store it because if you need it, you need to remove the bag from your shoulders and open the camera gear area and whlie you try to take the cover out of its pocket (which is no easy task) all your gear is getting wet. Also, I think that front pocket is pretty useless, is too deep and you can only use it for flat stuff, say a magazine or a newspaper (who still reads a newspaper?). I love the side access on a camera bag but for whatever reason Shimoda decided to put the side access door on the wrong side of the bag, that was a big disappointment for me as I pull my camera out from my left side, I wish they offered the option to choose which side you wanted the side access to be. Those would be my three problems with it, other than that I think the rest of the bag is pretty awesome.
It's design for those who carries computers too, so there's so much you can shrink in terms of size. But there's a 20L version is quite a bit smaller. I chose the 25L so I can carry more for my trip and also has the option to carry my full size 16in laptop if needed in the future. If minimal gear holder is needed, there are other backpacks that holds just a lens and a body like the Manfrotto or Wandrd Tote bag, a sling or a small shoulder bag.
Same parent company as Tenba, which I’ve always had good experience with. Shimoda seems more geared to the peak/wandrd kickstarter type audience. I like the brown color.
When you took this on the plane were you able to fit it under the seat ? I’m wanting to make this bag my ‘personal item’ so I can also have a carry on. Thanks
I was so close to buying one of these (I have the Shimoda Explore 40L) and living in Shanghai it's £100 less here, but when comparing it to the packs I'm using now it failed on two counts 1) no storage space for a jacket/hat/rain jacket when walking around town and b) no waist belt (important for long days exploring towns).
The BESNFoto (very similar size) I'm using now has both a detachable waist belt and a roll top for any personal items - otherwise it's very similar (material not as good but functional) and it costs ¼ of the price. My second is a Dulepro Explorer which again has a detachable waist belt and a top storage that opens in the same way as the Urban Explorer and many of the same design elements, again it's around ¼ price so can easily be replaced if it becomes tatty (still using 2 x Dulepros after 2 years hard use).
I own the Urban explorer for about 2 months now and i cant say that i am really overwhelmed with it. The build quality is what you should expect from a bag in this price range, so i wouldnt highlight this. Whats bothering me are three things:
1. The straps have a strong tendency to chafe on your shoulders if you are only wearing a t-shirt.
2. The outside material was a bad choice. Whenever you put the bag down on the ground or touch a wall with it, you get irremovable scuff marks immediately. My two 2mo bag looks like its 2 years old already.
3. Its less spacious than it could be. Proper padding is fine, but this is just too much for a day bag. The padding from the outside, the cage and the thick dividers use up way too much space. I can put less things in my 25L Shimoda than i had in my former 18 Liter backpack.
I am lucky to have gotten this for 200 Euro "2nd" hand from someone who used it just for 1 hour and already had seen enough of this.
does this fit underneath airplane seats as a personal item?
thank you! i like this colour but i am worried that it will easily become smudged or marked quickly, how is it in that respect?
Well, in my experience with bags (I have over 30 different bags, using different materials, from nylon, to cotton canvas and anything in between) they all get marked. The question is, how easy to clean if they do get dirty (some people call them characters and like them weathered and aged over time). This Shimoda is pretty resistant to smudges, though if you use the bag roughly and put it on harsh gravel ground or scrap along a brick wall, you will get scratches that won't be able to remove, especially with this lighter colour. If you get the black version, you can 'touch it up' with shoe polish and make scratches less visible. I've got the yellow Action X v2 and I managed to remove marks and smudges quite easily. this explorer is easy to wipe clean but if you get smudges, it's a little tough to remove completely without some work.
Is it me, or is there a squeaking sound in the audio of this video?
Around the 51s mark, and a couple of other places earlier in the video
Seems to be every 7s.. Makes the video unwatchable for me unfortunately :(
Yes I had troubles with my receiver but only realized during edits. Time restrictions didn’t allow we to reshoot. Sorry about that
That high pitched squeal is unbearable, you might want to rethink putting something out you knew was poor quality.
Why have lenses laid down in urban and not X?
Can you have lenses stand up on explorer , for more room for lenses ect?
yes, nice backpack, but looks unnecessarily expensive. I personally use Olympus' simpler model of backpack. There, in the photo tray, easily accessible, my Olympus em1 mark II with 12-40mm f2.8, 60mm macro f2.8, 40-150mm f2.8 and 300 f4. in a small compartment, filter and extra battery. In the large compartment, I can fit an extra rain jacket and coffee. In the outer compartments, thermos and trhpod. A light and comfortable pack for the street and also for photo walks in nature. And an affordable price
How comfortable is it if you fully pack the bag?
Very comfortable. The paddings on the shoulder straps and back are thick and cushioning
I've definitely been eye balling this brand! I am currently in the market for a small subtle bag for my Lumix LX100. Any ideas? I thought about one of the mini Billinghams. I usually use KF Concept, but I feel like exploring new options.
Very nice and informative review but you failed to mention and show where the rain cover is stored in the bag. I think that’s a terrible place to store it because if you need it, you need to remove the bag from your shoulders and open the camera gear area and whlie you try to take the cover out of its pocket (which is no easy task) all your gear is getting wet. Also, I think that front pocket is pretty useless, is too deep and you can only use it for flat stuff, say a magazine or a newspaper (who still reads a newspaper?). I love the side access on a camera bag but for whatever reason Shimoda decided to put the side access door on the wrong side of the bag, that was a big disappointment for me as I pull my camera out from my left side, I wish they offered the option to choose which side you wanted the side access to be. Those would be my three problems with it, other than that I think the rest of the bag is pretty awesome.
You can store the rainfly anywhere you want to in the bag.
I have the 30L same color if anyone is interested. Took it on one trip. Still looks brand new. Just not for me.
Live show today?
Pricy..
too big for urban photo.
There is a 20L version too if I am not mistaken.
It's design for those who carries computers too, so there's so much you can shrink in terms of size. But there's a 20L version is quite a bit smaller. I chose the 25L so I can carry more for my trip and also has the option to carry my full size 16in laptop if needed in the future. If minimal gear holder is needed, there are other backpacks that holds just a lens and a body like the Manfrotto or Wandrd Tote bag, a sling or a small shoulder bag.
@@Red35Photography thank you