Perhaps the best testament to how good (or not) a piece of kit is, is how much it gets used. Good, new kit will get used whilst less good or bad gear will simply sit on a shelf. Shimoda Design’s Action X70HD very much falls into the former category and has been used a huge amount.
I may have had the Action X70HD (and its smaller brother, the X50) for only about five months but they have both put in some serious mileage. For anything other than trips to the shops or local, low level walks, the X70HD has become my go to pack of choice.
Five months may not seem long but they have had a tough life so far. Big loads in adverse weather and a whole torture test environment that has really put them through their paces. Super abrasive gabbro rock, acres of sharp scree, wet, sandy beaches and salt water along with copious quantities of rain and snow have all done their best but the Action X packs have come through triumphant.
The Action X70HD is a beast of a pack, the largest one in the Shimoda stable and that is a huge part of the attraction. The X50 isn’t roomy enough for multi day winter trips where I might be sleeping out high on the mountains and need to carry large amounts of camera gear as well as outdoor kit to survive the harsh winter conditions.
What’s so great about the X70HD that it’s fast becoming my favourite Shimoda pack?
1. Size
The Action X70HD is a huge 70 litre pack with an extra 7 litre capacity provided by the expandable roll top. For multi day winter trips the X50 simply wasn’t big enough so the extra space is really appreciated.
On a typical winter overnight trip there is plenty of space for not just photo gear but all the paraphernalia needed to survive a winter night on a mountain top. Thus, my camera gear will fit in a Medium Sized Mirrorless Core Unit leaving the majority of the space for the following;
4 season sleeping bag
Goretex bivi bag
Sleeping mat
Jetboil Stove and gas cylinder
Spare insulated jacket such as @KeelaOutdoors Solo
Spare gloves and hats
Waterproof top and trousers
Phone and powerbank
Headtorch and spare batteries
Food for up to three days
Ice axe and crampons
A book to read since the nights can be up to 16 hours of darkness.
2. Comfort
The X70HD looks like the X50 only on steroids and not just due to its physical size. Equally important is the superb padding on the shoulder straps and waist belt which can be best described as plush. The shoulder straps and waist belt are made of aereated mesh rather than the EVA foam of the smaller X models. The belt and straps just ooze luxury and comfort.
It isn’t that the X50 isn’t uncomfortable; far from it but the X70HD is designed for much weightier loads and this is reflected in the additional comfort levels. Thick, high density foam provides unprecedented levels of comfort even with the heaviest loads. The belt has been redesigned from earlier iterations and now offers greater stiffness and support and pack stability.
The proof of the pudding is obviously in the field (or mountains) and I’ve used the X70HD with twenty plus kilo loads and comfort has never been an issue so congratulations to the design team for producing one of the most comfortable big load carriers of all time. Big mountain days may involve well over 1000 meters of ascent and many kilometers of horizontal distance whilst carrying 20-25 kilo loads and the pack has always felt comfortable, it’s luxurious padding feeling more akin to a favourite pair of slippers than a load carrying beast.
3. HD
The initials “HD” refer to “Heavy Duty” and this is evident throughout the pack design. According to Shimoda’s website blurb, “it’s built for big loads and its new Heavy Duty build was designed to withstand the rigors of active action sport.”
The HD model features reinforced critical stress points, thick nylon webbing and aluminium hardwear for greater durability. The base area features tougher materials and a reinforced, padded base panel to protect expensive camera gear.
4. Durability
Whilst the jury is obviously out on the long term, this pack has been through a torture test. Five months might not seem long but I’d bet my pack has been put through more than many packs experience in a lifetime of use.
The rock here in the Cuillin mountains is super abrasive, a coarse grained gabbro well known for trashing gear, ruining footwear and removing the skin from finger tips. Throw in acres of scree, loose rocks and a winter filled with snow and ice. Then factor in high winds and torrential rain. The mountains rise straight from the sea so you have the added hazards of salt water and sand so a full range of circumstances to test the durability and protective qualities of the pack.
The X70HD has come through with flying colours both from the point of protecting my camera gear and other contents but also in still looking pretty much exactly as it did when it came out of the box. No rips or tears, no visible signs of the use and abuse it has been put through. The external fabric seems super tough and has a DWR a carbonate coating to the ripstop fabric which means it just sheds rain and snow. I’ve had the pack covered in slushy snow and mud, covered in sand from the beach and yet a quick brush down, a swift wipe with a damp cloth and it’s back to new condition.
5. Refined design
The “HD” could equally well stand for Highly Defined or Highly Designed and the X70HD is the culmination of all the expertise Shimoda has developed over the different iterations of Explorer and Action models.
Quite a few years ago, I can remember a series of mountain trips with a local photographer who had imported the mark one Explorer from the States at no small cost. Whilst he was pleased with it, there were various niggles that annoyed him and made him question the validity and value of his investment.
In the intervening years, Shimoda have worked hard and taken on board a whole raft of lessons learned, customer feedback and technological advances to produce a pack that feels like the culmination of the design process. No longer a work in progress, the Action X70HD feels like it has reached the peak of photo pack design.
6. Rear Opening
Once upon a time, rear opening packs were a rarity and I can remember having a large FStop pack and not getting on at all well with its rear opening compartment. On the Action X70HD, the design simply works well, no frills, no gimmicks, it just lets me get on with the job of swiftly accessing camera gear for that fleeting moment of light.
For many years I have made do with a Tenba BYOB (that’s Bring Your Own Bag), a padded camera insert which can be used in your favourite pack of choice. Whilst it worked well, it didn’t have the instant convenience of a rear opening, photo specific pack. Now I’m fully sold on packs like the X70HD which makes grabbing a camera a doddle and I’m much more likely to stop for a shot or two than before.
7. Portable work bench
With the rear panel open, it folds to the side and stays pretty much horizontal so makes for an ideal bit of workspace parallel to the Core Unit containing your camera gear. I’m a big fan of prime lenses and this means the rear flap serves as a portable workbench for lens changing, a place to put filters etc. A really useful feature especially if conditions are half decent but not an option in the rain where everything will get wet.
8. Grab handles
When I first looked at the X70HD, I thought the grab handles at the top and bottom of the rear were a bit of a gimmick but they have proved really useful to aid moving the pack around from one photo location to another nearby. It means you can pick the pack up with the rear still unzipped and makes for a really speedy relocation since no time need s to be wasted packing camera kit away and zipping the bag closed.
9. Tripod holder(s)
Whilst I really liked the tripod holder(s) on the X50, those on the X70HD are another level. I much prefer the zip openable pockets either side which are easily adjustable to fit either tripod legs or head. Much less fiddly than the X50, they also offer a good degree of protection especially if you choose to put the tripod end in the pocket.
Top marks to Shimoda for this particular design, a feature that I love and often counterbalance the tripod with a large water bottle in the pocket on the opposite side.
10. Phone pouch
Another feature that I first thought a bit of a gimmick but one that I now constantly use and wonder how I managed without. With the phone on the shoulder strap it is readily accessible.
11. Helmet holder
Whilst I haven’t used this to carry a helmet, it has proved really useful to expand winter carry capacity and has been used to stow crampons in their pouch but also to store clothing as things have warmed up and layers have been shed. Love that it is easily added or removed so you can save weight/bulk by removing it or add it for extra capacity.
12. Roll Top
Roll tops are by far my favourite entry to the top of packs so this was always going to get a thumbs up from me. Quick and easy to use, the roll top allows for expanded capacity or can easily be cinched down to make a smaller pack.
13. External straps and attachment points
The side straps work really well and make carrying tripods, roll matts, trekking poles a breeze whilst a multitude of attachment points allow for the carrying of ice axes, skis etc. Versatile and simple.
14. Weatherproof
The X70HD seems to shed bad weather and I’ve used it in pretty heavy rain, snow, sleat and hail. The fabric naturally sheds water and you can see rain drops pooling up on its DWR coated fabric and rolling off. The rear opening main compartment and zip are largely protected from the elements by being against your back. To be honest, I’ve never actually used the rain cover that is included as standard (good call, Shimoda) but it’s great to know it is tucked away and ready for that torrential downpour.
I always have a large dry bag in the pack that is big enough to house the Core Unit if the weather looks to be that bad but have very rarely had to use it.
15. Core Units
Having previously used Fstop ICUs and Tenba BYOB, I expected Shimoda’s Core Units to be similar. The Core Units are different in that they have no “lids”, an omission I was at first surprised with but soon got to love. No added zip to undo and to fold back so camera access is easier and faster.
The Core Units come in a huge range of sizes but I’ve only used the Medium Mirrorless and the Medium DSLR ones. The former will take my Sony A7RIV with L bracket and 20mm lens mounted, 40mm lens and 70-200mm F2.8 and 1.4 convertor. Other photo bits and bobs are accommodated in the assorted pockets in the pack; 2 or 3 GND filters, CPL and H & Y magnetic filter holder in the Shimoda 150 Filter wrap; spare batteries, cleaning cloths.
Obviously, every user will have different requirements but the Core Units range from very small to huge so all bases should be covered. The Core Units come with a handy zipped nylon cover which would keep dust and dirt out if the units were to be stored on a shelf etc. The Core Units are very versatile and very protective being nicely rigid, well padded and with Velcro dividers allowing for tailoring a perfect fit to your camera gear.
I guess there are two very big elephants in the room, but, then aren’t all elephants big?
1. Cost
2. Weight
Previously I have scanned the specifications of Shimoda packs and what has really put me off has been the price and the weight of their bags. Having had the chance to try out a range of their packs then, I’d say that hindsight is a great thing. Had I known how good the packs were, how perfect they were for my type of photography then I’d definitely have bought one years ago.
Having used the X70HD for five months has put things into perspective. Sure, Shimoda packs ain’t cheap but you do get what you pay for. With mountain photography, especially in winter conditions, then I’m to a certain extent resigned to carrying a very hefty load. The added weight of the X70HD is significant but more so is the supreme comfort and the ease of access. The X70HD has definitely made my job a whole lot easier and more fun.
The X70HD is definitely a pricey bit of kit and I have to say that the price point is something that has put me off. Having used a variety of Shimoda packs, now I’d say that they are a worthwhile investment. Hindsight is a great thing but had I realised just how good they are then I’d long ago have purchased one and been really happy with my decision.
Not just a comfortable carrier of huge amounts of kit but so well thought out with the design executed to near perfection. If I was to nit pick, then there are a few things that could be improved, maybe for a future iteration;
1. It’d be nice if the pack weighed half as much as it did and cost half as much but the laws of physics and economics tend to be unbending. That being said, it would be great if Shimoda could build a superlight model stripped of a bunch of features but with the same Heavy Duty goodness.
2. It would be good if there were drainage holes/eyelets in the base of the tripod pockets so that any rain emptied out.
3. Perhaps an optional liner of tough plastic could be supplied so that spiked tripod feet could be put in the pockets without risk of damaging the fabric.
But, all in all, I’m really scratching around to find any negatives.
However, for the here and now, the Shimoda X70HD reigns supreme as the beast of packs for the adventure photographer who carries weight and/or bulky loads and needs instant access to the pack and its contents. The X70HD has become my favourite Shimoda pack, a fact that surprised me. When the X70HD arrived along with its smaller brother, the X50, I thought the latter would get most use. However, despite its very photogenic yellow colour, given the choice I have usually opted for the X70HD on the basis of its superior load carrying and comfort. I also prefer the tripod holder “pockets” on the X70HD. The X70HD is perfect for multi day trips in winter, perfect for day trips in winter when full winter paraphernalia is required. I’m looking forward to some summer camping trips with the X70HD.
I think my perfect and most used pack design would be an HD version of the X50 with tougher build, no side access and those tripod pockets. I can only dream but Shimoda is a very innovative company and listens a lot to feedback so who knows what new Shimoda products are in the pipeline?
Many thanks to all at Shimoda Design, at Shimoda UK and especially to Danny Dullforce and Giles House for their unfailing help, support and their wide ranging product knowledge.
