Shimoda Action X50 v2 backpack yellow (520-138) X50 v2 - Yellow

Shimoda Action X50 v2 yellow backpack, when hiking and photo adventures become one

With the Shimoda Action X50 v2 in yellow, you’re getting a backpack for your home – or rather, your back – that is clearly built for long days outdoors, for hiking, for steep ascents and fast descents. And at the same time for serious photo gear. Not a fashion accessory, but a real workhorse that still looks pretty stylish.

Developed for adventure photographers who don’t want to stand on the sidelines

The Action X50 v2 is designed for everyone who’s right in the middle of the action: trail running with a camera, ski touring, bikepacking or classic hiking routes in the mountains. We’d say: it’s made for photographers and filmmakers who carry a lot of equipment but still want to stay agile, without constantly fiddling with their backpack.

Its interior is designed for cameras with a grip and comfortably fits most mirrorless systems and DSLR bodies up to about 17 cm in height, in combination with the modular Shimoda DSLR Core Units. This lets you organize your bodies and lenses with shock protection, without dragging along unnecessary padding and weight. The Core Unit is sold separately, giving you the freedom to choose exactly the size that fits your setup.

Modular core unit system for mirrorless and DSLR cameras

The X50 v2 works with the Shimoda DSLR Core Unit series. These inserts are designed to reliably cushion and protect your mirrorless and DSLR cameras and lenses while you’re scrambling over scree fields or tripping over roots. You can use small, medium or large DSLR core units, depending on whether you’re traveling light or bringing the full arsenal.

You can also use the flatter Shimoda mirrorless core units if you prefer a more compact system. This keeps the backpack flexible even as your gear changes over time – which it usually does.

Expandable roll-top access with quick entry

Whether you’re going on a short hike or planning a long day tour with extra clothing, food and a drone: the roll-top closure can be expanded or kept compact as needed. The volume can be increased by up to 7 liters without the backpack losing its slim shape.

On top there is an additional YKK SplashGuard zipper with quick access. This lets you reach your gear without unrolling the entire roll-top – especially practical when it’s raining, snowing or just uncomfortably windy. Quick open, camera out, get the shot, close again. Done.

Side camera access and flexible external pockets

If you don’t want to fully take off your backpack every time while on the move, you’ll love the side camera access. You swing the X50 v2 briefly to the front, open the side flap and reach directly for your camera. Especially when hiking on narrow trails and muddy ground, this is worth its weight in gold.

Two removable external pockets serve either as holders for a tripod or water bottle. You can also move them to the hip belt to have snacks, filters, a small lens or other small items right at hand. And if you’re traveling particularly minimalist, you can remove the pockets completely to save weight and bulk.

Carrying system with adjustable torso height

The Action X50 v2 is not just a one-size-fits-all model that will somehow work. Its carrying system offers four different height options with a vertical adjustment range of around 9 cm. This allows the backpack to be adapted to shorter and taller people, whether slim or broad, male or female.

Thanks to this adjustability, the backpack sits closer to the body, which is especially important when hiking and during fast movements. If you have a very large or broad upper body, you can optionally add a booster kit to further optimize the fit and increase comfort on long tours.

Comfortable shoulder straps with clever pockets

The shoulder straps are interchangeable and adjustable so you can adapt them to your body shape. Both straps feature zippered pockets that can hold even today’s large smartphones such as an iPhone Pro Max. Alternatively, you can store a small water bottle, energy bars or personal items like keys and cards there.

This way you don’t have to rummage around in the main compartment every time you need something quickly. Especially on steep sections or when climbing, it’s convenient to have important small items accessible right on your shoulder.

Robust attachment options for skis, helmet and more

For everyone who’s out in winter or likes to ride with a helmet: the Action X50 v2 has several attachment straps, including particularly durable TPU compression straps. These are designed to secure skis safely without damaging the material or making the straps look worn out after a short time.

There is also a removable helmet holder on which you can attach climbing, ski or bike helmets to the outside of the backpack. This saves space inside and prevents the helmet from dangling around loosely. If you’re traveling without a helmet, you can simply remove the holder.

Two padded compartments for laptop and tablet

The X50 v2 is at home not only in the mountains but also in everyday life and on trips. It has two separate padded sleeves for a laptop and a tablet. Laptops up to 16 inches fit comfortably, along with a tablet or e-reader, depending on your setup.

One sleeve sits closer to the back, the other further to the front, so you can decide how to distribute your tech, whether you take only one device or both. Especially when traveling, if you’re backing up images, editing or quickly checking emails on the go, this division is very practical.

Thought-out details for travel and city use

Even though the Action X50 v2 is clearly designed for the outdoors and hiking, it remains surprisingly unobtrusive in the city. The removable hip belt ensures that the backpack looks slimmer when you use it in urban environments or at the office. You can simply take it off when you don’t need it and reattach it for your next tour.

An integrated pass-through for your suitcase’s trolley handle makes traveling at the airport or train station easier. You simply slide the backpack over the handle and don’t have to carry it on your shoulders the whole time while walking through the terminals.

Hidden compartment for tracking devices

A small but very contemporary detail: the Action X50 v2 has a hidden sleeve for a personal tracking device. You can place, for example, an AirTag or a Tile Pro there to keep track of your backpack.

If your luggage gets lost while traveling or is left somewhere, the tracker helps you determine its location and recover your gear. This solution is implemented discreetly so that the tracking device is not noticeable from the outside.

Dimensions, weight and volume – the hard facts

With a weight of about 2.1 kg, the Shimoda Action X50 v2 sits solidly in the range for a robust outdoor photo backpack with a carrying system. The external dimensions are approximately 30 cm in width, 56 cm in height and 20 cm in depth. Inside you have around 29.5 cm width, 55.5 cm height and 19 cm depth available, providing enough space for camera gear, clothing and accessories.

The laptop compartment measures about 25.5 cm in width, 38 cm in height and 2 cm in depth and is thus designed for slim 16-inch devices. Together with the expandable roll-top, this results in a very flexible packing volume that is suitable for both day trips and somewhat more extensive adventures.

Hiking, traveling, working – one backpack for many roles

All in all, the Shimoda Action X50 v2 yellow backpack is a versatile companion for anyone who wants to combine hiking, outdoor sports and serious photography. It is comfortable to carry over long distances, offers quick access to your camera, protects laptop and tablet and remains visually unobtrusive enough not to look out of place in the city or at the office.

It may not be the lightest minimal backpack on the market, but it’s one of those you won’t want to be without after a few tours, because the combination of organization, protection and carrying comfort just works. So if you’re looking for a reliable partner for your next hikes, mountain tours or photo expeditions, the Action X50 v2 is a very serious option.