Action X50 under a fog bow

 

As a relative newbie to the Shimoda ecosystem, I thought I’d give my thoughts on their packs. Well, one pack in particular, the Action X50.

I work as a mountain guide and photographer and live below the Black Cuillin mountains on the Isle of Skye. Kit, be it photographic or climbing, has to work for me or it goes. Until recently I was not a great fan of generic photo backpacks, preferring to use a mountain designed pack with a Tenba BYOB camera insert. No names, no pack drill but in the past I’d had some bad experiences with brand leading photo packs and it had put me off. Heavy, overly designed and uncomfortable, I hadn’t been impressed. Enter Shimoda’s Action X50 and it has been a constant companion on mountain adventures since its arrival. It has only been switched out for its big brother the X70 when extra capacity has been needed for multi day/overnight trips.

 

 

Sunrise seen from Sgurr a Mhadaidh

 

 

Welcome to my office high in the Cuillin Mountains. The pillar of rock is known as the Inaccessible Pinnacle

 

 

Looking past the Inaccessible Pinnacle to Sgurr Alasdair, the highest mountain on Skye

 

I have to be honest and say that when it arrived, I did wonder if it was over designed, perhaps with too many gimmicks but real world use soon kicked those negatives into touch. Suddenly, I could see why Shimoda packs are so popular; in my case they just tick all the right boxes. It has become my go to pack for mountain missions, the size being perfect for winter trips requiring lots of gear. So what do I like?

1. Practicality

The X50 is supremely comfortable even when carrying heavy loads and could have been designed especially for my needs. The design is well thought out, nigh on perfect. The materials are tough and protective yet make for easy access to gear in the field. The zipped pouches on the shoulder straps are super useful for phone etc. Easy means of attaching ice axes, trekking poles and the like on the outside.

2. Ease and speed of use

The big zipped opening makes access to Core Units and your camera gear quick and easy. Quick and slick and means that I’m more inclined to stop at any sudden photo opportunity. Mountainscape photography is all about the light which all too often can be fleeting, an ethereal moment that needs instant capture. The “fog bow” shots are the perfect example of an ephemeral situation where speed is of the essence if the image is to be captured.

3. Tough and durable

Whilst the jury’ out for long term durability, the X50 has already been through a bit of a torture test. Battered by rain and snow, scraped against rocks and dropped on scree, it has survived unscathed and looks good as new. Even with crampons and ice axes attached to the exterior and the ultra rough gabbro rock, there have been zero signs of damage, rips or tears.

4. Weatherproof

The exterior fabric simply sheds water and provides great protection in snow storms and rain showers. Unlike some packs, the X50 comes complete with a raincover. I always carry a 100% waterproof dry bag to put my camera gear in but haven’t yet found the need.

5. Tripod carry system

The pull out mesh pouches are simple and make it really quick to deploy your tripod. Great how the pouch can be zipped away to keep things neat and sleek on the pack’s exterior.

6. Helmet Carrier

Has a multitude of uses and has been great for stashing crampons or an insulated jacket on the outside of the pack when conditions change.

7. Adjustable Volume

The expandable top is a game changer allowing the pack to expand/contract in an instant, tailoring size to what you need to carry.

8. Roll Top

Roll tops are the way to go for all packs. Simple and easy to use and also easily sealed down to exclude moisture and dirt. A simple design that works perfectly.

9. Customisable Interior & Core Units

Love how you can open up the interior to be one big compartment or have the top section partitioned off and accessed via the roll top. Also, a multitude of possibilities for all amounts of camera gear using different sized Core Units. The CUs are really sturdy and protective yet neither bulky nor heavy. The “Skins” that come with the CUs are brilliant and not only serve to keep dust and dirt out when the CU is stored at home, perhaps on a shelf, but I use them as an extra layer of protection in the field. Being lightweight and water resistant they add an extra bit of security for my camera kit. To make my life easier especially in the cold and wearing gloves, I actually use the skin from the Medium DSLR CU on the Mirrorless CU so no struggle with close fitting designs.

10. Colour

The yellow colour is just so cool. Subtle, not too vivid screaming in your face but a great touch that adds vivid hues to any photo. Also, from a practical point it is perfect. Too many packs are only available in sombre blacks or greys and once your pack is deposited amongst rocks or on scree the it is in effect self camouflaging.

 

 

I’m not a product photographer so check out the Shimoda website for that aspect of things, here.

However, it’s said that a photo says a thousand words so I have included a few images of the pack in use and some of the shots the pack enabled me to get;

 

 

Selfie of me and the X50 high above the fabled Loch Coruisk at sunrise

 

 

The X50 on Sgurr a Mhadaidh. Not just an ideal pack but a great work bench when it comes to photography. Note the excellent Filter Wrap 150

 

High on the summit of Sgurr na Banachdaich

 

 

The clouds begin to clear so a perfect photo opportunity and the X50 enabled me to set things up real quick for this selfie

 

Frozen loch with a back drop of the Red Cuillin

 

Frozen loch and view to the Black Cuillin

 

The X50 by the Inaccessible Pinnacle

 

 

View to Sgurr Alasdair, the highest peak on Skye

 

The X50 came with a Medium DSLR Core Unit but it’s a tad too big for my camera kit so I swapped it out for the Medium Mirrorless CU which is ideal for my needs and fits:

• Sony A7RIV with L Bracket
• Sony 20mm lens
• Zeiss Batis 25mm lens
• Sony 40mm lens
• Sony 70-200mm GMaster lens
• Sony 1.4x teleconvertor
• Shimoda Filter Wrap 150 containing H & Y magnetic filter holder, soft GNDs and polariser
• Spare batteries, cleaning cloths, remote etc (maybe I’ll review this soon since it’s just the filter case I’ve long been searching for).

 

Medium Mirrorless CU with my Sony kit

 

X50 open and ready for use. Medium Mirrorless CU and Filter Wrap.

 

The X50 size is perfect for winter day trips in the mountains and there’s space for crampons and ice axe, insulated jacket, waterproofs, multiple pairs of gloves, thermos flask or stove for hot drinks, survival shelter and more. With the days drawing out and the snow disappearing, I can see it being the ideal volume for multi day trips with overnight stays high in the mountains.

Being impressed with the Action X50 design, I just wanted to get a few thoughts down in writing and also to get things straight in my own mind just why the pack is so good. It isn’t perfect but nothing ever is. Ideally, it’d be half the weight, half the price and but then you’d have to find a way to counteract the laws of physics and economics. The best thing about the pack is the amount of thought that has gone into it to produce the ideal pack for photographers. Little things, like the tags on the zip pulls, may not sound much but they all add up to a great deal.

All I can really say is that I wish I’d discovered Shimoda packs years earlier. It would have made my life taking photographs in the mountains a quantum leap easier. With the Action X50 and its big brother the Action X70, I’ve got all bases covered and am really looking forward to further testing them both. Watch this space for updates over the coming months.

 

 

The Inaccessible Pinnacle and environment, a tough testing ground for any camera gear

 

The X50 below the fog bow

 

Action X50 in action below the northern Black Cuillin

 

Shop the Shimoda Action X Collection here.

 

Keep up with Adrian's adventures on his Instagram, Facebook Group and via his website.