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Shimoda Designs Explore 60 Backpack Starter Kit (Blue Nights)

BH #SHE60SKBN • MFR #520-013
16 reviews
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Shimoda Designs Explore 60 Backpack Starter Kit (Blue Nights)
Key Features
  • Two Small Core Units
  • 11.4 x 22.4 x 7.1" Main Compartment
  • Top, Side, and Rear Access to Gear
  • 13" Laptop Compartment
Bring your photo gear on a hike, a one or two day trip, or a sightseeing adventure and enjoy extra room for personal items and food with this Explore 60 Backpack in blue from Shimoda Designs.
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Shimoda Designs Explore 60 Overview

  • 1Description
  • 2What It Holds
  • 3Small Core Unit Inserts
  • 4How It's Made
  • 5How You Carry & Wear It

Bring your photo gear on a hike, a one or two day trip, or a sightseeing adventure and enjoy extra room for personal items and food with this Explore 60 Backpack in blue from Shimoda Designs.

This starter kit includes two small core unit inserts with padded touch-fastening dividers. The pack is loaded with design features that allow you to bring everything you need when you head out while keeping it organized and easy to grab. For comfort and stability, there's an aluminum frame and harness system to customize the fit to your physique plus padded backpack straps, a waist belt, and sternum straps.

What It Holds
  • Designed for camera gear and other essentials like food, water, and your phone
  • Main compartment interior measures 11.4 x 22.4 x 7.1"
  • Side opening for quick, under-the-arm access without completely removing the pack, rear opening enables unobstructed access to the bulk of your gear, while the top allows you to easily grab your camera while the bag is standing
  • Laptop/tablet compartment measures 9.8 x 14.2 x 0.6" to hold a 13" laptop
  • Convertible multiuse removable pouch in the side panel pocket secures a tripod to the side of the pack, or it can be mounted to the shoulder harness using the accessory straps and act as a drop-in holster for a camera as large as a non-gripped DSLR body with a lens as long as 70-200mm 2.8
  • Front panel pocket for holding a lightweight jacket or other items
  • Additional gear may be secured to the front panel webbing attachment points
  • Each shoulder strap has a fast access pocket for commonly-used items
  • Hydration bladder sleeve and routing with a hanger loop designed to hold an optional hydration bladder up to 3L
Small Core Unit Inserts
  • Includes two inserts
  • Use inside the bag or by themselves as small dedicated camera bags
  • Use to store, transport, and protect DSLR or mirrorless cameras
  • Room for up to two smaller lenses or a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom, and related accessories
  • EVA-padded walls for protection
  • Touch-fastening dividers for custom organization
  • Removable zippered skin covering for dust protection
How It's Made
  • Nylon material is coated with carbonate ether polyurethane on both sides for improved exterior water resistance and interior condensation resistance
  • Compression straps on the side minimize the profile for better weight distribution
  • Straps feature a glove-friendly YKK side-release buckle
  • Free standing padded base with ventilation holes for added protection
How You Carry & Wear It
  • Top grab handle
  • Adjustable backpack straps
  • Sternum strap keeps the shoulder straps in place for improved comfort
  • Waist belt stops the bag from shifting when moving over rough and rocky terrain and has a quick release buckle for convenience
  • Adjustable frame and harness are designed to fit short or tall men and women while relieving stress on the shoulders, neck, and back
  • Harness has four height options with approximately 4" of vertical adjustment
  • EVA compression molding in shoulder straps, belt, and rear panel for cushioning and cooling comfort
  • Weighs 3.3 pounds empty

Shimoda Designs Explore 60 Specs

Key Specs
Laptop/Tablet Compatibility
Single Compartment: Fits 13" Laptop
•Up to 14.2 x 9.8 x 0.4" / 36 x 25 x 1 cm
Dimensions
Exterior
24.02 x 11.42 x 11.02" / 61.01 x 29.01 x 27.99 cm
Interior
22.44 x 11.42 x 7.09" / 57 x 29.01 x 18.01 cm
Stand/Tripod Holder
Yes
General
Materials
Exterior: Nylon
Interior: EVA, Nylon
Dimensions
Exterior
24.02 x 11.42 x 11.02" / 61.01 x 29.01 x 27.99 cm
Interior
22.44 x 11.42 x 7.09" / 57 x 29.01 x 18.01 cm
Packaging Info
Package Weight
7.2 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
36 x 12.5 x 6.5"

Shimoda Designs Explore 60 Reviews

Overall, this is a well designed, but imperfect, pack

By Jacob
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-03-07

This thing is comfortable, so much more than expected. Once you get it properly fitted (you should be able to find instructions online) it is so nice. The size is great for what I'm doing most of the time and the two small ICUs offer flexibility, though at the expense of not fitting larger gear. The internal capacity is enough for moderately gear intensive activities but I think it would come up short if you were carrying camera gear as well as traditional climbing equipment, for example. Those with ultralight style backpacking gear could easily do a backpacking trip. The pockets are well placed and seem to be thought through. I appreciate the internal mesh pocket in the brain of the pack to keep items and keys more securely stored when I am digging around in there. My biggest complaint is the side access. This was one the most important features as I wanted an easy way to access my camera without always having it hanging on my chest. Unfortunately getting the camera in and out is a bit of a hassle and I'm unsure sometimes if it would just be easier to take the bag off completely and open the fantastic back panel. I think part of this is the provided ICUs do not work well with the side access but the zipper opening also feels too small to easily pass my modestly sized A7IV w/ 24-105 through. I'll also need to purchase a larger ICU to use with bigger gear but that was somewhat expected. It is surprising how expensive these are though. Overall it is a great pack but the side access is a big disappointment for me. I'm still keeping as everything else seems great.

Great Landscape Photographer's Bag

By J David
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-07-23

If you are a landscape photographer and like to carry a healthy amount of equipment, this is your bag. The bag is lightweight. It holds a large amount of equipment and the shoulder straps are the most comfortable I've used (I've had Think Tank and f-stop bags, which are also quite good, but none is as comfortable as this one. Shimoda also has an excellent system of matching accessories. When traveling by air I put all my essential, photo equipment in the Shimoda roller, collapse the Explore 60 so it fits in my check bag and traipsing through airports is quite easy. The 60 will also leave you with plenty of extra room for jacket, food, and other photo accessories that don't need to be in the main compartment. It's also very sturdy. I've had mine since these were first shipped and it remains in great shape and is the first bag I go to for landscape photography that will involve some hiking.

Big disappointment

By Denys
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2019-06-24

I could make a whole 10 min video about why I dislike it and why you shouldn't purchase this product. To begin with, shimoda backpack 60L miserably fails at points it is praised for. Shoulder straps are super uncomfortable at any adjustable height, poorly padded. It doesn't take weight too well and the top leans too far from the body no matter how I pack. THE FRAME begun bending before I even got to a hiking place, I was forced to remove some of my essential gear to accommodate the poor design. Waist strap is slightly better but half the pockets are hardly usable and are too inconvenient, good for nothing. The bag is NOT 60L, it is less. I would encourage everyone to look for competitor brands for a decent quality product. Straps are all over the bag, which I am happy with, but it could be a little clumsy accessing what I need... couldn't get used to it (subjective experience). The biggest disappointment is that shimoda CORE UNITS are beyond bad! Velcro doesn't hold, the units are oddly sized, LACK OF PADDING is too obvious, if you want your gear safe you should consider alternative brands for the core units. I have many other comments but this is a highlight. I am a designer & engineer, photography is my 10 year old hobby so I am pretty competent with my dissatisfactory review. Please reconsider this backpack if points I mentioned are important to you, and your gear would most likely not be safe in this bag.

Amazing!!!!

By Nick
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-05-31

Just perfect!!!!!

Poor quality, incredibly disappointed

By Jennie
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2018-09-20

Things I liked: (1) Each of the two core units come with a waterproof zip bag (2) mini pockets to hold your phone and other small devices, which I used for my GPS (3) hooks to use for backpacking gear (4) lightweight, hugs my body when hiking. Things I did not like (1) The quality of the material is terrible, thin and weak. I used this twice backpacking and now there's a big hole on the side of the backpack, making the waterproofness useless (2) their online warranty of replacing the backpack means nothing. they will only replace it if there was damage on the backpack when it first arrived (3) as a backpacker/hiker I'm disappointed there aren't more utility pockets for something as simple as a water bottle. OVERALL: If you're a hiker, backpacker or need a long term use camera bag that can withstand a lot of activity - get something more durable, and choose a company with (1) a reasonable warranty to support you in the long term (2) a customer service team who actually cares about your relationship with their backpack, because if you're a serious photographer - you're making a long term investment in their system (including the core units and accessories). I should have known Shimoda is too early of a startup company to invest in to take care of my camera equipment during serious hiking trips. I am now stuck with hundreds of dollars worth of camera backpack gear I can no longer use or depend on.

Excellent photo backpack.

By J. Rodewald
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-05-22

Although I have not had a lot of trail experience with the pack at the time of this review, what field time I have had with it has lead me to believe its an exceptional bag. Very well designed and very well put together. The materials are top notch. The design is very thoughtful. Its definitely rugged and has the ability to be customized for various torso lengths. It is a photo backpack so its not the most easily accessible bag while you are wearing it. If you have set up the internal units correctly the camera can be accessed from either side without taking the pack off. Seams quite weather resistant. Each internal unit comes with a zippable bagto provide another layer of dust and water resistance.

Excellent

By Quang
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-12-24

Well made

Just Perfect Photography Backpack

By Donald
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-12-10

I found myself carrying 2-3 smaller bags camera, lenses, tripod etc. My photography coach recommended this backpack. The exterior straps are well designed for comfort. The interior compartments allow protection of the sensitive equipment. A little on the pricey side; but worth it.

See any errors on this page? Let us know

will this bag fit a 600mm prime lens?

will this bag fit a 600mm prime lens?
Asked by: David
While you do not list the specific brand/model of 600mm lens you own, I do not think it would fit in the above case. While the case itself is large enough to hold the lens, you would need to purchase one of the Core Units to protect and pad the lens inside the case. The largest DLSR Core Unit compatible with this case would be the Shimoda Designs Large DSLR Core Unit (Parisian Nights), B&H # SHCULDSLRPN, whose interior dimensions are 10.6 x 15.0 x 6.3". As most of the 600mm lenses we carry are around 18 inches in length, they would be too long to fit the Large DSLR Core Unit.
Answered by: Manzell
Date published: 2020-12-18

Can I put a Large DV Core Unit ...

Can I put a Large DV Core Unit (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1525381-REG/shimoda_designs_520_216_core_unit_large_dv.html/specs) in this Explore 60?
Asked by: masaki
The Shimoda Designs Large DV Core Unit (Parisian Nights)is not compatible with the Shimoda Designs Explore 60 Backpack. You need the Shimoda Designs Action X70 Backpack or the Shimoda Designs DV Roller. Here are the links: https://bhpho.to/3EDWQdh https://bhpho.to/31HLpmm
Answered by: Lawrence
Date published: 2021-12-08

Can I put a Large DV Core Unit ...

Can I put a Large DV Core Unit (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1525381-REG/shimoda_designs_520_216_core_unit_large_dv.html/specs) in this Explore60?
Asked by: masaki
The Shimoda Designs Large DV Core Unit is too large to fit in the Explore 60 Backpack.
Answered by: Boyd
Date published: 2021-12-08

The listed specs for interior dimensions indicate ...

The listed specs for interior dimensions indicate the volume is only 30 liters, which is too small for any backpacking with DSLR and more than 1 lens. Are the specs wrong or is this bag not for backpacking (overnight on trail)?
Asked by: John
The interior dimensions for the Shimoda Designs Explore 60 Backpack is listed as 11.42 x 22.44 x 7.09" This backpack can easily carry two DSLR's and at least four lenses. This bag is ideal for backpacking because it weighs only 3.3 lbs.
Answered by: Lenny
Date published: 2019-06-06

For the Explore 60 with large core unit, are ...

For the Explore 60 with large core unit, are additional dividers for the core unit available?
Asked by: Paul
Yes, we do have additional dividers. You can click on the link below to view; https://bhpho.to/36dYz7Z
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2019-12-31

Does this bag come with an insert? Or do they ...

Does this bag come with an insert? Or do they purposely not show you any pictures because it's an extra?
Asked by: john
The inserts(core) is extra.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2021-01-29
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