Shimoda Explore v2 Backpacks Family

No problem as hand baggage at least with easyJet. Can get canon 5d MK4 70-200, 24-70 and 50mm lens in.

This is one awesome rucksack! The features are incredible, including thoughtful bits like security pocket, cover for the camera cube, additional pouches from the side pockets, two-way access at the top, side AND rear access for camera kit...the list goes on. I found my precious camera well protected in heavy rain. The shoulder and waist strap system would rival a mainstream rucksack manufacturer like Osprey. It's very comfortable and infinitely adjustable. There are clips and pockets and straps everywhere so there is always a place for your kit. I carry a Nikon Z6ii with wide, ultra -wide and 70-200mm lens. Along with filter rings and filters, tripod, charger, spares etc. It's more than big enough to take a days selection of gear into the wilderness, and still leave space for your raincoat, lunch and two bottles (using the side pockets pouches). Makes for a great daysack even if you're not carrying camera gear, if a little boxy! The camera cube comes with a cover with handle, making it easy to transfer gear and store it dust-free. Very, very well made high quality kit!

After some dust, zippers start to slow down… It’s big enough to fit planes. Straps are not compatible with peak design. Materials are good. When loaded it’s disbalanced and fall forward. Lots of space. All the time seems to be space for something else. Comfortable to carry weight (12kg).

I want to give this a 5 stars, with a big "but". The bag is fantastic, and it even fits the Macbook Air 15" with a protective cover in the front pouch (the back pouch is much smaller). Unfortunately the "Small Mirrorless Core Unit" doesn't fix my Nikon z7 or Nikon z8 with 70-200 lens attached, as is claimed it would on their website. Technically it's possible to jam it in, but it's basically impossible to take it out of the side pouch because it's about 2 cm too small, and the side opening cuts in meaning it needs even more clearance. I really want it to work, and there is room for a slightly larger core unit that would be perfect, but for my purpose it just won't work. If the largest lens+camera combination you want to put in/take out is smaller than about 25.5cm then this is probably perfect for you. For reference, mine is 27.5cm. So close, but it just won't fit. The core unit is also not deep enough for my z8, but given the back padding it seemed okay and in the time I tried walking around with it on I didn't notice any issues. The peak design smedium camera cube looks like it would fit, but it doesn't provide side access. The Shimoda 30 with their medium core unit looks like it would fit the camera, but won't fit underseat on airlines, so that doesn't work for me either. So sadly I'll be returning this bag.

I purchased this to replace my Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L. I needed just a little more space for international travel and wanted something better equipped for backpacking. It has ample space for a slimmed down camera kit for international travel, but for landscape photography I'd pick the 30 or 35L model as I like to have my Sigma 100-400 lens with me as well as my Sony 16-35 wide angle zoom and 24-105. One thing to note about the 20L, while the dimensions for the laptop sleeve appear to be just large enough for a 2021 M1 Max Apple MacBook Pro 14", YMMV. Some have reported it doesn't fit. In my case it barely fits, but I can see that the internal frame of the backpack may eventually cause marks on the laptop body. Overall I'm excited to take this bag on it's maiden trip to southern Italy. If I encounter any issues I will update this review.

It seems like a nicely made backpack overall and I would have loved to put it through its paces but a MacBook Pro 14 (late 2023) absolutely does not fit in the rear pocket. A few more millimeters of material in the laptop pocket would have been enough for it to work, but sadly that is not the case.