Shimoda Explore v2 launches today on Kickstarter
Designed to meet the needs of today’s travel and landscape photographers
Today, Shimoda Designs launches its latest Kickstarter for the newly refined Explore Series v2. This new collection positions itself as the ultimate camera bag for today’s travel and landscape photographers. Founder Ian Millar saw a need for a camera bag that could carry camera gear further than “just from one airport to another,” but could also get a photographer and their gear comfortably to the top of the mountain. That’s when ‘Airport to Alpine’ became the driving force behind the new Explore Series v2: a camera bag system that features all the conveniences of a travel pack, but is also built for serious alpine adventures and can still hold its own in the city.
Explore v2 combines the all-day comfort and core functions of the original Explore series with the robust durability of the Action X series, and tops it off with key Travel and Landscape features requested by Shimoda’s growing community of photographers.
v2’s NEW Travel and Landscape features:
New Aired-Out Harness – Combines an extra-plush air-mesh with ventilated EVA cushioning to allow fresh air to circulate throughout the rear panel, shoulder strap and belt. Stays cooler on a crowded non-airconditioned bus or steamy summertime mountain adventure.
Carry-On Compatible – All three sizes meet carry-on requirements ranging from strictest international flights and regional jets to larger EU and US domestic standards.
Wireless Lav Mic Attachment Points – Conveniently located on each shoulder strap for content creators documenting their journey.
Padded Filter Pockets – Designed to fit 100mm filters.
Included Rain Cover – Provides an extra layer of protection in wet weather and self-stows in its own pouch for convenient storage.
Luggage-Handle Pass-Through – The pack can be easily attached to a roller to take the load off your back.
Hidden Passport Pocket – Keeps your most important travel document secured and can still be easily accessed when needed.
Lock-Friendly YKK Zippers – Included on exposed access points for greater security.
Dual-Access Document Pocket – Great for books, maps, camera accessories and always knowing where your important papers are.
Low Contrast Logo Detail – Enhances visual subtlety while keeping the pack and its contents less obvious in precarious situations.
Base Handle – Helps distribute the packs lifting weight to two hands and makes it extremely convenient to move the pack while searching for the right angle or just loading an overhead bin.
Explore v2 also includes Shimoda’s Popular Standard features:
Height-Adjustable Harness – Lets users fine tune their packs to best fit their torso height.
Padded Laptop Sleeve – Located along the rear panel to keep the weight at the back. The E25 fits a 13-inch laptop, and the E30 and E35 will fit a 16-inch laptop.
Rear and Side Camera Access – Rear Access secures camera gear up against the users back, and Side Access allows cameras and lenses to be quickly acquired.
Modular Core Unit System – Allows users to carry exactly the amount of padding and protection needed for the days’ camera kit, and to never carry more padding weight than necessary.
Two Stowable Tripod or Water Bottle Pouches – Quick to use when you need them; easily stowable when you don’t.
Removable Belt – Streamline the pack for less intensive outings.
Shimoda’s Signature Quick-Access Mobile Phone and Accessory Pockets – Keeps your most important items within immediate reach.
Removable Key Clip – Keeps keys always in the same place.
YKK Splash Guard Zippers – An extra safety measure in wet weather conditions.
Heavy-Duty Base Panel – Confidently put the pack down on wet or rough terrain.
Of course, it would not be the Shimoda Explore Series without beautiful Genuine Leather Zipper Pulls that fuse urban elegance with classic mountain style.
The Explore v2 is available in 25L, 30L and 35L pack sizes.
Each of these packs is a direct response to their community wanting smaller options in a carry-on friendly adventure camera bag.
The Explore 35 v2 (E35) is great for US airlines and premium seating options.
The Explore 30 v2 (E30) is sized for stricter European Union guidelines.
and the Explore 25 v2 (E25) is compact enough that it will travel almost anywhere and easily fit under an airline seat.
The new smaller pack sizes will help smaller photographers find greater comfort in a premium adventure camera bag, while female photographers can choose one of Shimoda’s three female-specific shoulder strap options to help find their best fit.
Two new core units
Both the E25 and E30 are sized to work with Shimoda’s two new Core Unit sizes. Shimoda packs have a modular camera insert system that allows users to customise their camera carry needs to the day ahead. Shimoda now offers a total of eight modular Core Units.
The new Small Mirrorless Core Unit is the most versatile yet. It’s specifically designed for the narrower Explore 25, but when the Core Unit is rotated 90 degrees it fits perfectly in all other Shimoda backpacks and rollers.
The new Large Mirrorless allows adventure photographers to carry more gear in the new E30 v2 (and Action X30) camera bags. This enables photographers to camera more gear in a smaller, lower profile camera bag. Both Core Units offer integrated side-access and come with a dust cover packing skin.
Versatility
Explore v2 delivers a level of refinement not yet found in the adventure, landscape, and travel photography market. The bags are constructed with abrasion-resistant and water repellent, carbonate-coated ripstop nylon – the same durable material as their robust Action X line. Material has been improved further by infusing the Carbonate-Resin with its chosen color pigment. This results in a softer, more subtle appearance that has greater resistance to color fading.
Photography Inspired Travel is the adventure sport for everyone
“Developing Explore v2 was a welcome step outside of my comfort zone. I’ve always been an Action-sports adventure kind of guy and developing camera bags for aggressive days in the mountains came naturally. With Explore v2, I was able to explore a more refined and patient side of my own journey. I looked to our community for inspiration and guidance on the needs of Travel and Landscape photographers – and as a result the last year and a half of my life has been an amazing adventure, both in product development but also embracing the challenges of Travel and Landscape photography,” said Shimoda Founder Ian Millar.
“Explore v2 is the new flagship adventure camera bag developed by Ian with input from Shimoda’s incredible community of both pros and amateurs. The level of enthusiastic participation we see from our fans is beyond gratifying and has us knowing that we are on to something really special,” added Jan Lederman, MAC Group President“The best design ideas come from the most intense users of our products, which means the larger our dedicated community gets, the better our bags become. Explore v2 addresses the needs of passionate travelers, landscape photographers, content creators and professional imagemakers better than anything that has come before,” added Peter Waisnor VP of Tenba and Shimoda
