Shimoda Urban Explore Review (& compared)

Introducing the new Shimoda Urban Explore their newest bag
Here are some of the new features as well as how they compare to the other Shimoda bags currently out
Chapters
Urban Explore Intro and Features 00:52
All Shimoda Bags Compared 02:10
Who Each Bag is For 21:18
Check out the Urban Explore on Kickstarter (shimoda-urban-explore.kckb.st...)
Use the code "Lee10" on shimodadesigns.com for 10% off
Follow me on Instagram @spencerlee808

[@DayumMarq]

should be said that you got that large camera cube in the action lol, which breaks the rulesss :) I saw your video about the action and did the same lol.

[@spencerlee808]

I mean nobody told us we couldn't right? ;)

[@denisbede3251]

This was a very useful and practical video comparison! I was looking for this and it helped a lot to decide between them, thanks Spencer! :)

[@spencerlee808]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Barboutre]

Great review and explanations, this channel needs more subscribers for sure

[@sramabadran]

fantastic and detailed review. Bravo! Best one I have seen.

[@spencerlee808]

Thanks a ton!

[@davidhoang3985]

Awesome review man! I definitely enjoyed it. 🤙

[@spencerlee808]

thank you David!

[@BradWatanabe]

Rad! Awesome to see another Hawaii KZbinr that actually has this new Shimoda!

[@spencerlee808]

Cheee thanks Brad! Definitely have to connect sometime for a project

[@BakaWoodworker]

Fantastic review. I really like the side by side comparison between the packs. Really happy on the comment of using a waist strap (albiet unofficially) with the Urban Explorer. If you have a chance for a followup vid, would love to see the waist strap in action.

[@spencerlee808]

I appreciate the feedback! I love finding these little hacks with camera bags, I think ill make a dedicated video on all my Shimoda "hacks"

[@Berry_N]

Really good overview. Thanks.

[@spencerlee808]

Mahalo for watching!

[@RyanSakamoto]

Awesome comparison, I have a 35L Action X & a 25 Explorwe V2 & and I love both of them!!!

[@spencerlee808]

I wish i was bigger to handle the bigger sizes😅i always get the smol ones cause im pint sized

[@eddieforde]

came across your channel when looking into the new Shimoda bag. Great honest overview, and.you've probably the best backdrop to any camera bag review i've ever seen, the place looks amazing... gave a look around your channel , you've a new subscriber...

[@spencerlee808]

Hey thanks Eddie! I appreciate it! I got super lucky with the light on the mountains that morning. I kinda wish i was actually shooting and not filming lol

[@eddieforde]

@@spencerlee808 haha,, it's always the way to works out.. cheers...

[@StephanieLin]

Thanks for the awesome review!! I still can't decide between Action 25L or Urban Explorer though...🤣

[@denegrindal1248]

Hello Spencer, I am waiting on the Urban bag to arrive so let’s see but I agree on the Action X, I have the 30,40 and 50. I now use the 40 the most. But having that expansion on the top adds a lot of flexibility

[@cl0123]

Glad to catch your updates! Sorry, I think your videos does have the best natural "golden" lighting (first thing that pops into my mind when watching) and epic background!

[@spencerlee808]

Thanks haha! Got super lucky with this sunrise! Got super clear conditions… i almost kinda with i was shooting instead of filming the vlog

[@Bob_C]

I backed the Kickstarter project yesterday to get a Shimoda Urban Explore 20L Boa, sometime in February. I wish I didn't have to wait so long. I won't be needing it all that much this winter, so it's all good. It seems to be what I've been looking for as a minimalist everyday camera backpack. I already own the Explore V2 30L but needed something a little smaller and lighter as an alternative. Nice comparison review of the three bag lines in a beautiful outdoor setting. Well done!

[@spencerlee808]

thanks a lot! im still waiting on a few other kickstarter projects myself... if only they could go faster lol... but ya I really like how the bag is just so clean and simple

[@chanjchunkit]

Thank you for the review. I love how detail-oriented you are. I’m a short Asian man and am wondering if the lack of height adjustment on the Urban explore hurts its fit and comfort relative to the Explore v2. I’m considering the 30L version.

[@spencerlee808]

30L is a good size for comfort! I used the action x 30 for a while and kinda miss it lol

[@horace0119]

A really nice comparison and review, you talked about the bags so nature and make me believe what you said and recommended, another thing is I am an English learner, I really like your sound and accent.

[@spencerlee808]

thanks so much!

[@bzomeful]

I wish that they update the Explore with some of the newer creature comforts of the Urban Explore and Action X2. For example, including the hidden air tag pocket. Or building a more accessible laptop pocket. Or updating the shoulder straps. It feels like each bag has something I want while missing something that the other models have that I also want. Honestly, I'd prefer having the simpler straps of the Urban Explore on the Original Explore and wish there was more options that allow you to swap out shoulder strap styles. The urban explore straps alone would "dress" down the Explore enough to allow it to fit in an urban environment and not like youre walking around with a hiking backpack.

[@ying20000818]

You might be happy to hear that Ian (founder of Shimoda) has confirmed on the UE KS that the new UE shoulder straps will eventually be offered as an add on for the explore series (and indirectly their action line given they use the same strap mounting system). If you don't want to wait, there's also the option of getting the female simple straps (which quite a few people have done as well). Looking at Shimoda's track record, with explore v1 being released in 2019 and v2 in 2021, I'm sure the updated explore v3 will come out soon enough. Given Shimoda is quite a small company, I'm not too surprised their bags follow an iterative design process where they update one product line at a time, usually introducing both new features and also throwing in the quality of life updates from their other lines (e.g. action v2 added not only new features but also all the missing explore v2 features in the original action line).

[@MrFraiche]

Can you mix and match straps? E.g Left strap from Urban and right strap with pocket with Explor v2?

[@stephanedubarry8624]

Excellent usefull comparision présentation

[@Tribu7875]

Great review, thanks! I am very interested by the bag but disappointed by the lack of a hip belt. I have seen that it was still possible to use one of a "regular explore" bag. Could you clarify how this work?

[@spencerlee808]

It slides thru the lumbar part of the bag in the same place as the explore… but there is no velcro to secure it so it ends up moving around when its loose… but if everything is all tightened up properly it works pretty much the same

[@DrJake108]

Amazing review! As someone who owns the Explore V2 and Action X it was very helpful. I was curious to see if there is a reason to get the Urban Explore over the regular Explore

[@spencerlee808]

Glad it was helpful! The laptop sleeve is so clutch for me!

[@DrJake108]

@@spencerlee808 BTW you should do more product videos like you did with Shimoda - you have a real skill to go through practical details. I'm a photographer and too many videos of products, bags etc are too general and dont answer practical questions. Your video really answered things well

[@spencerlee808]

@@DrJake108 thanks! That means alot i try to be as practical as possible!

[@ldmndz4652]

Great review..thank you..definitely considering the Urban Explore..for sure..for my needs..the Explore V2 is defiantly made more "rugged" and seems more for "outdoor" adventure type scenarios..lol but doesn't the new Urban Explore have the available "Rain Fly Cover" inside the bag..which you can use for more "extreme weather" and surround the bag with and also a good cover if you have to put the bag in a not so "clean" surface..lol

[@spencerlee808]

Yes all shimoda bags come with a raincover so no difference there… in theory, just throw the rain cover on whatever bag u like and its “weatherproof”

[@ldmndz4652]

@@spencerlee808 I am late to the Shimoda camp..lol been a Peak Design person for the longest..lol but the Peak Design EverydayBackpack I have 30L..isn't as practical for my photo gear now..but I still love their slings I have the 10L..this Shimoda Urban Explore seems really good for my needs and it already comes with a "camera cube compartment"..will definitely consider the Urban Explore..

[@spencerlee808]

@@ldmndz4652 i have the PD 10L sling too! I dont use it that much tho lol

[@jenslingspaint3523]

Oh snap! How'd you get one so early?! I've got the explore v2 25 that I got a few yeas ago and then just recently upgraded to action 40 v2 because I needed more space for my 200-600. I love the new features that they've added to the urban explore line and i'm half thinking of getting one for a day bag.

[@spencerlee808]

Im lucky enough to have reviewed their bags enough that they send me their new ones😅so i can review them even more

[@pedroguzman]

Im confused, can you have your laptop in that top loader sleeve pocket, and maybe a 11” iPad in the zipped camera cube cover that opens? Or is there only ONE spot? The way it looks there is 2 spots for 2 types of devices like this. Thanks!

[@spencerlee808]

There are two spots, the bigger pocket is the one from the top loader, but definitely can fit an ipad in the smaller one against the back panel

[@bigbywolf6403]

Would a a7r3 with a battery grip attached fit in the 25L and also be able to get it out of the side access?

[@spencerlee808]

Ooo that might be a bit tight… maybe if it lies flat… i dont have a grip to test it out on tho, sorry!

[@rev_dude]

Where does your hacked hip belt go through? Can you still access the passport pocket?

[@joey.3200]

Thanks for this amazingly informative video! I'm currently trying to decide between the Explorer V2 and the Urban Explorer. Also not sure re: 25L vs 30L. May I ask how tall you are? I'm 5'8 and trying to decide if the 30L will make me look like little kid with his daddy's backpack on.

[@spencerlee808]

im about 5'4" so the 25L look the best on me... but I actually find that the 30L feels a bit better when carrying larger loads or hiking longer distances

[@joey.3200]

@@spencerlee808 Thank you! 🙏

[@JaymieJones]

Interesting approach with the 16in MBP in the 25L explore, did you find any downsides or issues doing that?

[@spencerlee808]

having the MacBook sitting on that side means that there is less cushioning to protect the laptop from punctures, but I haven't run into any issues... if im carrying my laptop that way, I just make sure im extra careful when handling the bag

[@JaymieJones]

Thanks, I’ve been eyeing off the explore series for a while now and this new urban explore put that into question. Still think I’ll go with the explore for the more rugged materials and due to carrying 6kg already with another lens on the way.

[@spencerlee808]

@@JaymieJones sounds like the right choice!

[@PatriciaDavidsonPhotography]

Nice review video! What size is your Urban bag?

[@spencerlee808]

25L

[@-t-h8560]

07:16 I wonder how long the elastic? material will last with constant usage.

[@spencerlee808]

Great point! Ive had mine for about a month now and its fine… but yeah elastic will wear over time for sure

[@rubelukeable]

what size is this bag?

[@user-mc3xh6rt7h]

Is possible to access the camera through the side pocket?

[@gilcarag274]

Yes

[@hendraefhendy]

i love explore original lee. but not sale in indonesia

[@heliscat]

What good is such a large pack for hiking if all it holds is camera gear? I think you could have cut this entire production down to 10 minutes.

[@808islandlife_HI]

Shootz!

[@Maebbie]

good to see they sponsored you again. I think its a bit pointless to have a camera backpack without waist support, given how heavy the gear can get. It should not have been an afterthought with this new backpack, but it looks cool.

[@spencerlee808]

I agree! Even if it was a smaller thin one that tucked away… that wouldve been nice

[@gilcarag274]

If I buy this one, it would be as a very light setup (I have the Explore V2 30L) and I would go for the 20L version so not necessarily need the waistband. I find the removable waistband to be useless. IMHO of course. Shimoda had to diferentiate this model from the regular Explore.

[@Kasrielle]

I backed the 25L urban explore, and actually bought a peak design hip belt to go with it when I need a hip strap. It was really cheap and can fold up and be put inside the bag when not in use.

[@user-vg5nl2lu1z]

What size is your UE?

[@spencerlee808]

25

[@joeensley3912]

This is actually an incredible review but I would change the thumbnail to show you’re comparing the 3 bags, your original thumbnail gets lost in all the other thumbnails

[@ECDPhotography]

What size do you have?

[@spencerlee808]

these in the video were all the 25L versions

[@cguzman808]

Nice review mate! Imma wait for that 50% offer lol jk

[@spencerlee808]

Lol u like hand me down?😂