Shimoda Ships Action X v3 Backpacks From $300, Adds $130 Insider Sling

Shimoda Designs has launched its upgraded Action X v3 camera backpack line starting at $300, alongside a new $130 Insider Sling, with both shipping today in a variety of colors and built entirely on PFAS-free textiles.

The company says the refresh came from feedback delivered directly by working professional photographers, and the changes target the practical friction points of field carry: sizing, ergonomics, super-telephoto support, and materials.

What actually changed on the backpack?

The headline spec move is the side-access door, widened by six centimeters. Shimoda says that's enough to pull a camera body with a long lens attached straight out of the pack without removing it — a real workflow gain for shooters working on steep or unstable ground where dropping the pack isn't an option.

The rest of the v3 update list:

• Upgraded air mesh harness for better ventilation and comfort
• Laptop sleeve resized to fit 16-inch computers via a wider opening
• Revised Velcro fastening system with visual alignment guides for faster insertion and removal
• Three Peak Design Capture Clip mounting locations
• Dedicated trekking pole or ice axe mounts
• Integrated hip belt pocket
• Stowable luggage handle, color-matched rain cover, updated side pockets for tripods or water bottles

That's a dense set of changes, but the pattern is clear: Shimoda is tuning for the adventure and expedition photographers who already buy this line, not chasing a new market.

A new X35 size, and the X70 goes solo

The release adds the Action X35, a new size that merges the compact height of the X30 with the extra depth of the X40. Shimoda positions it for photographers with smaller camera bodies and for carry-on travel — a direct nod to airline-restriction-conscious shooters.

The core Action X series now spans five sizes: X25, X30, X35, X40, and X50. The expedition-grade X70 splits off from the core line into its own specialized category. Core Units, Shimoda's interior cube system, have been updated to match the new size structure.

The Insider Sling: a second bag for light days

The new Insider Sling targets the days a full mountain backpack is overkill — quick assignments and everyday carry. Capacity is defined concretely: a non-gripped camera body plus two mid-range pro zooms, or a body attached to a 70–200mm or 100–400mm lens.

At $130, it's an accessible add-on for existing Shimoda users and a low-commitment entry point for photographers who haven't bought into the system.

PFAS-free across the board

The quieter but strategically significant move: both the Action X v3 line and the Insider Sling transition entirely to PFAS-free textiles, eliminating persistent fluorinated chemicals from manufacturing. With regulatory pressure on fluorinated treatments mounting in multiple markets, this positions Shimoda ahead of compliance curves rather than reacting to them.

Pricing lands at $300 to start for the backpacks and $130 for the sling, both available now. What does this change for working photographers? Mainly carry options: a genuinely widened side-access dimension, one more size that fits carry-on limits, and a sustainability claim that's now standard across the range rather than a premium tier.