Shimoda Side Street 22L Review: Street-Ready Backpack

So, until then, allow me to introduce you to one of the newest entries in Shimoda’s expansive line-up of lightweight, durable, and travel-friendly backpacks designed for creators and adventurers alike.

Let’s take a look.

What is the Shimoda Side Street?

The Side Street joins Shimoda’s newest line-up of adventure-ready camera backpacks, the Side series—a new range of camera bags designed for creators who like to travel light and keep it simple.

These are camera bags that don’t look like typical camera bags; discreet, yet stylish and highly functional.

Each bag in the series is equipped with side access to your gear, enabling you to easily swing the bag around your body to grab or stow your camera without setting it down. This allows you to continue moving and keeping the rest of your gear out of view from prying eyes.

In addition to the new lineup of side access camera bags comes the Shimoda Top Loader, a self-sufficient, expandable camera case that integrates beautifully within the Side series and is also capable of standing out on its own. More on that later.

Design and Build Quality

The Side Street follows a minimalistic approach, while keeping it functional, stylish, and discreet for street photographers and travelers.

The Shimoda Side Street 22L backpack is a highly functional yet minimalistic camera backpack that is just as suitable on the streets of a bustling metropolitan city as it is on an adventure in the wilds.

Available in two distinct colour ways, Boa (as reviewed) and Antracite (black), the Side Street is undeniably stylish, yet discreet enough to not draw attention to the equipment you may be carrying. It’s ideal for exploring those crowded city streets, local and abroad.

Constructed from Cordura® re/core™ recycled textiles and filled with plenty of padding, the backpack is a lightweight and durable solution for adventures on and off the beaten path.

Wide opening roll-top, adjustable shoulder straps, easily accessible zipper pulls, and a selection of helpful pockets are found on the Side Street.

Equipped with a few pockets, pouches, and additional external cargo straps, the Side Street is impressively outfitted for a camera bag designed with minimalist principles in mind.

It’s well suited to both daily commutes and weekend adventures, yet feels tough enough to take a real beating and handle rougher stuff should that be your thing.

It certainly feels at home and perfectly capable, wherever you may be. The expandable roll top provides clear access to the internal goodies held in the upper compartment, and the removable Top Loader camera case is wrapped in thick padding… secured inside the base of the backpack, which is also teeming with padding!

The removable Top Loader camera case can be used separately from the backpack, giving you further space for additional items.

Should you require the full capacity of the backpack for your items and/or clothing, you can remove the camera case (Top Loader) and wear it externally.

Introducing the Shimoda Top Loader

The included Medium sized Shimoda Top Loader is a helpful camera case that can be used separately to the Side Street backpack.

Included with the Shimoda Side Street is the Medium Top Loader (also available in Small and Large sizes), an expandable camera case that integrates with the Side Street, and which can also be used externally. It comes with two padded dividers for custom configuration.

With multiple carry styles, it can be used as a shoulder bag, sling bag, or waist pack. The shoulder strap is included and the waist strap is taken from the Side Street Backpack.

The shoulder strap tucks neatly into the space around the Top Loader when it’s in the backpack, ready for later use.

Sized ideally for mirrorless and DSLR cameras (without a grip) and 1-2 lenses or a drone kit (such as the DJI Mavic Pro or DJI Mini 3 Pro, etc), the Medium Top Loader can be the grab-and-go bag you use if the backpack seems too cumbersome for your intended journey of the day.

Wrapped with padding and an Airmesh surface on the body side, it’s designed for both internal and external use and provides you with multiple options on how you move and access your gear.

It also has a front zipper pocket, expandable base, carry handle, AirTag pocket, and padded internal dividers.

The Shimoda Top Loader is expandable, so it can be configured to suit longer lenses or hold more gear.

I personally haven’t found reason to use the Top Loader separately yet, but should a more strenuous or demanding adventure await (ie, I need to carry lots of stuff for my kid, or shopping for my wife), at least it’s an option available to me.

Bonus fact: The expandable Top Loader allows stowage of a mounted 70-200mm/100-400 mm-sized professional lens.

Storage Capacity, Compartments and Organization

The Side Street 22L Backpack’s roll top offers expandable carry capacity. Pictured here with a padded jacket, it can fit more and still roll and clasp shut.

The 22L Shimoda Side Street has great daily capacity, especially for the current winter climate here in Sydney. It provides enough capacity to carry my Sony a7IV to the office, along with lunch containers and additional bits and pieces.

Additionally, the expandable roll-top allows me to pack my thick padded jacket when the warmer midday sun is at its peak, ensuring I don’t leave it behind somewhere!

The padded laptop pocket can be accessed through both the top roll and the front of the backpack. Should your laptop be larger than the pictured 16″ MacBook, you may find the roll top access easier.

With the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens attached to the Sony a7 IV body, I could easily fit an additional lens within the Medium Top Loader.

For the Sydney Vivid festival, I carried a small external flash and spare battery pouch, and still had extra space available.

The side pockets are large enough to hold a tripod, which can be secured in place by the included cargo straps available on both sides of the backpack.

Camera size examples within the medium-sized Shimoda Top Loader.

The Medium Top Loader is great for mirrorless users, but can still support a full-frame Canon 5D Mark III with a 24-70mm attached.

Additionally, it’s very suitable for foldable drone users, as pictured here with a DJI Mini 3 Pro kit. Speaking of, if you are a Sony a7 III user, you can load it in with the DJI Mini 3 Pro, too.

Side access is only available on one side, with the other side panel pocket for accessories. The front pocket is slim but wider than expected on the inside.

The removable “Onsen Bag” that comes secured within the Side Street can be handy for travel, office, or other personal purposes.

Internal storage options on the Side Street backpack itself include a removable upper interior compartment (also called the Onsen Bag) and two small pockets at the top. These two little internal side pockets don’t zip or seal, so if the bag tips, items fall out.

Having zippers, velcro, or stretch mesh pockets would be nice within the top compartment to keep those little items in place.

The Onsen Bag is secured into the Side Street by two buttons and velcro, and it can be carried separately to the backpack (sealed by the same Velcro).

Should you remove the Top Loader from the backpack, it gains slightly more capacity while still keeping the main compartment and top area separate.

Remove both the Onsen Bag and Top Loader for a full cavernous backpack experience!

Accessibility, Security and Ease of Use

Designed to be accessed while on the go, the Shimoda Side Street is lightweight and can easily be shifted around your body to access your gear through the side panel. Or remove the Top Loader to have an additional bag!

There are pros and cons to every type of gear access process, and as such, users will likely have different preferences surrounding every use case.

Side access camera bags are not, by any means, a new development or the “perfect” solution. However, it does help immensely when you need to access equipment quickly while on the move or wish to maintain a level of discretion about what else you’re carrying.

It’s useful not having to stop, remove your backpack, and open up the entire back panel in order to access your camera. But, it can also pose a limitation on how you arrange your gear within the camera case. So, again, different preferences surround every use case.

The Shimoda Side Street is lightweight, and as such, quite comfortable and easy to swing around for access to your equipment.

You just have to remember which side provides access to the camera case! The backpack straps don’t easily fall off your shoulder either, so I didn’t have any moments where the bag dropped from my grasp.

Roll top access is relatively straightforward and didn’t pose any immediate frustration other than getting the technique of releasing the clasp or lengthening the strap.

The zippers adorning both the Top Loader and Side Street backpack itself slid smoothly every single time—no snags or discomfort from the zipper pulls.

Placing and removing the Top Loader from the backpack is a very easy process. It doesn’t secure in place, so there are no tight spaces where you need to access clips or hidden velcro. Integrating the lid with the side panel is pretty easy too, as it’s not super tight nor fiddly.

A magnetic sealed roll top would be a nice bonus! Definitely not a deal breaker by any means, just a nice addition.

Comfort and Portability

The Side Street has plenty of ways to add levels of comfort during usage, from additional support straps to thick padding.

Travelers and all-day wearers will be pleased to know that the external padding of the Shimoda Side Street provides a great deal of comfort along the back panel.

In addition to that, the shoulder straps are also nicely padded, as is the wide, removable waist belt.

A sternum strap has also been included to help support heavier loads or provide stability should you be traversing uneven terrain.

The backpack’s lightweight design adds to its overall comfort. Camera gear isn’t exactly light, so if you need to factor the pack’s weight into your carrying capacity, the Shimoda Side Street 22L won’t add much to your load.

Shimoda ensured the Side Street also has a strong level of rigidity in its design, helping to keep things in place and making them easy to move about. It stands up in place and doesn’t flex under load.

There’s nothing worse than lifting or moving a backpack only for it to sag or tumble, spilling and shifting your items around. Thankfully, this doesn’t happen with the Side Street.

However, with nothing securing items in place (i.e., zippers or stretch pockets) in the top compartment, those items may move inside should the bag tumble.

There are two grab handles on the external body of the backpack to help with portability (top and bottom). It’s easy to grab and swing up onto your body and get moving.

Versatility and Travel-Friendliness

The Side Street can be customised to fit your travel needs, featuring expandable and removable storage accessories that double as standalone bags, along with options to secure gear externally.

The expandable roll top of the Side Street provides versatility through its capability of being adaptable to change on a moment-to-moment basis. In addition to that, the removable Top Loader provides extra carry capacity should you require the backpack space. Just be sure to pack the shoulder and/or waist strap!

The removable waist strap also comes in handy for distributing and supporting a heavy load for longer periods of time, and the included sternum strap helps keep it secure to your body.

Capture Clip users will benefit from a clip-compatible strap along the left side with additional padding behind it, preventing it from digging into your chest while secured in place.

It’s a relatively long compatible strap allowing for height adjustment should that be needed.

Whilst the Shimoda Side Street 22L backpack is airline-friendly, fitting underneath the seat, you may find the removable upper interior compartment, or “Onsen bag”, could come in handy should you need to place the backpack elsewhere.

For example, stowing the backpack in the overhead compartment on an airline while keeping essentials with you (hello, leg room!), or if it has the essentials you need for your location while leaving the backpack secured elsewhere (such as an office locker or car).

Alternatives to the Shimoda Side Street

Does the Side Street fit your needs? Or should you consider another option from Shimoda?

In addition to the Side Street, Shimoda also unveiled multiple other backpacks in their Side series; the Side Lite and Sidecountry.

The Side Lite is a lighter, mountain/back-country orientated version of the Side Street. It shares many of the same features but with the benefit of an extra-lightweight construction (1.6kg / 3.5lbs with Medium Top Loader).

It’s also available in a women’s configuration, offering shoulder straps that are designed and fitted for a woman’s body.

The Sidecountry, meanwhile, is the flagship of the Side Series offered by Shimoda. Larger and more equipped with features, but still stripped-down compared to others in Shimoda’s lineup, it’s available in 28L and 32L, along with a women’s option.

The Top Loader is not included with the Sidecountry (unless you’re purchasing a “Starter Kit”), so if you require camera carry, be sure to take note.

Outside of the Side Series, Shimoda offers backpacks aimed at adventurous creators who may require a bit more in regards to compartmentalisation of their gear and accessories. They share the same level of durability and workmanship but offer different capabilities.

Closest to the Side Street is the Urban Explore, which differs with a zippered top compartment (instead of an expandable roll-top), added rear access while retaining side access, a removable camera Core Unit, and more internal storage and compartmentalisation options.*

*The Core Unit is a traditional-style camera cube with dividers, unlike the Top Loader, which can be used inside the pack or on its own as a standalone bag.

Price and Value for Money

Is the Side Street three bags in one? With two that also expand? Well, that’s a pretty versatile if you ask me.

Shimoda’s pricing seems to be relatively on par with many other premium-level adventure-ready camera backpack brands, including Peak Design, WANDRD, and others. So it’s not surprising to see the Side Street 22L backpack coming in at around US$270.

Especially since you’re essentially receiving two bags for the money… A backpack AND a messenger/sling/waist bag. Both of which are also expandable in size, built tough, comfortable to wear, and have been designed for the elements.

Oh, and they come with a 5-year warranty, and the packable rain fly is also included.

FAQs

The Shimoda Side Street comes with a small packable rain fly that tucks away into any small pocket.

How can the Top Loader be used externally?

The Top Loader is easily removed and can be utilised as an additional bag—whether carried by the grab handle, equipped with the included shoulder strap, or secured with the Side Street waist belt (or an alternative waist belt from another Shimoda bag). Using the Side Street waist belt, it can be worn as a hip bag or as a sling bag.

Can I access my gear from any other point than the one side?

No, the Top Loader is only accessible from a single side of the backpack, and it is not reversible should you prefer the other side. The other side is a storage pocket. Due to the single opening of the Top Loader, it is also not accessible through the roll-top either.

Can the Side Street handle rain?

Yes, it’ll handle light rain. For heavier downpours or walking close to waterfalls, a packable rainfly has been supplied.

Shimoda Side Street 22L Backpack Review | Conclusion

Designed for the street but capable almost anywhere, the Side Street 22L Backpack is well-sized and, so far, caters to pretty much all of my camera carry needs.

The Shimoda Side Street 22L backpack has been a welcome addition to my camera bag collection and is my first Shimoda backpack in general.

Utilising it daily for my commute to the office and joining my family on weekend adventures, it has not failed us yet. The lightweight nature is a huge benefit, especially with how much walking I do.

Roll-tops aren’t often what I look for—generally I aim for a more traditional zip-sealed backpack—but the expandable roll top is undeniable in its usefulness. It has come in handy for packing bulkier (Sydney winter level) clothing for us, along with providing capacity for unplanned purchases or pick-ups along the way.

I greatly appreciate being able to shrink it all back down in size when the bulk is no longer necessary. I like backpacks that scale in size to suit what I’m carrying, rather than remain tall, small, or bulky. But it really could benefit from a few extra small zipper compartments within it!

Editor’s Choice

Shimoda Side Street 22

Versatile roll-top backpack offering durability, quick gear access, and comfort for long wear.