The awards and accolades keep pouring in for our adventure sports packs! We are thrilled that the editors of Outdoor Photography selected our Photo Sport 200 AW and Photo Sport Sling 100 AW as their favorite carrying solution for nature photographers (and shooters who mountain bike, ski, climb, run, you get the idea!).

Check out the review in the December 2011 issue. And watch our videos with pros Corey Rich and Martin Sundberg putting the packs to the test.

One more thought: the pack or sling would make a great gift for the photo-loving, outdoorsy types on your list.

Editor’s note: Award-winning photographer and bilingual journalist/author Kike Calvo is on a mission to make his cultural heritage the inspiration for his photographic work and expertise in Latin American countries. On a recent trip to Panama, he used his Lowepro DryZone Rover to carry his gear while trekking through rainforests and challenging terrain. He tells a bit of the story here. And you can read more about this and other photographic adventures, exhibits and upcoming workshops—he takes enthusiast shooters to some amazing places—on his web site and blog.

“My biggest challenge when I arrived in the United States was having a strong accent and different cultural background. But it turned out to be my biggest asset. Companies around the world hire me for their editorial and commercial shoots in Latin America.

This particular series was photographed in the heart of a nationally protected Panamanian rainforest in the Chagres Rivers, very close to the unique Soberania National Park in Panama. Inhabitants of these communities migrated to this land decades ago from the Darien Region, close to the border with Colombia. It is part of an ongoing documentation project where I combine my expeditions with my photography workshops.

I tend to carry a variety of Lowepro bags on my shoots, but in this scenario, the DryZone Rover worked very well in this humid climate. I pack it with everything from my underwater Aquatica housing to my Leica M9, plus a couple of lenses like a 50mm f/1.4 and 28mm f/2.8. This pack allows me to trek through the rainforest with the gear secure and on my back.”

Here’s a hand-picked selection of gear that will help you choose the right Lowepro bag for the photographer in your life. Each item is linked to the Lowepro product page for more information and for a ballpark price. But we encourage you to also check with your favorite specialty dealer.

And from all of us here at Lowepro: we wish you a picturesque holiday season!

Gifts Under $50

Apex 110 AW (shoulder bag for Compact System Cameras and all-in-one compacts)
Lightweight, rugged and designed to withstand the elements, Apex AW bags are perfect for even the most discerning adventure photographer.

Exchange Messenger (light messenger bag for all types of cameras)
Combine a classic bike courier profile with Lowepro’s protective and practical design sense and you get the Exchange Messenger — a well-priced DSLR shoulder bag that offers soft-sided protection with modern appeal.

S&F Lens Exchange Case 200 AW (innovative case for DSLR zoom lenses)
Our breakthrough, purpose-built design allows a one-handed lens exchange. This inventive case is ideal for busy photographers who need to switch out lenses as they work.

StreamLine 100 (stylish shoulder bag for Compact System Cameras)
The slim and stylish design of Lowepro’s StreamLine 100 almost conceals the fact that it’s purpose built to fit and carry a compact system camera kit, plus a few extras. Compact, lightweight, yet truly protective, this sleek shoulder bag provides an easy and comfortable way to keep your camera gear within reach.

Gifts Under $75

Passport Sling (versatile sling bag for enthusiast DSLRs and Compact System Cameras)
Lowepro’s Passport Sling is designed for today’s photo enthusiasts who want to carry an equal amount of camera and personal gear as they sightsee, travel, or go out for a walk with their DSLRs. Its unique and comfortable shape is unlike a traditional sling bag — it truly conforms to the body and easily moves with the wearer.

Nova 170 AW (high value shoulder bag for enthusiast DSLRs and Compact System Cameras)
No need to let the weather stop you from shooting –the Nova 170 AW includes a 360 degree All Weather Cover that protects your gear as you work. Size to carry the most popular digital SLR cameras; lenses; memory cards and accessories.

Toploader Zoom 55 AW (case for enthusiast DSLRs with lens attached)
Lowepro’s Toploader Zoom 55 AW offers a weather-protective, streamlined, and easy-access carrying solution for outdoor photography enthusiasts who are passionate about their pursuits. This toploading design is ideal for a day of outdoor activities, travel or sports. With Lowepro’s patented All Weather AW Cover, gear is protected from the elements.

Gifts Under $100

CompuDay Photo 250 (high value backpack for enthusiast DSLRs and Compact System Cameras with laptop storage)
It holds your laptop… and your camera… plus life’s essentials: cell phone, MP3 player, portable hard drive, USB, keys, wallet, snacks, jacket, tickets, pens — any convenient item you want for the day. As you move through the world with your lean and lightweight CompuDay Photo 250 backpack, it’s ready for every inspiration point.

SlingShot 102 AW (sling bag for enthusiast DSLRs and Compact System Cameras)
Designed for the photojournalist. Adopted by the enthusiast. Improved for all! Introducing the next generation of SlingShot AW from Lowepro. Our newest, fast-access SlingShot AW series builds on the inventive design of the original and incorporates what many photographers are looking for: faster access, extra space for personal items, improved organization, and the ability to add a tripod.

Gifts Under $150

DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW (urban backpack for enthusiast and pro DSLRs with laptop or iPad)

The DSLR Video Fastpack AW series builds on the award-winning design of the original Fastpack backpack and incorporates flexible options for today’s multimedia photographer who shoots with a DSLR or HD video-enabled DSLR. Fast access and flexible organization are key elements of this protective, yet lightweight design.

SlingShot 302 AW (sling bag for enthusiast and pro DSLRs)

Innovative sling bag includes: a patented All Weather AW Cover; 3 SlipLock attachment loops; built-in microfiber cleaning cloth; dedicated memory card pockets; and easy-glide zippers; plus a fully padded main camera compartment with an updated divider system to accommodate the most popular DSLR models.

Gifts Under $200

Photo Sport 200 AW (award winning adventure backpack for enthusiast DSLRs and Compact System Cameras)

Adventure sport athletes who like to go fast and light — but equally like to capture the moment — will enjoy the freedom of Lowepro’s Photo Sport 200 AW backpack. It’s an ideal carrying solution for trail running, mountain biking, snowboarding and other active outdoor pursuits. The dual-compartment design offers ample space for personal gear and a camera kit. Contoured adventure-pack construction features ultra-lightweight, resilient and high-performance technical fabrics for improved durability during extreme activity. The Ultra-Cinch Camera Chamber protects camera gear in a padded and secure compartment and helps prevent bouncing while you’re in motion.

Pro Messenger 160 AW (stylish deluxe shoulder bag for pro and enthusiast DSLRs)
When your gear feels right, your work more smoothly. This idea inspired the design of our Pro Messenger AW. Its durable, yet soft exterior is reminiscent of classic canvas, but it’s actually a modern performance fabric. It’s built to fit pro-sized camera gear in configurations you’ve told us work best. And it has an innovative flap that effortlessly folds in half to quiet your moves and quicken your pace.

Pro Runner 300 AW (efficient backpack for enthusiast and advanced DSLRs)
The Pro Runner 300 AW DSLR backpack delivers a compact, streamlined and urban-inspired solution for photographers who carry their gear through crowded airports and busy city streets. This feature-filled design fits a camera, tripod and accessories, plus a few personal items, in a highly organized pack.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

“Cool Gear.” Yep, that’s what celebrity portrait photographer (and Loweprofessional) Brian Smith has to say about our new classic, yet truly modern Pro Messenger AW series.

You can read his impressions on his blog–freshly updated today with some nice shots of how he customizes his gear.

Thanks for the nice review, Brian.

And for those of you who want to know more about this discreet and aesthetically hip messenger solution, take a look at our Pro Messenger AW series page with videos.

Pro Photographer Dan Bailey captured another Dan–our Lowepro colleague–giving his expert demo of the S&F Lens Exchange Case 200 AW in New York a few days ago. This one-handed, lens-exchange technique happens swiftly…in just 21 seconds.

See Dan Bailey’s video at the Photoletariot web site where he is a Senior Contributor. And if you want more details on this breakthrough design, visit our S&F Series web page. Or go to the product page for more info and images of our modular case (that also includes a built-in All Weather AW Cover to protect a valuable lens from the elements).

It’s getting a lot of attention from pros who need a quick-functioning solution as they change out lenses on the job.

Wow! Day 3 at PPE was as stellar as the rest. We gave customers the “tour” of our new DSLR Video Fastpack AW. We launched it earlier in October, but today a lot more folks got to try it out. It’s an extension of our award-winning Fastpack series and is purpose built for multimedia photographers who shoot stills, video and capture sound.

Thanks so much to our Lowepro team on the convention center floor for their hard work, and an even bigger thanks to everyone who stopped by booth #1119 to spend time with us. As promised, we’re adding new photos, plus our Day 3 video of highlights for you.

The Lowepro team at PPE had another great day unveiling our new products, helping shooters choose the perfect bags for their work, and saying hello to our pro photographer friends, including Loweprofessionals Eric Meola and Cristina Mittermeier.

Today we showcased our travel-friendly Pro Roller Lite AW. It’s the ultra-lean and ultra-lightweight solution for shooters who carry a lot of pro-sized gear as they fly all over the world. Watch the Day 2 video and enjoy. There’s one more day of PPE tomorrow and more highlights to come from us.