In theory, we’re clear on how a bag is to preform under adverse conditions. But to actually experience its virtues takes appreciation to a new level. That’s what happened to me on Saturday, Oct. 29 in New York City with the Lowepro DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW.

By now, you’ve probably already heard about the record-setting storm that hit New York City. Those *never* happen in October. But after teaching my class Saturday morning at PhotoPlus Expo, here’s what I was greeted with when I walked at the door of the conference center.

Anyone who has been to NYC in a storm knows there are no available cabs when this happens. I had walk back to the hotel, retrieve my suitcase, and get to the airport as soon as possible. I wanted to get home.

The latest version of our popular Fastpack series includes an AW cover. I pulled it out to protect my camera and computer gear for the slushy trek back to the hotel. Not only did the AW cover do its job, it wiped off quickly once inside and was neatly stowed in the bottom of the bag. The location of the AW cover is very important. Here’s why.

After many hours or wrangling at JFK airport (flight cancellations, terminal changes, etc.), I got a window seat near an exit door on a Delta nonstop to San Francisco. The plane had to be de-iced before we departed. My Fastpack was sitting upright at my feet during the process. Afterward, I noticed that the carpet around me was soaked. The Fastpack was sitting in these sponge-like conditions. Because the AW cover is on the bottom of the bag, it served as a barrier and protected the valuable contents.

And last, but not least, all of this is after wearing a fully packed bag for 4 days without any shoulder or back fatigue. For longer walks, such as back to the hotel, I would pull out the waist best from its hiding place and use it to stabilize the bag as I maneuvered the busy NY streets.

The DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW was my trusty companion in the Big Apple. And it lived up to every bit of theory the designers conceived on paper when they dreamed up this amazing backpack.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

You may not be suprised to know: Lowepro employees love taking pictures and love taking our Lowepro bags to all kinds of places. Our new Lowepro Exposed image gallery contains glimpses of how we spend our time when we’re out of the office. We hope it inspires you to bring your camera everywhere you go. Oh, and carry it in a Lowepro bag. We have lots of choices for all kinds of adventures. Take a look and please visit often. Carry on!

Editor’s Note: Photo enthusiast Lucas Chudleigh of Prince Albert in Saskatchewan, Canada wrote us about a recent collision between his Honda motorcycle and a Ford pick-up truck. He was wearing a new SlingShot 102 AW at the time, and thankfully, recovered to share this account of a camera protected by its Lowepro bag. In his words, here’s the story.

“I recently purchased a Lowepro SlingShot 102 AW. I bought it for my Canon 60D, which roughly cost $1,500 with the lens—so you can imagine, I wanted the best protection for my investment.

I particularly chose this sling pack to use with my Honda motorcycle. Several weeks ago, I was riding with my camera and lens in the pack. I was doing about 65 kilometers per hour up a busy street. A Ford truck in front of me slammed the brakes as I sat in the middle of the road.

I reacted too slowly. After hitting the brakes, I was thrown from the bike and landed on the camera pack at about 55 kilometers per hour. After landing on the camera bag, I slid about 40 feet on top of the pack until I collided with the truck. So all in all, my camera and the Lowepro bag I carried it in received a substantial beating.

I was rushed to the hospital and my injuries included a fractured hip, shock trauma to my spine and a massive concussion. The following week, I was able to leave the hospital and among the first things I did was check on the state of my camera.

The camera was in 100% perfect condition with not one scratch on it. The lens also was in perfect condition. The pack had three small tears and a broken zipper. I was lucky to survive this accident and I’m absolutely blown away by how well this pack has stood up. I thought maybe this letter also would stand up as a good testimonial to your exceptional bags.”

Last year we launched a new brochure format showcasing some of our pro photographer partners. We were honored to have stories from Michael ‘Nick’ Nichols, Steve McCurry, Douglas Kirkland, Joyce Tenneson and 12 other fabulous photographers.

Our 2011 Loweprofessionals Professional Photographer Showcase is now hot off the press — and we are really excited to bring you brand new feature articles.

Within the pages of this year’s edition, you’ll find pieces about 15 pro photographers from around the world. Their stories are sometimes larger than life, sometimes touching and poignant. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did putting it together.

Here’s a sneak peek at just one of the features….

Andreas Kieling’s life story reads much like the adventures written by his favorite authors: Robert Louis Stevenson, Jack London and Mark Twain. At the age of 16, he escaped East Germany under cover of darkness despite being shot in the back. Making a full recovery, he took to the sea, sailing around the world on cargo ships and rediscoving his love of photography.

Today, Andreas is one of the top nature/adventure photographers in the world. But our story is about a much different project he undertook — a 1400km hike, with his dog Cleo at his side, through the countryside that was once the forbidden zone between East and West Germany. This area is now referred to as the Green Line,  a protected preserve that is home to many rare species of wildlife.

We hope you enjoy reading Andreas’ story — and those of the other photographers who bring so much color and emotion into our lives. From the Olympic Games to the landscapes of Scandanavia, from photo essays about breaking news and the struggles of indigenous people to fine art prints that are nothing short of amazing — we salute them all! Enjoy….

Sam is the PR and Photographer Relations Manager for Lowepro’s Worldwide Marketing team.

Chris McLennan in Alaska in 2010

Loweprofessional photographer Chris McLennan is about to embark on yet another adventure — one we will be following closely over the next 15-20 days.

Last year, Chris photographed portions of the 2010 Iditarod Race, capturing stunning images of solitary sledders and their dog teams gliding through the frozen wilderness. This year, he has upped the ante and will be covering ~1200 km through the territory between Galena to Nome in order to tell the real story — the story of what happens in between check points when it’s just the dogs and their mushers braving blizzards, sub-zero temperatures and some of the harshest conditions on earth.

So he’s off to Alaska again to photograph the 2011 Iditarod Race, but this time with a twist. While shooting the race, he will be the subject of a documentary film and pilot for a proposed TV series. Over the course of the 15-day race, Chris and local guide and former Iditarod competitor Jon Korta will follow the teams along the race course, sleeping in arctic tents and Eskimo villages. They’ll not only be subjected to -40° to -60° Celsius temperatures, they’ll encounter the same challenges and hazards the racers face when traversing this hostile but beautiful expanse.

Read a the full story about this amazing adventure on Chris’ blog — and then watch for posts and updates here and on our Facebook page as the race gets underway on March 5th.

Safe travels, Chris!

Sam is the PR and Photographer Relations Manager for Lowepro’s Worldwide Marketing team.

We get lots of stories from our customers about their experiences out in the real world. This one came from Brad Lung up in Canada — in his words, “a wicked story” about one of our smaller bags.

Sheldon and the Arctic Cat

Brad and his buddy Sheldon were up in Northern Sashkachewan for some snowmobiling and ice fishing — a ritual undertaken several times a year.  That’s Sheldon in the picture to the right.

Collins Camps (on Lake Bresnard) is owned by another friend, Chris, and seemed the perfect spot to celebrate the New Year and Chris’ birthday. So off they went, on an adventure that brought with it an unexpected twist.

With temperatures down to -20°C (are they crazy???), they set out on Arctic Cat mountain snowmobiles. Sheldon brought along his camera — a $3,000 Canon that he carried inside a  Lowepro Cirrus TLZ, stashing both inside a Search and Rescue bag for transit.

That Cat had Claws!

As they headed back from one of the adjoining lakes, a loose strap on the Search and Rescue bag got caught in the track of the Arctic Cat, pulling the whole thing into the tunnel where it was pummeled by the 2.25 inch lug paddles on the track until they were able to stop. In Brad’s words, “It tore the living daylights out of the Search and Rescue bag .”

Amazingly, the Cirrus TLZ not only came through in one piece, it saved Sheldon’s camera. “I can’t believe this bag took the punishment it did and survived, let alone protected the camera,” Brad said. “Too bad I didn’t get a shot of the Search and Rescue bag — it was totally annihilated!”

Extreme cold and abuse are never a good combination when it comes to camera gear. But we love happy endings. Thanks, Brad, for sharing this one.

Do you and your bag have a story to share? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Sam is the PR and Photographer Relations Manager for Lowepro’s Worldwide Marketing team.

Some of my most prized possessions I inherited from my father. I have the coin collection that he worked on as a teen. His tattered Boy Scout Handbook sits on my bookshelf. These connections remind me of him.

When I was working in Germany, I noticed that a young man was carrying an old Lowepro backpack. His name is Johannes Leitner. I was admiring his bag and asked him if I could photograph it. As we talked, I asked him where he got it. “My father gave it to me,” he said. He had used it for years, and now it’s my turn.”

I smiled and said, “I would love to meet him.”

“Well, he’s right here,” replied Johannes as he motioned for his father to come over.

So I took their picture. The bag still looks great, and it’s a terrific story that made my day.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.