Lowepro have now produced the Omni Pro bag which has the appearance of being a small executive suitcase - the type you see people walking around with all the time.
The water resistant, non abrasive black outer shell is the same material used in Lowepro's trekking rucksacks and waistpacks. It has a shock-absorbent closed cell foam lining giving extra protection from impact, vibration and extreme temperatures.
Yet if you're worried about full protection on long trips they've made it small enough to fit inside a hard case of the size of a Pelican 1520. On location the bag can be removed and used as a soft bag or left in the hard case which still allows access to the contents through the top lid.
It has a reverse side opening lid and a zippered side opening for when the bag is carried on the shoulder. The carrying handle is padded for extra comfort and I found the quick release side buckles allowed me easy access when I needed it.
As an experiment I took the bag on the Newcastle Metro (editor's note - Newcastle is famous for 'villains' and the Metro is its subway train!). Nobody gave it a second glance but when I swapped it for a standard camera bag two people asked me what camera I used and I actually felt insecure.
If you're going to somewhere that doesn't need that amount of security the removable tripod straps can be used either for that purpose or to hold a jacket.
The proof of the camera bag is in the packing and the interior padded dividers will take 1 or 2 large professional 35mm SLRs with 5-7 lenses plus flash and accessories.
I also tried fitting in a medium format 6 x 6cm kit with camera and lenses then a combination of the two. By moving the individual velcro tabbed padded dividers around the bag took them both with ease.
The laminated mesh pocket inside the lid will not only take films, filters etc but helps protect the delicate camera surfaces below when the lid is closed. Pockets on the side of the bag will take maps and documents.
With measurements of 43 x 16 x 30cm and weighing in at 1.92kg it's a very well designed piece of kit. Even the zips have small leather tags on them to stop the metal closures scratching the contents.
It's light, easy to handle and the security factor is a big plus in it�s favour. Santa will bring it to you for UK �102 plus VAT (around $200). However if I was you I really would book early for Christmas. I have a feeling LowePro are going to sell out of these very quickly.