How good are the Lowepro AW coverings?

Considering a Slingshot 200 AW for the combination of easy carrying and convenient access to the camera. My main concern and something seemingly not covered by reviews is the quality of the AW covering, is this just designed for protection from a passing shower or from a downpour? Is it likely to cope ok with mud when I'm off-road on my quad?

it's basically a plastic bag that you put over it. It should stop all rain from entering the bag provided you have it on right. It should handle mud as well.

It's a typical backpack rainfly. It won't hold off a serious downpour. First of all,the fly does have seams in it that will leak. Furthermore, it doesn't (and can't) cover the entire bag all the way around - the shoulder strap and back are water entry points.

It'll do a fine job holding off a decent shower for a bit, but you don't want to hang out outside in a downpour.

Well unfortunately! i have tested mine to the limit... (Lowepro 75Aw) my bag hold on steady for 3 hours of heavy rain, then it become moist (all the equipment was ok). I recommend if you are planning to get heavy rain, buy a poncho to protect any brand bag...

On my mini trekker, the AW cover only wrap up the front and sides of the bag, the back with all the straps still exposed. I used it once in a light rain for about a hour, the cover kept everything inside dried, so I guess it did the job.

Ok chaps, so should be fine for light off-roading, I'll just avoid things like bomb craters in the wet then.

The AW covering is very much like a shower cap for your bag. It is a thin nylon covering that does a decent job in light to moderate rain. If you're anticipating anything more severe, you may want to get a more waterproof bag.

I have a Slingshot 300AW and like it a lot, but if it looks like rain I leave the Lowepro at home and use a Think Tank bag because they all have nice rain coats included in the bag. If it starts to pour I simply open the concealed rain cover and use it to completely cover the whole bag completely.