Key takeaways
- Good layout: body with lens attached on one side, spare lens and batteries on the other.
- Approximate load: mirrorless body, 16–50mm or 24–70mm equivalent zoom, and one small prime.
- Choose another insert if: your longest item exceeds about 8 cm in diameter or 18–19 cm in length.
The best camera inserts for backpacks are the Tenba BYOB 9 for compact mirrorless kits, the Peak Design Camera Cube Medium for a balanced everyday setup, and the Shimoda Core Unit for larger lenses and frequent outdoor carrying.
A good insert must do more than add padding: its internal dimensions, divider arrangement, opening direction, and shape need to match both your camera kit and the backpack’s available litres. The measurements below are practical planning figures based on published product dimensions; padding, stitching, and divider placement reduce usable space slightly, so allow roughly 1–2 cm of tolerance.
Best camera inserts for backpacks: quick comparison
| Insert | Approx. internal space | Typical divider layout | Best backpack capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenba BYOB 9 | About 21 × 16 × 9 cm | Two removable dividers; one main compartment | 15–20 litres | Small mirrorless body and 1–2 lenses |
| Tenba BYOB 10 | About 24 × 18 × 10 cm | Two to three removable dividers | 18–25 litres | Mirrorless or compact DSLR kit |
| Peak Design Camera Cube Small | About 22 × 22 × 10 cm | Two long dividers and two short dividers | 18–25 litres | Small rectangular daypacks |
| Peak Design Camera Cube Medium | About 29 × 15 × 15 cm | Two long dividers and three short dividers | 25–35 litres | One body, several lenses, or a drone kit |
| Shimoda Core Unit Small Mirrorless | About 23 × 17 × 9 cm | Adjustable padded shelf and vertical dividers | 20–25 litres | Compact mirrorless systems |
| Shimoda Core Unit Medium Mirrorless | About 27 × 24 × 11 cm | Removable shelf plus several vertical dividers | 25–35 litres | Full mirrorless kit and longer zooms |
| Lowepro GearUp Creator Box L II | About 28 × 16 × 10 cm | Adjustable hook-and-loop dividers; split main bay | 25–35 litres | Camera, lenses, batteries, and accessories |
Internal measurements are more useful than advertised external measurements, but they are not perfectly standardised. A camera cube with a nominal 10 cm height may have only 8–9 cm of clear height after the base padding and lid are compressed. Measure your largest item with its cap, hood, and quick-release plate attached before choosing.
Our top picks by camera-and-lens kit
Tenba BYOB 9: best for a small mirrorless kit
The BYOB 9 is the sensible choice for a compact camera body, a small zoom, and one prime lens. Its approximately 21 × 16 × 9 cm interior fits comfortably in many 15–20-litre daypacks without consuming the entire main compartment.
Its simple divider layout is an advantage when space is tight. Use one divider to separate the camera body from a lens, or curve both dividers around a body with a lens mounted. The insert is not ideal for a tall professional DSLR, a 70–200mm lens, or a large battery grip.
- Good layout: body with lens attached on one side, spare lens and batteries on the other.
- Approximate load: mirrorless body, 16–50mm or 24–70mm equivalent zoom, and one small prime.
- Choose another insert if: your longest item exceeds about 8 cm in diameter or 18–19 cm in length.
Peak Design Camera Cube Small: best for a tidy, square backpack
The Small Camera Cube is approximately 22 × 22 × 10 cm internally and suits backpacks with a broad, square base. Its two long and two short dividers can create four small cells, two lens bays, or one larger camera bay with accessory pockets around it.
This cube is more structured than a soft pouch, so it protects equipment well when the backpack is placed on the floor. The trade-off is wasted space in narrow or tapered bags. A 20-litre pack with a curved back panel may hold less of this cube than its litre rating suggests.
For a compact mirrorless kit, make the largest cell roughly 12 × 10 cm for the camera and use the remaining cells for two lenses. Keep chargers and loose cables in the exterior pockets rather than filling the padded camera area with low-risk accessories.
Peak Design Camera Cube Medium: best all-rounder for a 25–35-litre backpack
The Medium Cube provides approximately 29 × 15 × 15 cm of usable planning space. Its elongated shape works particularly well in a hiking or travel pack where the camera cube sits vertically against the back panel.
The divider system supports several useful arrangements: a wide lower compartment for a camera with lens attached, two upright lens compartments beside it, and a shallow upper section for batteries. Alternatively, remove a short divider and create one continuous bay for a drone or a camera with a large zoom.
- Likely fit: one mirrorless or compact DSLR body, a standard zoom, a telephoto zoom, and one or two primes.
- Best orientation: camera grip facing upward or toward the opening, so it can be removed without unpacking the whole bag.
- Watch for: a 15 cm width may be too large for a narrow commuter backpack.
Shimoda Core Unit Small Mirrorless: best for outdoor access
The Small Mirrorless Core Unit is roughly 23 × 17 × 9 cm and is designed to work inside compatible adventure packs, although it can also be used in a conventional daypack if the shape fits. Its shelf-and-divider arrangement makes it easier to separate a camera body from lenses without building a maze of small compartments.
The removable internal shelf is useful when the camera has a lens attached. Place the camera below the shelf and lenses above it, or remove the shelf for one taller item. This is preferable to a fixed grid when your kit changes between a short walk and a full-day shoot.
It is a strong option for people who access their camera repeatedly. The insert’s opening and compatible pack access systems reduce the need to put the backpack down, but the additional structure makes it heavier and less compressible than a basic padded pouch.
Shimoda Core Unit Medium Mirrorless: best for a larger zoom kit
With approximately 27 × 24 × 11 cm of internal planning space, the Medium Mirrorless Core Unit is suited to a 25–35-litre pack and a larger mirrorless system. It can usually accommodate a body, standard zoom, telephoto zoom, and one or two smaller lenses, provided the largest lens is not unusually wide.
Use the removable shelf to create a two-level layout only when the upper items are light. A heavy lens pressing against the shelf can make access awkward and place unnecessary pressure on the camera below. For maximum protection, reserve the lower bay for the camera and put batteries, filters, and cards in the upper area.
Lowepro GearUp Creator Box L II: best for camera plus accessories
The Creator Box L II offers approximately 28 × 16 × 10 cm of interior room and a flexible divider layout. It is a practical choice when the insert must carry not just camera equipment but also spare batteries, a microphone, memory-card case, cables, and a compact charger.
The adjustable dividers can form a larger camera bay on one side and narrower lens bays on the other. It is less suitable than the Shimoda units for very frequent trail access, but it makes efficient use of a conventional travel or work backpack.
Decision matrix: match the insert to your situation
| Your situation | Recommended insert | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest cost and smallest kit | Tenba BYOB 9 | Minimal bulk and enough space for a body plus two small lenses |
| 18–25-litre everyday backpack | Peak Design Small or Tenba BYOB 10 | Both fit compact bags; choose the Peak Design for more rigid organisation |
| 25–35-litre travel backpack | Peak Design Medium | Good balance of capacity, protection, and configurable dividers |
| Frequent outdoor shooting | Shimoda Core Unit | Better access-focused layout and useful shelf arrangement |
| Many accessories in one insert | Lowepro GearUp Creator Box L II | Wide padded area and flexible space for cables and small electronics |
How to check whether an insert will fit
- Measure the backpack’s usable cavity. Do not rely only on its stated litre capacity. Measure width, height, and front-to-back depth at the point where the insert will sit.
- Measure each piece of equipment. Include lens hoods, caps, tripod collars, battery grips, and quick-release plates.
- Draw the layout before buying. Put the body and lenses on paper using their measured footprints, then add at least 1 cm around each item for padding and access.
- Leave spare volume. A fully packed insert is difficult to close and encourages pressure on lenses. Aim to use no more than about 80–85% of the available internal volume.
- Check the opening direction. A top-opening insert is convenient in a conventional backpack; a rear- or side-access cube may be better for an outdoor pack.
For example, a 25-litre backpack may have a nominal camera compartment measuring 30 × 25 × 12 cm. Its geometric volume is 9,000 cubic centimetres, or 9 litres, but seams, curvature, and other gear can reduce the practical space to roughly 6–7 litres. A Peak Design Medium or Shimoda Medium may fit dimensionally, yet leave too little room for clothing and food. In that situation, the smaller Peak Design Cube or Tenba BYOB 10 is the more usable choice.
Durability, cleaning, and common mistakes
The parts that usually wear first are the hook-and-loop divider surfaces, zipper pulls, shoulder straps on removable pouches, and the thin fabric around corners. Avoid dragging a loaded insert across rough ground, and do not overfill it to the point that the lid must be forced shut.
- Brush sand and grit out of the zipper track before closing it.
- Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and mild soap; avoid soaking foam padding unless the manufacturer specifically permits it.
- Air-dry completely before storing camera equipment inside.
- Keep loose batteries in a separate protected pocket rather than allowing them to rub against camera bodies.
- Do not store a camera with a long lens standing unsupported if the insert’s base is soft.
The most common sizing mistake is choosing an insert based on backpack litres alone. Two 25-litre backpacks can have very different internal shapes. The safest purchase is the insert whose internal length, width, and height each remain at least 1 cm larger than your largest loaded camera item, while still leaving room for the backpack’s other contents.
Final verdict
Choose the Tenba BYOB 9 for a small mirrorless kit, the Peak Design Camera Cube Small for a compact square daypack, and the Peak Design Camera Cube Medium for the broadest range of everyday camera equipment. Choose a Shimoda Core Unit when outdoor access and changing divider layouts matter most, or the Lowepro GearUp Creator Box L II when accessories are nearly as important as the camera itself.
