Oh man, I totally get it!! I was highkey stressed about my gimbal breaking in my backpack too. For your situation, I recommend checking out some budget-friendly hardshells that actually do a fantastic job without the "brand name" markup. In my experience, you can get great protection for under 30 bucks!

Here's what I suggest:
• Smatree Carrying Case for DJI Osmo Pocket 3: Honestly, this thing is a beast. It's got a realy hard EVA shell and fits the whole Creator Combo perfectly. The foam is super snug so nothing slides around, which is a lifesaver for the gimbal motors.
• Telesin Carrying Case for DJI Osmo Pocket 3: A bit smaller but still super tough if you're tight on space in ur daypack... basically fits anywhere.

Saving money on the case means more for extra ND filters, right?? gl!

Adding my two cents cuz i highkey relate to the anxiety of a busted gimbal... Honestly, i had a pretty bad experience with a semi-rigid case where the foam was too soft and my Pocket 3 actually shifted inside, causing a motor error during my trip to Japan... it was sooo disappointing. If youre really worried about safety, check out the Lykus HC-2010 Waterproof Hard Case for DJI Osmo Pocket 3. Unlike the usual EVA cases mentioned, this one is a legit hardshell resin case. Basically, it doesnt compress at all even if something heavy sits on your daypack.

Pro tip: Check out the Moment shop website; they have sections for rugged storage that goes beyond just 'pouches.' I think the why behind choosing resin over EVA is huge—resin is impact-resistant and rigid, so even if your bag gets crushed, the camera is safe. Safety-wise, you gotta make sure the gimbal head is locked in a cutout that doesnt let it wiggle at all. I mean, the Creator Combo is too expensive to risk on flimsy stuff, you know?? gl!!

Just sharing my experience: I had gimbal drift using soft bags. Switched to PGYTECH Carrying Case for DJI Osmo Pocket 3 for the rigid EVA foam lining... basically keeps the axis stabilized during transport tbh.

yo, i feel u! that soft pouch is basically just a scratch guard. in my experience, you need a hardshell cuz the gimbal is sooo fragile and any pressure can mess up the motors... i wouldnt risk it.

Here's what i recommend:
• Startrc Carrying Case for DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo - custom foam slots keep everything snug.
• it fits the whole kit plus filters without anything sliding around in ur bag.

gl!!

Honestly, being pretty new to all this, I didn't realy want to spend more money on another accessory right away. I ended up trying a DIY route with an old hardshell tech organizer I already had in my closet. 1. I basically found some leftover foam from a shipping box and spent an afternoon cutting out custom slots for the camera and the mic.
2. It was a bit of a mess at first... well actually, the first version was too loose so I had to use some double-sided tape and extra microfiber cloths to make it snug.
3. I even managed to leave a gap for my own charging cables and a small power bank, which was a huge plus for me. But tbh, I'm still a little nervous about it. Like, it feels sturdy enough for my daypack, but I keep wondering if I should've just bought a 'proper' one? Does anyone else do the DIY thing or am I just being cheap? It definately works for now but I'm constantly checking it lol.