To add to the point above: looking at the thread so far, it seems like those ultra-slim options are a no-go if you want to keep your balance settings. I'd be really careful with anything too compressed for a wedding shoot where every second counts. Since you're heading to Tuscany, you might want to consider these:

• Lykus HC-3310 Tight-Fit Hard Case for DJI RS 3
• This is a beast for the price. It's a hard shell that fits your budget easily and offers way more peace of mind than a soft bag if you're traveling. It's basically air-tight too.
• STARTRC RS 3 Carrying Case Portable Travel Bag
• This one is a bit more compact but still has decent structural padding. It's better than the PGYTECH for keeping your settings mostly intact, tho it's still a soft-shell. Make sure to check the foam density before you commit. Some cheap cases use soft foam that doesn't stop the arms from shifting during a bump. Safety first, especially for international travel... you dont want to arrive in Italy with a bent motor.

> Is the hard case worth the extra weight or should I stick to something soft and light... Honestly, unless you are planning to check your gear into the cargo hold, a heavy hard case is usually just extra bulk you dont really need for travel. I went through this exact same debate before a big project last year and I ended up going with the SmallRig Carrying Case for DJI RS 3 3761 and im still super satisfied with that choice. It works well for my workflow because it actually feels like it protects the gimbal without being a total brick to carry around. To answer your technical worry about the arms... yeah, the PGYTECH Carrying Case for DJI RS 3 Standard is way too thin for what you want. You basically have to reset every single axis to zero just to get the zipper closed. With the SmallRig one, there is a bit more depth. You still have to collapse it slightly, but its way faster to get back to your balance point when you're rushing during a ceremony. If you really want that bulletproof feel without the HPRC price tag, check out the Lykus HC-3320 Waterproof Hard Case for DJI RS 3. It fits your under 150 budget easily and is basically a tank. But for Tuscany? I would stick to the SmallRig. It fits in an overhead bin much better and the shoulder strap is actually decent when you are hiking between the villa and the reception. I have had no complaints using it for long days. Hope the shoot goes well, that Italian light is gonna look killer on the RS3!

Stumbled on this thread while looking for some travel gear and honestly, I had a really disappointing experience with that PGYTECH Carrying Case for DJI RS 3 last year. I thought the slim profile would be a lifesaver for my carry-on, but it was a total nightmare in the field. I found out the hard way that slim usually just means you have to reset every single axis back to zero to get the zipper shut. It completely killed my workflow when I was rushing between locations. Before I suggest a workaround, what camera and lens combo are you actually rocking for this Tuscany trip? If you are using a heavy zoom or a cage, that makes a huge difference. Most of these compact cases like the SmallRig Carrying Case for DJI RS 3 3761 are designed for the bare bones. If your rig is even slightly bulky, you are gonna be stuck re-balancing for ten minutes every time you pull it out. Personally, I gave up on the custom-molded shells and started using a Peak Design Camera Cube Large V2 inside a standard hiker pack. It is way deeper, so you can actually leave the arms somewhat extended and just slide the whole thing in. Much faster than fiddling with those tight molded slots while the bride is waiting.