Tenba BYOB 10 DSLR Backpack Insert at a glance:
- Padded insert for backpack
- Accepts camera and 2-4 lenses
- Exterior dimensions 23x30x13cm
- Interior dimensions 22x29x11cm
- www.tenba.com
While a specialist camera bag is likely to be the best way to transport your gear most of the time, there are occasions when other solutions are more appropriate. If you’re visiting an unfamiliar city and would rather carry something more discreet, or are restricted to using a single bag for travelling, then employing a padded case inside another bag might be the answer.
Tenba makes a number of such inserts in its Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) range. The one we’re looking at here is the largest of three offerings that are intended to be used inside backpacks. It’s not to be confused with the similarly named, but much smaller, BYOB 10 that’s designed to fit into a shoulder bag.
Access is provided by a single zip that allows the entire front face to be opened
Tenba BYOB 10 DSLR Backpack Insert key features:
- Grab handle: This aids with removing the insert from your backpack, and allows you to carry it as a standalone bag.
- Mesh pockets: Deep stretchy pockets on either side are large enough to hold a water bottle or mini tripod.
- Organiser: Essential accessories including batteries, SD cards and filters can be neatly accommodated in a pocket inside the lid.
- Colours: The bag is available in either this smart dark blue, mid-grey, or a conventional all-black finish.
In terms of what you can fit inside, this is a capacious design that’s capable of swallowing an enthusiast DSLR or mirrorless camera with a sizeable telephoto zoom attached. For example, I was able to fit in a Sony Alpha 7 III along with 16-35mm f/4, 24-105mm f/4, 100-400mm f/5-6.3 and 35mm f/2.8 optics, which would cover most photographic opportunities. Tenba provides a generous quota of dividers so you can configure the interior in a multitude of ways; one alternative layout will take the camera body and five smaller lenses.
We managed to squeeze a camera (Sony A7 III) and five smaller lenses into the backpack insert
Access is provided by a single zip that allows the entire front face to be opened up for full access to all your kit. However, this will probably require removing the BYOB from its outer bag. But in a neat design touch, a hinge halfway down the front allows the lid to be opened partially while the bag is still inside a backpack, so you can quickly grab your camera while on the move.
With is neat rectangular shape, this is a bag that will pack very space efficiently into a suitcase. Then when you reach your destination, it’ll fit inside a regular daypack with room alongside it for a water bottle and personal bits and pieces. At a pinch, it might even slot into a deep shoulder bag. Once you get home again, it could be used to provide protective storage for lenses. It’s just a shame there’s no option to fit a shoulder strap, which would expand its usefulness still further.
The BYOB range
Two smaller backpack inserts are available, the £40 BYOB 9 and £28 BYOB 9 Slim. In addition, there are four models designed to go in shoulder bags, ranging from the £28 BYOB 8 for a small mirrorless camera and two lenses, through to the £42 BYOB 13 that’ll hold a pro DSLR with 3-5 lenses.
Tenba also makes four different sized inserts to fit inside shoulder bags
Tenba BYOB 10 DSLR Backpack Insert: Our Verdict
As usual from Tenba, this is a nicely constructed bag made from high-quality materials that strikes a sensible balance between protection and bulk. You might not use it every day, but it could be a really handy option to have available.
