The best tripod for folks on the go is the one that fits into your camera bag!
Shooting sharp handheld pictures is easy with the latest crop of digital cameras capable of delivering noise-free images at high ISOs and have image stabilization. However, tripods are still essential for anyone placing a high value on image quality, especially when shooting in low light, with long lenses, or in the macro range. A lightweight travel tripod fits easily into a camera bag, airline carry-on, or backpack. Hikers, boaters, wildlife shooters, travel photographers, photojournalists, and anyone else that often travels with a camera will definitely benefit from having a high quality, lightweight, compact travel tripod on hand. To help you decide which is best for you we’ve detailed eight proven travel tripods below.
What makes a good travel tripod?
The general consensus is that a travel tripod should have a minimum folded length of 24 inches or less (preferably under 20 inches), a maximum total weight of 4 pounds or less including the head, and extend to at least 50 inches in height without extending the center column more than half its total length. Tripods that extend to of 60+ inches and fold to 18 inches or less get extra points.. No travel tripod provides the rocklike stability of a heavy-duty tripod, but that behemoth in your closet won’t do you much good when you’re on the go.
Here are 8 great travel tripods:
1. Davis & Sanford Traverse TR553-P238
This versatile ultra-portable aluminum tripod fulfills its mission by folding to a mere 12 inches by pivoting its legs back 180 degrees, over the easy-glide center post, to fit easily in your camera bag . Weighing in at only 2.6 pounds complete with Dual-Control ball head with calibrated base and Arca-Swiss-compatible quick release, it extends to 53 inches, has a robust carrying capacity of 10 pounds, and its sturdy 23mm-diameter 5-section legs have freeze-proof rubberized twist locks, 3-position independent leg-angle adjustments, foam-cushioned insulators, and rubberized leg tips.
Adorama price: with carrying bag
2. Gitzo GZ1580RQR5 Series 1 Traveler
6x Carbon Fiber Tripod with Magnesium Center Ball Head: The ultimate travel tripod for those who demand the best it’s beautifully made, extremely sturdy, and carries a princely price. Its folded length is only 13.8 inches thanks to 5-section twist-lock legs, but it extends to 58.7 inches and provides grounder capability down to 11.8 inches. It weighs only 2.6 pounds complete with Center Ball Head with QR plate and smooth-operating PFTE-treated ball and bushings, and has an impressive load capacity of 12.1 pounds. Other features: reversible center column, anti-leg-rotation system, counterweight hook, removable rubber feet, and independent leg-spread adjustments.
Adorama price: $899.88
3. Sunpak TravelLite Digital Tripod
This basic ultra-lightweight 2.1-pound aluminum travel tripod has a modest 3.3-pound load capacity. It features 5-section twist-lock legs, a 3-way pan-tilt head with two quick-release plates, a built-in bubble level, a split center post providing grounder capability, and rubber feet with retractable spikes for outdoor use. It folds to a portable 14.6 inches in length and extends to 56.5 inches
Adorama price: $39.95
4. Manfrotto BeFree Compact Carbon Fiber Tripod (Black)
This high-style travel tripod has 4-section flip-lock legs providing a maximum height of 48.4 inches with center column in and up to 56.7 inches with column extended. It also provides a useful minimum height grounder setting of 13.4 inches and folds to a portable 15.75 inches. It provides a load capacity of 8.8 pounds despite weighing only 2.4 pounds and is has independent leg spread positions at 25 and 51 degrees. The ball head is made of aluminum alloy and includes a 200PL quick release plate. The sliding aluminum center column is 3-faceted to resist twisting and it’s a hefty 22mm in diameter.
Adorama price: with Advanced Travel Pack, without travel pack. A slightly heavier all-aluminum version is available at an Adorama price of
5. Vista Voyager Lite
This versatile, sturdy lightweight aluminum tripod packs a lot of useful features, including 4-sectionm flip-lock legs with 3-way angle adjustments, a Quick-Lift 2-section center post providing grounder capability and a bottom hook, convertible rubber-and-spike feet, a robust BHQ8 ball head with quick release plate, a compass, and bubble levels on both yoke and head. It extends to an eyelevel 63 inches, folds to 21 inches, weighs 3 pounds and has an impressive maximum load capacity of 8 pounds.
Adorama price: $49.88
6. Surui T-025X Carbon Fiber Tripod with C-10X Ball Head
A stylish compact lightweight tripod with upward-folding legs 8X carbon fiber legs, it folds to a mere 11.8 inches, extends to a maximum height of 54.5 inches and has an high load capacity of 13.2 pounds. A removable center column allows low-angle shooting down to 10.2 inches, and the ball head includes an Arca-style quick-release plate and has separate knobs for pan and tilt functions. Other features: 5-section, 4-stage legs, and a feather-light 1.7-pound weight. The Sirui T-025X comes with a fitted soft case and tools.
Adorama price:
7 .Vanguard Alta Pro 284 CT Carbon Fiber Tripod with SBH-100 Ball Head
This robust carbon fiber tripod has an impressive load capacity of 18 pound, and also extends to of 63 inches. Constructed of 6X carbon fiber, it weighs 3.8 pounds and folds to 21.1 inches. The SBH-100 fluid head is 4.1 inches tall, weighs only 15.9 ounces, and will support up to 22 pounds. Its 4-section quarter-twist-lock legs can be independently positioned at 25, 50, and 80 degrees and have retractable spiked feet. The center column can be moved from 0 to 180 degrees for shooting at low or high angles.
Adorama price: $399.99
8. Benro Aero 4 Video Travel Angel Tripod Kit
Optimized for video thanks to its robust video head with separate pan and tilt adjustments, this rugged aluminum tripod with 3-section flip-lock legs is also suitable for stills. It has an integrated leveling platform, three adjustable leg stop angles, spiked or rubber feet, a QR6 video quick-release plate, a bubble level, and one leg that’s removable for use as a monopod. Its height ranges from 21.9 inches to 65.2 inches, and its minimum folded length is 21.7 inches., and it weighs 5.8 pounds.
Adorama price: with padded case and strap
