The travel tripod conundrum is a cruel reality of physics and practicality. The larger and heavier a tripod is, the steadier it will hold a camera. The larger and heavier a tripod is, the less likely you will ever want to carry it around or take it on a trip. Why are we left with a photographic reality like that which makes the tastiest food bad for you?
Tripods come in all shapes, weights, heights, and styles. If you are new to the world of tripods, please check out The Tripod Explained article before reading further. Here we are going to recommend travel tripods for the photographer. First, we must ask, “What makes one a ‘travel’ tripod?”
Well, any tripod is a travel tripod if you are willing to travel with it, but some tripods are designed to fold up into a compact package that, in some cases, can fit into a carry-on bag. They are also designed to be lighter than their full-sized counterparts. Usually, they have four or more leg sections, legs that can fold up around the center column, or a center column that drops down between the legs for transport. In general, they do not extend to the same heights as full-sized tripods, so get ready to bend over while shooting. Other than those features, the travel tripod is basically the same as any other three-legged camera support.
I visited the B&H SuperStore and picked the brains of the store’s tripod experts, got hands-on with all of the different options, and have compiled this list of the 12 travel tripods shown here, in price order, with the highest priced (as of press time) first.
1.Gitzo GK1545T Series 1 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head
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| Gitzo GK1545T Series 1 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head |
Well, it really doesn’t get any better than the Gitzo GK1545T Series 1 Traveler Tripod and Center Ball Head, travel tripod and Center Ball Head, and the price would certainly indicate that. The entire design of the Gitzo travel tripod is based on maximizing its thin profile. The odd-shaped head is purposely curvy to accommodate the legs when inverted for transport. Gitzo travel tripod legs are narrower than much of the competition, but generally maintain higher load capacities. O-rings seal the top of the twist locks to keep debris out, the legs can be set at one of two angles, and the chassis is made of magnesium. The center ball head is a fine complement to its gorgeous legs and features a separate pan lock knob, screw lock for the Arca-type compatible plate, and a tungsten disulfide coating for silky smooth action. Like Manfrotto, Gitzo sells individual parts for its tripods, so if you wear out a component, it can be replaced.
The slightly higher-priced alternative has slightly larger legs, and a 26-lb capacity; the GT2545T.
Gitzo GK1545T Series 1 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Max. Height: 64.4"
- Min. Height: 12.6"
- Folded Length: 16.7"
- Leg Sections: 4
- Weight: 3.2 lb
2. Manfrotto BeFree GT XPRO Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with 496 Center Ball Head
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| Manfrotto BeFree GT XPRO Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with 496 Center Ball Head |
Building on the deserved popularity of the BeFree tripod line, Manfrotto has assembled the flagship version of the BeFree travel tripod in the form of the BeFree GT XPRO Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with 496 Center Ball Head. A sleek design and paint scheme makes the tripod attractive to the eye, and a new innovative chassis allows the center column to be inserted at 90-degree angles for lateral applications. Backed by Manfrotto’s quality reputation and the ability to replace parts, this tripod will be a companion for years and years of traveling. The tripod has a 22.1-lb load capacity, extends to almost 65" and collapses to 16.9". Low-angle shooting? The removable center column allows you to shoot at a height of 3.5". The M-lock leg twist-locks feel great in the hand.
Manfrotto BeFree GT XPRO Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with 496 Center Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 22.1 lb
- Max. Height: 64.6"
- Min. Height: 3.5"
- Folded Length: 16.9"
- Leg Sections: 4
- Weight: 3.9 lb
3. Benro FTA28CV1 Travel Angel Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with V1E Ball Head
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| Benro FTA28CV1 Travel Angel Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with V1E Ball Head |
Benro does a nice travel tripod with many full-sized tripod features. The Benro FTA28CV1 Travel Angel Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with V1E Ball Head has a very respectable load capacity of 22 lb, and can easily handle a DSLR or mirrorless setup. The unit has a lot of center-column versatility because the column can be removed and attached to a removable leg to form a monopod. The leg angle lock design is more reminiscent of a full-sized tripod, just smaller. A unique carbon veneer looks very cool. The V1E ball head is Arca-type compatible, has a separate panning lock, coaxial friction adjustment for the main knob, bubble level, and the Benro P&T (pull-and-twist) safety release system to prevent accidental drops of your camera.
Benro FTA28CV1 Travel Angel Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with V1E Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Max. Height: 66.9"
- Min. Height: 18.7"
- Folded Length: 24.6"
- Leg Sections: 4
- Weight: 4 lb
4. Manfrotto 190Go! Aluminum Tripod Kit with Ball Head
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| Manfrotto 190go! Aluminum M-Series Tripod with MHXPRO-3W 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head |
One look at the Manfrotto 190Go! Aluminum Tripod with MHXPRO-3W 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head and you can tell that the Manfrotto folks spend a good bit of time on design. The 190Go! tripod has been on the market for a while, but that does not keep Manfrotto from incorporating a modern look into its designs. The innovative design of the center column allows it to be rolled quickly to the 90-degreelateral shooting position—very rare for a travel tripod. The leg-angle locks are little pieces of sculpted art, and the twist locks have snazzy red top and bottom accents. This is a good-looking tripod with innovative design attributes.
Manfrotto 190Go! Aluminum Tripod Kit with Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 13.2 lb
- Max. Height: 61.4"
- Min. Height: 2.75"
- Folded Length: 21.6"
- Leg Sections: 4
- Weight: 4.6 lb
5. Sirui T-025SK T-0S Carbon Fiber Tripod with B-00 Ball Head
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| Sirui T-025SK Carbon Fiber Tripod with B-00 Ball Head |
One trip to the Sirui display in the B&H SuperStore and you will see that this is a company dedicated to designing and building travel tripods. The very lightweight (1.8 lb) and compact (12.2") T-025SK T-0S Series Carbon Fiber Tripod and B-00 Ball Head is a fine tool for the traveling photographer with a small DSLR or mirrorless camera. Rare among travel tripods, this Sirui has a 2-section removable center column for low-angle shooting down to 3.1". The twist-lock leg design is straightforward and the overall feel of the unit is that of quality. The cleanly designed head is Arca-type compatible and has a separate pan lock knob.
Sirui T-025SK T-0S Carbon Fiber Tripod with B-00 Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 13.2 lb
- Max. Height: 42.5"
- Min. Height: 3.1"
- Folded Length: 12.2"
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 1.8 lb
6. 3 Legged Thing Corey Aluminum Travel Tripod with AirHed Neo Ball Head
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| 3 Legged Thing Corey Aluminum Travel Tripod with AirHed Neo Ball Head |
One thing that many of the 3 Legged Thing tripods feature is load capacities that are much higher than other similarly priced and sized tripods. The Corey Aluminum Travel Tripod with Neo Ball Head has a load capacity of 30 lb, larger than any other tripod on this list, while still packing up to a diminutive length. The Corey is a bit more subdued than other models from 3 Legged Thing, but it still features a bit of blue and orange bling. The leg-angle locks are spring-loaded and accessible even when the legs are folded up around the center column. The shiny blue Neo ball head has an Arca-type-compatible plate, built-in bubble level, and single ball control for simplicity.
3 Legged Thing Corey Aluminum Travel Tripod with AirHed Neo Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 30 lb
- Max. Height: 58"
- Min. Height: 4"
- Folded Length: 13.7"
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 3.4 lb
7. Oben CT-3535 Folding Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with BE-208T Ball Head
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| Oben CT-3535 Folding Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with BE-208T Ball Head |
When it comes to versatility, look no further than Oben. You can tell that the company likes packing the maximum number of features into each tripod it markets. Built for mirrorless and small DSLR setups, the Oben AT-3535 Folding Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod and BE-208T Ball Head is no exception. Where do I start? Brought your Oben tripod, but need a monopod or selfie stick? Done. Just unscrew one of the legs. For low-angle shooting, the kit comes with a removable center column and optional included short center column. Also included are retractable spikes, strap, bag, tools, and quick-release plate. The BE-208T head has a separate panning lock, bubble levels, and an Arca-type compatible quick-release plate.
Oben CT-3535 Folding Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with BE-208T Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 9 lb
- Max. Height: 51.6"
- Min. Height: 8.6"
- Folded Length: 12"
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 2.5 lb
8. MeFOTO RoadTrip Aluminum Travel Tripod Kit
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| MeFOTO RoadTrip Aluminum Travel Tripod Kit |
With 10 color options, the MeFoto Road Trip travel tripod is sure to accessorize your luggage or backpack successfully. The Road Trip has a respectable load capacity suitable for a DSLR rig, and the single foam-cushioned leg can be removed and attached to the center column to form a monopod or selfie stick. MeFoto is specializing in quality travel tripods, and the Road Trip is no exception. The dual-angle leg-angle locks are of the pull tab variety and have a nice feel, as do the two-tone leg twist locks. The ball head has separate panning and friction adjustments, as well as a bull’s-eye bubble level and Arca-type-compatible quick-release plate.
MeFOTO RoadTrip Aluminum Travel Tripod Kit
- Load Capacity: 17.6 lb
- Max. Height: 61.6"
- Min. Height: 15.4"
- Folded Length: 15.4"
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 3.6 lb
9. Oben AT-3565 Folding Aluminum Travel Tripod with BZ-217T Ball Head
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| Oben AT-3565 Folding Aluminum Travel Tripod with BZ-217T Ball Head |
Exactly like the Oben tripod mentioned above, the Oben AT-3565 Folding Aluminum Travel Tripod and BZ-217T Ball Head is supremely versatile but has a larger load capacity. The AT-3656 comes with a removable leg for monopod/selfie stick uses, retractable spikes, removable center column, short center column, strap, bag, tools, and quick-release plate. An advantageous 20-lb load capacity means that you can mount up a heavy DSLR and zoom lens. The BZ-217T head has adjustable friction semi-coaxially mounted on the main knob, a separate panning lock, bubble levels, and an Arca-type compatible quick-release plate.
Oben AT-3565 Folding Aluminum Travel Tripod with BC-217T Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 20 lb
- Max. Height: 61.8"
- Min. Height: 9.1"
- Folded Length: 6.1"
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 3.7 lb
10. Davis & Sanford TR654C-36 Traverse Carbon Fiber Grounder Tripod with Ball Head
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| Davis & Sanford TR654C-36 Traverse Carbon Fiber Grounder Tripod with Ball Head |
Davis & Sanford TR654C-36 Traverse Carbon Fiber Grounder Tripod with Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 12 lb
- Max. Height: 65"
- Min. Height: 9"
- Folded Length: 18.5"
- Leg Sections: 4
- Weight: 3.25 lb
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