Travel tripods are here to help enhance picture-perfect moments for those who love traveling the world but don’t want to carry bulky photography equipment. Getting a quality travel tripod ensures that whether you’re exploring the best cities in Europe or checking out Thailand’s best gems, you’ll get top-rated images of your memories that will last a lifetime.
However, with so many travel tripods on the market it can be difficult figuring out which one to get. To make your life easier we have listed the best travel tripods for you below.
Our Top Choice: After extensive research, we have concluded that the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 is the best camera tripod. Not only is it super flexible and lightweight but it also comes with plenty of premium features such as a magnesium die-cast canopy, quick-flip leg locks, non-slip, spiked rubber feet and a removable hook for hanging camera accessories. No matter where your adventures will take you, the Vanguard is a great addition to your kit bag.
Quick Answer: Best Lightweight Travel Tripods
Below is a list of the best tripods for travel:
- Manfrotto Befree
- Sirui T-1205X
- Joby GorillaPod 5K
- Zomei Z818
- Gitzo GK1545T Series 1 Traveler
- 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey
- MeFOTO RoadTrip
- Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100
- Benro Travel Angel FTA28CV1
- AmazonBasics Lightweight Tripod
What To Look For in the Best Tripods for Travel
Instead of just getting any ol’ travel tripod, here are four of the most important things to consider:
1. Load Capacity
The secret is to find the sweet spot tripod that secures your camera and gives you maximum image quality without adding a lot of weight to your back. If a camera is too heavy for the tripod, then picture sharpness will be affected as the tripod may begin to move and shake. Typically, lighter tripods have a lighter load capacity and visa versa.
2. Material
The material has a big impact on durability. Carbon fiber is thought of as the best material choice. It’s a light and strong material used to make things like car parts and military planes, but a carbon fiber tripod will end up costing more money than if it was made from a different material. Most tripods are made out of aluminum. While aluminum isn’t as strong as carbon fiber, it’s still durable.
3. Size
Before buying a travel tripod, make sure it can fit in your duffel bag or luggage when it’s folded down. Also consider how high it extends. That will affect how comfortable you are when using it and also may affect the shots you’re able to get.
4. Weight
This is one of the most important things to consider, especially if you’re going to be on the move a lot. For example, the best backpacking tripod is going to be as light as possible to make sure it doesn’t weigh you down. However, if sturdiness is your priority or you have a heavier camera, then your tripod will likely end up being a bit heavier.
Best Travel Tripod Reviews
Below are the best tripods for travel on the market. No matter what your travel style or top priority, you should be able to find one that’s a perfect match. If you do a variety of traveling, know that it’s not uncommon for people to buy more than one tripod and alternate between them based on the trip.
Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100
Debatably the most flexible tripod on the market, the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 should be one of the first tripods on your list. Set up is quick with the easy-release button and the legs can be set at 80°, 50°, or 25° giving you the ability to extend it just over 68 inches high. Shaped like a hexagon, the central column moves from 180° to 0°, making specialized shots super easy. Other great features that put it among the best small travel tripod options are shock control, quick-flip leg locks, and non-slip spiked rubber feet. All the conveniences are available with the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 to make sure your camera’s stabilized and takes the best pictures possible.
Sirui T-1205X
A great addition to all of your travels, the Sirui T-1205X Tripod is known as one of the best travel tripods because of its practicality. There are two leg-angle settings (80° and 52°) to help get the perfect shot and there’s even a leg warmer which helps protect the legs in harsh conditions, like if you’re snapping pictures of Iceland’s beauty. The five-section 8x carbon fiber tripod has an easy-folding design and compacts down to 13.39 inches, meaning there’s more than enough space for it in your carry-on bag. This high-quality tripod is one that you’ll appreciate for years to come.
Joby GorillaPod 5K
Durability is at its finest with the best travel tripod for DSLR cameras. Able to hold up to 11 pounds, the Joby GorillaPod 5K is made from aluminum and is super flexible to help get whatever shot you need. Perfect for things like hiking in Big Sur, you can grip it if you’re doing something like vlogging through the woods and also stand it securely if you need some still shots. The wrappable legs have more than 24 leg joints, giving it the ability to rotate 360° and remain stable on almost any surface thanks to its rubberized rings and foot grips. For a tripod that blends durability with flexibility, go with the Joby GorillaPod 5K.
Zomei Z818
Versatility puts the Zomei Z818 among the best camera tripod choices on the market. Made from aluminum and magnesium, this multi-function tripod can easily transition into a monopod. It boasts a height range of 18” to 65″ and offers three leg angle positions. Its 3.7-pound weight allows it to be stable for both indoor and outdoor photographs, and is even stable enough to be used during things like sports activities and camping trips. Coming in six color options, this heavy-duty tripod is an ideal addition to anyone’s travel gear collection.
Gitzo GK1545T Series 1 Traveler
This lightweight tripod offers a smooth support system while being able to hold 22 pounds. It’s recommended for use with 135mm lenses. The 3.2-pound tripod has a four-section system with a height range of 12.6” to 64.4″. It folds down to a length of 16.7″, and thanks to its reverse-folding legs, the ball head addition doesn’t add to its folded length. It’s a super portable tripod that is easy to carry around wherever your adventures take you. It gets raving reviews from people taking it everywhere from weddings to vacations. If you need the best tripod for travel, be sure to take a look at the Gitzo GK1545T Series 1 Traveler.
3 Legged Thing Punks Corey
A great hiking tripod, the 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey will help capture all the angles you need. The height stretches from 4 to 58” and can hold up to 30 pounds. It creates the ideal combination of capability, size, and weight. It has a two-section column and five-section legs along with the AirHed Neo ball head having a quick-release mounting plate. The rubber feet add to its stability and you’ll be more than impressed at how smooth the panning is. Because it folds down to only 13.7” you don’t have to worry about it not fitting in your bag. It’s hard to find a flaw with the 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey.
MeFOTO RoadTrip
The MeFOTO Roadtrip is one of, if not the, best travel tripod for mirrorless cameras. It’s versatile and can fit several different types of cameras from mirrorless to point and shoot and DSLRs with a zoom lens with its 17.6-pound weight capacity. Not only does the tripod turn into a full-size monopod (without needing tools!), but it also folds up inversely to only 15.4”. This tripod has a dual-action Q series ballhead with Arca-Swiss style quick release plate and the height ranges up to 61.6”. With so many great features, it’s hard not to love the MeFOTO RoadTrip.
Manfrotto Befree
The Manfrotto BeFree is known as the best Manfrotto travel tripod and one of the best lightweight travel tripod options because at 2.4 pounds, it barely adds any weight to your backpack. Thanks to its design, the legs can wrap around the head and quick-release plate allowing for it to fold down to less than 16”. The tripod supports up to 8.8 pounds and the special design ensures cameras stay firmly in place no matter what. With the height ranging from around 13” to around 56” and patented leg angle selectors that let you choose from two inclinations, you should have no problem getting the exact shot you’re looking for. The Manfrotto Befree continues to be a fan favorite and one of the best options for when you’re on the go.
Benro Travel Angel FTA28CV1
Benro has created a great mini tripod for any type of travel. This lightweight tripod weighs only four pounds and has the versatility to be converted into a full-size monopod, making it easy to get any shot you want no matter where you are. It’s able to hold up to 22 pounds, and can extend up to 66.9”. The tripod has both spiked and rubber feet to increase its stability no matter the terrain. The Benro Travel Angel FTA28CV1 is sturdy, well-built, and has lots of accessories that allow it to be named the best carbon fiber tripod for travel.
AmazonBasics Lightweight Tripod
Even with its high quality, this is still one of the cheapest tripod options you’ll find. If you love taking pictures, but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on professional equipment, this is the one for you. The best budget travel tripod is compatible with many cameras, scopes, and smartphone adaptors. It only weighs three pounds, but can extend up to 60”. Thanks to the quick-release mounting plate it’s easy to get fast transitions between shots. AmazonBasics has also added thoughtful additions like two bubble view levels and a carrying case. With everything it has to offer, there’s no wonder it’s been called the best travel tripod under $100.
With your new travel tripod you’ll never have to settle for a blurry or fuzzy image again. No matter whether you’re headed to see Icelandic horses or the beautiful scenery of the Amalfi Coast, you can be excited and confident about your professional-looking photographs that will capture the perfection of each moment along the way.
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