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.
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
Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
If you’ve been kicking around the Internet on photography blogs, you are likely still bouncing in the ripples caused by the giant splash the Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod made when it landed on Earth. In the world of three-legged supports, there is innovation and then there is revolutionary innovation. The Peak Design tripod represents the latter with its triangular-shaped legs, integrated tripod head, and 5-section legs that can be released simultaneously. The center column reverses for low-angle shooting and this travel tripod folds down to a compact water-bottle-sized 15.5" without having to reverse its legs.
An aluminum version is also available.
Peak Design Travel Tripod
- Load Capacity: 20 lb
- Max. Height: 60"
- Min. Height: 5.5"
- Folded Length: 15.5"
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 2.8 lb
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.
The BeFree GT XPRO is also available in aluminum. And the non-XPRO versions are fantastic as well and available in carbon fiber and aluminum.
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
Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber Three Series Travel Tripod with VX30 Head
You need to give credit to Benro, who snuck a full-sized tripod, with full-sized specs, into this list of recommended travel tripods with its impressive Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber Three Series Travel Tripod with VX30 Head. Standing at almost 69" when fully extended, it is the tallest travel tripod on this list and its 44-lb load capacity also tops the group—by a large factor! The Rhino has reverse folding legs for storage as well as a reversing center column for low-angle shooting. Speaking of leg angles, you can adjust the degree of spread at any desired angle with the Auto-Hold Leg Trigger.
The tripod looks great with awesome carbon veneer and tasteful aluminum accents on the chassis and head, and the VX-series ball heads have a rare dual-panning functionality. For additional versatility, one of the legs detaches to become a monopod.
The Rhino series comes in a few flavors with different heights and load capacities.
Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber Three Series Travel Tripod with VX30 Head
- Load Capacity: 44.09 lb
- Max. Height: 68.75"
- Min. Height: 19.3"
- Folded Length: 19.45"
- Leg Sections: 4
- Weight: 4.54 lb
Benro MeFOTO RoadTrip Pro Carbon Fiber Series 1 Travel Tripod with Ball Head and Monopod
Make it a two-peat for Benro with, as a tripod expert at the SuperStore put it, the “Swiss Army knife of travel tripods”—the Benro MeFOTO RoadTrip Pro Carbon Fiber Series 1 Travel Tripod with Ball Head and Monopod. From the outside, it looks like your standard, yet beautifully designed, travel tripod. But start poking around a bit and you will find the following features: a removable leg that serves as a monopod, boompole, or selfie stick (which can also be joined with the removable center column for extra reach), invertible center column for low-level shooting, a tabletop tripod leg set hidden in the center column (or a tripod foot for the monopod leg or center column), a convertible phone holder QR plate for using your smart phone atop the tripod head, ballast hook and, if you need to fix something in the field, a built-in tool set featuring a screwdriver and hex wrench attached to the removable tripod feet.
The Road Trip PRO comes in aluminum and in several colors. Similar in design and versatility are the smaller Benro MeFOTO BackPacker and the larger Benro MeFOTO Globe Trotter.
Benro MeFOTO Road Trip Pro Carbon Fiber Series 1 Travel Tripod with Ball Head and Monopod
- Load Capacity: 17.6 lb
- Max. Height: 61.8"
- Min. Height: 15.6"
- Folded Length: 15.16"
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 3.0 lb
Explorer Photo & Video TX-VK Voyager Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Ball Head and Monopod
Joining its larger sibling on the full-sized tripod list, the Explorer Photo & Video TX-TK Voyager Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Ball Head and Monopod is a solid and good-looking travel companion with impressive specs. With the second largest payload capacity of the travel tripods on this list, the TX-TK Voyager sheds a leg for use as a full-sized monopod and is equipped with a short center column to facilitate low-angle shooting. Accessory ports on the chassis allow you to add gear to the rig with a 3/8"-16 or 1/4"-20 thread. The black carbon fiber and aluminum hardware’s contrasting shades make the unit look fantastic and modern.
Explorer Photo & Video TX-VK Voyager Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Ball Head and Monopod
- Load Capacity: 30.9 lb
- Max. Height: 60.2"
- Min. Height: 6.5"
- Folded Length: 13.8"
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 2.71 lb
Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod Kit with 494 Mini Ball Head and RC2 Quick-Release System
One look at the Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod Kit with 494 Mini Ball Head and you can tell that the Manfrotto folks spend a good bit of time on design. The MT190XPRO3 is a direct descendant of the popular 190Go! tripod series, 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-degree lateral 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.
Want a carbon fiber alternative? Check out the Manfrotto Element Carbon Fiber Small Traveler Tripod.
Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod Kit with 494 Mini Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
- Max. Height: 66.4"
- Min. Height: 7.0"
- Folded Length: 26.6"
- Leg Sections: 3
- Weight: 5.1 lb
Sirui T-025SK T-0S 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.
The aluminum alternative from Sirui is the T-005SK T-0S Series Travel Tripod and B-00 Ball Head.
Sirui T-025SK T-0S Carbon Fiber Tripod with B-00 Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 13.2
- Max. Height: 42.5"
- Min. Height: 3.1"
- Folded Length: 12.2"
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 1.8 lb
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.
The aluminum sibling to this tripod is the Oben AT-3535.
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
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.
A carbon fiber alternative is the CT-3565 and BZ-217T Ball Head.
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
I hope this helps you find the travel tripod that best suits your needs and accompanies you on your next adventure! Of course, if you have any questions, post them below or feel free to stop by the B&H SuperStore in New York, speak with a sales professional on the telephone at 1-800-606-6969, or contact us online for a Live Chat.
Read more about tripods in these Explora articles: The Tripod Explained and 10 Recommended Full-Size Tripods.
