10 Best Travel Tripods: Lightweight & Easy Transportation

Super small or carbon fiver travel tripod?

What characteristics should the best travel tripod for photographers have? When selecting a tripod, check whether it has a compact folding size and optimal extended size. It should be lightweight and made of durable material. The best models have high-quality heads and reliable strong legs.

When selecting a travel tripod, you should be aware that it is quite different from regular models used for casual studio shooting. Such a tripod should be compact and lightweight. It will allow a photographer to fold it and fit it into a bag or a case.

A travel tripod can be used for shooting in different conditions, whether you need to take photos in the mountains or a sand quarry. Besides, it should allow you to stabilize your camera.

Keep in mind that compact tripods for travelers are more expensive than regular models. If you decided to become a travel photographer, be ready to spend at least $150-$700 on buying a pro-level tripod.

Material: Carbon | Weight: 2.8 lb | Maximum Height: 54 in

In case you want to purchase a pro-grade travel tripod, take a look at the carbon fiber tripod from the GT0545T Series 0. This model was released by Gitzo. It’s fitted with a center ball head and can be considered the best lightweight tripod for long trips. The tripod has a sufficient height when it’s not folded, which allows you to capture the whole object easily, be it a detail of a historical landmark or a natural object.

t is considered to be one of the best tripod brands for photographers interested in different genres. The tripod remains stable on any type of surface despite windy weather. Thanks to its reverse-folding legs, you can fold it up and carry it around with you wherever you go.

The only shortcoming of this tripod is that it costs $649, which makes it hardly suitable for beginners. However, if you are looking for a high-end tripod for heavy lenses and pro-level photography gear, the Gitzo GK0545T is what you need.

Material: Aluminum, Titanium | Weight: 4.58 lb | Maximum Height: 64.2 in

This model is a must if you have a full-frame travel camera or often snap pics using a large lens. The Benro MeFOTO Globetrotter is a reliable tripod created with a traveler’s needs in mind. This all-in-one model is fitted with an iPhone mount, which makes it perfect for those who don’t want to take too many accessories with them on a trip.

If you compare a monopod vs tripod, you will see that this model has the best features that both of them have and costs only $265. Featuring the Q2 triple-action ball head and an Arca-Swiss-style quick-release plate, it has convenient controls. Due to this, it has impressive pan lock, drag and friction capabilities.

Material: Aluminum | Weight: 3.28 lb | Maximum Height: 68.5 in

I believe that the Manfrotto Befree Advanced Twist is one of the best options for travel photographers who also take video footage during their trips. This portable tripod costs only $266 and ensures exceptional stability. You can mount your camera on it without worrying about its stability even when you change its height.

The fluid head stands out for its hydraulic damping system. It allows you to move the camera smoothly when shooting beautiful landscapes. You can change the angle quickly to capture the beauty of the mountains and other objects.

This tripod is made of aluminum, which makes it extremely durable and lightweight at the same time. It was designed to be used in different shooting conditions.

Material: Carbon Fiber | Weight: 2.3 lb | Maximum Height: 54.3 in

After testing the SIRUI Carbon Fiber Travel 5C, I am convinced that it’s one of the best options for those who are looking for a high-quality budget tripod for taking travel pics. It is well designed and features 5-section carbon fiber legs with quick-release twist-locks, which ensures that your equipment will stay safe. At the price of $110, it’s one of the most affordable options on this list.

This tripod will be a perfect option for photographers who want to snap pics of plants and insects or capture a building from a low angle. After attaching the center column, you can use its lock to select any height you need. It will allow you to take pics from different angles without making complex adjustments.

Material: Aluminum | Weight: 3.37 lb | Maximum Height: 77 in

I enjoyed using the GEEKOTO AT24 Pro as its height is easy to adjust, which makes it easier to snap pics from extreme angles without risking your camera and other equipment. It ensures impressive image stabilization and costs only $141, which makes it suitable for novices who want to buy a budget tripod for DSLR cameras.

Using this portable tripod, you can take stunning panoramic shots as well as shoot inverted footage. It allows you to take unique shots during your trips and capture landmarks from unusual angles. The GEEKOTO AT24 Pro is a great option for novice users and travel enthusiasts as you can take a photo from any angle with little to no effort.

Material: Aluminum | Weight: 3.72 lb | Maximum Height: 67 in

K&F Concept 67 has great value for the money and costs only $165. Using this compact tripod, you can securely stabilize your camera during trips. The camera can be folded to fit in the travel bag. It’s sold with the kit. The maximum height is 67 inches which simplifies shooting and maintains necessary steadiness to avoid blurred photos in different weather conditions.

You can adjust the central column from 0 to 180 degrees. It supports 360-degree horizontal rotating, which makes it perfect for snapping panoramic shots. This tripod is often used by photographers interested in landscape photography. The model is fitted with a 1/4-inch quick shoe plate which makes it compatible with DSLRs.

Thanks to the 3/8-inch screw thread hole, you can make it a part of your shooting setup. It means that you won’t need to take a lot of photography equipment with you on a trip as this model makes it easy for you to bring your ideas to life.

Material: Carbon Fiber | Weight: 3.3 lb | Maximum Height: 60 in

The ZOMEI Z699C tripod is made of carbon fiber and has many advantages. Being quite lightweight, it is also extremely durable. This model has three adjustment knobs and a ball head, which enables you to take photos from different angles.

To further protect your camera, it has a quick-release plate with a rubber mat and a special clip. The tripod costs only $145, which makes it perfect for budget-conscious photographers.

You can set up its spiked legs on different surfaces easily. Thanks to it, sand, mud or snow won’t make it difficult for you to use your equipment. After folding the legs, you can fit the tripod into your bag.

It doubles as a monopod, which allows you to take less equipment with you. After being folded, the tripod is only 13 inches long. You can take it with you on hiking trips or when going sightseeing.

Material: Aluminum | Weight: 4.4 lb | Maximum Height: 68.2 in

Despite being not the most compact model on this list, the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB is one of the best lightweight camera tripods available as it allows you to mount cameras that weigh up to 15.4 pounds. You can use it to support heavy camera bodies and travel lenses. It is sold at the price of $206, which makes it one of the best options in the medium price bracket.

You can set its aluminum legs at 25, 50, and 80-degree angles. They are fitted with quick-release buttons, which makes them suitable for taking photos from a low angle. It features a magnesium die-cast canopy and spiked rubber feet. You can attach additional accessories to the hook. It’s the best tripod for slippery surfaces, so if you want to take a trip to the mountains in winter, make sure to consider this model.

Material: ABS Plastic, Rubber, Stainless steel, Steel, TPE, Aluminum | Weight: 2.2 lb | Maximum Height: 14.69 in

If you want to take creative photos of landmarks and beautiful locations that will make you stand out among other photographers, I advise you to buy the JOBY GorillaPod 5K Kit. It’s a quite flexible tripod that is often used by travelers who enjoy experimenting with different shooting angles.

You can relocate its legs to shoot from extreme angles. It is the best travel tripod for mirrorless bodies that are not too heavy. Also, you can purchase the Gorilla pods that come in various sizes, for instance, for DSLR or GoPro devices.

Using the numbered scale, you can perform 360-degree panning. The tripod comes with secondary knob locks for better stability. This model is compatible with professional JOBY gear, such as a hub adapter, GorillaPod arms, and secure mounts.

You can use it as a part of your lighting setup and keep your external mic in place, which makes this tripod a smart option for those who enjoy shooting videos during trips. At the price of $119, it’s an ideal solution for aspiring travel photographers.

Material: Aluminum, Carbon Fiber, Rubber | Weight: 2.2 lb | Maximum Height: 12.9 in

Unless you are looking for a full-size travel tripod, I recommend using the Benro Slim Travel Kit for $165. It’s quite portable and doesn’t weigh much. The tripod is 12.9-inch long, which facilitates the task of capturing important details.

Its twist locks are made of anodized aluminum, which makes them easy to use. You just need to half-turn them to lock or unlock the mechanism.

You can easily invert its grooved central column for taking photos from a high angle. The Benro Slim Travel is quite lightweight and allows you to set its legs in 3 positions. You can adjust each leg separately, which is convenient for those who need to take photos when working in locations with uneven surfaces.

When shooting in windy weather, you can use the weight hook under the central column and adjust rubber legs to keep the whole construction in place.

You can use any tripod for traveling, but some models are specifically designed for this purpose. As a rule, an ordinary tripod can support a camera quite satisfactorily in most cases. However, there are some points that make the best travel tripod indispensable: small weight, optimal dimensions, durability, flexibility, and reliability.

Compact folding size. It is more convenient to use a tripod that you can bend. However, you should take into account that small models are less durable. The folding size should not be more than 21 inches.

Modern tripods are fitted with legs that can be fully folded. To set them up, you need to extend the center column and then lift the legs up. A folded tripod will be shortened up to 4 inches. It will make its length up to 11-15 inches, which allows you to put it in your bag.

Optimal extended size. To use a tripod, it’s better to extend it to 50 inches. Your framing options will be limited by a small tripod but it is not relevant for tabletop models.

To make such a tripod long enough, manufacturers add 4-5 sections per leg. Some models have a two-section center column, which allows you to adjust their height. The only disadvantage is that such joints make a tripod less reliable. The legs might be also too thin.

Not too heavy. It is not the most pleasant thing to carry a heavy tripod all day long no matter how good it is. Naturally, the best lightweight travel tripod is quite expensive. The less lightweight the equipment is, the more comfortable it is to carry and cheaper to transport by plane. However, a tripod should be heavy enough to avoid a camera shake. The ideal weight is 2.2-3.3 lbs.

Durable materials. The most popular materials are carbon fiber and aluminum. A distinctive feature of carbon fiber is its strength and lightness. In addition, it resists rust in wet conditions. Though, this material for the best travel tripod DSLR costs more than aluminum.

If the best carbon fiber tripod is too expensive for you, choose an aluminum one. Such models are slightly heavier but this metal is cheaper and handles the elements perfectly. Although carbon fiber tripods are slightly stronger, aluminum ones will surprise you with their reliability.

Reliable strong legs. The stability of a tripod depends on its legs. Therefore, it is very important that they function well after being used in dirt or water. You should remember that tripods that have legs with fewer sections are more reliable and their setting is much simpler. The best camera tripod for travel has no more than 3-4 leg parts.

High-quality head. Buying the right head is equally important as purchasing a tripod itself. The main function of the head is to keep your camera steadily attached to the best travel camera tripod. It should be fairly light, strong, and compact. It should allow you to fold the tripod to reduce its size.

The head can affect such parameters as weight and carrying capacity. Almost all models can be easily removed from the tripod and replaced if necessary. You can also move it around up to 360°. As a rule, modern ball heads provide this feature. Quick-release plates and bubble levelers are the signs of good heads.

Load capacity. Tripods vary in load capacity. However, this parameter should not be taken literally. If your tripod has a rating of 15 lbs, it does not mean that you must attach a 15-pound camera to it. A 15-lbs camera should be safely held in an upright position with a tripod having such a carrying capacity.

However, it does not ensure keeping the camera in a still position. Therefore, it is important that the capacity of your tripod is higher than the weight of the gear that you intend to load on it. As for travel, you will hardly use a too bulky and heavy camera, so choose the best small travel tripod with optimal load capacity.

Secure locking mechanisms. Most modern tripods have legs that are hollow tubes and you can easily pull one into the other. As a rule, they consist of four or five sections. Currently, the most used types of locking are twists and flip locks. A lever system is used in old-fashioned models. The advantage of this option is that you can make corrections if the lock is slightly loosened. In addition, it is highly reliable.

However, such systems have their drawbacks. First of all, it is susceptibility to dust and dirt which violates the effectiveness of the best travel tripod locking. Nowadays, a twist lock that belongs to a new generation of blocking mechanisms is very popular. They are very thin and easily adjustable.