10 Best Travel Tripods: Lightweight & Easy Transportation

By Tati Taylor 5 days ago, Tripods

Super small or carbon fiver travel tripod?

top travel tripods

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.

Top 10 Travel Tripods for Your Trips

  1. Gitzo GK0545T - For travel experts
  2. Benro MeFOTO Globetrotter - For travel bloggers
  3. Manfrotto Befree Advanced Twist - Perfect for mountain shooting
  4. SIRUI Carbon Fiber Travel 5C Tripod - Budget-friendly
  5. GEEKOTO AT24 Pro - Easy panorama shooting
  6. K&F Concept 67 inch - Great for landscape shooting
  7. ZOMEI Z699C - With leg spikes for harsh conditions
  8. Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB - Reliable for a slippery surface
  9. JOBY GorillaPod 5K Kit - For architecture from unusual angles
  10. Benro Slim Travel Kit - Ideal for travel lovers

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.

1. Gitzo GK0545T

For pro-grade travel experts
gitzo gk0545t travel tripod

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

  • ✚ Reverse-folding legs
  • ✚ Convenient G-Lock leg locking
  • ✚ An easy-to-set-up center column and a handy shoulder strap
  • ✚ Doesn’t weigh much
  • None
Rating

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.

gitzo gk0545t travel tripod lifestyle

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.

2. Benro MeFOTO Globetrotter

For travel bloggers
benro mefoto globetrotter travel tripod

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

  • ✚ Portable
  • ✚ Ball heads
  • ✚ 4 leg sections
  • ✚ Can be used both with a camera and iPhone
  • Might be difficult to set
Rating

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.

benro mefoto globetrotter travel tripod lifestyle

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.

3. Manfrotto Befree Advanced Twist

Perfect for mountain shooting
manfrotto befree advanced twist travel tripod

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

  • ✚ Streamlined controls
  • ✚ Fitted with a twist lock
  • ✚ Well-thought-out leg angle adjustment system
  • The legs don’t ensure top-level stability
Rating

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.

manfrotto befree advanced twist travel tripod lifestyle

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.

4. SIRUI Carbon Fiber Travel 5C

Budget-friendly travel tripod
sirui carbon fiber travel 5c travel tripod

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

  • ✚ Durable build
  • ✚ Adjustable legs
  • ✚ 360° ball head
  • ✚ The inverted center column
  • It might be difficult to adjust height and angle
Rating

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.

sirui carbon fiber travel 5c travel tripod lifestyle

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.

5. GEEKOTO AT24 Pro

Easy panorama shooting
geekoto at24 pro travel tripod

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

  • ✚ Effortless adjustment
  • ✚ 19 inches long
  • ✚ Supports inverted shooting
  • ✚ Doubles as a monopod
  • Plastic mounting
Rating

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.

geekoto at24 pro travel tripod lifestyle

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.

6. K&F Concept 67 inch

Great for landscape shooting
k&f concept 67 inch travel tripod

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

  • ✚ Adjustable elements and 3 leg angles
  • ✚ Solid build allows it to withstand severe weather
  • ✚ Effortless retracting
  • ✚ A spring hook for heavy cameras
  • It might be challenging to fix it in place
Rating

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.

k&f concept 67 inch travel tripod lifestyle

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.

7. ZOMEI Z699C

With leg spikes for harsh conditions
zomei z699c travel tripod

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

  • ✚ The ball head is easy to use
  • ✚ Higher than most similar models
  • ✚ Spiked folding spikes
  • ✚ Suitable for different shooting situations
  • Locks on the legs are difficult to adjust
Rating

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.

zomei z699c travel tripod lifestyle

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.

8. Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB

A reliable tripod for slippery surfaces
vanguard alta pro 263ab travel tripod

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

  • ✚ The spikes can be retracted
  • ✚ Fluid-like SBH-100 ball head
  • ✚ Easy-to-remove accessory hook
  • ✚ Several leg positions
  • Some models are more portable
Rating

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.

vanguard alta pro 263ab travel tripod lifestyle

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.

9. JOBY GorillaPod 5K Kit

For shooting architecture from unusual angles
joby gorillapod 5k kit travel tripod

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

  • ✚ Supports heavy cameras
  • ✚ Sturdy legs
  • ✚ Allows shooting from a low-angle
  • ✚ Compatible with different devices
  • Hardly suitable for taking eye-level photos
Rating

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.

joby gorillapod 5k kit travel tripod lifestyle

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.

10. Benro Slim Travel Kit

Ideal for travel lovers
benro slim travel kit travel tripod

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

  • ✚ Twist locks are made of anodized aluminum
  • ✚ Lightweight
  • ✚ Grooved central column
  • ✚ The aluminum ball head is easy to remove
  • Small size
Rating

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.

benro slim travel kit travel tripod lifestyle

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.

Top Travel Tripods for All Walther Conditions

IMAGE NAME FEATURES
gitzo gk0545t travel tripod
Gitzo GK0545T
PROFESSIONAL
  • 2.8 lb
  • Weight capacity – 22 lb
  • Height – 54 in
CHECK PRICE
benro mefoto globetrotter travel tripod
Benro MeFOTO Globetrotter
FOR IPHONE
  • 4.58 lb
  • Weight capacity – 26.4 lb
  • Height – 64.2 in
CHECK PRICE
manfrotto befree advanced twist travel tripod
Manfrotto Befree Advanced Twist
STABLE
  • 3.28 lb
  • Weight capacity – 19.8 lb
  • Height – 68.5 in
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose Travel Tripods?

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.

best travel tripod compact folding size

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.

best travel tripod extended size

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.

best travel tripod locking mechanism

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.

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