Gear Review: 5 Travel Tripods Worth Considering
From entry-level to high-end, there are more options than ever
I was using a cheap tripod when I took this loon photo in Acadia a few years ago. I knew it was far from perfect, but it seemed to get the job done well enough. I was used to its quirks- how I had to frame my shots slightly higher than I wanted, how the plastic head would creak downward whenever I let go. It wasn’t ideal, but it was what I had, and I made it work.
After sitting by the water and watching the loons for a few hours, I got ready to head back to camp. My hands were full with my camp chair, the dog bed, the leash for the actual dog, and my camera gear, so I decided to just leave the camera locked on to the tripod. I rested it over my shoulder and began the short walk back through the woods to the gravel road where my truck was parked. Midway through picking my way through the underbrush, I heard something fall behind me. When I turned around, I saw my tripod laying on the tree roots a few steps back- the plastic mounting plate had popped out of the quick release on the tripod head. Thankfully, I had been holding onto my camera, and not the tripod. If I had been, it would've been my camera and favorite lens on the ground.
As I learned, tripods aren’t something to skimp out on; they’re what stands (literally) between your gear and solid ground. Whether you’re using a second hand DSLR or a new mirrorless flagship, your gear deserves a long happy life free from impact damage. I upgraded my tripod, and now use a Sirui ST-224 tripod. Everything from the spikes beneath the waterproof carbon fiber legs to the video head I opted for feels sturdy and solid, and it's perfect for spending time in a camp chair with my 150-600mm. Unfortunately, it’s not exactly designed as an ultralight setup, and can be a real bummer to hike with (of course, part of that is probably that I’m hauling that lens with me too, but that’s a problem for another day). I often wish I had another quality option on hand to bring with me on hikes or bike rides, or even plane travel.
​
That’s where travel tripods come in. With so many on the market these days, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and indecisive. While working at a camera store, I frequently find people lost in the tripod section, wondering where to start. The five tripods on this list are ones I find myself coming back to often, either to recommend or just to give some pricing context. They’re pretty evenly matched when it comes to features and intended use. They’re all full-size, with ball heads, center columns, and adjustable legs for optimal flexibility. Most importantly, they’re designed to come with you on all of your adventures so you don’t miss out on that long exposure, sunset time lapse, or self portrait celebrating a successful summit.
Note: If a tripod is offered in both carbon fiber and aluminum, I’m referring to the carbon fiber model.
The Slik Sprint 150 comes in at $79.95, making it the most affordable option on the list. It’s a great option for someone who’s just getting into photography and hesitant to invest more while still wanting more than what the most basic tripod options offer. Many of the most affordable models on the market (around $20-$30) are mostly plastic and awkwardly cumbersome. By comparison, the Sprint 150 is a serious improvement. Although it has the lowest weight capacity of any on this list at only 4.5 pounds, that’s more than enough for many entry level cameras outfitted with kit lenses. Despite being the tallest on this list, reaching over 64 inches with the center column raised, it’s also one of the lightest… I suspect that’s less a result of thoughtful design and more so an indicator of the build quality. This is also the only tripod on this list without a hook on the bottom of the center column, which would be a nice option to increase stability.
Slik Sprint 150 / Source: slikusa
SmallRig AP-02 / Source: smallrig
At $139.99 the SmallRig AP-02 is nearly twice the price of the Slik tripod. Though they are both aluminum with plastic flip latches, this one is vastly better quality. It's a good middle ground of affordability and decent quality. It feels sturdy and distinctly ungimmicky, even with its blue color, and is approachable and unpretentious. It doesn’t deal in extremes, holding its own as a happy medium. The weight, weight capacity, and height are all in the middle of the pack, resulting in a great value for the price. It’s one of the most slender options, though the longest when folded up (20.9 inches). It’s also worth mentioning that their website advertises a storage diameter of 1.97 inches, however it seems like they measured that around the slimmest part of the legs, and it’s actually quite a bit wider at the flip locks (closer to 3 inches).
The SuperSlim tripod from Benro really lives up to its name. It’s the narrowest on this list when folded if you measure consistently at the tripods’ widest point (although the AP-02 from SmallRig comes close). It’s the lightest option too, at only 2.25 pounds. The 8.82 pound weight capacity is not as robust as some of the other options, but it’s still plenty for most mirrorless bodies and lenses. Again, we see a step up in build quality; in addition to being the first carbon fiber model we’ve discussed, the leg sections are joined with metal twist locks instead of the plastic latches of the more affordable tripods.
As a heads up, it can be easy to accidentally unscrew them entirely instead of just loosening them if you’re not paying attention to what you’re doing or haven’t done it before. As long as you’re aware of that, they’re as easy to use as a flip lock. If you don’t want to pay $179.99 for carbon fiber, they also offer a more affordable aluminum version.
Benro SuperSlim / Source: Video screengrab from benro
Sirui T-1205+E-10 / Source: sirui
Sirui’s T-1205 with the E-10 ball head is another carbon fiber tripod with an aluminum option. It’s one of the shortest options when it’s fully folded into its storage position, but it’s
the widest diameter as well. This is because it's designed to be stored with the legs up in a different direction than the rest of the options. It’s a creative idea, but results in a much bulkier
form factor. Two of the legs feature foam pads, which add some bulk as well. According to the Sirui website, the pads are “designed to protect your hands in cold weather.” Plus, the twist locks on the legs are rubberized, unlike the Benro SuperSlim. All things considered, this could be a great option if you're going to spend a lot of time shooting outdoors without gloves. And it has a fun bonus feature: one of the legs can be unscrewed and paired with the mounting plate to become a monopod. For carbon fiber, it’ll cost you $199.99.
Last but never least, Peak Design. At $599.95 for the carbon fiber option, it’s three times the price of the next most expensive tripod included here. I wish I could write it off and say it’s not worth it, though honestly, it is. It just doesn’t get any more compact than this, folding down to 15.2 inches without a single part jutting out. It is, as the Peak Design website says,“spatially efficient.” As with all of their products, every component is intentional and innovative, and the tripod is loaded with hidden tools, like a phone mount stored away hidden in the center column, reminding me of OneUp Components’ EDC products. Oh, and the mounting plate is compatible with the Capture Clip. Of course. All these extra features come with some extra weight- the carbon model is 2.81 pounds, making it the heaviest tripod on the list even though it's the shortest (at 60 inches). Additionally, it’s the strongest tripod here, rated at up to 20 pounds. Aside from the cost and weight, the only other downside I’ve observed in this tripod is just how prone it is to squeakiness. The latches can be tightened or loosened to address this, but that may be a bit more hands on than some would want to deal with. If you’re willing to use some tools, or pay to have it repaired, this tripod will probably outlast the others on this list; Peak Design claims that “every part is serviceable, cleanable, and replaceable.”
Peak Design Travel Tripod / Source: peak design
So which one should I buy?
Unless your budget is tight, and you’re shooting on a secondhand entry-level camera, you’re better off steering clear of the Slik Sprint 150. If you are, awesome! Don’t over think it and go have fun. On the other hand, I wouldn’t trust it to hold thousands of dollars worth of gear. Aside from that, you can’t really go wrong with any of the other models here. Think about how much your gear weighs, what kind of budget you’re working with, and go from there.
Okay, I know what I want. Where should I buy it?
Shop local, or as locally as you can. You may have a camera store nearby that you don’t even know about! If they stock the one you’re looking for, they probably have a floor model you can try. Buying a used tripod from a reputable store that will back it up with a warranty is also a great option. If you’re interested in a Peak Design tripod, check out their used marketplace online.
​
