This article is about travel freaks looking for the best tripods to fit into the bag. Travel Tripods have multiple uses; they can be used for vlogging, sports astrophotography, and in many fields.
Carrying a piece of giant equipment for the sake of photography is challenging. What you need the most is a lightweight material that is not prone to harsh weather and scratches.
Let’s not waste more time and see the best backpacking tripods.
A Quick Look At My Favorite Tripods For Backpacking
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | 10 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best For Macro Photography  | 9 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best For Panorama Shootings  | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Mini  | 8.5 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Budget  | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon |
Key Takeaways
- If you’re a traveler and want a tripod you can take with you on the go, the Peak Design Travel Tripod is the one you should go with.
- If you don’t want to spend too much money on a tripod, the Manfrotto MTPIXIEVO is a good choice which will get the job done.
- Make sure you get a tripod with an optimal maximum and minimum height. It all depends on what you are buying a tripod for.
- The most important things you should look for when buying a tripod are Stability, Tripod height, Construction and Price.
The Top 5 Best Backpacking Tripods
5. Peak Design Travel Tripod -Best Overall
What I Like
- Great For Hiking & Traveling
- Very Compact
- Durable & Sturdy
- It has a built-in gimbal
What I Don’t Like
- Expensive
The compactness of Peak Design Travel Carbon Fiber Tripod lets you easily do both, set it up or take it down. It shows the high security of the camera without letting you wonder whether it will fall or not, and has a great camera grip.
The legs move into position without having to flip over just like the conventional tripod legs.
The Peak Design is built from carbon fiber material and comes in black color only. This lightweight tripod uses a ball head type where you can have more control over each moving subject.
Weatherproof and resistant against any weather conditions is where the durability knocks on the door. It is built to last, cloudy, rainy, snowy days are not a problem anymore, because the feet won’t slip easily.
Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod’s packed length is 15.2″ and packed maximum diameter is 3.12″.
The height if you raise from the center column down is 51.6″ (131cm) and it reaches up to 60.2″ (153cm) with the center column raised. The problem may occur if you are a short height, it can be hard to put your eye on the viewfinder.
The weight capacity of Peak Design Travel Carbon Fiber Tripod is 20lbs (9.1kg). You can optimize your smartphone, compact camera, DSLR cameras, bridge cameras, or even binoculars. The nice bonus is that you can use most of the huge-built telephoto lenses here, and the tripod will handle perfectly fine.
Overall, i would say that this backpacking tripod is a great lightweight travel tripod that you can take on backpacking trips with you.
Why should you buy it?
This travel tripod is built to last, cloudy, rainy, and snowy days are not a problem anymore, because you can take this tripod with you wherever you go.
4. Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO -Best For Macro Photography
What I Like
- Made Of Carbon Fiber
- Extremely Stable
- Very Easy To Use
- Compact & Lightweight
- Can handle most cameras
What I Don’t Like
- Expensive
Befree GT XPRO by Manfrotto is another compact-sized lightweight tripod that will fit into your travel bag without any problem. To make this lightweight tripod a better travel accessory, the legs can be folded to 16.9 inches for a better fit.
Built from carbon fiber material that has 3.88 (1.75 kg) makes the travel tripod super lightweight, so you can port it to any road trip.
With the Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO’s reliable robust construction, you can take it on the beaches, in the mountains, in the very cold temperatures, you can even let it freeze all night at -22°F and come back in the morning, it will still be ok.
The travel intended travel accessory supports a 496 ball head tripod type. The load capacity of the Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO is 26.5 lbs. So I suggest you do not put on a camera that weighs more than that. Besides, if you use the lateral arm of the tripod, be extra careful, the lightweight design can make your camera fall instantly.
The minimum height of Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO is 3.5 inches which are specifically built for low-angle and macro photography lovers. As for the maximum height, it reaches 64.4 inches. The height level is pretty high if you compare it to the compact and lightweight built design.
Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO also has a 90° column mechanism built-in where you can pull the center column out and put it back in on the side. It is letting you shoot over the subject without delay.
Overall, i would say that this is the perfect backpacking tripod and probably is the best backpacking tripod in its category.
Why should you buy it?
This one is a compact-sized lightweight tripod that will fit into your travel bag without any problem. Made perfectly for travelers.
3.K&F Concept TM2324 Tripod- Best For Panorama Shootings
What I Like
- Lightweight
- Very Stable
- Great Design
What I Don’t Like
- None At All
K&F Concept Lightweight Tripod just like the others has a compact design to support you during the happy travel memories. It is built from a mixture of aluminum and magnesium materials to keep the durability and quality as high as possible.
The weight of the K&F Concept TM2324 Lightweight tripod with ball head included is only 2.99 lbs. Incorporating the practical side and portability, now any environment is a great place for shooting. It has a strong and easy flip leg lock by using just one hand, it will save you more time and make you focus more on the shooting objective.
K&F Concept TM2324 lightweight tripod has a 180° reversible feature to be carried around for outdoor activities. The ball head type is rotated 360° while allowing you to shoot amazing landscapes and panoramic images.
The maximum load capacity that the K&F Concept TM2324 lightweight tripod can hold is 22 pounds. It is compatible with almost every smart device and camera type.
Now is the time to explain the height of this travel tripod a little bit.
The minimum height is 16.1 inches and mostly is used to catch the different angles you are looking for. Without the center column, the most stable height for sufficient shooting is 52.4 inches. Getting a maximum height of this tripod which is 62 inches will surely fulfill the needed image angle.
The thing which sets this tripod apart from the others in this list is that it has a quick release plate. A quick release plate makes everything much more convenient, and will come in handy when you are on the go and don’t have too much time.
The portable tripod bag is a perfect place to keep the travel tripod protected from dust, dirt, and moisture. The harsh knocks and bumps which are something predictable while traveling also will be protected.
This is a pretty popular travel tripod, and in my opinion its one of the best lightweight travel tripods out there.
Why should you buy it?
This camera consists of a ball head type that can be rotated 360° while allowing you to shoot amazing landscapes and panoramic images.
2. Neewer Portable Mini Tripod – Best Mini
What I Like
- Great Build Quality
- Optimal Weight
- Foldable To A Very Small Object
- Can Hold Heavy Cameras
What I Don’t Like
- Might not be a good one for beginners
Neewer Portable Mini Travel Tripod as the name presents itself is made for you to capture every memory from your favorite trip. Even though it is built from quality materials like aluminum alloy, this lightweight tripod is still designed in a very compact way.
The weight of the item is only 1.6 pounds. The sturdy and mini version will go along well with any surface, so you won’t have any trouble keeping it steady.
Another part to be impressed with is the offered quality and affordable price point. I know something doesn’t add up with these two features. But, in case we break it, it is easier to replace.
The Neewer Portable Mini lightweight tripod is designed to stay steady. Non-slipping feet and the sponge material will make the grip more comfortable. The weight limit of the item is 11 pounds and its mini design helps not only fit in the travel bags but regular everyday bags too.
The ball head tripod type is used in the Neewer Portable Mini tripod. 3 leg angle positions will offer you any flexible shooting opportunities with the 360-degree swivel head adjustment option. I was surprised to see that this travel tripod had a ball head, a good one at that. Most tripods in this price range don’t come with a ball head, so props to Neewer for finding a way to squeeze it in for that price.
The minimum height of the Neewer Portable Mini travel tripod is 7.7 inches and it reaches up to 19.7 inches to provide the best shot you have been looking for in the mini tripods. By using this lightweight tripod, you can achieve a better photo experience, and maintain the image quality for cropping larger image sizes.
If you are looking for a mini lightweight travel tripod that is also a very sturdy tripod that you can use as a daily travel tripod and a backpacking tripod at the same time, then you will love this one.
Why should you buy it?
With this tripod, you will be impressed with the offered quality and affordable price point.
1. Manfrotto MTPIXIEVO-BK -Best Budget
What I Like
- Best Tabletop Tripod Out there
- Solid & Sturdy
- Can hold even 500mm Lenses
- Optimal Weight
What I Don’t Like
- None At All
Manfrotto MTPIXIEVO-BK is an adorable small tripod that is built to last for a long time. Covered in aluminum material makes it an ideal camera support tool and it also is extremely compact to be your best company throughout the journey.
Manfrotto MTPIXIEVO-BK is more of a tabletop tripod, rather than a non-even surface, but it can be used in any environment as well. It has the capacity to hold 5.5 pounds while only the tripod itself weighs 0.5 pounds.
If you are planning to place the Manfrotto MTPIXIEVO-BK tripod in rocks, stones, or anywhere you can think of, do it without a second thought because it is weather-resistant and dust-resistant, so you won’t notice any scratch caused by any bad placement.
The flexibility can put Manfrotto MTPIXIEVO-BK in a few different positions like high ground-level position, ergonomic grip position, and leg angle selector.
Manfrotto MTPIXIEVO-BK works in two leg sections that are adaptable in 5 steps, letting you decide the height that fits you the best. Featuring a 90° integrated ball head type, you can place the camera in either portrait or landscape angles to give you more angle options in that mini design. The ball head of this tripod was also very reliable, so that’s another big plus.
The minimum height in Manfrotto MTPIXIEVO-BK is 4.13 inches but it allows you to extend to the maximum height that reaches 7.68 inches.
Don’t let the mini size fool you, the versatile use is what makes this budget tripod more likable, because it is hard to find a mini version that includes every feature as a normal tripod does.
Why should you buy it?
This camera is weather-resistant and dust-resistant, so you won’t notice any scratch caused by any bad placement.
What Is The Aim of Using a Tripod?
The tripod aims to let the photographers take images at slow shutter speeds and include more objects in their images.
When we go on a vacation, we want to take the best shot, and holding the camera all the time without shaking a little bit is a hard thing to do. That is where the tripods kick in.
In order to catch the sharp and clear shots, the steady tripod should support the camera or smart device without a single vibration or movement.
Important Notes When Buying a Backpacking Tripod
If you are reading about backpacking tripods, you probably go backpacking often. That’s why, i think you also should read my article about the best weather sealed cameras, because you need a durable camera that can handle harsh weather conditions.
If you decide to go for the best lightweight tripod, you will probably have to sacrifice a bit of of stability and durability. In this list, i included the best lightweight tripods i could find that have extra features such as a quick release plate, a ball head, and level locks, without sacrificing too much on the quality.
Next, i want to talk about a few things you should look for before buying a tripod for backpacking.
Stability
There are tons of companies that offer durable and heavy tripods, but that necessarily doesn’t mean it is stable. Sometimes, lightweight tripods can be more stable than heavyweight ones. Choose wisely because I’m sure you don’t want to do any harm to your expensive devices and equipment.
If you wonder why your pictures come out a little bit shaky, just know that a single movement of the tripod can cause blurriness in the picture. If the tripod is not steady, I wish a good luck finding the perfect shot that probably will never come out that good.
Tripod Height
Height is another tripod characteristic to look for when buying a tripod. Always look for a tripod that is a little bit above your own height. You won’t bend too much to see in the viewfinder. Constantly bending can become tiring and the perfect shot in your mind may not come out.
If the head of the tripod is attachable, it is highly recommended that the legs should be at the jaw level.
The head of the tripod should be at the height of your shoulders.
Construction
In that case, you are using a tripod for travel purposes. The thing that you need the most is how little it gets when you fold it. The lightest tripods usually come from carbon fiber material and are more likely to meet your expected weight.
Carbon fiber is considered the best-constructed material, and that is why most of them are expensive. The second qualitative tripod construction is aluminum which is heavier (not recommended for traveling) and their price is a mix of budget and high-cost products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a tripod a backpacking one?
Some things make a tripod a backpacking one, and the most important ones are the height, weight, or, more exactly said, an adjustable height of the tripod and a lightweight tripod is a backpacking tripod.
What is the lightest tripod material?
You may have noticed two tripod materials: aluminum and carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is the strongest material that one can use in tripods, yet it is the most lightweight! A carbon fiber tripod is most likely to become your backpacking tripod.
How much weight can tripods hold?
Every tripod has its own load capacity, and not each one of them is the same. You should have in mind a rule of thumb that I will mention. A tripod’s load capacity should be with the combination of your camera, lens, and tripod head. Their combined weights should be the exact load capacity your tripod should own.
Final Words
The day you find out the right tripod that will meet your needs, the journey can give you a headache. Taking mesmerizing pictures for memories and impacting social media with the best-captured shots, the tripod is a must-have photography accessory.
You need to know what kind of shots you plan to catch in the first place. Then, look for the leg height, stability, and built quality. For traveling, you need a compact design that can fit into the bag. The tripod also needs to be lightweight and carriable, but most importantly, the price point needs to fit your budget.
Further Reading
I hope you enjoyed reading the article. If you want to find out more about the tripods, you can check The 5 Best Tripods For Product Photography in 2022.
What would a tripod be without a tripod head? Geared tripod heads can be a great addition to your arsenal.
If you don’t own a backpack yet, and don’t want to spend too much money on a backpack, you should look at our camera backpacks under $100 roundup.
If you want to check out tripods at great price points, you can read Best Tripods Under $100 (Top Picks For DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras) and Best Tripods Under $50 . I’m sure you will find the price range you are looking for in these articles.
If you need a tripod to promote your small business, basically for marketing purposes, go ahead and read The 5 Best Tripods For Product Photography in 2022. Also, if you are into astronomical images, celestial events, or night sky zones, you may want to check out Best Tripods For Astrophotography (Buying Guide).
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