No one wants to travel with large, bulky equipment—especially when they’re traveling by plane. But if you’re a professional photographer or simply someone who enjoys taking professional-looking pictures whenever you travel, it’s definitely going to be inevitable. You’re going to have to pack some heavy stuff, like your DSLR camera, some accessories like lenses and extra batteries, and of course, a tripod.
If you travel frequently, then you’re definitely going to want to reduce the weight of your luggage as much as you can—especially when traveling by plane, where every single pound (and inch) counts.
One way to cut down on weight is by choosing accessories with travel-friendly features. For instance, tripods are notorious for being heavy and bulky. But in reality, not all of them are. In fact, some of the best travel tripods are designed to be compact, lightweight, durable, easily adjustable, and versatile enough to be used for a variety of situations.
If you need a sturdy, reliable travel tripod that won’t weigh you down, we’ve picked some of our top tripod recommendations to help you narrow down your choices. But first, there are several key questions to keep in mind when choosing the right camera tripod for your needs.
Factors to consider when choosing the best travel tripod for you:
- Size: Will it fit in your carry-on luggage? Or in other words, does it measure less than 24 inches when collapsed?
- Weight: Is it light enough for you to carry without tiring you out?
- Payload: Can both the tripod and head handle the weight of your travel camera, your heaviest lens, and other camera accessories?
- Durability: Is it constructed well and made of durable material (and are you willing to compromise on this if cost is a factor)?
- Height: Can a tripod that collapses into a small package also extend tall enough?
- Cost: Can you find the right answers to all of the above and stay within your budget?
Let’s look at some top travel-friendly tripods that are available now from the Adorama Tripod department
(prices and availability current as of March 10, 2017):
Best travel tripods for photographers:
Benro Travel Angel FTA28CV1 9X Carbon Fiber Series 2 Tripod
Adorama Price:
A personal favorite of AdoramaTV host and globetrotting photographer Mark Wallace, the Benro Travel Angel 9X Carbon Fiber Series 2 Tripod Kit is part of the line’s most advanced range of compact, travel-friendly camera tripods. Like most of the other Benro travel tripods, the Travel Angel FTA28CV1 is full-sized and features legs that can be inverted and folded back 180-degrees for easy packing and carrying. It can also be converted into a compact monopod, and you can easily switch back and forth between a tripod or a monopod without having to use any tools.
Other features include rubber feet and stainless steel spikes to provide traction on a variety of surfaces, and a center ballast column hook that allows you to hang your camera bag from it to provide more weight and stability to the tripod when shooting.
Benro camera tripods are available on their own or as part of a kit, and you can choose to buy either the less expensive aluminum versions, or the sturdier, lighter, but more expensive carbon fiber ones.
Key Features:
- Maximum Load Capacity: 22 lb (10 kg)
- Maximum Height: 66.9 in (170 cm)
- Minimum Height: 18.7 in (47.5 cm)
- Folded Length: 24.6 in (62.5 cm)
- Leg Sections: 4
- Weight: 4 lb (1.8 kg)
- Arca-Type Compatible Head and Quick Release (QR) Plate
- Triple Action Ball Head
- Reverse Folding Legs
- Optional Monopod Conversion
- Magnesium Casting and 9x Carbon Fiber Legs
- High-Performance Rubber Twist Locks
- Spiked Feet
- Dust Cover and Carry Case
Joby GorillaPod Focus Tripod
Adorama Price: $99.95
If your photography adventures include a road/camping/surf trip, you might want to consider a Joby GorillaPod Focus tripod, which is a personal favorite of professional landscape photographer Chris Burkard. If you’re looking for the best budget travel tripod, Joby products are flexible, lightweight, incredibly compact, and highly affordable.
The Joby GorillaPod Focus is made for professional camera rigs and, when used properly, can safely hold up to 11.1 pounds of camera weight. It may not look like much, but this highly convenient travel tripod is incredibly strong and can easily handle heavy full-frame cameras with massive super telephoto lenses, large camcorders, and more.
Adventure photographers will also love the versatility of the tripod’s twisty legs, which can easily be wrapped around anything rigid and sturdy, such as a fence post, a tree branch, a street sign—whatever it is that works for your needs.
Key Features:
- Maximum Load Capacity: 11 lbs (5 kg)
- Maximum Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)
- Minimum Height: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
- Folded Length: 11.4 in (28.96 cm)
- Weight: 1.1 lbs (499g)
- Flexible, Wrappable Legs
- Made of ABS Plastic, Stainless Steel, German TPE, and Zinc-Aluminum
3 Legged Thing Punks! Corey Aluminum Travel Tripod
Adorama Price:
If space in your luggage is tight but you still need a versatile, do-it-all support system for your camera, the 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey Aluminum Travel Tripod is a dynamo that folds down to a compact 35 cm. With 5 section legs and a 2 section column, Corey also featuresa detachable leg with standard 3/8″ threads at both ends, which can be used as a monopod, microphone boom, selfie stick and camera boom. Your camera and larger lenses will be supported thanks to the Corey’s maximum load capacity of 14kg/30lbs.
Key Features:
- Maximum Load Capacity: 30.86 lbs (14 kg)
- Maximum Height: 59 in (150 cm)
- Minimum Height: 7.25 in (18.5cm)
- Folded Length: 13.67 in (35 cm)
- Weight: 3.5 lbs (1.5kg)
- AirHed Specifications:
- Height: 3.5″ (85mm)
- Weight: 0.65 lbs (298g)
- Base Width: 1.75″ (43mm)
- Plate Size: 1.5 x 1.5″ (38 x 38mm)
- Load Capacity: 44.09 lbs (20kg)
- Controls: Lock
- Base Pan & Plate Release
- Compatibility: Peak Design Capture & Standard Arca Swiss
Manfrotto BeFree Compact Travel Aluminum Alloy Tripod
Adorama Price:
Manfrotto is known for making premium quality, high-end tripods—but they also have some great, budget-friendly options that offer the same stability, reliability, and durability. If you’re looking for the best Manfrotto travel tripod for your budget, the BeFree Compact Travel Aluminum Alloy Tripod may be the perfect choice.
Designed specifically for the needs of travelers, the Manfrotto BeFree is a lightweight travel tripod that weighs about three pounds, has a load capacity of nearly nine pounds, and is collapsible down to 15.7 inches. Its leg locks are stable and secure, and it has a standard quick release plate attachment.
In addition to an aluminum ballhead that can accommodate a payload of up to 8.8 pounds, this Manfrotto travel tripod comes with a dedicated carrying bag, but is also small enough to fit in a carry-on.
Key Features:
- Maximum Load Capacity: 8.8 lbs (4 kg)
- Maximum Height: 56.7 in (144 cm)
- Minimum Height: 13.4 in (34cm)
- Folded Length: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Leg Sections: 3
- Weight: 3 lb (1.4kg)
- Aluminum Construction
- Independent Leg Angle Selector
- Quick Release Ball Head and QR Plate
- Fitted Case
PrimaPhoto Big Travel Kit Tripod
Adorama Price: $99.88
If cost is a major concern, the PrimaPhoto is an excellent option for travel photographers. For about $100 you get a sturdy, durable tripod that is perfect for any DSLR with large lenses. Converts to a monopod for maximum versatility and the PrimaPhoto comes with a handy bag so you can easily carry it everywhere!
Key Features:
- Maximum Load Capacity: 17.6 lbs (7.98kg)
- Maximum Height: 53.9 in (136.9 cm)
- Minimum Height: 16.5 in (41.91cm)
- Folded Length: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 3.64 lb (1.65kg)
- Aluminum Construction
- Twist Lock Legs
- Quick Release Ball Head
- Carry Case
Manfrotto MT290XTA3US 290 Xtra Aluminum Tripod
Adorama Price:
As previously mentioned, Manfrotto is known for making some of the best tripods on the market. Many photographers swear by Manfrotto because the brand truly delivers when it comes to quality, efficiency, and value for money.
Manfrotto’s MT290XTA3US 290 Xtra is another great travel tripod that’s designed and built to last—but won’t break the bank. Lightweight and durable, this tripod is made of premium aluminum materials and boasts of a sleek, ergonomic design. It weighs around four pounds but can carry up to 11 pounds of camera weight.
MT290XTA3US 290 Xtra also gives you a choice between four leg angle positions, which can help you play around with a variety of creative angles and compositions while shooting.
Key Features:
- Maximum Load Capacity: 11.02 lbs (5 kg)
- Maximum Height: 63.2 in (160.53cm)
- Minimum Height: 12 in (30.5 cm)
- Folded Length: 23.4 in (59.4 cm)
- Leg Sections: 3
- Weight: 3.9 lb (1.8 kg)
- Aluminum Construction with Premium Italian Design
- Tension-Adjustable Aluminum Locks
- Aluminum Spidercast
- Rubber Leg Warmer
- 4 Leg Angle Positions
- Shoulder Bag
MeFOTO GlobeTrotter Aluminum Travel Tripod
Adorama Price:
When you tend to use a lot of heavy camera equipment, it can be difficult to find a tripod that’s strong enough to handle the heavy load while still remaining compact and lightweight for travel. If that dilemma sounds all too familiar, then the MeFOTO GlobeTrotter is probably the best travel tripod for you.
Despite an impressive maximum load capacity of 26.4 pounds, the MeFOTO GlobeTrotter only weighs a little under five pounds and has a folded length of 16.5 inches. It can also be converted into a monopod, which is highly useful in a travel tripod. It also features anti-rotation legs that can be inverted or folded, rubberized locking grips, comfortable foam grips, an integrated bubble level, and more.
The MeFOTO GlobeTrotter may not be as budget-friendly as the other travel tripods on this list, but it’s definitely one of the best choices for those who want a feature-packed, heavy duty tripod that you can conveniently carry with you on your travels.
Key Features:
- Maximum Load Capacity: 26.4 lbs (11.97 kg)
- Maximum Height: Tripod – 64.2 in (163 cm) / Monopod – 66.7 in / (169.42 cm)
- Minimum Height: 16.1 in (40.9 cm)
- Folded Length: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 4.6 lbs (2.09 kg)
- Optional Monopod Conversions
- Recessed Center-Column Hook
- Precision Matched Q Series Ballhead with Arca-Swiss Style Compatible Quick Release (QR) Plate
- Integrated Bubble Level
- Twist Lock Legs with Anti-Rotation System
- Separate Head and Pan Lock
- 360-Degree Pan Index
- Two Leg Angle Positions
Feisol Travel CT-3441SB30 Rapid 4-Section Carbon Tripod with CB-30D Ball Head – Supports 44 lbs
Adorama Price:
Now for our premium recommendation! The Feisol Travel CT is a superior tripod that is built with a lightweight design thanks to its top quality carbon fiber and high grade CNC-milled 6061 solid block aluminum construction. Weighing in at just 3.2 pounds, the tripod can hold 44 pounds of gear – about 15 times its own weight! This tripod can be reverse-folded over FEISOL ball heads, making it extremely compact for transport and storage without having to remove the ball head. This feature is available on all Traveler and Tournament class FEISOL Tripods. The Feisol is an ultra fast and effortless setup and breakdown and is also water resistant making it an ideal investment for those looking for a tripod with exceptional longevity and travel friendliness. A perfect companion for water-resistant cameras, the Feisol is alos suitable for snow and ice, and is a great pick for bird, nature and surf photographers.
Key Features:
- Maximum Load Capacity: 44 lbs (20 kg)
- Maximum Height: 72.05″ (183 cm)
- Minimum Height: 16.4 in (42 cm)
- Folded Length: 16.93 in (42 cm)
- Weight: 3.2 lbs (1.45kg)
- Saltwater Resistant
- Fits in carry-on or backpack
What about tripod heads?
While some of the camera tripods listed here are sold with at least one head, some are not. In those cases, you will need to buy a head in addition to the tripod itself to enable you to attach your camera. The good news is, any tripod head is compatible with just about any tripod, so you can mix and match brands if you want.
A sturdy ballhead takes up less room in a carry-on bag than a pan head, which requires more space to accommodate the tilt and pan handles, which stick out. Choose a tripod head that can handle the weight of your camera with its longest lens, and then some, just to be safe.
The Vanguard TBH-250 Ball Head with Micro Adjustment () can support up to 44 pounds, which is more than enough for almost any setup, unless you’re shooting wildlife with a super long, super fast lens. It also has a quick-release plate so you can detach your camera in a rush. Some of the most clever pan heads I’ve seen are Induro’s line of panheads with handles that fold with no tools necessary, making it as compact as a ball head and very well-suited for travel.
Pictured: Induro PHQ1 Quintaxial Positioning 5-way Panhead, available for at Adorama.
What about you? What’s the best travel tripod you’ve ever used? What ballheads would you recommend?
Sound off in the comments below!
