Used Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod with Ball Head

2025-07-15T20:00:00

I had a tendency to "collect" tripods. Buy one, try it awhile, then buy another because the prior one just wasn't right. The PD travel tripod has broken this cycle - once I got this I've never felt a need to buy another. The aluminum one is very sturdy, if the price was lower I might have bought the carbon fiber version to bring down the weight a bit. Most of my photography is with items low to the ground, so I've removed the center post, which lets me get right down to the ground with this. STURDY, and it fits very well in the side pocket of my PD backpack. The only issue that I had was with one of the plastic clips on a leg that I had to unclip multiple times to add the ultralight conversion kit feet - one of them broke after repeated use. HOWEVER, even though I've had this tripod for over 3 years, when I made a warranty claim to PD they sent me an entire replacement leg (including the clip), so all is good. What an amazing warranty! Great product.

CCRussell

Originally posted at

2025-04-07T20:00:00

PD has somehow managed to create an incredibly small, portable, lightweight tripod that is simultaneously extremely well-built, tough, rugged, and capable of handling rigs far heavier than you'd expect.

TacoGiorno

Originally posted at

2025-04-06T20:00:00

If you are in PD, this tripod would be a game changer. Although arca swiss tripod works just fine, PD tripods secure the plate and lock in place.

Just c.

Originally posted at

2025-03-06T19:00:00

This is almost insane - this is, by far, the best tripod that I have ever used! I know there is a carbon fiber version, and I'm sure that is, technically, "better," but due to only doing personal photos and having a YouTube vlog channel, we went with the aluminum version, and we do not regret it. Compared to any other tripod we have seen, this has the smallest footprint when collapsed, and when fully expanded is right up there with the best of the best. The INCLUDED smart phone attachment is a HUGE added bonus for us, too! I don't know what can be said that other, vastly better people, have already said, but this is absolutely worth every single penny, and I only wish I would have purchased it sooner!

Pikaroth

Originally posted at

2025-03-03T19:00:00

I have been using this tripod constantly in all types of terrains: from the beach, to the city, to the snowy mountains. Everything feels smooth and luxurious. It is super compressible and portable yet sturdy. I love that there are videos on how to fix normal wear and tear adjustments, and how to use all of the features of the tripod. Super good stabilization, the ballhead is super smooth but blocks up to provide proper stabilization on long exposures. Everything makes sense. The phone mount is a fantastic detail. My only "but" to this tripod is that it is heavier than I expected for a travel tripod. Perhaps the carbon fiber option is a good solution for this. Additionally, they have excellent customer service.

TomPin

Originally posted at

2025-03-03T19:00:00

I have been using this tripod constantly in all types of terrains: from the beach, to the city, to the snowy mountains. Everything feels smooth and luxurious. It is super compressible and portable yet sturdy. I love that there are videos on how to fix normal wear and tear adjustments, and how to use all of the features of the tripod. Super good stabilization, the ballhead is super smooth but blocks up to provide proper stabilization on long exposures. Everything makes sense. The phone mount is a fantastic detail. My only "but" to this tripod is that it is heavier than I expected for a travel tripod. Perhaps the carbon fiber option is a good solution for this. Additionally, they have excellent customer service.

TomP24

Originally posted at

2025-01-13T19:00:00

Lightweight, sturdy and perfect size! I've bought and travelled with several different travel tripods...some were too small and clumsy, others were heavier and bulkier than I really wanted. I wanted something small, lightweight and sturdy enough for a 100-400(500) and this is it! I've had it for a few years and travelled on 20+ trips and am extremely satisfied!

alex

Originally posted at

2024-12-31T08:08:59

Exactly what I was hoping for. Small, relatively light (although it's heavier than I expected?glad I didn't order the aluminum version), and stable. Perfect for being the travel/hiking tripod I was looking for.

DAVE H.

2024-12-19T19:00:00

The tripod is super light, packs super small, is very stable and looks amazing. What else would you need from a travel tripod?

SImonech

Originally posted at

2024-12-17T19:00:00

I did some extensive research before buying my carbon fiber tripod. You never know how much your aluminum tripod moves until you read up on it! This tripod is worth it's weight in gold if you ask me. I LOVE how compact the tripod is, it waste no open space like other tripods and fits snuggly in the case. It's light weight and sturdy, easy to mount the camera (Z9 in my scenario) has extra locking features. High recommend this tripod it's worth the investment.

Nikpho

Originally posted at

2024-12-17T19:00:00

I bought the tripod a while ago and since then it has been my travel companion whenever landscape photographing was possible. It is very compact and fits my carry-on with no problem. It is sturdy enough, very versatile and easy to operate, even with gloves. It has faced salt water, sand and snow and is still perfectly usable (albeit with some scratches due to my frequently less-than-careful placement). Avter many years of use, I'm still very happy of the purchase.

naram_sin

Originally posted at

2024-12-15T19:00:00

A bit heavy but packs down small; perfect for side-pocket on backpacks. I wish you could reverse the legs all the way.

MoFlo

Originally posted at

2024-11-20T19:00:00

I work at a marketing agency and we have about 5-6 different tripods but this is the one everyone always reaches for if it is available!

Kate

Originally posted at

2024-11-18T19:00:00

This amazing Peak Design travel tripod has everything the aluminum version has, but is much lighter due to being made of carbon.

Daniel

Originally posted at

2024-11-11T19:00:00

Bought this years ago during the kickstarter campaign, and it's such a wonderful tripod to have especially for traveling! It's so compact and light compared to traditional tripods.

Bran

Originally posted at

2024-11-05T19:00:00

I've dragged one of these all over the world and it's held up for almost 2 years. No complaints.

Johnny

Originally posted at

2024-11-02T20:00:00

The more I use my tripod, the more I love it! It's easy to set up and use - at the same time it is versatile enough to suit my needs. I also appreciate the sharp design.

JF L.

Originally posted at

2024-10-29T20:00:00

The carbon is so light and adorable. It holds up well and all the little features show how much thought was put into designing this. I love the ball head design for absolutely every situation.

Hellomihai

Originally posted at

2024-10-16T20:00:00

This is a sturdy, thoughtfully-made tripod with handy features that just keep revealing themselves to me (e.g. I didn't realize until today that there is a hidden, magnetized phone mount that snaps easily into the clip!). The ball bearing head and quick lock features make slight, sturdy adjustments a breeze. I can't overstate how much of an improvement this tripod is over the cheap one I'd been using. So, so happy I made the decision to invest in a nice piece of equipment -- it's really opening up what's possible in my photography!

Dillon

Originally posted at

2024-10-05T20:00:00

I loathe using a tripod. I'll do anything to avoid using one. Until Peak Design. I'm mechanically challenged and adjusting the legs of my old tripod was a royal pain. It was always uneven and unless I was shooting with my partner I'd be very frustrated. This one? Easy Peasy! Efficient ball head. I highly recommend.

Pattybfeliz

Originally posted at

2024-09-25T20:00:00

This is an excellent, professional-grade tripod that is very portable, lightweight and modular. Highly recommended.

Simeon

Originally posted at

2024-09-20T20:00:00

The first tripod not to annoy me. So easy to take with you easy to deploy and collapse. The other well known tripod so heavy awkward to deploy always having to purchase clamps or washers. The one purchased was the carbon fibre model on Black Friday deal it is certainly worth the full price however purchase a second for my wifi because of the deal.

Peak T.

Originally posted at

2024-08-29T20:00:00

We use several of these tripods for work and love them. Super lightweight but sturdy enough to hold our camera rigs.

openwaterwindingroads

Originally posted at

2024-08-26T20:00:00

Took me a while to pull the trigger on this tripod due to the price. After a couple of months using it I say it was worth it. It took me some time to get used to the design of the ball head, but now that I'm used to it I can set up the tripod really fast. The locking feature is. great, there is so much attention to detail all over this tripod.

tn0023

Originally posted at

2024-08-26T20:00:00

Sturdy, streamlined profile, relatively light weight, outstanding stability and ease of use.

Jeff

Originally posted at

2024-08-23T20:00:00

Amazing tripod. Best one I have found. Totally worth the money. Would highly recommend!

Bentley Z.

Originally posted at

2024-08-15T20:00:00

Great product that is easy to use, built to last and integrates with other PD products seamlessly.

LordAlc

Originally posted at

2024-07-28T20:00:00

This is simply the very best tripod that I have. It is built really well, is not too heavy, and is very capable.

isaac_nhms

Originally posted at

2024-07-18T20:00:00

this thing is sweet! very light and very compact. it's a lil pricey, but very well made and sturdy

Bob

Originally posted at

2024-07-11T20:00:00

Love my carbon fiber travel tripod- it can handle my big Lens with ease- packs easily- great customer service super product

Tink

Originally posted at