Do you really want to risk blurry photos on these unique photographic occasions? Of course not! You have already selected the best travel camera for your trips, but the best tripod may not be suitable for your next trip. So you need a specially designed travel tripod that is small enough to pack and sturdy enough to hold the camera steady when taking night shots, selfies, and incredible interiors.
UPDATE: We've redesigned our guide to fold not just ordinary tripods, but also smaller tripods that fit in a shoulder bag or backpack, and tripods for a pocket coat. We're even up to date on the best iPhone tripod to connect with the best camera phone for truly mobile photography!
We start our list of tripods specially modified for travel. To reduce the size of the storage space, the best travel tripods have liftable feet so that the feet surround the head and the transport length is shortened by about 20 cm.
We have also listed smaller models designed for a small crease and light weight. Some are only the size of a water bottle when folded.
If this is too much, you should consider at least one table stand. These can carry the weight of a small digital SLR or mirror and are perfect in an emergency. You can rest them on a table (er, of course), on a wall or even on the floor, if you are not afraid of a soffit.
The Benro GoPlus represents just about every conceivable box on our wish list. It has a modest folding length and a generous working height, combined with a high load capacity. It is one of only two tripods in this list to have a pivoting central column, which is better implemented than the Kenro-Tripod, because it allows a range of locking angles in small increments on a full arc of 180 degrees. Bubble levels are mounted on the tripod platform and the tripod head for easy leveling. Replaceable rubber feet and tips and a padded case. A leg can be unscrewed to be used as an autonomous monopod. It's a fantastic tripod and our best recommendation if you have enough space to pack it.
The Kenro Karoo travel tripod Ultimate Travel has the same weight as the above Benro and the same maximum carrying capacity. Another similarity to the Benro is that you can rotate the central Kenro column to use it as a horizontal arrow. However, the Kenro pivot mechanism is bulkier in design and does not allow the column to be locked at angles other than vertical or horizontal. The Kenro again has an Arca Swiss compatible quick release plate and independently adjustable locking, swivel and friction buttons. Overall, the Benro could beat him with tripod posts, but the Kenro Karoo is a versatile tripod with very good stiffness at all altitudes. The Karoo is crowned with an innovative design and comprehensive benefits.
The Vanguard weighs 1.5 kg and measures only 38 cm long when folded. Although it has five sections in each leg and not four as usual, it reaches only 147 cm when fully stretched. What distinguishes the Vanguard as one of the best travelers of all time is that it looks like no other tripod here. Instead of folding her legs around the central column, she tilts. It is a pity that this mechanism can not be adapted to a horizontal arrow mode. The benefits are retractable tips in the rubber feet and a ball joint with separate pivot lock.
That's a lot for a tripod trip compared to a few others on our list, but the Leo is not an ordinary tripod. It only folds 35 cm long, but can be opened up to a maximum height of 146 cm and a huge payload of 30 kg. It has a detachable monopod that can also be used as a microphone or camera, a tri-mount system for adding accessories and an innovative two-piece center column. You can buy the legs alone, but we recommend buying them as a kit with an Airhead kneecap from Leghead Thing.
Gitzo tripods are venerated in some places and insulted to others. They are extremely expensive, but beautifully made. It is unlikely that the GK0545T-82TQD will keep your camera more stable than other tripods that cost a quarter less, but it is very light, very small and nice. It is available in different sizes and configurations, but the 0 series shown here is the cheapest and the lightest. The four sections of the legs are a good compromise between the length of the fold and the speed of adjustment. The maximum height is lower than that of comparable competitors, but it is equipped with a short center column to facilitate shooting at low angles. Longer columns are available at an additional cost.
Unlike most competitors, Manfrotto uses Befree clips instead of twist locks. With a folded length of 41 cm and a weight of 1.5 kg, it is one of the smallest and lightest travel tripods. The Manfrotto head is easy with a single button and without pan lock / unlock or variable friction damper. There is no spirit level or spirit level, no retractable cleats in the feet and only two lockable leg brackets to choose from. The advantage of the relatively simple design is that the Manfrotto can be easily and quickly installed and retracted after use.
With a little over 1 kg, the MeFoto Air is the lightest tripod and folds the smallest just 28 cm long. Nevertheless, the maximum working height of 156 cm is sufficient thanks to five sections in each leg and an expandable central column. You can create a selfie by combining the expandable center section with the included smartphone holder. The kit also comes with a Bluetooth remote that you can pair with your smartphone. For the use of "correct" cameras, the small ball joint is equipped with an independent pivoting latch and a quick fixing plate of the Arca-Swiss type. Despite its lightweight construction, the MeFoto does not feel weak and is reasonably resistant to bending.
If you've made your experience with old-fashioned table-stands with screwed-up feet and shaky camera lands, you're welcome in the 21st century. The PIXI EVO is an advanced version of Manfrotto's original PIXI model and is just as quick to use: you spread your feet as a tripod or squeeze them together to form a camera grip with the ball joint loosened and locked. with a simple push button. With the EVO, two sections (yes, really) and two leg angles for shooting at low altitude are added. You can get an optional smartphone clip, but the ball head fits directly into standard camera tripod mounts and supports compact cameras, small digital SLRs, and mirrorless models. Yes, the maximum height is limited, but the setup is very fast and you can store it in a jacket pocket!