THE BEST TRAVEL TRIPOD EVER!
I’ve been a professional photographer for more than 40 years. I’ve never been one to get too excited about any piece of gear. However I’m compelled to shout about the best travel tripod that I’ve ever come across. The Peak Design travel tripod.
Photography gear comes and goes. Eventually, with heavy professional use, I know it will wear out. Worse yet is the continuous advancement in digital camera design. It seems as if every six months something newer, bigger, better, faster and cheaper comes down the pipeline. I’m not too sure that this piece of my travel photography kit will be replaced anytime soon. It’s that good!
Size Matters
Size matters when you’re traveling. Especially when you’re traveling by motorcycle, hiking, climbing or any other time when carrying more than the bare minimum is an extravagance. This is the first, and most remarkable, trait to love about this tripod.
When collapsed the tripod measures less than 15-1/2” long and just over 3” in diameter. That’s crazy! That’s about the size of the water bottle you carry with you. These dimensions alone are enough to make me consider it the best travel tripod ever designed.
Furthermore, the tripod is offered in aluminum alloy or carbon fiber construction. The aluminum version weighs just 3.4 pounds. The carbon version comes in at an astonishing 2.8 pounds. I know of no other full-sized tripod that can lay claim to these diminutive dimensions.
Full Size Indeed
When the tripod is deployed for use it has a maximum center column height of 60”. It is rated for a load of up to 20 pounds. This is adequate for the largest DSLR camera with a substantial telephoto or zoom lens attached.
I have used it in my motorsports photography with a Nikon Z6II mirrorless camera. The body was equipped with the Nikon FTZ adapter and a 500mm Nikkor telephoto lens. The Peak Design travel tripod handled the weight masterfully.
I have also used the tripod for astrophotography. Twenty second exposures of the Milky Way. Four minute exposures of the foreground. Despite its slender profile these sticks hold firm.
Using The Peak Design Travel Tripod
Deployment is one of the main characteristics that must be considered to earn the title of the best travel tripod ever. The Peak Design shines in this regard. Using four fingers you can release all five leg sections in one motion. Let the leg sections slide out and lock them down with the low profile leg cams. The tripod is ready for use in less than 15 seconds!
The tripod comes with a camera quick release plate. I purchased an additional one. I have one mounted on each of my camera bodies. Therefore I can switch between camera bodies in seconds when out on location.
The tripod has an omnidirectional ball head built in. There is a single adjustment ring that controls the complete orientation of the ball head. Simple. Straightforward. Genius!
They Thought of Everything
A padded weatherproof case comes with the tripod. It has a sturdy strap sewn lengthwise on it. I attach the case to my FirstGear Torrent waterproof motorcycle luggage using two carabiners. Thus I’m good to go. Hikers can use a similar method to attach the tripod to their backpacks. Additionally it could simply be slipped into the water bottle carrier on your gear.
The Peak Design tripod attached to my waterproof roll bag
Also included with the tripod is a universal mobile mount for your smartphone. It stows on the tripod and securely attaches any phone for use on the tripod.
Also included is an integral load hanging hook. This can be used to hang your gear bag. This adds additional stability to an already sturdy tripod. It also serves to keep your expensive gear off wet ground.
The Cost of Perfection
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is available in the aluminum version for $379.00. I believe it is worth every penny and don’t regret my purchase one bit.
The carbon fiber version comes at the premium price of $649.00. For those hiking and mountaineering experts the additional cost might be worth it for the savings in weight.
Is This The Best Travel Tripod Ever?
So…is the Peak Design Travel Tripod the best travel tripod ever? I personally think so. Have you found anything better? If so, we’d like to hear from you in the comments below. Be sure to subscribe to Roadcraft USA for notifications of future posts for photographers, motorcyclists and adventurers of all types.
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