The Best Lightweight Tripod for Backpacking, Hiking & Travel

An up-to-date guide to narrow down the best lightweight tripod for backpacking, hiking & travel.

Landscape photographers know that in order to get the best shot in dark or harsh conditions, we’re going to need a decent tripod.

As a full-time traveling outdoor and adventure photographer, finding a middle ground between function and weight for my gear is always a constant battle.

For a long time, I avoided tripods altogether, which often left me unable to do my best work out in the elements. I always thought that when I’m backpacking and out on long hikes, I just couldn’t add a heavy tripod to my stacked gear bag.

But recently, things have changed. Thanks to innovative design and material advancements, travel tripods are no longer a gimmick and now actually hold up in the field– even for professional photographers.

But, the problem of finding quality lightweight tripods in a sea of marketing buzzwords remains.

That’s why I’m here to help.

After a lot of research, and trialing tripods in the outdoors, I’ve formulated this guide to finding the best lightweight tripod for backpacking, hiking & travel!

Quick Answer: Here are the Best Lightweight Tripods

All-round best lightweight tripod for backpacking: Manfrotto BeFree GT Carbon Fiber

Most ultralight professional travel tripod: Gitzo GT1545T Series 1 Traveler

Best compact hiking tripod: Joby Gorillapod 5K

Most supportive backpacking tripod for heavy rigs: 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0

New 3-in-1 Carbon Fiber Tripod: HEIPI Travel Tripod

Best Lightweight Tripods for Backpacking, Travel, & Hiking

You came to this guide to discover the best travel tripods and lightweight stability solutions for landscape photography and the outdoors.

Below I'm going to give you just that!

I've included eight of the best ultralight tripod solutions for backpacking and hiking, including full-size tripods, compact design options, budget options, and full-sized travel tripods for professionals. So, whether you're backpacking Ireland, trekking in the Himalayas, or island hopping in the Philippines, the below list will have you covered.

However, if you're interested in how I've come up with this list, you can also find a detailed section below outlining the anatomy of lightweight tripods, and what to look for when choosing the best tripod for you.

1. Manfrotto BeFree GT Carbon Fiber Tripod

• Maximum Load: 12 kg (26.5 lb)
• Maximum Height: 162 cm (63.8")
• Folded Height: 42.9 cm (16.9")
• Weight: 1.54 kg (3.4 lb)

Okay, this is going to be a big of a spoiler.

But, this IS in my opinion, the overall best lightweight tripod for backpacking and travel. It's the tripod I'm currently using, and it's strapped to my bag on most long hikes, especially for sunrise and sunset missions and in windy conditions.

Manfrotto tripods have long been amongst the best tripods in the game. They are built in Italy and have excellent build quality.

Manfrotto offers a wide range of light tripods in their BeFree range (including the popular Manfrotto BeFree Advanced). However, the best weight-to-load capacity ratio is the Manfrotto BeFree GT Carbon Fiber Tripod. This tripod can support large DSLR cameras and Mirrorless rigs with a decent lens as well. I use this daily with my Canon R5 and it supports my heavy Canon RF 100-500L very well when the central column is all the way down on the canopy.

The tripod head on this thing is great and the quick twist-release leg locks make it very easy to set up and take down. The carbon fiber material is also very light but incredibly durable.

However, one caveat I have with this particular tripod is that Manfrotto uses a quick-release plate that is not compatible with Arca-swiss style mounts.

To solve this problem, Peak Design sells a dual plate that is compatible with this tripod and the Peak Design Capture Clip.

Best for: professional photographers who looking for the best weight-to-load ratio

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2. Joby Gorillapod 5K

• Maximum Load: 4.98 kg (11 lb)
• Maximum Height: 37 cm (14.57")
• Folded Height: 38.5 cm (15.16")
• Weight: 0.482 kg (17 oz)

The Joby Gorillapod has long been the most popular alternative to full-sized tripods. This innovative and compact size is incredibly versatile, and is great for everybody from creative landscape photographers to professional vloggers.

The Gorillapod 5K is the largest and beefiest offering from Joby and it can support a very impressive 4.98 kg (11 lbs). This is quite impressive considering it only weighs 482 g (17 oz). This means it can support full-sized DSLRs like the Canon 1DX III or the Canon R3.

The ball head on this thing isn't great, but it definitely does the job for an unconventional tripod solution. While it can be a bit fiddly to set up sometimes, you can get quiet creative with the Gorillapod. For example, you can mount it on tree branches, poles, fences, and pretty much anywhere with a solid frame.

However, photographers shooting in a valley or on a mountain will be severely limited in terms of practicality and maximum height. Furthermore, while weight is a definite plus here, the Joby Gorillapod 5K still folds down to a similar size of a full-sized lightweight backpacking tripod. The price is also fairly expensive for what you get.

Best for: vloggers and beginner travel photographers who need to bring down their weight as much as possible

3. Peak Design Travel Tripod (Carbon Fiber)

• Maximum Load: 9 kg (19.84 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 153 cm (60.24")
• Folded Height: 39 cm (15.35")
• Weight: 1.27 kg (2.8 lbs)

When the Peak Design Travel Tripod first came onto the scene, it was almost impossible to get one. The hype was real! But, did all this hype live up to the promise of innovating the lightweight travel tripod industry?

In some ways, yes. It's hard to argue with the fact that this tripod design is very aesthetically pleasing. The weight-to-maximum load ratio is also quite competitive. Additional features like innovative ball-head design has also been very popular.

It's obvious that this tripod is catered to the travel market. It's packable, light, and even has a phone-holder feature. Peak Design is also one of the best photography accessory companies, and I use their products every single day.

However, there are some rather strange issues with the Peak Design Travel Tripod. Firstly, for some reason, you cannot rotate the ball head without first extending the central column. This is very frustrating as most professional photographers with larger rigs will want to keep that central column all the way down for maximum stability, especially in windy conditions.

Another caveat is the hexhead screw on the plate. Most companies these days offer a folding tab to quickly change plates without a tool. However, this isn't really a deal breaker, as you can often get away with just using the same arca-swiss compatible plates with most tripods and accessories these days.

In my opinion, I wouldn't bother with the aluminum version. For the same price, you can get the Manfrotto BeFree GT, which offers way more bang for your buck at the same weight. The carbon fiber version is a strong contender for the best lightweight tripod for backpacking, but the price might put some people off.

Best for: travel photographers who want a light, packable solution and can sacrifice on load capacity

4. Benro GoPlus Travel FGP18A

• Maximum Load: 10 kg (22.05 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 165 cm (64.96")
• Folded Height: 46 cm (18.11")
• Weight: 1.95 kg (4.3 lbs)

Best for: hobby or beginner photographers and backpackers on a budget

The Benro GoPlus Travel tripod offers great bang-for-buck for backpacking photographers who can sacrifice a little on weight. This tripod borrows similar leg designs from Gitzo products but builds them from heavier aluminum alloy material.

As a result, this is the heaviest tripod on the list, but still comes under the 2 kg threshold. This might be fine for many, especially when you find out it can support 10 kg (22.02 lbs), and do so well. Furthermore, the Benro GoPlus Travel offers other unique features like being able to be converted into a fully-functioning monopod.

The unique central column and canopy system offers further flexibility by being able to tilt out from the center. The main use case for this would be to act as a manual slider for time-lapse photography.

In the end, the Benro GoPlus Travel offers a decent tripod with great features at a fair price. Although it is heavy and the least packable on this list, it can support a full-frame DSLR or Mirrorless camera. However, keep in mind you'll often need to purchase a separate ball head unless you can find a package deal.

The #1 Photography Accessory

Enter the Peak Design Capture Clip. I've used this for years to quickly clip my camera to my backpack's shoulder strap. This is the most comfortable way to carry a camera and will save your neck a ton of strain.

Buy at Peak Design

Buy on Amazon

5. 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 +AirHead Pro Lever Kit

• Maximum Load: 30 kg (66.14 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 147 cm (57.87")
• Folded Height: 35 cm (13.78")
• Weight: 1.85 kg (4.09 lbs)

3 Legged Thing make some of the best lightweight travel tripods for professional photographers. If we're going to round down to the best, the 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 would take the cake. Pair this with the Airhead Pro Lever Kit, and you've got yourself a beast hiking tripod.

What really stands out with this carbon fiber travel tripod is that it can support 30 kg (66.14 lbs), which really blows the other options out of the water. However, it's important to note that this maximum load can only be achieved using the 23° leg position. With this narrow leg position, the center of gravity is more critical, and I wouldn't want to place 30 kg of camera gear like that.

However, most outdoor and nature photographers won't have 30 kg of gear to begin with. At the end of the day, these legs are strong, and you can trust it to support heavy camera and lens setups.

This lightweight tripod can also achieve near ground level shots at just 5 inches above the ground if you splay the legs wide at 80° and remove the central column. And, combine that with a maximum height of 147 cm (57.87"), photographers get quite an impressive range, even if the maximum height is a little lacking.

Besides the price (and potentially the wild color schemes), there's little to dislike about this lightweight tripod and ball head setup. Although, I have heard from some photographers that they've lost the rubber feet.

Best for: outdoor photographers with big rigs

Related: Finding the Best Camera Backpack for Hiking

6. Joby RangePod Smart

• Maximum Load: 8 kg (17.64 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 160 cm (63")
• Folded Height: 42.5 cm (16.73")
• Weight: 1.69 kg (3.73 lbs)

Another decent budget choice is the Joby Rangepod Smart. Although this tripod is made from heavier aluminum alloy, it still comes in at a decent weight. This tripod is a popular choice for vloggers and influencers, especially those who film or shoot content on light compact cameras or phones.

With this tripod, you get standard features like a decent ball head, arca-swiss compatible quick release plate, quick release twist lock leg segements, and a ballast hook. The design is very similar to the Manfrotto BeFree range, which many will love. The maximum height is also one of the most impressive on this list. In total, these features are great for those on a budget who don't need to support heavy cameras and can handle the extra weight.

However, the benefits really end there, especially for those with a higher skill level or for professional use cases. This tripod isn't very packable for only being able to support 8 kg. Its bulky size and heavy aluminum alloy material typically rules the Joby Rangepod out for professional photographers.

Best for: vloggers, influencers, and budget travelers and backpackers

7. Manfrotto PIXI EVO

• Maximum Load: 2.5 kg (5.51 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 20 cm (7.87")
• Folded Height: 20.5 cm (8.07")
• Weight: 0.267 kg (9.42 oz)

This is what a truly lightweight travel tripod looks like! Minimalists and photographers who typically only shoot with a tripod when recording time-lapses or the occasional slow-shutter shot will love this approach.

No, this isn't a full-sized tripod by any means. But, it is the most compact design of any lightweight tripod for backpacking or hiking. At just over 20 cm and under 250 g, most hikers will not notice this in their backpack. Being built by Manfrotto, you can also expect great quality for such a tiny accessory.

Surprisingly, this lightweight and compact tripod solution can hold a full-frame mirrorless camera and kit lens like the Canon R5 and 24-105 F4 comfortably. Of course, you'll be very limited in terms of shooting angles, but if you want a no-frills approach, the Manfrotto PIXI EVO is an affordable and very packable solution.

Best for: cheap & lightweight tripod solution for ultimate minimalists

8. Gitzo GT1545T Series 1 Traveler Tripod

• Maximum Load: 10 kg (22.05 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 153 cm (60.24")
• Folded Height: 42.5 cm (16.73")
• Weight: 1.06 kg (2.4 lbs)

The Gitzo Series 1 Traveler is another great option in this ultimate list of the best lightweight tripod solutions.

This tripod is seriously sexy. Gitzo tripods are known to be some of the most aesthetically pleasing, easy-to-use, and functional tripods on the market. The Gitzo Series 1 Traveler weighs in at just 1.06 kg (2.4 lbs), which is insane, considering it can hold 10 kg (22.05 lbs).

The minimal design is also a pleasure to use. You won't find a thousand other functions like the Peak Design Travel Tripod or travel tripods from 3 Legged Thing. But, that's exactly why many professional photographers turn to Gitzo. Simplicity is key here, and it gets the job done.

Of course, the light weight in the central column and the leg sections mean photographers miss out on a little extra stability and load capacity that the Manfrotto BeFree GT offers. The design is also not as packable as other travel tripods with a similar maximum load.

Best for: professional photographers who need the lightest travel tripod possible

9. HEIPI Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

• Maximum Load: 25 kg (55 lb)
• Maximum Height: 151 cm (59.44")
• Folded Height: 44.4 cm (17.48")
• Weight: 3-in-1: 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) |
• Main tripod weight with head: 1.2 kg (2.65 lb)

The HEIPI Carbon Fiber Travel tripod is an interesting and unique Indiegogo project. This tripod is the most unique on this list, offering what they call a 3-in-1 travel tripod. It packs in a small removal sub tripod into the central column, which in itself, is a good little tripod for hiking.

While the maximum load claims are a bit outlandish, I have found that the new three-column design does offer significant rigidity gains over single-column tripods, even when used with heavy telephoto lenses.

In terms of weight and portability, this option also comes close to topping the list!

This is a budget-friendly option for mirrorless camera shooters that provides incredible flexibility in a tiny form factor.