Kenro Ultimate Travel Tripod

£219/$259

tall for a ‘travel tripod’, with plentiful features

The aluminium version of this tripod won top honours in our last Big Test of tripods and, while the carbon fibre edition is pricier, it’s still less expensive than most of its competitors. Like a growing number of recent designs, the Kenro has swing-up legs to reduce carrying size, in this case to just 48cm, undercutting the Benro Go Plus Travel by a centimetre.

Despite being the outright shortest tripod here when folded, it reaches a towering 187cm in operating height, at full stretch. This is not only due to its four-section legs, but also because the centre column has an inner section that extends telescopically. Rigidity does suffer a bit as you near the top of its range, but the clever design also incorporates an upper joint, which enables the inner section to pivot 90 degrees for use as a horizontal boom.

Both of the inner and outer sections of the centre column, plus all the leg sections, are made from carbon fibre, so it’s a little surprising that the complete kit only weighs about ten per cent less than the aluminium edition. Performance

Rigidity and resistance to flexing isn’t quite as outstanding as in some of the tripods on test but it’s still impressive. Adjustment of the legs and centre column can feel marginally lacking in smoothness but everything works well overall. The ball head is of a high standard, with an independent main clamp and friction adjuster, plus a panrelease and Arca-swiss style quick-release plate. All in all, you get a lot of tripod sophistication and versatility for a refreshingly modest outlay.

Key features1. The telescopic, two-section centre column enables extra extension and 90-degree pivot. 2. Typical of many travel tripod designs, the legs swing up to reduce carrying size.3. The padded leg can be unscrewed and used with the centre column as a monopod.