Travel tripod info to go
There are a few nuances that determine the cost of a travel tripod
All the tripods we’ve chosen for this Big Test are sold as kits, complete with ball heads that often feature Arca-swiss type quick-release plates. Again, there’s a space-saving advantage to be had here, without the need for multiple locking levers that stick out from the head, or need to be removed to pack the tripod away. Even so, they’re not short on sophistication and many feature independent panning locks and adjustable friction dampers, in addition to the main locking knob.
Up-market tripods are usually made from carbon fibre instead of aluminium. They have a more luxurious feel, a smarter looking finish, and can be slightly more resistant to vibrations.
The main advantage of carbon fibre is that it’s more lightweight than aluminium, giving it a clear advantage for ‘travel tripods’. But that’s not the whole story. Although the weight saving can be substantial in full-sized tripods, it’s less noticeable in relatively small travel tripods. For most kits available in both aluminium and carbon fibre options, the latter typically only saves around 200g in weight, little more than 10 per cent. Considering that the carbon fibre editions are usually about 50 per cent more expensive to buy, aluminium travel tripods can be more cost effective.
A time-honoured tradition for carrying a tripod is to strap it to the outside of your photo bag or backpack. It’s a fairly neat solution, but can be awkward if the tripod catches on obstacles when you’re in confined spaces, and you might fall foul of carry-on restrictions when flying. Some of the latest designs are so small that you can fit them inside a bag, neatly solving the problem in an instant.
When folded, the outright shortest tripods in this test group are the Benro Slim Travel FSL09CN00 and SIRUI T-005, which measure a mere 32cm. That’s barely longer than a 12-inch ruler. The Vanguard VEO 2 GO 235CB is only a single centimetre larger and the Benro ifoto 19AIB0 comes in a 35cm. The largest tripods in the group are the Kenro Ultimate Travel and Novo Explora T5, at 48cm and 47cm respectively. That’s still only about the length of an 18-inch ruler, and eminently travel-friendly.