If you are travelling and want to capture some beautiful photographs then a tripod will be a great investment. It’ll provide more options on the types of shots you can take (more below) and also allow you to take higher quality noise-free shots in a range of conditions.
In this post, you’ll find various suggestions of tripods you could buy from mini tripods to larger models that you could even use for professional photography. With the suggestions, you’ll find some of the important specifications such as max load (how much weight the tripod can handle), how tall it can get and also how compact it is when folded.
Note: This post contains Amazon links where you can find out more or buy the suggested tripod. I then get a commission at no extra cost to you and this helps me run this website.
What can you use a tripod for?
- Night photography, such as taking pictures of cities.
- Taking selfies or group shots.
- Taking long exposures during the day.
- Capturing time-lapse photographs.
- Capturing video from a fixed point without any handshake/wobble.
- To make taking product shots easier.
Things to consider when buying a tripod?
- Strength – What kind of camera do you have and how heavy it is. Do you need the tripod to be strong enough to support a small light camera or a heavy DSLR?
- Size when folded – Do you want to be able to pack it in your cabin luggage, or do you intend to take it as extra luggage?
- Weight – The weight of the tripod. Many tripods are either, plastic, aluminium (light), or carbon fibre (very light). If you are carrying it around all day a heavy tripod can be tiring.
- Type of head – Do you need a ball bearing head or something more fixed?
- Max height – How high do you need it to go? I generally recommend using your own height as a reference point when deciding on the maximum height that you need.
Travel tripods
Here is a selection of different tripods that you could consider buying from small mini tripods to tall professional and robust models.
GorillaPod
A GorillaPod is a fantastic and very portable tripod. The magic in this type is that you can attach it to almost anything and put it in strange and awkward positions by positioning the legs. This makes it very universal. You can get gorilla pods in different sizes, such as ones that are good for GoPro
Cameras, Compact Cameras or a DSLR. Of course the heavier your camera then the stronger model you need. The smaller model below can even be used with light cameras and can attach to metal objects with the magnetic feet.
Note: On mobile use your finger to scroll and see all the table.
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| Name/Model | JOBY GPod Mini Magnetic – With Magnetic Feet | Joby GorillaPod Magnetic Tripod with Remote Control for Phones |
JOBY GorillaPod SLR Tripod |
| Size | 3.3 x 3.3 x 17.1 cm (1.30 x 1.30 x 6.73 in) |
3 x 3 x 15 cm (1.18 x 1.18 x 5.91 in) |
6 x 6 x 31.8 cm (2.36 x 2.36 x 12.52 in) |
| Weight | 43 g (0.09 lbs) | 60 g (0.13 lbs) | 340 g (0.75 lbs) |
| Material | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
| Max load | 325 g (0.72 lbs) | 325 g (0.72 lbs) | 3kg (6.6lbs) |
| Head | Fixed/screw | Fixed/screw | Ball |
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Mini tripods
As well as the GorillaPods above another option are compact and mini tripods. You can pretty much fit these into your backpack or handbag and take them everywhere. They are generally only good for light cameras, including phones and GoPros. So not for DSLRs.
Note: On mobile use your finger to scroll and see all the table.
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| Name/Model | Phone portable tripod with Remote | Manfrotto Mini Tripod |
AmazonBasics Lightweight Mini Tripod |
| Size | NA | Closed 18 cm, Open 13 cm | 4.76-inches to 7.5-inches |
| Material | NA | Technopolymer and Aluminum | NA |
| Max load | Small phone/compact | 1 kg (2.2 lbs) | 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs) |
| Head | Ball | Ball | Ball/Swivel |
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MeFoto Travel Tripods
I had used a MeFoto Roadtrip tripod for many years but have since changed to the Manfrotto BeFree tripod (see further below).
With the MeFoto tripod I have taken many of my night photographs and daytime long exposures that you’ll see on my portfolio. The thing that makes this tripod so good is that it comes with a bag and folds up small enough so that it fits in your cabin/hand luggage. This means you can easily travel for short photography trips and only take hand luggage. It is also very quick to get set up with simple twist locks on the legs.
There are various models for the MeFoto brand, starting with the smallest version, the Backpacker, then the mid-range RoadTrip and finally the largest and strongest Globetrotter. They have aluminium options and carbon fiber options for many of the models/colours.
Note: On mobile use your finger to scroll and see all the table.
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| Name/Model | MeFOTO Backpacker Tripod | MeFOTO Roadtrip Tripod/Monopod Kit | MeFOTO Globetrotter Tripod |
| Weight | 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs) – aluminium | 1.6 kg (3.6 lbs) – aluminium | 2.08 kg (4.6 lbs) – aluminium |
| Size Folded | 12.6 in (32 cm) | 15.4 in (39.1 cm) | 16.1 in (41 cm) |
| Size Extended | 51.2 in (130 cm) | 61.6 in (156.4 cm) | 64.2 in (163 cm) |
| Material | Aluminium | Aluminium or Carbon Fiber | Aluminium or Carbon Fiber |
| Max load | 3.99 kg (8.8 lbs) | 7.9 kg (17.6 lbs) | 12 kg (26.4 lbs) |
| Head | Ball | Ball | Ball |
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Manfrotto BeFree
Another very portable travel tripod which is very good quality is the BeFree series by Manfrotto. These come in a variety of colours and fold up small so perfect for packing in your cabin luggage. The tripod can come in aluminium or carbon fibre (lighter but more expensive), and you can also pick from a range of colours. We now use the Manfrotto BeFree ourselves and consider it a fantastic tripod and a great investment.
Note: On mobile use your finger to scroll and see all the table.
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| Name/Model | Manfrotto BeFree Aluminum Tripod |
Manfrotto Befree Carbon Fiber Tripod |
| Weight | 1.4 kg (3lbs) | 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs) |
| Size Folded | 15.7 in (40 cm) | 15.7 in (40 cm) |
| Size Extended | 56.6 in (144 cm) | 55.9 in (142 cm) |
| Material | Aluminum | Carbon Fiber |
| Max load | 4 kg (8.82 lbs) | 4 kg (8.82 lbs) |
| Head | Ball | Ball |
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Cheaper options
Here is a few cheaper tripod option that you may be interested in such as Amazon’s own product.
Note: On mobile use your finger to scroll and see all the table.
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| Name/Model | AmazonBasics 52-Inch Carbon Fiber Tripod |
Rangers 57” Aluminum Tripod |
ZOMEI Aluminium Portable Tripod |
| Weight | 1.08 kg (2.4 lbs) | 1.31 kg (2.89 lbs) | NA |
| Size Folded | 12.5 in (31.7 cm) | 15 in (38.1 cm) | 14.5 in (36.8 cm) |
| Size Extended | 52 in(132 cm) | 56 in (142 cm) | 62 in (157.4 cm) |
| Material | Carbon Fiber | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Max load | 3.6 kg (8 lbs) | 12 kg (26.5 lbs) | 12 kg (26.5 lbs) |
| Head | Ball | Ball | Ball |
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Robust and professional
For the professional or serious travel photographer you may be interested in one of these tripods. They should be sturdy and reliable in most conditions.
Note: On mobile use your finger to scroll and see all the table.
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| Name/Model | Manfrotto Tripod with 3-Way Head |
Gitzo lightweight Series 1 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod |
Manfrotto Professional Fluid Video System with Mid Spreader |
| Weight | 3.44 kg (7.6lbs) | 1.4kg (3.2 lbs) | 5.4kg (12.1 lbs) |
| Size Folded | 29.13 in (73.99 cm) | 16.7 in (42.41 cm) | 32.68 in (83 cm) |
| Size Extended | 72.05 in (183 cm) | 64.4 in (163.5 cm) | 64.76 in (164.33 cm) |
| Material | Aluminium | Carbon Fiber | Aluminium |
| Max load | 7.9 kg (17.6 lbs) | 9.9 kg (22 lbs) | 6.99 kg (15.43 lbs) |
| Head | 3 Way Head | Ball | Video/Fluid Head |
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Summary
There are plenty of other brands and tripods out there which may suit you better and may be cheaper or more expensive. When searching do remember to read through the full specification and also check customer reviews. Head to Travel Tripods on Amazon to continue your search. 
Disclaimer: The suggestions above are based on Mike Clegg (Travel and Destinations) personal opinion. Any specifications are believed to be true but should be double-checked when purchasing to ensure that the product is suitable for you. Mike Clegg (Travel and Destinations) is not responsible for any damage to your equipment or yourself if you use the product mentioned. The page is designed to help you with your purchasing decisions, but any decisions are ultimately your own.
