A good travel tripod is one of the most important pieces of equipment in nature and travel photography. Whether it's a long exposure at a waterfall, sunrise in the mountains or night shots under the stars - without a stable, lightweight tripod, many motifs are almost impossible to capture.
But which Travel tripod is really light, stable and suitable for hiking? In this guide I will show you:
What you should look out for when buying
Which models have proven themselves
What mistakes you should avoid
Which tripods are suitable for which type of trip
If you are just putting together your equipment, you will also find my complete recommendation here:
*Advertising:
👉 My camera equipment for nature & travel photography
Why a special travel tripod?
A classic studio stand is:
too heavy
too bulky
not backpack friendly
A good travel tripod is:
✔ Light (less than 1.6 kg)
✔ Compact (pack size less than 45 cm)
✔ Stable enough for wind
✔ Quick to set up and dismantle
Every gram counts on hikes - especially if you are also carrying a camera, lens and spare batteries.
If you are still unsure which camera to use, you can find an overview here:
👉 Best camera for nature photography
What you should look out for when buying a travel tripod
1. weight
Ideal:
1.0 - 1.5 kg (incl. ball head)
Under 1 kg is ultralight - but often less stable.
For trekking tours, I recommend a maximum of 1.4 kg.
2. pack size
The shorter the tripod is when folded, the better it fits in or on the rucksack.
Ideal:
35 - 45 cm
3. material: carbon or aluminum?
Carbon
lighter
less vibration
Ideal for traveling
- more expensive
Aluminum
more favorable
robust
- heavier
For serious travel photography, I recommend carbon.
4. maximum height
Optimal:
At least 140 cm without center column
Why?
With the center column extended, a tripod loses a lot of stability.
5. load capacity
Pay attention to at least:
8-10 kg load capacity
Even if your camera only weighs 2 kg - wind has a strong effect.
If you are working with a telephoto lens (see 👉 Which lens for landscape photography?), you need more stability.
The best travel tripods in comparison (2026)
Here are proven models for nature & travel photography.
🥇 1. Peak Design Travel Tripod (Carbon)
Weight: 1.27 kg
Pack size: 39 cm
Max. height: 152 cm
Why popular?
Extremely compact design
Very high quality finish
Perfect for air travel
Ideal for:
Frequent traveler
Minimalists
Photographers with a mirrorless camera
Disadvantage:
Price in the upper segment
🥈 2. Rollei Compact Traveler Carbon
Weight: approx. 1.2 kg
Pack size: 33 cm
Price-performance ratio: Very good
Advantages:
Cheaper than many premium models
Light
Good stability for landscape photography
Perfect for:
Beginner
Hobby nature photographers
🥉 3. Manfrotto Befree Advanced
Weight: approx. 1.5 kg
Robust & durable
Manfrotto has been established for decades.
Slightly heavier, but very stable.
Well suited for:
DSLR users
Windy coastal landscapes
🏕️ 4. Sirui Traveler Series
Lightweight, compact, solid workmanship.
Very good mid-range model.
Which travel tripod for which purpose?
🌄 For mountain hikes
→ Carbon
→ under 1.3 kg
→ Compact pack size
🌊 For long exposures at the waterfall
→ High stability
→ Rubber feet + spikes
You can find out more about the technology here:
👉 Long exposure at a waterfall - instructions
🌌 For night photography
→ Stability more important than weight
→ Do not choose an ultralight model
Typical mistakes when buying a travel tripod
❌ Buy too cheap
❌ Do without maximum height
❌ Only pay attention to weight
❌ Choose a cheap ball head
The ball head is crucial for precise image composition.
Do I really need an expensive travel tripod?
Not mandatory.
If you:
occasionally take photos → mid-range is enough
work professionally → investment pays off
A good tripod often lasts 10+ years.
Travel tripod and camera backpack - the perfect setup
A tripod is only as practical as your backpack.
If you hike a lot, I recommend:
👉 Camera backpack for hiking - the best models
Make sure that:
the tripod can be attached to the side
the backpack remains balanced
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum weight of a travel tripod?
For trekking: max. 1.4 kg
For city trips: up to 1.6 kg
Carbon or aluminum?
Clearly Carbon for nature & travel photography - if budget is available.
How much should I invest?
Realistic:
Good models start at 150-200 €
Premium at 350-600 €
Conclusion: The best travel tripod depends on your style
For most nature and travel photographers, a Lightweight carbon travel tripod weighing less than 1.4 kg the best choice.
If you hike a lot:
→ Peak Design or Rollei Carbon
If you need more stability:
→ Manfrotto
In the end:
A sturdy tripod expands your creative possibilities enormously - especially for landscapes, sunrises and long exposures.
If you are currently optimizing your entire equipment, I recommend you do the same:
👉 Which lens for landscape photography?
