Peak Design Travel Tripod Review (The Best Compact Travel Tripod?)
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is compact, lightweight and versatile – making it the ideal companion for professional photographers and hobbyists alike.
As a travel photographer, almost all of my photos are taken on the road… This means the equipment I use has to be easy to transport, reliable, and versatile.
I’ve tried various tripods over the years, but ultimately I never found one that was worth the trouble (or expense) of lugging around, which ultimately meant I missed out on the shot I wanted on more than one occasion.
That was, until I got my hands on the Peak Design Travel Tripod.
Peak Design always impresses me with their unique designs and practicality. So when I learned of their travel tripod, I naturally wanted to see if this would be the one that would break my tripod hiatus.
I’ve now been using this tripod for around 6 months, in a variety of situations and environments. Read on to see how it has performed and to find out whether it might be the right tripod for you!
Peak Design Travel Tripod (Aluminum Version)
- Excellent build quality
- Compact (39×7.9cm / 15.4×3.125″ when collapsed)
- Lightweight (1.56kg / 3.44lbs)
- Quick camera release
- Large weight capacity (9.1kg / 20lbs)
- Max height 152.4cm / 60″
- Min height 14cm / 5.5″
- Integrated smartphone holder
Overview of the Peak Design Travel Tripod
If you want to find out more about the Peak Design Travel Tripod‘s design, build, stability and performance, versatility, plus more about my personal experience of using the tripod, you’ll find all of that below.
If you just want validation that you’re making the right decision by buying it, I’ll give that to you now!
In a nutshell, the Peak Design Travel Tripod excels at being light and small, without compromising on what you need in a tripod – that is, the height range, stability, and weight capacity.
Honestly, buy this tripod and you’ll want to take it everywhere with you – it’s no longer a choice.
Well actually, there is still a choice – between the Peak Design Travel Tripod in aluminium alloy, or carbon fibre.
The aluminium model is relatively lighter on the wallet, while the carbon fibre option boasts improved strength and further weight reduction. I’ll go into more detail below about why I chose the aluminium option over its pricier counterpart below.
Overall, the Peak Design Travel Tripod is a well-designed and highly adaptable tool for photographers looking to capture stunning images while on the move. Its small size, innovative features, and choice of materials make it a standout option for those in need of a reliable travel tripod.
Design & Build Quality
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is made with responsible, premium materials. You can choose the aluminium version (like I have, and what this review is based on), or the carbon fibre version which offers an even lighter design.
It’s worth noting here that you’ll pay approx €200 / $220 more for the carbon version, and all the other specs remain the same. For me, the price difference wasn’t worth the 270g (10oz) saving.
Innovative Features
One thing I love about Peak Design products – they’re always one step ahead when anticipating the needs of photographers. The design of this travel tripod is no different.
They’ve somehow managed the seemingly impossible – to create a tripod that’s both small enough to fit in the water bottle sleeve of your backpack or camera bag, yet sturdy enough to comfortably hold a large full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera + telephoto lens.
You’ll also love the included cell phone mount (cleverly stored within the bottom of the centre column) that’s ideal for taking a quick timelapse or video, and it even comes with a hex key attached to the inside of the tripod leg, for setting up and maintenance on the go.
It also comes with its own carry case for protection.
Size and Weight
OK, so I’ve already praised the size and weight of this tripod when collapsed. But I’ll give you a quick refresher anyway. It comes in at a respectable 1.56kg and the dimensions are 39×7.9cm / 15.4×3.125″ when folded. It packs down to approximately the diameter of a water bottle.
Unlike some other lightweight travel tripods I’ve tried out, this reduction in weight hasn’t come at the cost of stability.
I’ve used mine in blustery winds and all kinds of uneven (and sometimes unstable) surfaces and it’s yet to let me down. For context, I normally use my Sony A7Riv paired with a Sony lens such as the 24-70mm f2.8 or 70-200mm f2.8. You can read more about this stability in the next section.
But what about the extended dimensions?
- Maximum height (with centre column raised): 152.4 cm (60″)
- Maximum height (with centre column down): 130.2 cm (51.25″)
- Minimum height (low mode): 14 cm (5.5”)
This lends itself well to a variety of situations and really cements its versatility and performance.
More concerned about the weight than the height? Purchase this Ultralight Conversion Kit which transforms your tripod into a tabletop tripod (max height 57.2cm / 22.5″) but massively cuts the weight almost in half to 854g / 1.88lbs!!
Stability and Performance
The Peak Design Travel Tripod boasts a significant load capacity of 9.1 kg (20lbs), ensuring stability and support for heavy camera gear. The high weight capacity is complemented by the tripod’s rigid construction, allowing it to comfortably handle various camera and lens combinations.
The tripod is designed for outdoor use, taking into account various challenging conditions. The feet of the tripod come with rubber tips, providing a firm grip on different surfaces. For even more stability in extreme terrains, the rubber feet can be replaced with spiked feet, further enhancing its grip on slippery or soft ground (just note the tripod doesn’t fit in its carry case with the spiked feet attached).
Aside from reliable footing, the Peak Design Travel Tripod also holds its own in windy conditions. Its compact design and robust construction allow it to remain stiff and steady when faced with strong gusts, ensuring sharp images in various outdoor settings.
Photography Applications
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is suitable for use with a range of cameras and lenses. If you’re already familiar with the brand, then you may be familiar with the Arca-type tripod plate system they use. It’s the same as you’ll find on their famously popular Capture Clip.
This plate attaches to your camera (or lens) and clicks into the ballhead of the tripod effortlessly. It can then be locked into place. Unlock it, and the quick-release function means you can be using your camera handheld again in seconds.
Speaking of the ballhead, it’s another feature that’s been superbly designed. It enables smooth and secure adjustments. And it doesn’t shift under the weight of heavy set-ups.
The only downside to this feature is that you can’t operate the pan and tilt separately, so adjustments do need to be made carefully. But I find this to be a minor tradeoff in the grand scheme of things.
The tripod head even comes with a tiny bubble level, to further aid in composition.
For Different Angles
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is designed to provide photographers with the flexibility to explore various shooting angles.
In addition to its adjustable centre column, it also offers a unique low mode that allows for ground-level shooting. With the use of an optional L-bracket, you can achieve even more flexibility, enabling vertical shooting without compromising stability.
For Long Exposures
Long-exposure photography requires a stable and reliable tripod, and the Peak Design Travel Tripod fits the brief. Its compact, sturdy design ensures that it remains steady during long exposures, even in windy conditions.
Versatility and Functionality
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is known for its versatility, offering various conversion possibilities. With a simple set of adjustments, this tripod can be repositioned to suit a wide range of photography situations.
The tabletop mode might be just what you’re looking for in the studio, while the low mode has come in handy for macro photography.
The addition of the mobile phone holder adds to its versatility, and it’s compatible with a wide range of accessories such as ballheads, L-plates, and quick-release clamps.
Value for Money
Though arguably a lot of money to pay for a tripod, the unique features and performance justify its price tag. It’s also backed by the Peak Design Lifetime Guarantee.
Plus, you know that old saying “the best camera is the one you have with you”? Well, the same goes for tripods, and with the compact nature and light weight of this tripod, it’s no longer a question of whether to take it on the road with me.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
I’m always happily surprised by how well Peak Design products are executed.
I live and work primarily in Europe where low-cost carriers are the norm as I country hop around the continent. This being the case, luggage space and weight come at a premium and I have to be selective when it comes to my gear.
The great thing about this tripod being so compact is that I can pop it in the exterior sleeve of my Peak Design Travel Backpack when flying, meaning it doesn’t take up any additional room.
When out exploring, I also have the option of strapping it to the bottom of my Peak Design Everyday Sling.
And as the Arca Swiss plates are always attached to my camera body(ies), I can switch between the tripod and Capture clip (attached to the aforementioned backpack or sling) with ease.
It’s honestly the best travel tripod (or best tripod in general) that I’ve used!
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is a well-designed piece of equipment that has managed to strike a balance between size, weight, and performance, making it an ideal companion for photographers on the go. Its compact and lightweight nature allows for easy transportation, while still providing the stability and support needed for various types of photography.
