Peak Design Mobile Tripod Review: A Solo Traveler’s Dream?
Does this compact mobile tripod really live up to all the hype? Read my Peak Design Mobile Tripod review to find out if it's the ultimate tripod for travelers.
Disclosure: We received courtesy product from Peak Travel in exchange for our honest review only. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
This sleek and compact travel tripod from Peak Design is one of the most popular ones on the market, thanks to its lightweight design, impressive features, and the brand’s excellent reputation.
So, naturally, all my photographer friends were very jealous, and I was absolutely thrilled when Peak Design offered to send me one to try out on my solo travels.
Over the past four months, I have put this tripod to the test across the US, and can’t wait to continue testing it abroad later this year.
I’ve also let some of my friends borrow it, so they’ll be weighing in as well.
Read on for all the details in my Peak Design Travel Tripod review!
Bottom line: Peak Design's Travel Tripod will impress you with its compact build, thoughtful design, and an impressive range of useful features.
Part of my job as a creative for this site, and my social channels means taking a tripod with me everywhere I go in order to shoot photos and videos.
Because I travel solo, I rely heavily on my tripod to help me get the footage I need.
The hardest part (besides posing in public while people watch) is toting around my tripod all day, and hoping that when I see the perfect shot, my tripod will be flexible enough to make my vision a reality.
Spoiler alert, I’ve missed out on some epic shot ideas because my tripod couldn’t balance at the angle I needed it to.
Typically, most of us have to choose between having a heavy tripod that’s sturdier, or a lightweight one that won’t break your back, but might break your phone or camera.
And don’t even get me started on the struggle to find a tripod that accommodates both cameras and mobile devices easily.
I’ve basically been like Goldilocks trying to find the perfect travel tripod for my solo travels over the last four years.
So, when Peak Design reached out, offering to send one of their very popular travel tripods my way, I was beyond thrilled.
Could this finally be my happily ever after in my long search for the perfect travel tripod?
Keep reading my Peak Design Travel Tripod review below to hear all my honest feedback after spending the last few months testing it out during my travels.
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If you’re new to the world of travel photography, chances are this may be one of your first introduction to Peak Design.
So let me give you the rundown on the brand.
One of my favorite things about Peak Design is that they’re aware of their environmental impact, so they choose every material thoughtfully.
It’s also a company that designs with travel in mind, since their founder, Peter Dering, created their first camera clip while he took a 4 month trip around the world.
It wasn’t long before his Kickstarter for his camera clip named Capture took off and became a gigantic success.
These days, Peak Design makes way more than just a camera clip. You’ll find everything from travel backpacks to cases and tripods.
In fact, Peak Design spent 4 years redesigning a tripod from the ground up before they eventually got to this version.
I’ve been lucky enough to have them send me a few products to try over the last year, and it’s clear with every product I’ve reviewed that they always take a creative approach to problem solving, often creating useful travel items that people love.
Before purchasing a travel tripod, sit down and make a list of your photography and travel needs and preferences.
Ask yourself the following:
Keeping these answers in mind will help you figure out which tripod is the best fit for your lifestyle.
And, just in case, here are some quick answers about this tripod when it comes to some of the biggest things you should consider before buying any tripod.
With its combination of stability, durability, and portability, it may just become your go-to choice for the best tripod in your collection.
One of my favorite things about Peak Design’s products is that they’re mailed using as little packing materials as possible to stay Eco-friendly.
Also don’t just throw away the tags, you’ll want to register your tripod under Peak Designs warranty.
Plus, there’s lots of good information you’ll want on the tags.
Oh, and don’t stress if you don’t initially spot all the items listed. Most of them are built into the design of the tripod.
Peak Design’s tripod is available in either carbon fiber and aluminum.
Besides the obvious price difference, there’s only a few small differences.
While the carbon fiber is a bit lighter (2.81lbs), and according to reviews offers better vibration absorption, it’s about $200 more expensive.
Don’t stress too much though if you’re on a budget, because the aluminum, which I’m reviewing, is still fantastic. It’s just a bit heavier (3.44lbs), but still feels nice and sturdy.
This tripod’s compact ball head, crafted with Powdercoated A380 aluminum, provides smooth adjustments, while keeping the overall size of the tripod small enough to travel with.
Peak Design nests their ball head inside the crown of the tripod in order to save space. Which means you do need to raise it a little bit in order to tilt it.
It also features a quick-release system, which makes it easy to mount and dismount your camera or phone quickly.
The tripod features 5-section legs that enable it to collapse down to 39.1cm in length and 7.9cm in diameter, making it compact for travel.
These are crafted from Anodized 6061-T6 aluminum (Alloy).
The team incorporate ergonomics into the leg design, giving you a smooth transition. Plus, their locking mechanisms ensure a quick and secure setup.
It’s also easy extend or retract the center column of the tripod to adjust its height, and inside the center column you’ll find a mobile mount, so you’re ready to shoot on any device.
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is easy to use, making it an ideal choice for both new and experienced photographers.
With its lightweight and condensed design, you can easily carry and set it up on the go, making it the perfect choice of a travel tripod.
Plus, it’s got a mobile attachment built-in, so you can use it with both your camera and your phone.
Though fair warning, depending on how bulky your phone case is, you may have to remove it in order to use the attachment.
One thing to note is that if you’re not familiar with the tripod’s set-up, you may be lost on where to find the mobile attachment, since it’s hidden within the tripod.
Luckily, Peak Design has a fantastic video outlining how to use their tripod.
You can easily and quickly extend and collapse the legs, making Peak Design’s tripod versatile for various shooting scenarios around the world.
The tripod’s leg locks offer quick and precise adjustments, plus secure grip to ensure stability even on uneven surfaces.
This tripod supports a wide range of compatibility, including traditional cameras and smartphones.
The quick release plate is compatible with most cameras, enabling easy connection and disconnection of your camera without losing focus on your shot.
For smartphones, a phone mount hides in the tripod’s body, ensuring your device is safely secure while capturing your perfect moment anywhere you travel.
Also, please forgive the empty phone case in the example photo above. My camera battery died, so I had to use my phone to get this shot.
With its combination of stability, durability, and portability, it may just become your go-to choice for the best tripod in your collection.
When you purchase from Peak Design, you can be confident that you are getting a reliable, high-quality product that’ll withstand the test of time.
One selling point that really sets the Peak Design Travel Tripod apart from its competitors is the lifetime guarantee.
This not only protects your investment for the long term, but also shows Peak Design’s confidence in the quality and durability of their product.
The Peak Design Travel Tripod enjoys a reputation in the photography community as a well-made, lightweight, compact, and functional tripod, but does it live up to its hype?
After spending the last few months traveling within the US, shooting photos and videos on multiple terrains and set-ups, the short answer is yes.
I’ll admit, the price point is higher than I’d normally splurge on, but this travel tripod is so thoughtfully crafted that it’s well worth it for those that use tripods often during their travels.
Not only does it accommodate both my camera and my phone, while staying fairly lightweight and compact, but best of all, won’t fall over with a bit of wind.
I also really love that it comes with its own padded case, and that it gives me the ability to switch easily between my Canon camera and my iPhone on the go.
It’s been a game-changer for shooting photos of myself while traveling solo.
I’m also thrilled with the steady shots I’ve been able to get using it, especially during one very windy day on the beach.
This is one tripod I can’t wait to continue traveling with, especially on an international level.
In particular, I’m massively excited to use it to shoot a time-lapse of the night sky this summer when I’m camping in the middle of what is considered to be the oldest desert on Earth in Namibia.
So, keep an eye out later this year, I’ll give you updates on how Peak Design’s travel tripod holds up.
I’ll be bringing it with me to my favorite places this summer, like the streets of NYC and Paris, the beaches of the South of France, and to brand new places, like The Namib Desert in southwestern Africa.
With its combination of stability, durability, and portability, it may just become your go-to choice for the best tripod in your collection.
Overall, pretty much every review praise the innovative design and performance of the Peak Design Travel Tripod.
In fact, its generated significant interest and excitement since its inception on Kickstarter.
One aspect that stands out to customers is the tripod’s stability, with many commenting that it shows excellent steadiness while supporting your camera.
Another factor that has impressed users is the durability of the tripod.
Both the carbon fiber and aluminum models both offer longevity and dependability that photographers can trust, since they’re built with quality materials, and designed to withstand frequent use.
Many users also appreciate the tripod’s weight capacity, with a few noting that they could use the tripod with a variety of camera setups without worrying about it collapsing under the load.
Overall, discussing compact tripods, the Peak Design Travel Tripod definitely shines in this category.
It easily transforms into a small, easily portable size, making traveling with it a breeze, making it popular with photographers who need a dependable tripod while on the go.
Both the carbon fiber and aluminum models are light, ensuring that they add little extra weight to your photography gear load.
3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 Tripod: With a unique design and versatile features, the 3 Legged Thing tripod is an excellent alternative for travel photographers. Though it’s not as sleek or as light as Peak Design’s Travel Tripod.
This tripod folds down to just 35cm, opens to a height of 146cm.
Benro MeFOTO Roadtrip PRO Tripod: This tripod comes in at just over 3lbs, making it easy to travel with. Though some reviewers complain this carbon fiber tripod isn’t super sturdy, with some mentioning the ballhead breaks with too much weight.
Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Aluminum Tripod: Designed for enthusiasts who require a lightweight but stable travel tripod, the Manfrotto Befree is a great choice. It’s got an innovative, quick release plate and adjustable leg positions. Though, at just under 4.5 lbs it’s heavier than Peak Design’s tripod.
Weighing about 4.5 lbs, this is a solid choice for a less expensive travel tripod. It's got an innovative, quick release plate and adjustable leg positions.
The Peak Design Travel Tripod offers a stable, thoughtful design that’s both compact and lightweight.
Despite its slender appearance, the Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod is strong and able to hold a load of up to 20lb (9kg).
Includes a bubble level to help you maintain a straight horizon, which is a necessity when capturing landscapes or architectural shots, and a cleverly integrated smartphone mount.
The Peak Design tripod is more expensive than many other tripods on the market, especially the carbon fiber version.
Some users may find the unique head design and hidden features to be initially challenging to get used to.
While still lightweight compared to similar tripods on the market, the aluminum version is slightly heavier than the carbon fiber model.
Users have praised Peak Design’s travel tripod as being one of the sturdiest and most compact and lightweight on the market.
Offering a stunning combination of stability and compact, lightweight design, Peak Design’s travel tripod is an excellent choice for both amateur and professional photographers.
With its combination of stability, durability, and portability, it may just become your go-to choice for the best tripod in your collection.
Peak Design tripods can optimized for heavier equipment, like a full-frame DSLR + telephoto lens, holding up to a 20lb weight capacity.
Carbon fiber is lighter weight and doesn’t transmit vibrations as easily as aluminum because it’s a stronger material. Less vibrations mean you’re more likely to end up with a clearer shot.
Absolutely! As a solo traveler, I can get photos and videos with me in them. Plus, having a travel tripod means you get a sturdier shot every time.
The tripods max height (center column raised): 152.4 cm (60″)
Yes, TSA regulations do allow you to bring a tripod. I like to pack mine in my carry-on bag, but you can also check them.
With its combination of stability, durability, and portability, it may just become your go-to choice for the best tripod in your collection.
Does this compact mobile tripod really live up to all the hype? Read my Peak Design Mobile Tripod review to find out if it's the ultimate tripod for travelers.
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