Ultralight Tripods, By Matt Cashell

[Justin Crossley]

If you are looking for an ultralight tripod, you will want to take the time to read this review. Matt compares three great models to help you decide which to go with. Check it out!

Ultralight Tripods, Tested and Reviewed

 

[Macintosh]

Would love to hear these compared to 1 or two of the “go-to” benchmark products in this class for context. Ie what is currently the best or your favorite out there in this category, what is the best economy option, and how do these 3 compare?

 

[Matt Cashell]

Would love to hear these compared to 1 or two of the “go-to” benchmark products in this class for context. Ie what is currently the best or your favorite out there in this category, what is the best economy option, and how do these 3 compare?

What would you consider a “benchmark” ultralight tripod?

 

[zpearo]

What would you consider a “benchmark” ultralight tripod?

I'd say the Aziak Backcountry is one.

 

[Macintosh]

@Matt Cashell I dont know, thats why I asked. In a general sense I meant a benchmark as in “it’s the model that everything else gets compared to”. Perhaps NL pures in binos, or maybe el’s at a lower price point. But not knowing my way around UL tripods at all, was just looking for market context to put those three in. Are these the best of the best in the category, are they solid mid range options (price, weight, size, stability), etc?

 

[Matt Cashell]

I'd say the Aziak Backcountry is one.

The Backcountry Lite looks comparable to those in this test. I haven’t tried that one though.

 

[Matt Cashell]

@Matt Cashell I dont know, thats why I asked. In a general sense I meant a benchmark as in “it’s the model that everything else gets compared to”. Perhaps NL pures in binos, or maybe el’s at a lower price point. But not knowing my way around UL tripods at all, was just looking for market context to put those three in. Are these the best of the best in the category, are they solid mid range options (price, weight, size, stability), etc?

In the past, tripods in this size and weight range were pretty flimsy. The tripods in this review are not flimsy.

The part of the market for stable ultralight tripods is relatively new and rapidly expanding. I tend to think a true reference standard ultralight tripod has yet to emerge.

I presented the testing in this article so readers could see if any of these models would work for their needs.

If it helps I could rank the tripods against each other in different categories from this comparison:

Space savings:

1. MM
2. Slik
3. MTN


Weight:

1. MTN
2. Slik
3. MM

Stability:

1. Slik
2. MTN
3. MM

Value:

1. MTN
2. Slik
3. MM

As far as a favorite, the Slik was the one I grabbed the most often, just because it was so well-rounded in performance.

 

[Justin Crossley]

This is the benchmark in this class IMO.

Gitzo tripod Traveler, series 1, 4 sections

The Gitzo GT1545T Series 1 Traveler carbon fiber tripod is a headless, ultra-compact, 4-section support with an 180° leg folding system pioneered by Gitzo, which enables its legs to reverse-fold around the center column and an optional ball head, allowing it to fold down to 42.5 cm. The GT1545T...

www.gitzo.com

One of my best gear investments ever.

 

[Matt Cashell]

This is the benchmark in this class IMO.

Gitzo tripod Traveler, series 1, 4 sections

The Gitzo GT1545T Series 1 Traveler carbon fiber tripod is a headless, ultra-compact, 4-section support with an 180° leg folding system pioneered by Gitzo, which enables its legs to reverse-fold around the center column and an optional ball head, allowing it to fold down to 42.5 cm. The GT1545T...

www.gitzo.com

One of my best gear investments ever.

That’s a great compact tripod, but it is kind of in the next class up in weight IMO, especially compared to the Slik and MTN.

 

[TheTone]

I’m more interested in the MM head. Thoughts on what light head to buy if it was maybe used 80% glassing with binos, 10% with spotter and maybe 10% shooting. Wanting to stick with a pan head; MM, outdoorsman’s, tricer, nighthawk? Wanting to dump some weight off my current manfrotto

 

[S&S Archery (Rob)]

This is really good stuff. Thanks Matt!

 

[Matt Cashell]

I’m more interested in the MM head. Thoughts on what light head to buy if it was maybe used 80% glassing with binos, 10% with spotter and maybe 10% shooting. Wanting to stick with a pan head; MM, outdoorsman’s, tricer, nighthawk? Wanting to dump some weight off my current manfrotto

The Outdoorsman’s is the reference standard for hunting heads, imo.

The Wiser is my favorite ultralight panner.

The MTN Nano is the best value going, and by a lot.