Walking Equipment and Accessories

Peak Design Travel Tripod | Review

The talented team at Peak Design have delivered a professional tripod that almost disappears into your backpack

Why We Chose The Peak Deisgn Travel Tripod: Incredible packed weight and size without any compromise on quality

The small and committed team at Peak Design have rewritten the rules when it comes to the humble tripod. They’ve spent almost half a decade rethinking the mechanics and the Travel Tripod is the result. Remarkably, it packs down to a compact unit with the diameter of a water bottle, enabling you to effortlessly slip it into your backpack.

“It packs down to a compact unit with the diameter of a water bottle”

So what’s the catch? Well, functionality-wise there isn’t one. It comes with Peak Design’s lifetime guarantee, boasts professional-level stability and a whole host of features.

Who is The Peak Design Travel Tripod For?

With the aluminium option coming in at £250.71 and the carbon fibre model at a whopping £429.81, it’s fair to say that the Travel Tripod is for serious landscape photographers and is unlikely to be an impulse purchase. However, if you’re a frustrated tripod-lugger, constantly hauling awkward and heavy loads to the mountain tops in an effort to capture the wild crags, the epic sunsets and the astonishing vistas, this is the tripod for you.

The Travel Tripod can easily fit into a hiking day bag. Photo: Chris Johnson

Features and Construction

Not only does the Travel Tripod pack down to a relatively tiny unit, it’s also lightning quick to set up and take down – apparently the Peak Design office record is 9.8 seconds. Outdoor photographers are used to dealing with the ephemeral. They know too well the panic that sets in when the cloud clears and a sudden ray of light magically illuminates a nearby ridgeline. Usually, by the time the tripod is assembled and the camera is mounted, this photographer-of-the-year opportunity has faded away. With the Travel Tripod, the chances of capturing that special moment increase substantially.

The tripod mount comes supplied with the tripod. Photo: Chris Johnson

Adjustment of the legs is quick and easy. Photo: Chris Johnson

Considering this is a product that packs down to a length of 39cm, it’s almost unbelievable that it rises to 150cm when opened up. It achieves this thanks to three 5-section legs. Its nonslip, shock-absorbing feet and sturdy construction give it top-class vibration damping and low and inverted modes mean you can position your camera mere inches from the ground. It holds its own in the stability stakes too, performing just as well and, in some cases better, than bulkier competitors. It’s worth noting that Peak Design claim that the more expensive carbon fibre model rewards the user with 20% greater stability.

The tripod head tool is neatly tucked behind the legs. Photo: Chris Johnson

While its 9kg weight capacity is optimised for a full-frame DSLR and telephoto lens, it is also compatible with mobile phones, thanks to its integrated mount. Whatever your camera of choice, the Travel Tripod’s ergonomic, omni-directional ball head features a single locking ring for total security. It is compatible with all PD plates and most Arca-type plates.

Durable materials

The Travel Tripod is built to last, hence Peak Design’s lifetime guarantee. Designed with tough environments in mind, both the aluminium model and the carbon fibre model are weather and impact-resistant, while all of its constituent parts are serviceable and replaceable. A high-quality, padded, weatherproof case is included too.

Tester’s Verdict

Giles Dean, Outdoors Magic staff

“I am a huge fan of Peak Design products due to the quality of the design and the attention to detail that’s been put into making the equipment. You’d also be hard pushed to find a more stylish camera accessories brand.

“I have been using this tripod recently on my trips into the mountains for landscape photography or for shots where I need some extra stability. Personally, I wouldn’t usually use a tripod for outdoor photography, however as the travel tripod is so light it’s really easy to just put in your bag and pull it out when it is needed. It’s also really quick to set up which means you’ll never miss a crucial moment.”