Best Travel Tripod for Backpackers: Camera and Phone Picks
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Comparison table
| Peak Design Travel Tripod (Aluminum) ★ | Peak Design Mobile Tripod | UGREEN 70 inch Aluminum Phone Tripod | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best with | Cameras (and phones) | Phones | Phones and action cameras |
| Max height | 152.4 cm (column up) | Tabletop | 180 cm |
| Packed size | 39.1 cm × 7.9 cm diameter | 9.7 × 5.5 cm, about 0.5 cm thick | Not listed |
| Weight | 1.56 kg | 76 g | 615 g |
| Load capacity | 9.1 kg | Not listed | 1.1 lb (about 0.5 kg) |
| Mount | Ball head with quick-release plate | Magnetic SlimLink / MagSafe | Phone holder with Bluetooth remote |
| Link | Check current price | Check current price | Check current price |
Specs are from the Peak Design and UGREEN official product pages and published specifications, checked 29 Oct 2026.
A tripod is what turns "nice view" into a sharp sunset, a starry sky over a campsite, or a group shot where nobody is missing. Backpackers need one that fits a side pocket and stays light. These three cover a serious camera, a phone in your pocket, and full-height phone shots with a remote.
Peak Design Travel Tripod (Aluminum): the best all-rounder
Peak Design Travel Tripod (Aluminum)
- Packs to 39.1 cm long and 7.9 cm in diameter
- 152.4 cm max height (centre column raised)
- 9.1 kg load capacity
Best for: Backpackers with a camera who want full-height shots from a bottle-sized tripod
Check priceThe Peak Design Travel Tripod was redesigned from scratch so the legs, centre column and ball head pack together with almost no wasted space. Folded, the aluminium version is 39.1 cm long and 7.9 cm across, about the diameter of a water bottle, so it fits a backpack's side pocket.
Extended, it reaches 152.4 cm with the centre column raised (130.2 cm with it down) and drops to 14 cm in low mode for ground-level shots. It has five leg sections with aluminium cam locks, a 9.1 kg load capacity (Peak Design says it's optimised for a full-frame camera with a telephoto lens), and an integrated hook for hanging a bag for extra stability. The aluminium version weighs 1.56 kg. A carbon-fibre version at 1.29 kg shares the same dimensions. Peak Design also highlights built-in mobile compatibility, so it can hold a phone as well as a camera.
What we like
- Full-height tripod that packs down to about the diameter of a water bottle
- Fast setup with no protruding knobs
- High load capacity for cameras with long lenses
What to consider
- The heaviest pick here, so ultralight packers may prefer a phone setup
- The carbon version saves 270 g but is the more premium option
Who it's for: backpackers carrying a mirrorless or DSLR camera for landscapes, night skies and long exposures.
See the Peak Design Travel Tripod
Peak Design Mobile Tripod: the most pocketable
Peak Design Mobile Tripod
- 76 g machined
- anodised aluminium body
- 9.7 × 5.5 cm
Best for: Phone-only travellers who want a tripod that lives on the back of their phone
Check priceThe Peak Design Mobile Tripod is for travellers whose camera is their phone. It's a 76 g plate of machined, anodised aluminium measuring 9.7 × 5.5 cm and only about half a centimetre thick, slim enough to slip into a pocket.
It snaps onto the back of your phone magnetically using Peak Design's SlimLink system. It works with Peak Design Everyday Cases or the Universal Adapter, and also with iPhone 12 and later (no case) or Apple MagSafe cases. The three legs fold out as a tripod or stay together as a stand or video grip, and a micro ball head lets you angle the phone in portrait or landscape. A magnetic tuning key adjusts the ball head tension, and the TPU feet are non-slip.
What we like
- Small enough to leave on your phone or slip into any pocket
- Works as a tripod, stand or grip
- All-aluminium build with Peak Design's lifetime warranty
What to consider
- Tabletop height only, so you'll need a wall, rock or table
- Needs a MagSafe iPhone, a Peak Design case or the Universal Adapter
Who it's for: phone-first backpackers who want steadier shots, timelapses and video calls without carrying a "tripod".
See the Peak Design Mobile Tripod
UGREEN 70 inch Aluminum Phone Tripod: the best phone selfie tripod
UGREEN 70 inch Aluminum Phone Tripod with Bluetooth Remote
- 180 cm max height
- 48 cm min height
- 615 g aluminium build
Best for: Group shots and travel video from a full-height phone tripod with a remote
Check priceThe UGREEN 70 inch Aluminum Phone Tripod with Bluetooth Remote (model 15609) gets your phone up to eye level and beyond. It extends to 180 cm across four leg sections, drops to 48 cm, and weighs 615 g.
It works as both a selfie stick and a tripod, and the included Bluetooth remote lets you trigger photos from a distance for group shots. The head rotates 360° and the neck tilts through 190°, so switching between portrait and landscape is easy. UGREEN lists compatibility with iPhones, Galaxy phones and GoPro-style action cameras, with a 1.1 lb (about 0.5 kg) weight limit.
What we like
- Full standing height for group photos and travel vlogs
- Bluetooth remote included
- Doubles as a selfie stick
What to consider
- Designed for phones and action cameras, not heavier cameras
- Bulkier and heavier than the Mobile Tripod
Who it's for: backpackers travelling in groups or making video who want hands-free, full-height phone shots.
How to choose a travel tripod for backpacking
- Camera or phone? A camera with a heavier lens needs a real tripod with a high load rating, like the Travel Tripod. A phone is fine on the Mobile Tripod or the UGREEN.
- Height vs weight. Full height means you can shoot over railings and crowds, but it adds weight. If every gram counts, a tabletop tripod plus a handy wall works surprisingly well.
- Packed length. Measure your backpack's side pocket. The Travel Tripod's 39.1 cm length is designed to fit one.
- Remote or timer. Tapping the shutter shakes the phone. Use a Bluetooth remote (UGREEN) or a 2–3 second self-timer.
- Mount system. Magnetic mounts are quick, but check your phone or case is compatible. Clamp mounts fit almost any phone.
Heading off-grid with a tripod? Keep your maps and uploads working with a travel eSIM such as Airalo (compare options in our best travel eSIM guide). For long trips, SafetyWing is one of the options in our travel insurance guide, and it's worth checking how any plan covers cameras and electronics. Pack spare batteries and cables in a tech pouch and light your campsite with a rechargeable headlamp.
Our verdict
For backpackers who carry a camera, the Peak Design Travel Tripod (Aluminum) is our pick. It packs to the size of a water bottle, yet stands 152.4 cm tall and holds 9.1 kg. If you shoot on your phone and want the lightest kit, get the Peak Design Mobile Tripod. For full-height phone shots and group selfies with a remote, choose the UGREEN 70 inch Aluminum Phone Tripod.
Check prices: Peak Design Travel Tripod
FAQ
Is a full-size tripod worth carrying when backpacking?
If you shoot landscapes, night skies or long exposures with a camera, yes. For phone shots, a tabletop or phone tripod covers most needs at a fraction of the weight.
Can I carry a tripod in hand luggage?
Rules vary by airline and airport, and some security checks treat tripods differently. Check your airline's rules before you fly, or pack a full-size tripod in checked luggage if you're unsure.
What's the difference between the aluminium and carbon Peak Design Travel Tripod?
Peak Design lists the same dimensions and 9.1 kg capacity for both. The carbon fibre version weighs 1.29 kg, compared with 1.56 kg for aluminium.
Does the Peak Design Mobile Tripod work with Android phones?
Yes, with a Peak Design case or the Universal Adapter, which add the magnetic mount it needs.
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