Peak Design Travel Tripod Review
Summary Verdict
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is notable for its compact form and impressive stability for its type, making it an ideal choice for photographers who need a portable tripod that doesn’t make a major compromise on performance. Although it has a few quirks, such as the need to extend the centre column slightly to manoeuvre the head fully, it performs extremely well in a variety of conditions. Its ability to support a heavy camera and lens combination is impressive, especially considering its slim profile. Overall, both the aluminium and carbon fibre versions offer a solid solution, and the choice between them depends largely on how much weight you’re willing to carry and your budget.
Score: 5/5
Pros
Extremely compact
Stable enough for long exposures
Quick to set up
Against
The centre column needs a minor extension for full head movement
The hex tool is easily lost
High price, particularly for the carbon fibre version
The Peak Design Travel Tripod in carbon fibre on the left and aluminium on the right, both at their shortest leg settings.
What is the Peak Design Travel Tripod?
The Peak Design Travel Tripod comes in two versions: one with aluminium legs and the other with carbon fibre legs. Aside from the material and weight differences (the aluminium version is heavier), both tripods are identical. Naturally, the carbon fibre version comes with a higher price tag. The key feature that sets these tripods apart from their competition is their ultra-compact design when collapsed. The legs fold tightly together, resulting in a slim profile that makes the tripod easy to carry and ideal for travel.
Peak Design Travel Tripod Price and Availability
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is currently priced at around £349.99 / $379.95 for the aluminium version and £559.99 / $599.95 for the carbon fibre version. It is available from many camera retailers and the Peak Design website.
Specification
Maximum height centre column raised: 152.4cm / 60inches
Maximum height centre column down: 130.2cm / 51.25inches
Minimum height: 14cm / 5.5inches (centre column main section removed)
Collapsed length and diameter: 39.1cm / 15.4inches, 7.9cm / 3.125inches
Weight: Aluminium: 1.56Kg / 3.44lbs, Carbon fibre: 1.27Kg / 2.81lbs
Maximum payload: 9.1Kg / 20lbs
Number of leg sections: 5
Leg material: Aluminium or carbon fibre
Leg lock material: Aluminium
The carbon fibre Peak Design Travel Tripod. Both variants of the tripod pack down neatly, making them easy to transport.
Key Features
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is designed to handle a maximum load of 9.1kg, which is more than enough for most DSLR or mirrorless camera setups, even with a heavy lens attached. Its 5-section legs allow it to collapse to just 39.1cm in length and 7.9cm in diameter, making it very easy to store or slip into a side pocket of a backpack. In fact, its diameter is similar to that of a standard water bottle.
Despite its compact size when folded, the tripod extends to a height of 152.4cm with the centre column raised. With the column lowered, it still reaches a working height of 130.2cm, which is sufficient for most purposes. However, to get full-tilt movement from the tripod head, the centre column needs to be raised slightly.
The tripod head has a unique ball-head design and the included Arca-Swiss type quick-release plate is compatible with Peak Design’s Capture Clip. If you don’t get on with the head, Peak Design has an optional Universal Head Adapter that you can buy to attach your favourite tripod head.
A small zipped case is included with the tripod. This very snug-fitting case has loops for attaching a strap, making it even more convenient to carry.
The centre column's bottom (main) section must be removed from the tripod to achieve its lowest shooting level. To remove this section, you must first raise the tripod head a little so it can be tipped to 90 degrees to reveal the hole in the top of the ball. You can then use the larger of the two hex keys on the supplied tool in this hole to loosen the centre column joint until the bottom half comes away.
There’s a lever lock at the top of each leg that can be pressed to allow the legs to be moved between two angles (there’s a third for folding the tripod away). The widest angle is required for the tripod to be at its lowest setting.
The aluminium Peak Design Travel Tripod, seen here, weighs 1.56Kg, 290g more than the carbon fibre version.
Build and Handling
Having used both the carbon fibre and aluminium versions of the Peak Design Travel Tripod, I’ve found their handling to be almost identical aside from their weight, the aluminium version weighs 290g more. Peak Design claims that the carbon fibre version is 20% sturdier, but I didn’t notice a significant difference in stability between the two.
Initially, I was concerned about the spindly appearance of the tripod’s legs, especially the lowest sections. However, they proved sturdier than expected, perhaps due to their unusual cross-section shape.
As I mentioned earlier, Peak Design supplies a tool with two hex keys/wrenches (4mm and 2.5mm). By default, this is stored in a clip on one of the legs. This tool is necessary for attaching and detaching the quick-release plate, which lacks a coin slot or handle. It’s also required to remove the bottom section of the centre column. Unfortunately, the tool has a tendency to fall out of the clip if it's not fully secured in its holder. I have lost a couple and almost lost one on several other occasions when extending or collapsing the legs. The problem is that it's easy to nudge the tool up in its holder when you grab the leg it's clipped too. Then, if the tripod is inverted or tipped over for any reason, the tool can fall out and be lost.
On the subject of losing things, it’s important to ensure that the quick-release plate lock is closed when you’re travelling with the tripod on the side of a bag. I've found that the latch can get pressed accidentally, and the plate can be lost as a result.
While it’s nice to have the hex tool close to hand, it’s easily lost from its holder when it’s clipped onto a leg. However, that loop at the end of the tool makes it easy to clip onto other items, perhaps using a Peak Design Anchor Loop.
With the centre column extended, the Peak Design Travel Tripod (carbon fibre version shown here), has a maximum height of 152.4cm / 60inches.
While the Travel Tripod is most likely to attract photographers using a camera, it has a phone holder hidden inside the bottom of the centre column. It’s ideal for holding a phone securely in place, particularly when shooting with a larger device like an iPhone 16 Pro.
There’s also a hook at the bottom of the centre column. This is handy for holding a weight and giving the tripod extra stability, but I’ve rarely needed to use it. A quick aside: if you use the hook to hang a weight, it’s important to ensure that the weight can’t swing around and instead rests very slightly on the ground. A length of bungee cord can come in handy for this.
Thanks to the tripod’s compact size, specifically its diameter, which is similar to that of a regular reusable water bottle, it slips easily into the side pocket of most backpacks. Even tripods designed for travel often struggle to fit more than one or two legs into these pockets, but the Peak Design model slots right in. I’ve found it easy to carry on long walks, sometimes even forgetting that I’ve got it with me due to its lightweight - especially the carbon fibre version.
The head can’t be tilted when the centre column is at its shortest setting. The ridge ring near the base of the bear is the head tilt lock. The ring above, which has a tab for grip, is the quick release plate lock.
Performance
In my first test, I extended the legs to their maximum height and gave them a bit of a wobble to assess stability. There was a small amount of movement but nothing out of the ordinary for a travel tripod. In practice, it performs well under typical shooting conditions. When I mounted a Nikon Z7 II with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and added a neutral density filter to push the exposure to 15 seconds, the tripod held steady, even in a stiff breeze.
The tripod also managed to support a medium format Fujifilm GFX100S, which is a substantial camera weighing 900 g / 1.98 lb without a lens. With exposure times of 1/3 to 1.8 seconds, I captured sharp images of blurred water with only a light breeze to contend with. While I didn’t achieve a perfect hit rate in portrait orientation, it performed respectably, especially given the challenges of using such a heavy camera on a lightweight travel tripod. The problem here is that it’s impossible to tighten the quick-release plate enough to prevent the heavy load from twisting.
The only issue I have encountered with the tripod’s stability is on slippery surfaces like tiles or wooden floors, where the feet tend to slip slightly if I apply pressure. This isn’t a problem during normal photography since the camera’s weight is constant, but it’s worth noting when setting up. The aluminium version performs better in this regard, with less slippage.
The legs of the carbon fibre Peak Design Travel Tripod (left) have a distinctive pattern that makes it easily distinguished from the aluminium tripod (right)
Which version of Peak Design Travel Tripod should I buy, Carbon Fibre or Aluminium?
The question of whether the carbon fibre Peak Design Travel Tripod is worth the extra expense over the aluminium version is a common one. In terms of stability, I couldn’t discern a significant difference, but the carbon fibre model is noticeably lighter, 290g lighter, to be exact. That’s around 23% difference in weight, but it’s less than a 500ml bottle of water weighs (500ml water weighs 500g).
If you’re carrying the tripod over long distances, this weight difference could be important. However, for those not planning to walk far with it, the aluminium version offers the same performance at a much more attractive price.
In case you’re wondering, I tested the impact of the tripods’ weight difference by loading up a backpack with cameras and lenses and asking my partner to put a tripod in the side pocket, swapping between the aluminium and carbon fibre versions. I couldn't see which tripod he put in the pockets, but I could tell by the change in weight. Whether that weight difference justifies the cost is a personal decision. If you’re after a tripod for short trips or urban shoots, the aluminium version should serve you well. But if you’ll carry your gear on long hikes, the lighter carbon fibre model might be worth the additional investment.
The head of the Peak Design Travel Tripod has to be raised slightly to allow its full movement.
Verdict
Initially, I had doubts about the Peak Design Travel Tripod, particularly given its slim legs and unusual head design. However, after extensive use, I’ve been impressed by its stability and ease of use. While it has a few quirks, such as the need to slightly raise the centre column for full head movement and the fact that the tool is easily lost, these are minor issues compared to the lightweight design and ease of transport. Both versions of the Peak Design tripod are stable and compact, making them excellent choices for photographers on the move. The aluminium version provides a cost-effective option, but for those who value weight savings, the carbon fibre model is the one to go for.
The ball in the head of the Peak Design Travel Tripod is clearly visible when the head is tilted for portrait-orientation shooting.
SheReviews
SheClicks community members who own the Peak Design Travel Tripod share their experiences and insights.
Name: Carmen Drake
Camera: Canon EOS R5, Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujifilm X100VI
Favourite type of photography: Landscape, wildlife and nature
Instagram: @pitorescdotcom
Website: pitoresc.com
Which model of the Peak Design Travel Tripod do you have? Aluminium or carbon fibre?
Carbon fibre.
Is the Peak Design Travel Tripod your first tripod?
No.
Do you have any other tripods? If so, which?
I have a Giottos carbon fibre tripod with a Gitzo Ball Head Series 2, a Manfrotto carbon fibre befree and 3 legged thing Leo.
What attracted you to buy the tripod and why did you pick the aluminium or carbon fibre version?
The tripod’s overall size is so small - it fits very well in a side pocket of a camera bag as it has a similar diameter to a water bottle. This makes it so easy to take it on small trips. Also, the weight is an extremely important factor for me. It doesn't feel heavy at all, which is great.
When do you use it?
The small size, when folded, allows me to take it with me on family trips without adding too much bulk to the luggage. I have used it on little trips, doing long exposures in town (e.g. moon rise shots), as well as on bigger trip in windy and frosty / snowy conditions in Iceland.
What do you like about the tripod?
I think the design is great; when the tripod is folded, it’s not bulky at all. I have other tripods, but they are either heavier, flimsier or quite bulky. The Peak Design tripod ticks all the major boxes for me. I have tried it in the winds of Iceland, and it fits really well in a side backpack pocket (or even inside the camera bag) and is not heavy at all.
Has it lived up to your expectations?
Absolutely, yes.
Do you find it easy to use?
Yes. The lever style of leg locks makes it very easy to extend very quickly. I didn't feel the need to replace the original head either - it really works very well.
Is there anything you would like to change about the tripod?
The attachment for the tool that comes with it (used to attach the plate to the camera usually) could be improved so it doesn't get lost easily. I lost this tool once and had to buy a replacement.
Were there any other tripods that you considered buying instead?
There are, and in some cases, I did buy them, so I can confirm the excellent quality of the Peak Design tripod compared to other brands.
Do you use the tripod for long exposures? If so, what's the longest exposure time you have used and got a sharp result?
I have used it for long exposures many times. I tend not to go over 2 minutes exposures. The camera combination would be the Canon EOS R5 and either a zoom lens such as the EF 16-35 f/2.8 or the EF 24-70mm f2.8 or, on some occasions, it’s paired with the RF 100-500mm (e.g. for moon shots).
Is there anything else you would like to add about the tripod?
It is a fantastic photo accessory - the small size and weight make it so easy to use. I really like it very much. I think Peak Design did a fantastic job in designing this tripod.
Name: Saranya Shanker
Camera: Sony 7R II and Sony A7 III
Favourite type of photography: Landscape
Instagram: @saranyas_silhouettes
Which model of the Peak Design Travel Tripod do you have? Aluminium or carbon fibre?
Carbon Fibre.
Is the Peak Design Travel Tripod your first tripod?
No.
Do you have any other tripods? If so, which?
Gorilla Pod and an old Benro tripod.
What attracted you to buy the tripod, and why did you pick the carbon fibre version?
The weight and the compact design is why I chose this tripod.
When do you use it?
I have used it for landscape photography. I did 2 trips to Iceland and Norway for ten days each and used this tripod exclusively.
What do you like about the tripod?
The weight and ease of use
Has it lived up to your expectations?
Yes
Do you find it easy to use?
Yes, it’s very easy to use
Is there anything you would like to change about the tripod?
No
Were there any other tripods that you considered buying instead?
No, I had heard about this tripod and its weight and didn’t consider others after that.
Do you use the tripod for long exposures?
I have used it for exposures of almost 2 minutes. I went on a landscape photography trip to Norway two weeks ago and got a few images with around this exposure time. I used my Sony A7 III with the Tamron 17-28 f2.8 and Tamron 28-75 f 2.8 lenses.
Is there anything else you would like to add about the tripod?
I have used it in winter conditions in Nordic countries, while in the extreme wind, it struggles a bit because of its lightweight; a lot of times, it did hold strong.
Name: Paula Wilks
Camera: Sony A7RV
Favourite type of photography: Seascape, landscape, woodland
Website: paulawilks.com
Instagram: @saxtraction
Which model of the Peak Design Travel Tripod do you have? Aluminium or carbon fibre?
Carbon fibre.
Is the Peak Design Travel Tripod your first tripod?
No
Do you have any other tripods? If so, which?
I also have the Vanguard VEO C25.
What attracted you to buy the Peak Design Travel Tripod and why did you pick the aluminium or carbon fibre version?
The compactness. I picked carbon fibre to minimise the weight.
When do you use it?
I use it every time I'm doing coastal photography because I love long exposures of swishy waves.
What do you like about the tripod?
The compact size, it's easy to put up / take down and is sturdy enough for my purposes.
Has it lived up to your expectations?
Yes
Do you find it easy to use?
Mostly. When I wanted to use it as low as possible, I had to Google to find the YouTube video to take the central column out which took a while on a beach with not very good mobile reception, but I got there in the end.
Is there anything you would like to change about the tripod?
I know everyone will say this, but the way the tool is attached to the tripod leg. After watching one fall out and luckily being able to find it again, I now have it safely in my camera bag. I'm sure there must be a better way, possibly involving the anchor buttons.
Were there any other tripods that you considered buying instead?
No - I only got this one because it looked a little better, in terms of size, than my existing one.
Do you use the tripod for long exposures? If so, what's the longest you have used and got a sharp result?
Yes - up to 30 seconds because I'm too lazy to switch to bulb mode. I've used 40mm and 50mm prime lenses and a 70-200 f/4 on my Sony A7RV with acceptably sharp results. I've tried with a 100-400mm lens, but I wouldn't class my results with that as sharp.
Is there anything else you would like to add about the tripod?
It's a premium price for a premium product, but that tool is an uncharacteristic design flaw from Peak Design.
Name: Paulette Warren
Camera: Sony A7R IVa
Favourite type of photography: Landscape
Instagram: @paulettesphotography22
Which model of the Peak Design Travel Tripod do you have?
Aluminium.
Is the Peak Design Travel Tripod your first tripod?
No.
Do you have any other tripods? If so, which?
No
What attracted you to buy the tripod and why did you pick the aluminium version?
The size, the neatness and it’s compact form.
When do you use it?
I use it for day trips and overseas photo travel.
What do you like about the tripod?
Its weight.
Has it lived up to your expectations?
More than.
Do you find it easy to use?
Yes.
Is there anything you would like to change about the tripod?
The fact that the hex key tool keeps getting lost is an issue.
Were there any other tripods that you considered buying instead?
No
Do you use the tripod for long exposures?
Not yet.
Name: Helen Trust
Camera: Canon EOS 5D IV & Sony RX100 VII
Favourite type of photography: Minimalism and long exposure photography, landscapes, seascapes, wildlife, architecture and street
Website: @www.helentrustphotography.com
Instagram: @helen_trust
Which model of the Peak Design Travel Tripod do you have? Aluminium or carbon fibre?
Carbon Fibre
Is the Peak Design Travel Tripod your first tripod?
No
Do you have any other tripods? If so, which?
Yes, a Gitzo GT2542.
What attracted you to buy the tripod and why did you pick the aluminium or carbon fibre version?
I needed a smaller tripod for city trips, one that was small enough to fit in a day bag but at the same time be stable enough to do long exposures. The Carbon Fibre version ticked all the boxes and has definitely proved its worth.
When do you use it?
I use it for city trips for long exposures. I’ve even used it on a windy beach in Somerset and was amazed at its stability
What do you like about the tripod?
I love its handy size and weight, and it’s the perfect height for me (without extending the centre column). It also packs away so small, I can fit it in the drinks pocket of a day pack. Its stability is fantastic and the hanging hook in the central column gives extra reassurance in windy conditions
Has it lived up to your expectations?
Yes, by far, it’s done several city trips to London and New York, and it’s done its first windy beach trip in Somerset, UK, where it stood the test of high winds. I thought the ball head was going to be a challenge, but I found it so easy and now struggle with my old multi-knob tripod head
Do you find it easy to use?
Yes, it’s easy and fast to deploy, and the perfect height for me being 5ft 3.5. The directional ball head is really easy to use, I was a bit nervous about the locking ring at first, but now I’m used it.
Is there anything you would like to change about the tripod?
The tripod is perfect, but it’s a tight squeeze getting it back into its travel case, so a few more millimetres would be awesome, but no big deal…
Were there any other tripods that you considered buying instead?
Nope. I researched lightweight travel tripods and this one had the best reviews (except for the price!) I tried it out at The Photography Show in March 2024 and it’s was a done deal with a great offer price at the event to sweeten the deal
Do you use the tripod for long exposures? If so, what's the longest you have used and got a sharp result?
I did a long exposure of the Manhattan skyline using my full frame Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and 16-35mm lens with a 4.5minute exposure and it was pin sharp. As the sun set, the exposures got longer and the breeze picked up a bit, so I hung my day pack off the load hook and it was rock solid. I’m really happy with it.
Is there anything else you would like to add about the tripod?
It’s coming to Venice with me for New Year and I’m leaving my bigger tripod at home for the first time! And my nephews love the little hidden mobile phone mount, so I often find my tripod has been borrowed for their social videos!
Name: Marie-Carmen Hughes
Current camera?: Canon EOS R6
Favourite types of photography?: People
Instagram: @mcarmen.photography
Which model of the Peak Design Travel Tripod do you have? Aluminium or carbon fibre?
Aluminium.
Is the Peak Design Travel Tripod your first tripod?
No, but this is the first time I have really invested in a tripod.
Do you have any other tripods? If so, which?
I only have one tripod at the moment
What attracted you to buy the tripod and why did you pick the aluminium or carbon fibre version?
Going to Mongolia and knowing I could see stars and try my hand at star photography, I wanted a good tripod.
In the past, I never really invested in those, and as I have the Peak Design Clutch (camera handgrip), I felt it was the right choice. However, the price of the carbon fibre version, being double that of the aluminium one, I decided to keep it to the aluminium version.
When do you use it?
I use it for landscape, star photography, or water-related photography. I usually use it during my travel trips and I do not find it too ridiculously heavy or hard to carry.
What do you like about the tripod?
It is very steady and simple to set up with the existing plate already on my camera.
Has it lived up to your expectations?
Yes it does. I could do with something even lighter, but it works fine.
Do you find it easy to use?
The first use was quite complicated and there are still areas I am struggling with, I would say those are not the easiest tripods to use.
Is there anything you would like to change about the tripod?
I’d say, probably simpler flexibility of the head, but this is a detail.
Were there any other tripods that you considered buying instead?
A few, mainly due to pricing, lower prices and quality. I found it difficult to navigate many reviews that were always paid or sponsored. But I decided on a true and prooved-quality company.
Do you use the tripod for long exposures? If so, what's the longest time you have used it and got a sharp result?
I have used my camera (Canon EOS R6with 24mm prime lens) for astrophotography, and with this tripod I used an exposure of around 20 seconds.
Is there anything else you would like to add about the tripod?
It is a well-rounded tripod, and the aluminium is a great product.
