*** UPDATE 6/11/2021***

In the end I went with a tripod which wasn’t initially in the running — the FLM CP30-L4 II. The CP30’s combination of height (68”), weight (3.1 lbs), compact folded size, and cost ($459, although I bought mine used from the USA dealer for $300) made it a clear choice. I picked it up yesterday and my initial impressions are favorable. I’ll have to put it through the paces in the field before knowing for sure.

Some other resources I found valuable as I continued to research backpacking tripods:

Tim Parkin’s Travel Tripod review in On Landscape Magazine.

The Center Column provides excellent reviews of tripods and contains a wealth of info on all things tripods. Here’s their review of the FLM CP30-L4 review.

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Summer is almost here and I’m finally accepting the cold hard fact that I need a new backpacking tripod. In fact, I’ve never actually owned a backpacking tripod. I’ve always just strapped by trusty Induro GIT304L onto the side of my pack, shouldered it, and headed up trail. The problem is this tripod weighs in at a backbreaking 4.76 lbs (2.16 kilos). Not exactly a piece of ultralight gear. When you add in the weight of camera gear, food, stove, fuel, tent, sleeping bag, etc. even a few extra pounds are a killer on the trail.

My initial round of research led to a short list of three contenders. I then posted a question to social media asking other photographers which lightweight tripod they trust in the backcountry. I received a lot of great recommendations, enough so that I had difficulty keeping all of the specs straight. To make sense of it all I decided to create a chart to compare key features and specs. I prioritized three features: weight (of course), maximum height, and cost. Ideally I was looking for a tripod under 3 lbs (1.36 kilos), with a maximum height close to 60” (1.52 meters), all at a cost under $500. My next considerations were load capacity and minimum size when collapsed. I rated these features using color coding to make easy visual sense of of each tripod’s pros and cons.

So, at this point I’m slightly leaning toward the FEISOL, followed closely by Colorado Tripod Company, FLM, and Sirui. Next step will be to read reviews and reach out to individual photographers who have in the field experience with each model. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on my final decision!

I’ve embedded my chart below if you happen to also be searching for a new backpacking tripod. It’s by no means a comprehensive list of options, and the color codings relate only to my personal preferences, but I believe it’s good information anyway. Hope it helps!