The best tripods for travel vlogging

If you’re looking at how to start a travel vlog (or maybe something similar, like a lifestyle vlog), then you need a tripod. Period. It’s a priority when it comes to must-have travel gear because it allows you to film yourself in a variety of different scenarios, placing the camera down and joining your friends in frame, as well as allowing you to capture much more stable footage and photos (including those all-important sunset pictures!) Below, we’re taking a look at four of the best tripods for travel vlogging.

First up, the JOBY HandyPod is perfect for travel and lifestyle vloggers using either a smartphone or a compact camera system. Just like your camera of choice, it’s light and compact, making it easy to travel around with but still offering you a really nice comfortable grip when filming, as well as a very sturdy, stable base that means you can set the camera down on a variety of different surfaces.

Next, the JOBY GorillaPod 1K . It offers creators the same features as the HandyPod, being light and compact, yet still strong and sturdy, with added grip thanks to its rubberized foot grips. What sets it apart from the HandyPod is the flexible legs. Being able to move, bend and wrap each of the three individual legs means you’re able to set up your vlogging camera in all kinds of different positions, making use of and adapting quickly to whatever you have around you. This is super useful because you’re not always going to have a flat surface to hand.

The JOBY is essentially the bigger brother of the GorillaPod 1K. It has all the same great features and achieves the same goals, but can support a much larger camera. Whereas the GorillaPod 1K has a capacity of 1kg (that’s fine for small, compact vlogging cameras), the GorillaPod 3K can take a load of up to 3kg which is fantastic if you’re thinking of vlogging with a larger, more cinematic camera. Of course, this won’t be quite as easy to travel with but the tripod is still considered very light and compact when compared with traditional models.

Speaking of more traditional tripods… JOBY’s Compact Light Kit is perfect for shooting your lifestyle vlog or any travel content. Despite its strength (it can support a load up to 1.5kg), it still packs away neat and compact with easy-to-use lever locks. Because it’s made from aluminum, it’s still really lightweight in comparison with other full-size tripods. The kit also comes ready to go with a vlogging phone mount that pairs well with the simple locking 1/4-20'' wheel mount. All of this combines to create a really versatile all-in-one full-size tripod.

The tripod is undoubtedly a piece of must have travel gear but as creators, we all have different wants and needs. If you’re on the move a lot and shooting with a lifestyle vlog with a small, compact camera, something like the HandyPod or GorillaPod 1K may suit you best. Meanwhile, if you want to head down to the beach for some sunset photography and also to film yourself in a locked-off frame, a full-sized Compact Light Kit may be better suited to your needs. Whatever you’re creating on your travels, there’s always a tripod suited to you. Hopefully, this article has helped you figure out which one that is!