Which Peak Design Tripod Should I Buy?
With two versions of the original Travel Tripod and three in the newer Pro Tripod range, Peak Design now has five solid options to suit a range of photographers and videographers. They five tripods all share a similar clever design, but there are key differences in size, weight, capacity and performance that will determine which is best for you.
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is available with aluminium or carbon fibre legs. This impacts on their weight, but otherwise, their specifcations are the same.
Peak Design Travel Tripods
Let’s start with the Travel Tripod, available in aluminium (1.56kg) and carbon fibre (1.27kg). Both models collapse to a very tidy 39.4cm in length and 8.3cm in diameter, making them easy to carry in a backpack side pocket or attach externally. Despite their compactness, they extend to a maximum of 152.4cm with the centre column raised, or 130.2cm with it down, and offer a 9.1kg weight capacity. The carbon version is noticeably lighter for travel, while the aluminium model gives the same functionality at a lower cost.
The Travel Tripod is more capable than it looks. It can handle long exposures even with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens in landscape orientation, but it struggles when the camera is positioned upright, particularly with top-heavy gear. It also requires the centre column to be raised for any ball head movement.
The Peak Design Pro Tripod Lite and Pro Tripod have very similar dimensions, however, the Pro can hold more weight. The Pro Tripod Tall is much bigger but has the same payload capacity as the Pro.
Peak Design Pro Tripods
Enter the Peak Design Pro Tripod line. These tripods have been redesigned from the ground up, offering stiffer legs, more stable construction, better head movement and significantly higher payload limits. All three use the Pro Ball Head, feature carbon fibre legs and have CNC-machined aluminium leg locks for improved precision. The centre column also includes internal hex tool storage. The Travel Tripos’ hex tool clamps on a leg and is easily lost, but it comes with a mobile mount that stows the centre column.
The Pro Lite is the lightest at 1.7kg, folding down to 48.8cm. It has a max height of 162.5cm (column up) and 133.2cm (column down), supporting up to 15.9kg of kit. It’s a solid option for photographers who want to step up from the Travel Tripod without adding too much bulk.
The Pro is the all-rounder option. It weighs 1.9kg, folds to 50.1cm, and extends to 168.4cm (or 138.0cm with the column down). The extra height and capacity (18.1kg) make it a better choice for anyone using longer lenses or shooting in more demanding conditions. However, in reality, its dimensions aren’t too dissimilar to the Lite’s.
Finally, the Pro Tall is for photographers who are, well, tall – or who prefer to avoid raising the centre column for eye-level shots. It reaches a massive 197.4cm at full extension, or 162.0cm with the column down. It’s the heaviest at 2.0kg and longest when collapsed (58.1cm), but still very much travel-friendly compared to traditional tall tripods.
Amidst the discussions about maximum heights with centre columns up and down, it’s worth remembering that the centre column offers a much more convenient means of adjusting the camera’s height than changing the length of three legs.
From left to right, the Peak Design Pr Tripod Lite, Pro and Pro Tall.
Key Specifications
Max Height (Centre Column Up):
Travel Tripod: 152.4cm
Pro Lite: 162.5cm
Pro: 168.4cm
Pro Tall: 197.4cm
Height (Centre Column Down):
Travel Tripod: 130.2cm
Pro Lite: 133.2cm
Pro: 138.0cm
Pro Tall: 162.0cm
Minimum Height:
Travel Tripod: 14.0cm
Pro Lite: 15.8cm
Pro: 15.9cm
Pro Tall: 17.3cm
Weight:
Travel Tripod (Carbon): 1.27kg
Travel Tripod (Aluminium): 1.56kg
Pro Lite: 1.7kg
Pro: 1.9kg
Pro Tall: 2.0kg
Packed Length:
Travel Tripod: 39.4cm
Pro Lite: 48.8cm
Pro: 50.1cm
Pro Tall: 58.1cm
Max Payload:
Travel Tripod: 9.1kg
Pro Lite: 15.9kg
Pro / Pro Tall: 18.1kg
Ball Head:
Travel Tripod: Compact Ball Head
All Pro Tripods: Pro Ball Head with fluid panning
From left to right, the Peak Design Travel Tripod Aluminium, Travel Tripod Carbon Fibre, Peak Design Pro Tripod Lite, Pro and Pro Tall.
So which Peak Design tripod is right for you?
Choose the Travel Tripod (Carbon) if compactness and minimal weight are your top priorities. It’s ideal for day hikes, travel and mirrorless setups, especially in landscape orientation.
Go for the Travel Tripod (Aluminium) if you want something more affordable and don’t mind the small weight increase.
Step up to the Pro Lite if you need better stability for longer lenses and heavier gear, but still want a packable, lightweight tripod.
The Pro is a great all-rounder. It gives you more height, more payload capacity and improved handling without becoming cumbersome.
Pick the Pro Tall if you’re tall, want maximum flexibility in composition height, or shoot often with a tripod fully extended.
Each of these five tripods has its place, but for many women photographers balancing gear and portability, the Pro Lite or Pro offer the best blend of practicality, strength and travel-readiness – particularly if you shoot a mix of stills and video or regularly work with heavier kit.
