This year’s hunting tripod has short weight and long versatility

By Andrew McKean | Updated 11:04 AM, September 14, 2021

In all the years that Outdoor Life has conducted annual optical tests, we have never considered the infrastructure on which many optical devices depend: the tripods, rifle scopes, and binoculars that we evaluated to stabilize the scope.

The reason we didn't pay attention to the tripod is that since they added the third leg to the shooting stick, the tripod has been a declining part of the optical industry. Since the time of Galileo, there have been few ways to improve design. But this year there was innovation in the field of tripods, because carbon fiber became more usable and affordable. Mounting hardware has become more technical and interchangeable, and wild hunters insist on using lighter, stronger, and more versatile tripods. The result is a huge leap in the new tripod model that covers the waterfront in terms of price, performance and portability.

We invited six brands to contribute eight new models for our optical testing. We use them to stabilize scopes, support our rail-mounted rifle scopes, and provide our laser rangefinders with the rock-solid foundation they need to provide the best results. Unlike optics, we did not rigorously test the tripod. We confirm their weight and size by measuring their properties with calipers and digital scales. We compared each other and evaluated their capabilities against the expectations of each level—whether it's a compact, ultra-light carbon fiber tripod, or a full-size model that can support maximum field optics and camera equipment.

The models in our buyer's guide include 2-pound pygmy beasts, which are specially designed to enter steep and remote countries and help hunters catch distant animals. There are some battle-tested models that are designed to enable rifle shooters to shoot from any position. There are others that can eliminate the difference, provide versatility and a high strength-to-weight ratio.

If you buy a tripod on the market, factors to consider: build quality not only means the look and feel of the material, but also how tight the tolerances of the moving parts are; the versatility of the head; the strength-to-weight ratio of its legs ; And the overall size. If you plan to pack quickly and lightly, maybe the latter is preferred. However, if you plan to perform a lot of glass operations from a central lookout, you may give priority to a smooth and easy-to-operate head.

In the spirit of the buying guide, we divided these eight tripods into three categories: ultra-light and compact, lightweight full-size, and all other products. If you are buying a new tripod in the market, we hope you start your search here.

These three tripods are specially built for remote areas. They are light, compact, and have components that can be removed or added to configure specific uses. If you are buying a full-service tripod weighing less than 3 pounds in the market, please consider these.

This slim and ultra-compact Vanguard tripod has five legs and can extend the height of the backpack from 23.5 inches to 65.5 inches. Most of the height is achieved by extending the two-section center column to 18 inches, but the weight of the entire unit is only 3 pounds 1 ounce, and the rated weight is about 19 pounds.

Carbon fiber finishing, ball head is compatible with Arca-Swiss mounting system. We like the oversized controls with gripping rubber grip points. Other conveniences include a detachable leg that can be turned into a 67-inch monopod, or even a selfie stick, plus a Bluetooth remote camera trigger. Vanguard also comes with a mobile phone holder, which can replace the spiked feet of rubber shoes. Its legs can be stretched to form a long-angled, low-key posture, which is very stable even in strong winds.

Considering all the work it can accomplish, the price of this multifunctional tripod is also very attractive (it is one of the most cost-effective hunting tripods). Suggested retail price: US$199

This new Vortex tripod weighs only 2.5 pounds and combines a universal Arca-Swiss mounting plate and a two-way pan head for smooth horizontal and vertical adjustments. Like most Arca-Swiss mounting systems, Vortex has a quick release plate with a ¼-20 pitch thread and tension screws to secure the coated optics to the head.

The four-section carbon fiber legs extend from 18 inches to a little over 53 inches, and the quarter-turn twist-lock control device is the best in its class. Part of the height of Summit Carbon II is achieved by a 7.5-inch removable aluminum center column with J-shaped hooks to connect the counterweight.

In windy conditions, you may need extra weight because the Summit Carbon II itself does not have much weight. Vortex claims that it has a strength of 22 pounds. Although we did not test this limit, it is not strong enough to stabilize the heaviest scopes or rifles. The diameter of the bottom leg part is only 5/16 inches, which reduces the weight, but gives the tripod a slim look and feel. On a per pound basis, this easily becomes the most expensive tripod in our series.

Nonetheless, this is the tripod we arrived before the others in the group for wild hunting (this is probably the best glass and shooting tripod for elk hunting). It is sturdy, simple, versatile, and very light, so you can hardly remember that you are packing it. Suggested retail price: US$549

This is a true alpine tripod. Thanks to extremely aggressive controls and precise adjustments, this is the lightest model in our evaluation and one of the most pleasant to deploy. Some elements are too small; for example, I misplaced the half-scale mounting plate, but was able to use the standard Arca-Swiss plate of another unit.

The tripod was built around its four-leg carbon fiber struts, and its diameter dropped from 11/16 inches to 5/16 inches. The outriggers are locked with forward quarter-turn twist-lock controls. These controls have oversized rubber handles that can be deployed even with thick gloves. The miniature ball head is very smooth and the pan is good.

The package length of Leupold Alpine is 18.5 inches, but it extends to 58.5 inches. A detachable center column increases the total length by a little more than 1 foot. It is worth noting that, unlike other center columns, it is nested in the gap between the legs, and the Leupold column is screwed to the top of the tripod. This makes it detachable, which is a nice feature in case you don't need to pack it at all, but because it is stored on a tripod, it can be easily lost or forgotten, which can cost Alpine a significant height.

Leupold comes with a set of metal nails that can replace rubber feet, making the tripod excellent purchasing power in sand or loose soil. The device has a J-shaped hook to receive the counterweight, and the legs rotate outward to allow the device to be lowered to only 5 inches, giving it sufficient stability in high winds.

Given that the performance of Leupold Alpine is comparable to that of Vortex Summit Carbon II, but the cost is only half of that, we give Leupold an extra price/value point. Suggested retail price: US$249

The three tripods in this series are heavier than their ultra-compact tripods (the two are actually big brothers of the same brand), but have higher load-bearing capacity and better durability. Their carbon fiber structure makes them weigh only about half of similar configurations made of aluminum, but the price is significantly higher.

This full-size tripod uses four-section carbon fiber legs and extends from 22 inches to 67 inches (5 feet 5 inches) in length, which can stabilize the largest monoculars and camera lenses. As we pointed out to his brother Leupold's Alpine, Pro Guide has a similar detachable center column, which increases the overall height by approximately 1 foot. Like Alpine, I have the same pros and cons about the column: it is great as an optional component, but it is also easy to lose or forget to pack.

Without the 5 ounce center column, the weight of the Pro Guide backpack dropped to under 4 pounds, making it the second lightest large carbon fiber tripod in our series.

Thanks to the quarter-turn twist-lock control with oversized rubber handles, the outriggers can be deployed precisely and easily. The carbon fiber is smooth and strong, the ball head and Arca-Swiss mounting hardware are smooth and versatile. Like Alpine, this tripod is equipped with a set of steel feet, which can replace out-of-the-box rubber shoes.

The operation of Pro Guide is like a tripod, the weight is twice its weight, and the structure is more durable. Carbon legs are part of the reason. The top part is 1-1/16 inches in diameter, and each smaller part is reduced to 7/8 inches, 3/4 inches, and finally, the smallest leg part is ½ inch. This is not twice as large as the carbon legs of ultralight tripods, and the strength they provide for Pro Guide is enough to make up for the small amount of weight they add to the packaging.

But they do add weight, and for hunters who count ounces, this may not be a tripod for wild adventures. However, the weight and performance of this model make it one of the best glass hunting tripods. For almost all frontline outings, especially those that require a large lens, this is a good choice, and we found that its price is reasonable compared to the features it provides. Suggested retail price: $399

This large and sturdy carbon fiber tripod left a deep impression on me. I took it to Alaska for flying DIY reindeer hunting. This is an expedition that attaches great importance to convertible equipment. Ridgeview is indeed my optical tripod. It also doubles as an indispensable shooting tool, stabilizing my rifle in a musk gun that is too tall and dense for a normal bipod. I used this tripod as my base to shoot a trophy bull.

I also use Ridgeview as a support for windsocks made of garbage bags to help land and pick up our plane at the end of our hunt. It is indeed versatile.

This is a longer tripod than other tripods in its class, mainly because it has three legs instead of four. Each leg is about 22 inches long, which helps explain why its package length of 29 inches is relatively long. It can stretch to a staggering 75 inches (6 feet 2 inches), although you can hardly find a hunter who needs all the extensions.

The legs are made of carbon fiber, but the 10-inch center post is made of aluminum. The controls are pleasant-the quarter-turn twist lock knurling is made of rubber with grip-so it is easy to use with gloves on. Arca-Swiss compatible two-way pan heads are simple and versatile, and standard tension quick-release plates are suitable for a variety of brands and plate types. It is worth noting the ease of use of the pan head, which is controlled by a tension handle, allowing users to make a velvety smooth pan, and then lock the head in an economical movement and fuss.

The weight of this Vortex tripod is pleasing, weighing 3 pounds 2 ounces. Vortex claims a 22-pound load-bearing capacity, and because it can handle all my full-size scopes and 8-pound rifles with ease, I believe this is no problem.

Nevertheless, this is a long dog. For most expeditions, this is not a problem, but if your kit must fit a 30-inch suitcase, then you can use this tripod, but there is almost nothing. We think the price is in line with the performance of this sturdy and reliable carbon fiber anchor car. Suggested retail price: US$499

It may be a bargain among similar products. This carbon fiber tripod can do almost anything its steel or aluminum brothers can do, but at the same price and halved weight.

Meopta’s carbon fiber has four legs, comes with two heads and plates — plus a full set of accessories — and is strong enough to handle almost any job. We installed an 85mm scope on it and did not detect any unexpected vibration or shaking.

The Meopta model extends from 25 inches to 66.5 inches, and the entire extension is a carbon fiber center column. The control is a standard twist lock operation. The diameter of the legs is what I call a medium diameter, ranging from 7/8 inches to 3/4 inches, then 5/8 inches, and the last leg part is ½ inch in diameter. The device weighs 4 pounds and 3.7 ounces.

One of the legs can be unscrewed from the base and used as a monopod, which can accommodate the central column and all heads. If you are looking for an all-round tripod kit, this is hard to beat. It comes with a luxurious ball head, a very beautiful fluid head, two full-size plates, a mobile phone holder, a metal foot replacement kit and a beautiful vinyl carrying case.

All the functions and conveniences provided at such an affordable price must have an attractive place, if we find it: it is the quality of the components. Carbon fiber seems to be slightly less sturdy than similar products, and twist-lock connectors are also less aggressive. Nevertheless, for only $300, this excellent and lightweight tripod has high value and performance. Suggested retail price: $299

We created this all-encompassing category for tripods that are not suitable for lightweight or full-body carbon fiber categories. The two tripods here are worth noting, not only because they are relatively new on the market, but also because they provide performance that cannot be considered in other categories.

This is a fairly standard aluminum tripod from a relatively new brand, but if it is standard, then it does a great job.

TP4 has four textured legs, ranging in diameter from 11/16 to 7/16 inches. It weighs 3 pounds and 4.5 ounces. It is a very lightweight aluminum model with a twist-lock control (with a stylish ice blue hue) that is active and compact. The head adopts Arca-Swiss design, with tension plate, which can accept most optical components.

The tripod can be reduced to 23 inches and expanded to 63 inches, and one leg can be unscrewed to make a monopod that can hold a ball head.

In general, this is a relatively standard design, but it is gratifying to see that it is well presented by a new brand in the landscape. Suggested retail price: $229

We evaluated two versions of this tripod. It was designed by a German company but distributed in the United States by Sellmark, which is the same brand that distributes Sightmark optical components and Pulsar thermal components.

So far, the most interesting of these two models is the K800CF, which is a carbon fiber model that provides amazing strength and versatility without adding too much weight. We also evaluated the K700 AMT, an aluminum version of the platform, which added some weight and strength, but did not provide a lot of additional features at a price of only $100. For this reason, we will stick to the carbon fiber version here, but be aware that any description can be easily applied to the aluminum model.

I first got acquainted with the brand and performance of the Texas pig farm, where hunters use rifles with thermal sights while hunting overnight. Most hunters have this tripod, but for this job, the "Reaper" head is indispensable. Rubber fingers squeeze the rifle. Regardless of vegetation or terrain, it can create a rock-solid shooting platform.

The K800CF version has four carbon fiber legs with diameters ranging from 7/8 inch to ½ inch. Two sections of aluminum center column add another foot of extension. The legs are controlled by a clip lock with adjustable torque. The base tripod weighs 3 pounds and 13 ounces without the head. The Reaper’s head is a strong figure, adding a total of 2 pounds and 8 ounces. But for a completely stable rest, it not only provides rifles, but also scopes and cameras, which are easy to give up. It is worth noting that the aluminum version does not take the lead and weighs 5 pounds 10 ounces.

Both tripods can be compressed to 24 inches and extended to 67.5 inches. The carbon fiber version can carry 20 pounds; the aluminum version will carry 25 pounds. Both can easily handle the largest sports optics.

The death head itself is worth a try. This is a miracle of adjustability, the entire platform can be translated, thanks to the tension arm that is locked to a fully stable. The rubber gunner tightened to accept rifles with various forearms and designs. I use mine to stabilize AR and bolt guns, even lever guns. One of the best aspects is its cantilever design, which allows hunters to change magazines in AR while installing the rifle in the rest. This feature makes it one of the best shooting tripods for coyote hunting or wild boar hunting.

For the functions of the tripod and gimbal, the price is not worrying, but even if you decide to use a different tripod, you can consider buying the Reaper gimbal as an essential shooting aid for almost any hunting situation. Suggested retail price: US$599

We answer your three questions about tripods.

Yes. The base plate that comes with these tripods has a screw that fits any major brand of sight on the market. They will also be paired with most digital SLR cameras. 

For hunting tripods, the best material is carbon fiber. It is very lightweight, which is important for hiking to remote areas. 

No, at least they are not suitable for hunting purposes. Cheap tripods are usually heavy or unstable. This means that when you try to glass distant animals, you will have an unstable image. In addition, you have to install expensive optical components on the tripod. Using a cheap tripod will only limit the usefulness of your spotting scopes or binoculars. 

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