Purchase of a travel photography tripod - advices required

[Rosssiiii]

Hi everyone, I saw this video and I’m considering these two models:

NEEWER LITETRIP LT07 https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0D1V6YF98

Manbily WZ-254C https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005008122580164.html

Here’s the video where he talks about them:

Does anyone have experience with these products?I’m looking for something that doesn’t take up much space when folded, but at the same time is sturdy — a good balance between compactness and durability.Are there any equivalent or better alternatives you would recommend?

For context, I’m currently using a Canon M3 with the 55–250mm, and I’d like to carry the tripod on the side of my Amazon Basics backpack.

 

[gbroadbridge]

There is cheap and there is good.

If you buy a cheap tripod, you'll be buying another proper one later,
so you may as well save money and get a good one to start with.

I would not even look at anything under $100 to be honest.

 

[wiltw]

Tripods with 4 leg sections make for shorter tripods (collapsed) but also are fundamentally not as rigid when fully extended, compare to tripods with 3 leg sections because the diameter of the smallest section cannot be as rigid.

 

[IpseLux]

I just bought a cheap travel one, at KEH. $69.00 no brand, or rather cheap brand, ApeCase. Surprisingly solid. And I’m used to tripods that can hold up Bogen (old ad campaign.) It’s tiny. And light.
The new leg designs are solid. Weak spot on these, the ball head. Particularly the locking mechanism, and the Arca Swiss-like base plate. Mine has a cheap copy of one. The pin that serves as safeguard to prevent your camera to drop to the floor if the plate is loose and slides is on the wrong side.
Anyhow, pay particular attention to the ball head. You could upgrade it, but best to just get one that suits you.
Good luck.

 

[runswithsizzers]

A lot depends on how you travel. If you are taking road trips in an automobile, and you never get more than a mile or two a few kilometers from your car, then you have the luxury of being able to "carry" a solid tripod. The same goes for traveling by boat.

But if you are taking public transportation and walking with a backpack, then the luxurious, car-based tripod will become a burden too great. Personally, when walking and packing light I do not ever carry a tripod. A monopod, maybe, which doubles as a hiking staff. Usually I can find something to lean up against, or I can find a stick or a sign post to use as a monopod. And if not, I miss the shot, but no big deal. I travel for fun, and it's no fun pretending I am on assignment for National Geographic. ;-)

But I don't carry long lenses, and I don't shoot wildlife or night skies, so I don't really need a tripod when traveling. YMMV

The few times I've tried to use a small, cheap and lightweight tripod, it seemed like a recipe for a camera catastrophe. But I have not tried any moderately priced tripods lately, so maybe they are more solid than I imagine?