^ This. Also, i've been very satisfied with the K&F Concept 64 inch Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod with 360 Degree Ball Head lately. It handles an S5II setup like a champ.

• 2.9 lbs total weight
• 17.6 lbs load capacity
• 64 inch max height Works well because it stays stable in the wind but wont kill your back on those long canyon trails. No complaints from me honestly, basically a steal under 200 bucks.

Congrats on the S5II! Zion is gonna be absolutely epic for landscape shots. Since you are hiking, you really need to prioritize stability so your gear doesnt take a tumble in those canyons! Honestly, safety first when youre out on a windy cliff. I really trust these for being both reliable and light:

• Manfrotto Element MII Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head is fantastic because its built like a tank but stays under 4 lbs. Super safe choice.
• Benro Slim Carbon Fiber Lightweight Tripod is amazing for hiking since its even lighter but still very stiff. Make sure whatever you get has a weight hook on the center column. Zion gets breezy and you dont want that nice camera hitting the rocks... hanging your backpack there makes everything rock solid! Have a blast!

Late to the party but i've been through a dozen tripods over the years so i wanted to weigh in. Zion is incredible but the terrain can be tricky if your gear isnt dialed in properly. Before you commit, i have a couple clarifying questions that might help narrow down the best brand for you:

• Do you prefer twist locks or lever locks for the legs? In my experience, twist locks are more streamlined for packing but flip locks are way easier to handle if your hands are cold or wet.
• How tall are you? Most travel-oriented tripods in this price range are pretty short, and if youre tall, youre gonna be hunched over all day. Over the years i've found that brands like Sirui or Slik often offer more bang for your buck than the budget lines from the high-end names. Definitely spend some time looking at the gear reviews on sites like The Digital Picture or the Fred Miranda forums... they have some great long-term durability tests for various brands.

This ^

@Reply #7 - good point! Just catching up on the thread and honestly, I gotta disagree with going for the cheapest options. Zion wind is absolutely brutal and you dont want your S5II vibrating during a long exposure! For real performance, you need to look at brands that actually specialize in stability.

• Just get any travel setup from Peak Design. Their stuff is amazing and the engineering is just on another level for hikers!
• Go with Sirui. Honestly, their build quality is fantastic and they handle sand way better than the budget brands mentioned earlier.
• Look at anything from Leofoto. They are basically professional grade and will keep your camera rock solid even in a canyon gale. Stability is everything! Dont risk your shots just to save a few bucks.

> budget: under 200 bucks Since youre hitting Zion, you really want carbon fiber to save your back. The SmallRig AP-01 Carbon Fiber Tripod 3987 is solid because it supports 17.6lbs but only weighs 2.7lbs itself. Its definitely stable enough for the S5II. Also check out the Vanguard VEO 3GO 235CB Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod for better packability. Both hit that sub-200 price point easily.

You really gotta be careful with the sand in Zion. I learned the hard way at Arches that fine dust and twist locks are a total nightmare. I once had a tripod leg seize up completely because I didnt clean the threads, and I nearly tipped my gear into a crevice trying to force it back open... not a fun experience tbh. For the S5II, I would suggest looking at the 3 Legged Thing Punks Patti Tripod with AirHed Blue Ball Head. It is aluminum so it is a bit heavier than carbon, but its super rugged for a sub-200 price point.

• Flip locks are much easier to manage when your hands are sandy or if it gets chilly.
• The weight hook on the center column is vital for hanging your pack when the wind picks up in the canyons.
• Its rated for a 22lb load, which gives you a lot of stability for the S5II even with a heavy lens. Just make sure to check your plate tightness constantly. Sand has a weird way of vibrating things loose while you hike. Its better to carry a little extra weight than to have your camera face-plant on the sandstone because the legs were too flimsy... honestly, that is a heartbreaker.

Did this last week, worked perfectly