Saw this thread and just had to jump in because I went through the exact same struggle last winter! > The Manfrotto Befree looks okay but reviews say the legs slip in the mud. Ugh, I feel that so much! I actually had a Befree fail on me while I was shooting near Silver Falls... the locks just couldnt handle the moisture and it started sliding down mid-shot. Total nightmare! If youre hiking around Oregon, you seriously need something that handles the wet stuff without complaining. I swapped over to the Sirui ST-124 Waterproof Carbon Fiber Tripod about a year ago and honestly, it is an absolute beast for the price! Its got these specialized seals on the leg locks that keep the mud and grit out, which is a lifesaver when you're trekking through the woods or sitting in a marsh waiting for birds. I use it with my G9II and a heavy zoom, and the stability is just fantastic for those long bursts. It doesnt have that annoying vibration you get with the thinner travel tripods. It usually retails for way under your $350 budget too, which is awesome because you can put the savings toward a solid head like the Sirui K-20X Ball Head. I've dragged mine through sand, rain, and thick mud and it still feels brand new. You're gonna love how sturdy it feels compared to those flimsy travel ones, and it wont break your back on the trail either!

Unfortunately most of these trendy travel tripods are just not as good as expected once you mount a G9II and that 100-400mm. I have had issues with major vibration because most brands use 22mm or 25mm top leg sections which are just too thin for high-res wildlife bursts. To add to the point above: you can get much better specs for under $350 if you skip the big names and look at brands that prioritize tube diameter over marketing.

• Leofoto LS-324C Ranger Series Carbon Fiber Tripod
• Sirui W-2204 Waterproof Carbon Fiber Tripod The Leofoto has 32mm tubes and no center column, which is technically way more stable for long lens work. The Sirui is basically mandatory for Oregon since the leg locks have internal gaskets to stop grit and water from ruining the threads. Both are gonna be way sturdier than that Manfrotto mess and usually cost around $300. Dont waste your money on anything with thin legs or youll just be buying a replacement in six months anyway.

Honestly, you're totally right to worry about the Peak Design one. Its a sleek piece of gear but sticking a 100-400mm on it... ngl it's gonna wobble like crazy, especially if you're dealing with any wind while trying to track a bird. If youre hiking around Oregon, you need something that handles wet mud and grit without the legs seizing up or slipping. I've been using the Benro Mach3 2 Series Carbon Fiber Tripod TMA28C for a while now and it's basically a tank for the price. It fits right in your budget and feels way more stable than those ultra-slim travel tripods. Here is why I think it works better for your setup:

• Leg diameter: You want at least 25-28mm for the top sections. Thinner legs always mean more vibration during those long bursts.
• Weather sealing: The twist locks on Benro gear are pretty decent at keeping out the Oregon gunk compared to cheaper flip locks.
• No center column: If you look at something like the Sirui AM-284 Carbon Fiber Tripod with K-20X Ball Head, it lacks a center column which actually makes it much sturdier because there's less flex. The G9II is a bit of a powerhouse but that 100-400mm lens creates a lot of leverage. Dont cheap out on the head either... a creeping ball head is the absolute worst when you finally find a clear shot. Stay dry out there!