Aziak Backcountry Lite Tripod & Ball Head Review (2025)

Author’s Note: The Aziak Backcountry Lite Tripod & ball head in this review have been researched and tested by me. They were provided to me in exchange for this honest and unbiased review.

When I first made the decision to add photography to my backpacking adventures, I knew that it would mean a lot more weight to carry. My base weight before I incorporated my camera gear was a little over 13 lbs. Not quite ultralight, but it was damn close. Once I added a camera, lenses, filters, and a tripod, it skyrocketed to 20 lbs. That is a massive jump, especially for an amateur landscape photographer trying to hike double-digit miles through rugged environments. Still, learning landscape photography has become one of the most rewarding aspects of my hikes. Being able to capture the Milky Way at Havasu Falls and sunsets on mountain summits has added a whole new element to my adventures. I am going to continue to carry that weight.

For most photographers, their heaviest piece of equipment is not a camera or lenses, but rather a sturdy tripod. Normally, the weight of a tripod is trivial, you would want to go for the sturdiest you can find, and the weight probably isn’t the most important aspect. Many would be willing to add ounces to ensure their gear is sufficiently sturdy. To that point, I do not necessarily disagree; however, as a backpacker & photographer who hikes hundreds of miles each year, I am always looking to go lighter on gear where it is safe to do so. Obviously, I would never get a tripod that weighed next to nothing if it wasn’t sturdy and well-built. But if I could find one that was much lighter while still getting the job done, well, that is the sweet spot.

In the spring of 2025, I was carrying around a tripod that weighed over 40 oz. It is a great tripod; it packs down small, is sturdy, and is very versatile. I love this tripod, and 40 oz is decent as far as rugged tripods go.

With all that said, I wanted to do better than decent. I was getting tired of hauling it mile after mile. I began researching the option of upgrading to a lighter one. With all the ultralight gear options available to hikers these days, there had to be a market for photographers who also hike long miles. Much to my surprise, I did not really find anything that fit that mold. Many backpackers who do photography either don’t carry tripods, carry heavy ones, or carry the tiny ones that barely get off the ground. There did not seem to be many options that fit what I was looking for.

By chance, I came across Aziak Equipment, and I saw that their hunting tripods were extremely lightweight. I was immediately intrigued. After all, hunters are often in rugged wilderness areas, and they have expensive and heavy optics and weapons. There is a lot of overlap between hunters and hikers, so I reached out to the founder, Rydell. Soon thereafter, he sent me one of his Backcountry Lite Tripods and Ball Heads to test out in exchange for this review and some photos of the tripod in use.

How I Tested

I field-tested the Backcountry Lite Tripod on over a hundred trail miles from June 2025 through October 2025. I used it in rain, heat, cold, and wind with my Sony A7Riii and multiple lenses, which included a Sony 20 mm prime and Sony 70-200 mm telephoto.

Quick Overview

In-Depth Review

Specs/Weight:

This is where the Aziak shines. A tripod and ball head weighing in at 24 oz (on my scale) is practically unheard of. As someone who tackles long-distance hikes with photography gear, it is a delicate balance between maintaining a lower base weight and still being able to carry all the necessary gear. I’m never going to be ultralight, but every ounce counts, and I save where I can. Quite simply, this tripod was a game-changer for me.

Stability:

Obviously, with as light as it is, there are going to be some tradeoffs with stability, but to my surprise, not much. I tested this thing fully extended with my heaviest setup. My photos came out tack sharp even during 30+ second exposures. Whenever I would need to walk away from my camera, I would lower the tripod to create more stability, but I would do that anyway just as a precaution. The center column also has a hook underneath to accommodate a large rock or a weighted backpack for additional stability. Its 3-section, larger-diameter carbon tubes provide greater stability compared to 4- or 5-section tripods, offering an optimal stability-to-weight ratio.

Durability:

When I’m in the wilderness, I need gear that can hold up to some punishment. The weather is often unpredictable, and there are times when I’m not the most gentle with my stuff. I put the Aziak Backcountry Lite Tripod and Ball Head through the wringer. On my 93-mile thru-hike of the Wonderland Trail, I encountered a lot of dust, I fell a few times, and I used these pieces of gear multiple times every day. I would even set my camera on the tripod in a position and leave it there overnight in the cold to capture the Milky Way. I’m pleased to say they have both held up marvelously. Despite some minor nicks and scratches, they work as well as the day I got them.

Height:

With the long center column, the height ranges from 3″ to 45″. I removed the long center column to both save weight and increase stability. With the longer column removed, the maximum height decreases to 35″. I have found that I don’t need the extra height and would rather optimize its sturdiness.

Packability:

I can say with experience that it is super annoying having to take off my pack every time I want to use a tripod. The Backcountry Lite eliminates that frustration. It collapses to a small size that fits perfectly into my Durston pack’s side pocket. It takes very little effort to remove and put back.

Simplicity:

This is probably the most overlooked aspect when considering what gear to add to your pack. While hiking, there are a million things to think about, and in my experience, the simpler the gear, the better. The Aziak tripod and ball head excel in this regard. They are simple to set up and easy to use. It took me maybe 5 minutes to learn how everything worked, and I’m an idiot. With only 2 twist locks for each leg and well-placed and easy-to-use levers, there is very little I have to consider when using it. The time saved not having to fiddle with knobs can be the difference between making or missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot.

Price:

As of October 2025, the total cost of the Aziak Backcountry Lite Tripod and Ball Head together is $379.98. It is definitely not the cheapest option out there, but with its weight, build quality, and features, it is well worth the price tag, in my opinion. You get what you pay for, and the Aziak is an exceptional product.

Last Word

The Aziak Backcountry Lite Tripod & Ball Head are excellent choices for hikers who want to add a photography element to their treks. Its ultralight performance with very minimal compromise makes this thing a unicorn in my book. Rydell and the folks at Aziak put a lot of thought and care into their products, and you can tell. They get my highest recommendation possible.

Check out the Aziak Backcountry Lite Tripod HERE and the Backcountry Lite Ball Head HERE.