Oben CT-3535 Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod Review: Is It The Best Lightweight Tripod for Travelers?

Oben CT-3535 Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod Review: Is It The Best Lightweight Tripod for Travelers? If you’re a traveler who loves to capture breathtaking views or get that perfect shot during your adventures, you know the struggle of lugging around a heavy tripod. The last thing you want while trekking through beautiful mountains or wandering around cobblestone streets is a heavy, bulky tripod that feels like a mini workout in your backpack. Enter the Oben CT-3535 Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod—a lightweight, compact tripod that promises to make your traveling experience much more enjoyable. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive in and see if it’s the holy grail of travel tripods, or just another overpriced piece of tech gear. What’s All the Fuss About? The Oben CT-3535 is a carbon fiber tripod, which already gives it a leg up in the lightweight department (pun intended). Carbon fiber is known for being strong and durable without the weight, making it ideal for travelers who want to pack light without sacrificing stability. But of course, it’s not all about the material; it’s about how well it performs in the real world. Design and Build Quality One of the first things you’ll notice about the Oben CT-3535 is its sleek, minimalist design. It looks like something a professional photographer would pull out of their bag, and you’ll probably feel like one just by owning it. It’s sturdy but not heavy, weighing in at only 3.2 pounds (1.45 kg)—which is honestly lighter than your carry-on luggage. Goodbye, back pain. The legs are made from carbon fiber, which is both light and durable, and they feature a twist-lock mechanism that’s simple to use, even if you have butter fingers from eating too many snacks. Speaking of snacks, there’s even a handy hook at the bottom of the center column where you can hang your bag or extra weight to increase stability in windy conditions. I’ve had trips where a tripod with a flimsy build almost toppled over in gusty winds, so this little feature earns a thumbs up from me. Stability and Performance Here’s the big question: does it actually hold up under pressure? Yes, yes, and yes! The Oben CT-3535 is remarkably stable. Whether you're setting up for a time-lapse or trying to get that perfect long exposure shot on a cliffside (no, not literally on the cliffside, let’s not tempt fate), this tripod will stay firm. The legs can be spread out to a wide stance, and the center column can be reversed for low-angle shots. You can easily adjust it to the height you need, whether you're capturing an epic sunset or your morning coffee. But if you’re hoping for something that will hold an extra-heavy DSLR and lens setup, you might need to look elsewhere. While it can hold around 17.6 pounds (8 kg), it’s not designed to carry the kitchen sink. If you’re the type to lug around a camera rig that’s heavier than a small child, this might not be the one for you. Portability Now, here’s where this tripod really shines. The Oben CT-3535 is incredibly compact when collapsed. It’s only about 16 inches (40 cm) in length, which means it will fit in most travel backpacks without causing any awkward bulges (unlike your attempts to stuff too many snacks in your bag). So, if you’re always on the move and need a tripod that doesn’t scream “I’m a photographer,” this is the one. It’s like the stealthy ninja of tripods—it does its job without drawing attention.