Many photographers are familiar with monopods, which are just tripods but with just one pole, instead of the three of a tripod. They’re a great portable option when you need some stability for your camera shots but you also need to keep moving. And if you are a hiker, backpacker or camper it’s easy to see how a monopod could do double duty as a trekking pole as well. And in fact a trekking pole monopod combination is not that difficult to find,.
Trekking Pole Monopod
What to look for when you want a trekking pole monopod.- Threads – Different monopods may have different threads or systems for attaching a camera. Just be sure, before you buy, that the trekking pole monopod you are looking at has an attachment system that is compatible with your camera, otherwise all you will have is a fancy and expensive trekking pole.
- Weight – You are going to be using your monopod to take photos, but you are also going to be using it as a trekking pole, and a heavy trekking pole is not much fun to have to lug around. Which is why it’s a good idea to look closely at the weight of your trekking pole monopod, and compare weights with others.
Best Trekking Pole Monopod
There aren't too many, but here are some of the best trekking pole monopods.- Leki Sierra Antishock SLS Staff - First up, a great trekking pole monopod from Leki. It looks, to all appearances, like your average hiking staff, but screwing off the wooden top knob reveals a camera mount that allows you to use the trekking pole just like a monopod. Beyond that it's a three section pole that will telescope to a wide range of heights, and has some anti-shock built in too, as the name suggests.
- Brunton Monopod - This offering from Brunton looks less like a trekking pole and more like a monopod, though it's perfectly suited to either. It uses standard 1/4 20 threads for the camera mount, and will telescope between 25.5 inches and 62.5 inches in length, so suitable for pretty much any height.
- Komperdell Guide Titanal Trekking Pole - The Titanal is just about indistinguishable from your average trekking pole. But by detaching the foam grip a universal camera mount is revealed that will instantly turn the trekking pole in to a monopod, ideal for stabilizing a camera shot. But it also functions extremely well as a trekking pole, with high density aluminum for the shaft and a tungsten and carbide tip for maximum durability.
