Padded Tripod Bag

[Joerg Rockenberger]

I have the Gitzo 3541XLS tripod legs and as convenient it is to be able to bring it to eye-height during use it's a beast to transport in your luggage. So, I am wondering if anyone has any feedback on the Gitzo tripod bag GC-3100 or other bags which fit that tripod. Specifically, I'd like to know if it's sufficientely protected such that you'd trust checking in the tripod bag on flights.

Thanks, JR

[Craig Markham]

For others that haven't yet committed to an XLS, collapsed length and weight are exactly why I use the 3541LS. At a collapsed length of 21.7" it fits my 25" roll-on checked luggage with room for a mounted ball head, if desired (compared to 27.6" and half a pound more for the XLS). I'm only 5'8", so the tripod height works fine for me. If you're over 6', the XLS may be a necessary compromise, but as you point out, it's not going to fit a 25" suitcase (packing it diagonally is not practical).

For air travel, I minimize dead air in the suitcase by rolling up a shirt and pants and inserting them end-to-end between the legs of the tripod inside its unpadded Tamrac carrier case (extra padding takes up a lot of space too). That's also one less piece of checked luggage to worry about. With Gitzo, I stick to the bare basics (tripod only), and then look elsewhere for comparable accessories that don't need the spendy Gitzo logo to be just as functional, even if less chic.

So far I've avoided the need for a checkable tripod case, so I must defer to others on that.

[Rocky Sharwell]

I have the Gitzo 3541XLS tripod legs and as convenient it is to be able to bring it to eye-height during use it's a beast to transport in your luggage. So, I am wondering if anyone has any feedback on the Gitzo tripod bag GC-3100 or other bags which fit that tripod. Specifically, I'd like to know if it's sufficientely protected such that you'd trust checking in the tripod bag on flights.

Thanks, JR

I have never used a tripod bag and have flown thousands of miles with two separate CF tripods. I have an older Gitzo 1549 and the 3530XLS (or whatever Artie uses) I just pack clothes around them in my duffle bags...

[Joerg Rockenberger]

Well, thanks for your input but this is not really addressing my question. If I am going on a 3-day weekend trip via plane I'd rather not bring my large duffel bag just to carry the tripod. And yes, there are good reasons why I went with the XLS instead of the LS...

I'd appreciate if someone who's actually using tripod bags for check-in could respond with recommendations. Doesn't have to be Gitzo's...

Thanks. JR