In the ever-crowded world of travel tripods, Falcam has thrown its hat into the ring with the TreeRoot Quick Lock Travel Tripod ($499). This sleek, feature-packed carbon-fiber tripod aims to be a high-value tripod like the Peak Design travel tripod while making your wallet cringe a bit less. (Or, alternatively, fulfill the promise of the Heipi W28, but with more class). The big question: Does it actually deliver? Let’s dig in.
What sets the TreeRoot apart?
From the moment you unbox the TreeRoot, you can tell it means business. It’s not just about looking pretty (though it does look pretty good); this tripod is packed with clever solutions to problems we’ve all run into. Falcam’s pitch is simple: compact, sturdy, and full of features. And, unlike some pricier competitors, they don’t make you feel like you’re paying for their marketing budget.
Slim, sturdy, and surprisingly versatile
Portability is king in travel tripods, and the TreeRoot nails it. Folded, it’s just 47cm and tips the scales at a manageable 1.5kg—easy to carry around without it feeling like an extra limb. The twist locks are worth a shout-out: they’re smooth, quick to use, and have hard stops to prevent accidental disassembly (we’ve all been there). No more chasing rogue shims in the middle of a shoot—thank you, Falcam. (That said, love Falcam’s approach to shims. They included a set of spares in the box. Maybe this is to offload some of their support queue, but for us users, it means not getting stuck if something does go wrong.)
Fully extended, it hits 155cm, which is plenty tall for most setups, but it also gets down to a ground-hugging 16cm for those dramatic low-angle shots. Plus, the reversible center column is an underrated MVP for macro work. It’s all the height and flexibility you need in one neat little package.
A great head
The ball head design is where the Falcam Treeroot tripod really earns its keep. It’s compact but doesn’t skimp on functionality or stability. You get a smooth panoramic rotation, a friction knob that’s actually useful, and a quick-release system that plays nice with Arca-Swiss plates (including Falcam’s own cage). As a bonus: there are no fiddly screws or awkward clamping mechanisms. It’s simple, efficient, and works exactly as you’d want.
This is a significant advantage over the Peak Design tripod where the head left a bit to be desired.
F22 integration and accessory ports
Falcam gets that photographers love accessories. The TreeRoot comes with their F22 quick-release system, letting you attach lights, monitors, or whatever else you dream up without messing with screws. Need a light for that perfect shot? Click it on. Want a monitor for BTS footage? Done. It’s like LEGO for photographers.
The legs and central column mechanism
The legs are made of M40 carbon fiber, which Falcam claims is stronger and more elastic than the typical T300. While I’m not about to throw it off a cliff to test that claim, the tripod feels solid in use. The central column has a wired inverted rouleaux triangle shape. It looks weird, but it enables the legs to fold pretty tight. I am not an engineer, but it felt very solid to me.
There’s a ballast hook that doubles as a hidden Allen key (smart!), the feet can swap to all-terrain spikes, and the included carrying case is padded and premium. It’s clear they obsessed over the little things, which is always a good sign.
but here comes the trick, the top of the central column is “quick-releas”ed into the rest of the column. This enables the tripod to go extremely low. If you are familiar with how tripods work, if you spread the legs all the way out, the central column typically hits the ground, limiting how low you can go. If you raise the column to avoid that, you are at least a column high. The ability to split the column into two parts is a very clever feature, and I am sure that both photographers and videographers will appreciate this. It is not fast to deploy but beats carrying another tripod for low shots.
What’s in the bag?
Out of the box, you get the tripod, the F38 ball head, and a nice padded case. They also throw in spare O-rings and a center column module, just in case. Everything feels thoughtfully designed to last, and if you want to customize down the line, Falcam’s modular approach makes it easy.
The pros and cons
What I love:
- Compact and lightweight without feeling flimsy.
- Twist-lock legs that are quick and intuitive.
- A truly innovative ball head and F22 accessory system.
- Carbon fiber that’s built to last.
- Reversible, removable, splitable center column for extra flexibility.
- Plays nice with Arca-Swiss plates (no proprietary nonsense).
What could be better:
- At $500, it’s not exactly a bargain, though it’s cheaper than Peak Design.
- The head can feel a bit cramped for larger setups.
- Slight flex when heavily loaded, but it recovers well.
Final thoughts
The Falcam TreeRoot Quick Lock Travel Tripod isn’t just another tripod; it’s a statement. It’s compact, clever, and surprisingly robust. For $100 less than Peak Design, you’re getting a lot of the same features—plus a few that are even better.
Sure, it’s not the cheapest tripod on the market, but for what you’re getting, it’s worth every penny. If you’ve been burned by flimsy tripods or frustrated by clunky designs, this is the tripod that might just restore your faith. It’s a win for photographers who want portability without compromise.
