Looking for Travel Tripod Love: Sirui vs Leofoto vs Aoka

After a heartbreaking disaster with my ex hiking tripod the Joby Gorillapod, I meet 3 new travel tripods in the hopes of finding the best travel tripod for backpacking and/or hiking!
Small size and lightweight were paramount when it came to narrowing down the field of ideal hiking tripods; the contenders are the Aoka CMP163CL, the Leofoto LS-225C and the Sirui AM-225.
The latter two are so similar I just had to meet them in person, even believing they were made in the same place. Turns out, the factories are in the same city in China, but the tripods are manufactured by different parent companies.
So which travel tripod will win my heart? Let's find out!
Check out these travel tripods for yourself (affiliate links)
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Sirui AM-225: amzn.to/3LAbQNW
Leofoto LS-225C: amzn.to/3Sf39L6
AOKA mini-tripod CMP163CL: amzn.to/3QWOaUJ
Timestamps!
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00:00 The Joby Gorillapod Heartbreak
00:41 The Contestants
02:17 Leofoto LS-225C impressions
03:00 AOKA CMP163CL impressions
03:41 Sirui AM-225 impressions
04:40 Tripod Weights
05:05 Sirui/Leofoto stability
05:49 The First Elimination
06:36 The Final Two Tripods
07:58 The Winner
09:16 Feedback?
My favourite gear
(affiliate links)
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Cameras
Sony a7c: amzn.to/3S0qJLR
Sony a6400: amzn.to/3duxgiD
Sony a6000: amzn.to/3DYTKDx
Full Frame Lenses
Sony 20mm f1.8 G: amzn.to/3duxrdN
Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 DG DN: amzn.to/3SiHSjq
Rokinon 35mm f1.8: amzn.to/3BYiNVF
Rokinon 75mm f1.8: amzn.to/3BT3Kvp
APSC Lenses
Sigma 18-50mm f2.8: amzn.to/3DEIGej
Sony 18-135mm: amzn.to/3BATs2M
Sigma 16mm f1.4 for Sony e-mount: amzn.to/3S2Mj2d
Sigma 30mm f1.4 for Sony e-mount: amzn.to/3f8SIKH
Microphones
Rode Videomic Go II: amzn.to/3xFvq5o
Smartphone
Google Pixel 6: amzn.to/3DIFQ8m
Travel Tripod
Sirui AM-225: amzn.to/3LAbQNW
Camera Bag
Shimoda Explore v2 25L: amzn.to/3qVVd5F
Camera Accessories
Peak Design capture clip: amzn.to/3BwIco8
Memory Cards
Sony Tough 64GB UHS-II: amzn.to/3xGx4Uk
Sandisk Extreme Pro UHS-I: amzn.to/3xG3s9O
Powerbank
Anker PowerCore 10000: amzn.to/3R2kd5J
Wireless earbuds
Google Pixel Buds A-Series: amzn.to/3UqHQbc
Full disclosure: these are Amazon affiliate links. Buying from here costs you nothing, but helps me continue to make videos like these... your support is greatly appreciated!
#Tripods #Leofoto #Sirui #Aoka #Travel #MiniTripods #Lightweight #Small

[@brgphotography]

This is a really clever way to do a review video. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else do this kind of interview style review. Very cleaver. Nice work!!!

[@andreas1701d]

Hey thanks for watching! It was fun to make so I'm glad at least some people have enjoyed it 🙂

[@youknowitstrue3403]

I’m 4 years into my leofoto 324 cex as a landscape photographer. That said it’s been in rivers, rocky deserts, mud, you name it. I have NEVER cleaned it and it works like a champ to this day. So while your assessment of less substantial joint shims may be your reason for not choosing it, I assure you it’s beyond adequate. Another note is that I have not experienced the grainy joint twist you mentioned on any of my 3 leofoto tripods. I too considered the suri in other past tripod purchases.

[@andreas1701d]

hey thanks for watching! That's fair; it's very possible my copy was defective in some way and that's why it didn't inspire as much confidence as the Sirui. I've seen many reviews where people were super happy with their Leofoto. It was very, very close in the end and my reasons for choosing the Sirui were really nitpicky, admittedly 😂

[@georgedavall9449]

Either this Guy is smokin some good stuff, and/ or he got a bad copy of the Leofoto. I’m with You, and I would say without hesitation, Leofoto tops Sirui ( Sue- Ray) I’m not familiar with the other brand. I’ve owned Sirui tripods and monopods, and their shims are INFERIOR to Leo! It took me 45 minutes to get my Carbon fiber Sirui back together once. I used to be a big Sirui fan, but no longer. Peace and appreciate your comment

[@garyrowe58]

God that was heart-wrenching about Joby ... I'm sorry for your loss.

[@andreas1701d]

It was a sad day for all... Thanks for watching!

[@pblogic007]

Fun video format. Really enjoyed it.

[@andreas1701d]

Hey thanks for watching! Glad it was entertaining

[@mikewilson9601]

I have a Sirui ST-124. It really is a superb piece of kit. Excellent working hight without needing the centre column. Super light but very rigid, folds up quite small, very portable. All in all, great tripod, excellent quality, as all Sirui products are. (I also have 2 Sirui monopods, one with feet which is amazing.) My ST-124 was £230. Absolute bargain.

[@brgphotography]

I just figured out your were doing a bachelor parody. Ever more clever! You should do a lot more of these kind of videos!

[@andreas1701d]

That also tells me I should lean into the parody more and make it more obvious, lol.

[@poppacapnurass2608]

Vid is a thumbs down for me Yes, it's an interesting review method, which has an appeal of a strike out comp on reality TV. However it discounts a lot of user needs and functions. How was the Aoka without the extension? Was it OK indoors, but not so great outdoors?

[@andreas1701d]

Hey thanks for watching... It's not everyone's cup of tea, I get that. I had fun with it though. It was never meant to be a comprehensive review. Just how it felt trying them out.

[@bigallee3]

🤣 thanks for the video. I bought a Joby for my point and shoot years ago but I never liked it. What’s annoying is that you could never get the legs straight because there are just too many pieces! I also have an old Sirui T-025x. It is super light and fits inside my bag. Great for traveling but it is not the most steady (the last leg section is not that stiff due to it being super thin). I saw an interesting new tripod from Ulanzi x Coman. I think it is the Zero XY. It is very similar to the Peak Design. You should check it out if you are still looking.

[@andreas1701d]

Hey thanks for watching! For now the sirui does the job... But yes I saw that ulanzi... Looks like a great budget alternative to the peak design

[@georgedavall9449]

I appreciate you trying to be fair and objective, but having owned both Sirui tripods and monopods, and now Leofoto, I have to call you out Sir. Leofoto simply outclasses Sirui. Not saying Sirui is bad choice, just that Leofoto is better. My first Leofoto purchase was a $69.00 Carbon fiber Monopod from B&H. Thought it would be a ‘cheap’ way to check it the brand? That little stick is stiffer than my ROBUS, and my big Sirui Monopod, which I DO like. So I ordered up a couple of Leofoto legs, and with the ball heads as a package, and am even more impressed. The fit and finish and packaging and attention to detail are really good. Twist locks are butter smooth ( You must have had a bad copy! ) and they lock down tight, little to no flex. And Leofoto USA are now based out of Louisiana, and I have received excellent Customer Support. Of course, YMMV Good review, I try and be fair but objective and realistic in my comments. Stay safe and Happy Shooting!

[@andreas1701d]

Hey thanks for watching! In fact, this was anything but an objective choice. I liked the leofoto, I just preferred the sirui. I totally could see how someone would prefer the opposite though. Could be down to QC as well; maybe I just got a bad leofoto and good sirui.

[@knowyouryoga]

Hello is leofoto ls 364c a good choice for wildlife videography

[@andreas1701d]

Hey thanks for watching! The Leofoto will provide exceptional stability if you don't mind the size & weight. But for serious wildlife with large, heavy telephoto lenses which are typically obscenely expensive, I'd invest in a brand with more of a track record personally.

[@knowyouryoga]

@@andreas1701d Thanks a lot for your reply. Would you recommend something for me in about 500$

[@andreas1701d]

If I could justify spending more than I did on a tripod, my brand of choice would be either 3 legged thing in that price range. Love their products. Which model really depends on the features you'll need.

[@georgedavall9449]

YES! Their Ranger sticks with 32 mm legs are already fairly stiff, and 36mm is even better. I have an LS-364C with the 40 ball head, and have had a gripped DSLR with Sigma 50-100 f/1.8 and it don't move! That lens, btw, is heavier than a typical 70-200 f/2.8! I plan on using it with a gimbal, and a 150-600 lens, without hesitation. Peace

[@unlvqasl]

You talk about not liking what a tripod looks like. A tripod is just another took just like a hammer. When you buy a hammer do you worry about what your new hammer looks like or just about how well you can hit things with it.

[@andreas1701d]

A product's appeal varies from person to person. Some people attribute greater value to design & feel than others. Like your hammer example, decent quality tripods all accomplish their primary function reasonably well. Given that, their secondary attributes enter the discussion: materials, feel, and yes, aesthetics.