What is the best travel tripod for Sony mirrorless setups?

I would suggest being cautious with anything too thin for those Icelandic winds. You might want to consider these more stable alternatives for your Sony setup:

• Sirui AM-254 Professional Carbon Fiber Tripod
• Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod The Sirui lacks a center column which helps stability during long exposures tho. Make sure to prioritize reliability over weight so your gear dont end up in a river.

Just a quick thought since you mentioned the a7IV... be really careful with those skinny travel legs. The specs usually lie about real-world stability in high wind. I would suggest looking at the Feisol Tournament CT-3442 Rapid 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod. It doesnt have a center column by default, which keeps it much stiffer for long exposures, and it only weighs about 2.3 pounds. You might want to consider pairing it with a separate head like the Leofoto LH-40 Low Profile Ball Head to keep the center of gravity low. If that setup feels too DIY, the Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber Two Series Travel Tripod with VX25 Ball Head is a great middle ground. It has 25.2mm top tubes which is basically the bare minimum Id trust with a 24-70mm GM II in Iceland. Just watch out for the twist locks—sand from the black beaches will kill them if you dont clean them daily. Tbh the extra weight is worth the peace of mind when youre standing in front of Skogafoss.

Unfortunately, many travel tripods marketed right now are honestly pretty disappointing once you get them into the field. I had high hopes for the Peak Design Travel Tripod Carbon Fiber given the hype, but I had issues with leg vibrations during long exposures. Its just too thin for an a7IV with a heavy lens like the 24-70mm GM II. I also tried the Ulanzi Zero Y Lightweight Travel Tripod and it was not as good as expected for rugged hikes... the locks felt gritty after just a bit of sand and spray, which is a huge red flag for an Iceland trip. If you want real stability for under 500 bucks, look at the Leofoto LS-284C Ranger Series Carbon Fiber Tripod. It lacks a center column, which is actually a massive benefit because it removes the main point of failure in high winds. I switched to this after getting frustrated with wobbles on my older gear. Its methodical in its design and feels much more professional than those trendy lifestyle tripods. I pair mine with the Leofoto LH-30 Low Profile Ball Head to keep the center of gravity low. It weighs about 3.1 lbs and handles the weight of a full-frame mirrorless without drifting. It might not be as slim in your bag as the PD, but honestly, your photos will actually be sharp when the wind picks up near those waterfalls. Ngl, those thin carbon legs on the more expensive brands just dont cut it in real weather.

This thread is gold. Bookmarking for future reference 🔖

I've been through a dozen tripods and honestly, most travel ones are garbage in real wind. Iceland is gonna eat those skinny legs for breakfast. If you want something that actually holds an a7IV still near a waterfall, you need to ditch the center column entirely. It's the only way to stay stable without carrying a ten pound beast.

• Benro Tortoise 24C Carbon Fiber Tripod
• This is my top pick for stability under 500. It doesn't have a center column so it's way more rigid than the thin stuff. It fits better in a side pocket too since it's not a big circle when folded.
• Sirui AM-254 Carbon Fiber Tripod with K-20X Ball Head
• This one is surprisingly beefy for the price. It's a bit heavier than the ultra-light ones but it wont vibrate like a tuning fork when the wind picks up. The thin carbon fiber legs everyone raves about are usually too flimsy for long exposures. Stick to the Benro tho. It's the best middle ground for your back and your long exposures...