Sure, if you’re a professional photographer you need to carry a whole suitcase full of gear, including a big tripod.
If you’re only going to use a tripod every once in a while though, the best bet is to carry one of the compact and light ones that will be easy to stuff into a bag or backpack. Here are four that I have tried out on various trips and can recommend.
The Digipower TP S010 is about as simple as you can get: just three flexible arms and a screw on the top that goes into pretty much any digital camera on the market. (Unlike with the power connectors, this is standardized.) This tripod is super-lightweight and dead easy to use. I like it because it’s easy to get the angle right on your camera, no matter what kind of surface the arms sit on. It’s cheap too, listing for $6.99 and just a shade over $6 at Amazon. The Sunpak version of this (pictured to the right) is even smaller and cheaper, going for $1.95 and often given away as a freebie in camera pack purchases.
The Joby GorillaPod has more gripping power and looks like something from another planet. The nubs help it grab onto poles and the like and you can easily wrap the legs around each other. It’s a shade bulkier as a result though, and lists for more than $20 for the smallest version.
I bought a Pedco Ultrapod II before my first trip around the world a decade and a half ago. 
I am on my second one now after the first one got stepped on along the way. It’s not quite as compact as the Digipower style, but close. It’s just as light, but is more sturdy. The top screws into the base of a camera and then there’s a ball mechanism that can be tightened. So the flexibility is in the head rather than the legs. It also comes with a velcro strap attached in case you need to wrap it around a pole or hang it from a tree limb. It works well in a variety of situations.
The Trek-Tech T’pod is a big step up in quality and stability, but that also means more weight. This is best for a pro traveling light or a serious amatuer who needs something with more heft. It feels well-made, strong, and built to last a lifetime. It’s not cheap at $80, but it’s a fair price. (See a full review of the T-pod here.)
#1 by Matt - October 14th, 2009 at 17:51
I have one of the Manfrotto ModoPocket tripods, and it’s the smallest option I’ve seen. It won’t wrap around branches and things like the GorillaPod, but for relatively flat surfaces it works fine and adds almost no extra space to the camera–I just leave it on my camera all the time.
#2 by Olivia - March 14th, 2011 at 00:58
I have the Digipower tripod and I love it! It fits right in my purse, so it comes in handy all the time. Even with a digicam or my DSLR, I can just whip it out whenever necessary.
#3 by David - June 7th, 2011 at 08:14
My wife and I have a feisty little boy in tow all the time. Looks like this little tripod will be perfect to catch those priceless moments together. Thanks, Tim!
#4 by Alex - July 3rd, 2011 at 11:16
Great idea! I hate how we have only a handful of photos together as a family. Mostly, it’s just me and our sone, or my wife and our son. Having a mini tripod tucked in somewhere in our pockets or bags can really be quite handy. Thanks for this tip, Tim!
#5 by Rachel - July 22nd, 2011 at 08:16
My husband has one, actually. We call it “mini me” — my large tripod’s “mini me.” We both bring our tripods along whenever we travel and both always come in handy in various situations and circumstances.
#6 by Sandra - July 26th, 2011 at 11:41
My mini tripod has been a lifesaver a couple of times. When you are in a situation when whipping out a large tripod is just plain uncalled for, or geeky (!), then a mini tripod can perform the job best.
#7 by Morgan - September 8th, 2011 at 12:50
Sturdy mini tripods work great in instances wherein one is always on the go (for instance, at weddings, kiddie parties or family gatherings). This way, even the photographer gets to be in the shot too every once in a while. ;)