We purchased the Vanguard VEO Tripod 265AB so that our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and review it. Read on for our full product review.

The Vanguard VEO 265AB is the little brother to the full-sized, pro version of the 263AB. It shares many of the same design touches, controls, and material choices. Since it’s a travel tripod, it prioritizes weight and portability over sturdiness and build quality. As a result, it might not be the best choice for your main studio tripod, even though it is surprisingly durable and substantial for its size. We used it on a number of shoots around our hometown of New York and found it to be one of the best travel tripods we’ve tested.

In keeping with the rest of Vanguard’s product line (which includes things like hunting gear, binoculars, and hiking gear), the Vanguard VEO tripods are very sporty. They’re constructed largely from black aluminum with a few nice silver accents and a few flashy orange accents.

There’s actually more orange on the tripod than on some of the larger ones, which is probably intentional: a more vibrant color scheme suits the mobile use this travel tripod is primarily aimed at. Since Vanguard builds all of its products with the same style, the 265AB looks like a shrunken version of the larger one. You’ll notice some smaller components, like the 1.5-inch barrel that holds the rotating ball head, and legs that are only about an inch thick. It’s a sleek, clean look that serves its purpose well.