tripod leg pads/protectors

I got a used Gitzo GT3541XLS with a RRS 55 head on it from a friend for a good price. My current tripod has foam on one leg, but I'm thinking I'll do all three on this one and do the other two on the other tripod. I've seen videos/writeups on DIY, and found plenty of aftermarket ones for sale, but am curious as to what most of you have done. Camo? Thick or thin padding? How long does it last?

I use black foam pipe insulation, wrapped in three places with black Gorilla tape (because it looks better than regular silver duck tape.) It's held up surprisingly well for about three years now, and does the job.

LensCoat.

tomj wrote in post #18630042
I use black foam pipe insulation, wrapped in three places with black Gorilla tape (because it looks better than regular silver duck tape.) It's held up surprisingly well for about three years now, and does the job.

I use this as well. I just realized mine is over 10 years old... and it is time to replace the electrical tape. The pads have chew marks from my cat, who passed away in 2011. It is kind of ugly but I don't mind people thinking my stuff isn't worth much.

Also, this padding is fairly thick, about the same size as a BMX bike pad. It is a good size to grip when walking.

peter_n wrote in post #18630084
LensCoat.

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forum: Tripods, Monopods & Other Camera Support

Thanks, those look thicker than I expected them to be.

I'm going to look into pipe insulation to start, I think. I like that some people have wrapped them with athletic grip tape. I'm wondering how some bike handlebar tape might work as a cover too. Cheap enough to test, I reckon. Then I can buy a set if that doesn't work, right?

I'd use a non-adhesive athletic tape first, then insulation foam, then cover it up with a Gorilla "Camo" tape. Or, if you don't care for the Gorilla "Camo" tape's design and look, just use any camo self-adhesive tape that you can get cheaply from Amazon. They carry a variety of camo designs.

When I purchased a set of LensCoat covers for my Gitzo traveler tripod, it was pretty much insulation foam with a thin camo cloth over it and held together by velcro. Way over priced for what you can easily do it yourself and even better with the above method I just described.

Firstly happy new Tripod and Head! Nice setup

I am a Gitzo user and have no leggings/socks etc on any of my tripods - never found a use for them. I can't think of a use for them either, perhaps if it gets VERY cold where you live?

RMyers wrote in post #18630274
Thanks, those look thicker than I expected them to be.

The top leg section on my TVC-24 is 32.8mm in diameter, more or less the same as a Gitzo 3-series. So the leg is not exactly thin(ish) like the travel tripod above it. Also the tripod has a small apex and so the folded legs are very close together. Yes the wraps are thick, but they hardly move at all and they are durable. Also they're not cheap but you do get what you pay for with LensCoat.

I'm curious about the tripod that has padding on one leg. That's because it breaks down to a monopod, and the padding is where your hand would grip it, right?

Of course, if you're handy with a sewing machine you could make your own covers. They're not that hard to make. And you can find just about any kind of print in a durable material.

Benro typically have 1 pad on tripods that don't break down to monopod.

What is the purpose of the padding? Protect the tripod or protect you? If you, protect from cold or protect from carrying?

sawsedge wrote in post #18630089
I use this as well. I just realized mine is over 10 years old... and it is time to replace the electrical tape.

Give Super Glue E-Z fuse tape a try. The bond is permanent so the end of the tape doesn't tend to unravel. After wrapping, it fuses to itself in a few minutes although they don't recommend you use the wrapped "item" for a day. Home Depot carries it.

Thanks John, I'll take a look at this.

"What is the purpose of the padding? Protect the tripod or protect you? If you, protect from cold or protect from carrying?"

Comfort for you, mainly. While cold isn't really a big problem with carbon fiber, my tripod is metal, very cold in winter weather, and the padding makes a huge difference. Also, I tend to carry it over my shoulder, and the padding makes that a lot more comfortable.