I am a bit behind the curve in securing a tripod suitable for backpacking. Any suggestions based on experience would be appreciated.

I am initially looking at Outdoorsmans compact tripod.

Thanks for the help.

Lots of good options these days. I've been using an Outdoorsmans medium for several years with no complaints.

Got a BOG Death Grip for truck excursions/camping. Works great!

Converted the Caldwell tripod that came with the chrono for backpacking. Works great!

The outdoorsman is a great setup although I would go medium compact over compact unless you only glass sitting on pretty much level ground.

$500 !.

If I had your money...I'd burn mine.

The OP said he was looking at the Outdoorsman. Burn your money please.

Southtex
Take a look at the Sirui tripods and also the Slik. I’ve got a Slik 624CF with the outdoorsman micro pan head and it’s been awesome.

Is that California Elitist English you're speaking??

Nope! Just a personal opinion on the actual tripod that the OP was asking about and some other options for him to consider based upon actual field use of them.

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

I’ve heard some mention that they would rather pack a few extra ounces in an aluminum tripod versus a carbon unit due to the extra stability that the weight provided in less than calm conditions......thoughts?

If extremely windy take a small dry sack and fill it with rocks and hang it from the center section of the tripod. Many tripods even have a hook built into the center section. Much more stable and when your done just dump them out.

I have a promaster CF I got from Doug, very happy with it thus far.

I've used the Vortex SUMMIT SS-P ..... specs say 2 lbs, but I think it's a little heavier. I Might look into trying to lighten it up.... I don't need the extended height. All in all though, it's been solid for sitting and glassing with a Swaro ATS 80 HD ... Just got an ATM 65 HD, so will be trying that with it next.

I'd get a carbon-fiber with flip-locks from Doug. And probably the head as well. Mine is a Slik 713 CF. I would get whatever equivalent Doug/Neal recommended. Be advised I need just this height and weight rig for glassing with 15X binocs -- lesser/lighter rigs need not apply. It's not too big to backpack, and has been humped many a mile. Ultralite it is not ...

Not found any Outdoorsman item that could not be better replaced by a less pricey rig. YMMV.

Carbon fiber is not an issue with wind any moreso than with any tripod. It's easy to add weight. In heavy wind the binoc (or spotter) securement hardware is much more important.

My tripod with ball head weighs 3 lbs 13 oz and I would not want it lighter.

Don't dismiss the used market for items like this. My lightly used Outdoorsmans tripod and head system was less than $300.

Dang right -- There are several Manfrotto and similar tripods, as well as fluid heads, in or through my house. Wife finds at GoodWill and sells on the internet. Kid you not. All weights and kinds. It's amazing. This wasn't the case when I got my current Slik. Today, I would go Doug and go early ... wife has not found the exact equivalent of my Slik, usually heavier or lighter rigs.

I used a stripped down Sirui T-005X aluminum tripod- remove the lowest (thinnest) legs and a portion of the center (unscrews) center piece and end up with a pretty solid tripod that weighs under 2 lbs

I use the same tripod under a swaro 65mm. I haven’t had any issues over the last 6/7 years I’ve had it and its one of the cheapest price-wise while one of the lightest to carry. Add weight by hanging rocks from the center post as mentioned earlier.

Thanks for the input gents. I ended up with a ProMaster CF from Doug. I don’t have any real time on it yet but first impressions are good thus far.

Sirui with true four position legs

yep