Top GoPro Accessories for Traveling
- National Geographic Photo Basics: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Great Photography
- Photography: The Definitive Visual History
- Read This if You Want to Take Great Photographs
Photo by lucas Favre on Unsplash
Editor's Note: This article was written before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Obviously, travel right now is difficult, if not impossible. Let these suggestions for GoPro gear be advice for future travels. In the meantime, stay healthy and safe.
As someone who purchased the very first GoPro ages ago, the amount of GoPro accessories currently available on the market is shocking.
And as someone who travels frequently, all of my GoPro accessories for traveling are lifesavers. They ensure my more expensive photography gear isn’t stolen, while ensuring I also put out the same quality content my followers expect.
Here are my top GoPro accessories for 2020.
Camera: GoPro HERO 8 Black
There’s no point in purchasing GoPro accessories if you don’t already have a GoPro...
I need to upgrade my GoPro every couple of years to ensure my footage is as crisp as possible, and honestly, I feel like the GoPro HERO 8 is the most improved GoPro to date.
First of all, it features 4K video, which is extremely impressive for something this small.
Second, the inclusion of digital lenses allows you to vary your looks, from narrow to SuperView and points in between.
Third, Hypersmooth is now updated with a 2.0 version that does a better job of stabilizing your footage, even if you’re recording as you ride down a bumpy mountain biking trail.
Additionally, its low-light capabilities are nearly unprecedented. Of course, you get the same go-anywhere, do-anything ruggedness you expect.
Plus, it’s only $350, which is also unheard of in the photography gear industry.
Recommended Photography Reading
Light: LitraPro
When shopping for GoPro accessories, especially if you’re planning on taking them traveling, the most important thing is portability. Is this accessory going to weigh you down?
With the LitraPro, this isn’t an issue. First, the LitraPro only weighs 6oz, which is the equivalent of a hockey puck. It’s really, really tiny.
However, that doesn’t mean it can’t perform. The LitraPro lasts for up to 10 hours on a single charge, is 100% dimmable, and features 1,200 lumens. That’s enough to easily light a space of up to 10 feet.
It’s 2.8 x 2 x 1.2 inches, is drop resistant and waterproof up to 90 feet, and can mount directly to your GoPro.
Plus, I’ve used my LitraPro for everything from underwater photography to light painting to portraits and everything in between. It’s extremely versatile!
You can pick up yours for $220.
Tripod: Octopad
While the Octopad isn’t technically a tripod, it does work better than any tripod I’ve ever bought for under $30.
The Octopad, like the rest of our GoPro accessories, is incredibly lightweight at 1.6 lbs and small at 6.5” across.
You can use the Octopad as a mount for your GoPro or your lighting or your microphone because it doesn’t buckle under weight or slip on uneven surfaces due to its anti-slip technology.
When looking for travel photography accessories, you’re also looking for accessories that are cheap because the chances of getting your photography gear stolen or lost during travel is much higher.
In this case, you’ll be happy to know that the Octopad is just $27, so if someone absconds with it, you can replace it on the cheap.
Learn More:
Handheld Mount: HandlePod
While shopping for GoPro accessories, make sure you purchase a mount to keep your videography stable.
I use the HandlePod for its $35 price tag, its portability (it fits in your pocket at just 4oz!), and its lifetime warranty.
My favorite thing about the HandlePod is that it functions just like a more expensive handheld mount. It rotates 360 degrees, it doesn’t slip in your hand, and it's big enough to have a comfortable grip without being unwieldy.
Plus, it can be used as a tabletop tripod when need be, and it can be lashed to things like trees or fence posts when you’re out filming and you need to work hands-free.
GoPro Floating Grip
I’m not frequently shooting in water, but when I am, I always wish I had the necessary GoPro accessories to make that shoot as easy as possible.
The GoPro floating grip allows me to shoot in water for the low price of $30, while maintaining stability in the choppiest of waters.
It comes with a wrist strap, so you’re always sure you’re never going to lose your GoPro, and neon coloring just in case you do.
Extra Batteries
There’s no point in purchasing GoPro accessories if your actual GoPro runs out of steam.
For just $20, make sure you purchase extra GoPro batteries.
Battery Charger
Just in case you forgot to purchase your extra GoPro batteries, the GoPro Dual Battery Charger charges up to 2 GoPro batteries at once to ensure you’re always ready to shoot.
It’s only $50 and comes with a 1 year warranty. What’s not to love?
Learn More: