You Don't Need a Studio in Your Backpack

We all know them: "I'm just going on a day hike" people who magically have an installed GoPro that rivals a Hollywood production—gimbals, sliders, multiple microphones, lighting setups, and more mounts than some aisle of a hardware store. They spend more time setting up than they do hiking. One has to give it to them for preparation.

But let's be honest—when halfway up a mountain or bouncing in a kayak, simplicity is everything. You are not only battling gravity or currents; sometimes, you have to battle fatigue, limited spaces, and more: the real goal of capturing the moment without missing it.

This blog is dedicated to nimble creators, for those who want to take amazing videos without having to schlep a suitcase full of gear. We're going to show you how to strip down to the essentials, build up a small, versatile GoPro kit, and still come back with jaw-dropping content. 🎥🌍

The Lightweight Mindset: What Do You Actually Need?

Before you even start packing, ask yourself: Where am I really going to film this, and what kind of footage is it going to be?

Use Case Breakdown:

• Day Hike: You'll want quick spontaneous clips. A flexible mount and two charged batteries may be all you need.

• Beach Day: Sand, saltwater, and splashy friends. Prioritize waterproof gear and something floaty.

• Music Festival or Urban Adventure: Portability and discretion matter. Skip the tripod—go with clip mounts.

• Camping Road Trip: Versatility is king. Gear that will adapt to changing light and weather.

Fewer Gears Mean More Creativity

Freeing up your hands, mind, and energy space is freedom. Packing light is not deprivation or under-equipment—it's smart equipment for the moment.

Restricting options usually leads to more creative framing, angles, and storyboarding.

Category Inclusion Criteria for Gear:

• Increased utility (like a tripod/selfie stick)

• Minified (fits into jacket or hydration pack)

• Durability (rain, mud, festival beer-proof)

A funny thing happened one day: There was a guy on a very long hillside trail. He had three different camera rings with him, and by mile 3, he had them all strapped to his backpack. He got individualized aerial shoots with each rig. He shot exactly zero clips because he was too tired to care.

Energy Essentials: Don't Bulk Up the Power

Nothing cuts the vog of adventure more than GoPro battery death in the middle of an adventure—especially right when your buddy does a backflip off a cliff.

Battery Strategy

• Carry two or three spare GoPro batteries, all fully charged before you head out.

• Number them with tape or marker (1, 2, 3) to rotate them.

Charging Options

Compact Multi-Battery Charger Hub

Don’t bother with a bulky single-wall charger; go for a triple-slot charger that fits in your pouch and recharges fast.

Pro Tip: Battery Mate's charging docks allow high-speed charging of up to three GoPro batteries at once—perfect for maximizing the efficiency of your recharging station and removing wasted pack space.

Slim USB-C Power Bank

Something like a 10,000mAh version—slim and reliable. Make sure it has pass-through charging—you can juice your GoPro while charging the power bank overnight.

Mini Solar Panel Charger (Optional)

These babies literally save lives when going off-grid. Clip it to your backpack during the day, then top it off with power at night.

Real-life mishap: One hiker charged all three batteries, packed them... and forgot to pack the charger. Halfway into the trip, he was using his GoPro as a paperweight.

One Tripod to Rule Them All: Smart Creator Tips for Doing More with Less

Mounts are usually the bulkiest and least-used piece of gear in a creator’s arsenal. It’s common for creators to pack an entire zoo of single-purpose mounts, then end up holding the camera in their hand anyway because they can’t make a decision.

The smarter solution?
Pick one tripod that does the job of multiple mounts to free up space, weight, and brain power.

These are the best tripods and creator kits from BatteryMate, all designed to help you shoot both video and photo content using one small, flexible tripod instead of multiple mounts.

04LM Vlogging Kit: The Complete Creator’s Mount Replacement

If you don’t want to carry different mounts for lights, microphones and cameras separately, get a vlogging kit that does it all for you in a compact, portable package:

Tripod: Replace bulky tripods, helmet mounts, and clip mounts with a gorilla-style flexible tripod.
Fill light: Built-in, built to last, no need to carry an extra light rig.
Audio: Shotgun microphone so you can get rid of separate audio rigs.

Reasons creators love the 04LM Vlogging Kit:

• Tripod replaces three mounts, freeing up space in your bag.
• Flexible tripod is perfect for selfies, livestreaming, product shots, and interviews.
• Works with smartphones or cameras.
• Small, simple, and fast to set up.

“I used to bring six different mounts with me to a music festival. Now I’ve got one tripod that does all that (and more) and it’s much better.”

Flexible Octopus Tripod: The Creator’s All-Terrain Mount

The Flexible Octopus Tripod is best when you need to:

• Wrap your camera around tree branches, fences, bike handlebars, rocks, etc.

• Replace multiple clip mounts and helmet mounts with one versatile, bendy, lightweight tripod.

• Shoot on uneven ground to get unique, creative angles.

Reasons you’ll love the Flexible Octopus Tripod:

• The most versatile tripod – can replace clip mounts, helmet mounts, regular tripods, and many more.
• Compatible with all mount types: GoPro, DSLR, smartphones, etc.
• Compact and ultra-light.
• Professional Camera Tripod: The Creator’s Choice for Stability

When maximum stability and professional results are what you need, the Professional Camera Tripod is the answer.

The Professional Camera Tripod can replace multiple mounts for:

• Long-exposure or professional photography.

• Steady video interviews.

• Event coverage or studio work.

Reasons you’ll love the Professional Camera Tripod:

• Solid build to support heavier cameras and DSLRs.
• Height and angle adjustable.
• Works just as well with phones as pro cameras.

Why Smart Creators Prefer One Versatile Tripod

Benefits of one tripod:
Less weight to carry.
Fewer decisions to make.
Faster setup time.
More creative freedom.

Instead of carrying around a bunch of mediocre tripods, single-purpose mounts, and other bulky gear, replace them all with one high-quality, multi-purpose tripod that can do it all.

Instead of wasting time on having to choose between six different mounts, you can get on with creating better content.

Storage & Protection (Without the Clutter)

The goal is not less gear—it’s smarter gear.

Minimalist Storage Suggestions:

• Hard-Shell Case or Padded Pouch: Keep your kit protected without bulk. Find something small enough for your daypack like a backpack or waist bag, with dividers to prevent knock damage.

• Microfiber Pouches for Accessories: Batteries, memory cards, and mounts live safely in these. Bonus: they double as lens wipes.

• Straps for Cables: Nothing is more annoying than untangling cable spaghetti mid-hike. Velcro them before you toss them in your pouch.

👻 True story: One hiker's jumble of unorganized cables got caught in a tree bur on a trail. He spent 20 minutes detangling it like a bird's nest while his group filmed his misery.

Packing Lists by Activity

We have broken down minimalist loads of equipment according to the kind of adventure you will embark on.

Day-Hike Setup:

• GoPro (Hero 11 or newer)

• 2 Spare batteries (charged)

• Lightweight clip mount or flexible tripod

• Soft microfiber pouch for accessories

• Compact charger (optional)
  

Weight Tip: Aim for total gear weight under 1 lb (0.45 kg).

Water Adventure Setup:

• GoPro in waterproof housing
  

• 1 spare battery in a waterproof dry bag

• Silicone case or screen protectors

• Small waterproof pouch or dry bag for accessories

🛟 Don't learn the hard way: Your GoPro does NOT float by itself. It must be connected to something that does. Bye-bye cliff jump footage if you forget.

Travel Vlogging Setup:

• GoPro with wind mic cover (for cleaner audio)

• Foldable mini tripod (tripod/selfie stick combo)

• Multi-battery charger + 2 extra batteries

• 10,000mAh USB-C power bank + short cable

• SD Card + backup (128GB recommended)

Pro Travel Hack: Keep everything tucked into a tech pouch. Security will not even glance at it. You could even set it on the tray table for in-flight organizing.

Final Tip: Practice Your Setup at Home

You wouldn't take a brand-new tent into the wilderness without pitching it once—and the same goes for your camera kit.

Do a Dry Run:

• Set up your kit on a weekend walk or backyard session

• Time how long it takes to assemble mounts or switch batteries

• Review your footage: Did you need the tripod? Did the clip mount work at that angle?

Trim the fat. If you didn't use it once, it doesn't deserve to ride on your next trip.

Case in point: A guy packed a voice recorder "just in case." He used it once—to record a snoring fellow camper. He has since retired the device.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Film Smart, Travel Light

You're going to pop content without a Hollywood trailer—you just need a mental shift.

Light traveling means mobility, mind focus, and still allows capturing brilliant footage to tell your story.

Build a core kit suitable for 90% of your adventures and fine-tune from there.

Golden rule: If it hasn't been used in three trips, it doesn't belong.

Got your own minimalist setup tips or a tale of tragic overpacking? Share them in the comments below.

Want that high-tech gear-saver that won't compromise on performance?
Check out our space-saving GoPro-compatible compact kits.

These creations use fewer apparatuses to convey more story and are meant for creators who understand that:

Less stuff = more story.

See you out there—on a trail, in the waves, or wherever the wildest takes you.

Remind yourself: The best shot is not carried on the heaviest pack, but the lightest.