Does the world really need another camera mounting solution? Apparently, it does. Especially when the solution involves a tripod that’s more versatile than anything else in the market. So, yeah, prepare your wallet and meet the Pakpod.
Unlike products like the Gorillapod, this tripod doesn’t wrap around objects for mounting. Instead, it’s a more conventional-looking mini-tripod with unconventional feet that allow it to mount onto a whole load of surfaces, structures, and objects.
While its feet can keep the Pakpod stable on flat ground, they also come with stakes that you can stick into various surfaces (sand, dirt, snow) to keep it securely in place. Each of the stakes are hinged, too, so you can further adjust the legs after staking for more shooting options.  If a surface is too hard to pierce (rocks, tree trunks), you can wedge the stake into holes, cracks, or other openings, as well as tie it down via integrated holes both on the stakes and the legs. Each of the tripod’s legs, by the way, can be extended and retracted at the push of a button, with an integrated knob allowing you to lock them in place as soon as you find the perfect angle.
With the legs retracted, it can support a maximum of 11 pounds (5.5 pounds if extended), so you can use this with some of your heavier rigs without a problem. It should be plenty portable, too, measuring just 12.75 inches long and weighing 15.5 ounces when collapsed, so you can conveniently drop it in a corner of even a fully-stuffed backpack.
A Kickstarter campaign is currently running for Pakpod. Pledges to reserve a unit starts at $79.