Introducing the Pursuit18: A Backpacking Tripod Built for the Backcountry
Backcountry hunting forces you to make choices about every piece of gear you carry.
Weight matters.
Pack size matters.
But when it is time to glass a hillside or set up for a shot, stability still matters.
That is exactly what the FatBoy Pursuit18™ was designed for.
The Pursuit18 is a compact carbon fiber backpacking tripod built for hunters who need a lightweight system without giving up the stability and versatility they need in the field.
At just 2.8 pounds with the bowl and 17.7 inches collapsed, it is built to disappear into your pack and be ready when you need it.
Here is a closer look at what makes the Pursuit18 different.
Built for Backcountry Hunting
When you are covering miles on foot, unnecessary weight adds up quickly.
Your tripod should earn its place in your pack.
The Pursuit18 uses a three-section carbon fiber design to keep weight down while providing the solid platform hunters need for shooting and glassing.
It weighs:
- 2.8 lbs with the bowl
- 2.6 lbs without the bowl
That makes the Pursuit18 a practical option for hunters who need to move efficiently without leaving their support system behind.
Whether you are hiking into a glassing point or moving between setups, you get a tripod designed around mobility.
Compact Enough for Your Pack
A good backpacking tripod needs to do more than weigh less.
It also needs to pack down small.
The Pursuit18 collapses to 17.7 inches, making it easier to carry in or alongside a hunting pack without dealing with an oversized tripod catching on brush or getting in the way.
When fully extended with the legs spread, it reaches 45.5 inches.
That gives you a useful working range without turning the tripod into something you do not want to carry.
Small when packed.
Stable when deployed.
That is the balance the Pursuit18 is built around.
Go From Shooting to Glassing
Backcountry hunting rarely keeps you in one position.
One minute you may be behind your optics.
The next you may need a stable shooting position.
The Pursuit18 is designed to adapt.
A removable center column and detachable short tray let you change the tripod configuration depending on how you are using it.
That makes it easier to move between:
- Prone shooting
- Seated shooting positions
- Sitting glassing positions
- Spotting scope setups
Instead of carrying separate support systems, you can configure the Pursuit18 around what you need at that moment.
Stability on Uneven Ground
Mountain terrain does not give you perfect shooting positions.
You deal with slopes, rocks, dirt, mud, and uneven surfaces.
Your tripod needs to adjust with the terrain.
The Pursuit18 uses locking leg adjustment tabs and three-section legs so you can set your height and establish a stable position.
At the bottom, 36.75 mm rubber feet with integrated 0.5-inch spikes give you options for different surfaces.
Use the rubber feet when you need grip on hard terrain.
Use the integrated spikes when you need more bite into softer ground.
The goal is simple:
Build a stable platform wherever the hunt takes you.
Carbon Fiber Without Unnecessary Bulk
Carbon fiber makes sense for a backcountry hunting tripod because it helps balance strength and weight.
The Pursuit18 uses carbon fiber legs with diameters of:
- 31 mm
- 28 mm
- 25 mm
That construction keeps the tripod lightweight while maintaining the rigidity needed for serious glassing and shooting applications.
For hunters counting ounces, that balance matters.
You want to reduce pack weight.
You do not want your tripod to feel like a compromise once you actually start using it.
Made for Long Glassing Sessions
A tripod is not only about taking the shot.
For western and backcountry hunters, it can spend far more time supporting optics than a rifle.
Hours behind a spotting scope or binocular setup make stability important.
A steady tripod reduces the constant movement that makes detailed glassing more difficult and allows you to keep your optics positioned while you pick apart distant terrain.
The Pursuit18 gives hunters a compact platform designed to handle both sides of the hunt:
Finding the animal and setting up when the opportunity comes.
Who Is the Pursuit18 For?
The Pursuit18 makes the most sense for hunters who prioritize mobility.
Consider it if you:
- Cover significant distance on foot
- Hunt mountainous or uneven terrain
- Regularly glass from seated positions
- Want a compact tripod for your hunting pack
- Need one tripod for both glassing and shooting
- Want carbon fiber construction without carrying a full-size tripod
If most of your hunting happens from a fixed position and maximum tripod size is your priority, a larger shooting tripod may make more sense.
But if every pound and every inch of pack space matters, the Pursuit18 was designed with that reality in mind.
Pursuit18 Specifications at a Glance
The Pursuit18 is a three-section carbon fiber backpacking tripod with:
- Weight with bowl: 2.8 lbs
- Weight without bowl: 2.6 lbs
- Collapsed height: 17.7"
- Fully extended height with legs spread: 45.5"
- Fully extended footprint: 34.96"
- Leg diameters: 31 mm / 28 mm / 25 mm
- Leg adjustment: Locking tabs
- Feet: 36.75 mm rubber feet with integrated spikes
- Spike length: 0.5"
- Included: Pursuit18 tripod and tripod bag
Final Thoughts on the Pursuit18
Backcountry gear is always a balancing act.
You want less weight without sacrificing capability.
You want a smaller pack without leaving important equipment behind.
The FatBoy Pursuit18 was built around that balance.
At 2.8 pounds with the bowl and 17.7 inches collapsed, it gives hunters a lightweight, packable tripod that can transition from glassing to shooting and adapt to changing terrain.
No unnecessary bulk.
No need to choose between a glassing tripod and a shooting support.
Just a compact carbon fiber tripod built for hunters who cover ground.
When every ounce in your pack has to earn its place, the Pursuit18 is built to do more with less.
Explore the FatBoy Pursuit18™ Backpacking Tripod and build a lighter, more versatile backcountry setup.