I thought I would share a tiny portion of my filming setup for the blog today. If you follow along on my channel, you know I’m always bouncing between road trips, hikes, and random weekend getaways. A while back, a creator I really admire recommended the Insta360 GO Ultra, and I decided to try something besides just my iPhone for recording. It’s become my favorite second camera (sometimes my phone plays that role instead), and I love how discreet it is.
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I can clip it to a hat or necklace and barely notice it’s there. The magnetic quick-release system makes it incredibly versatile — I can pull the action pod off and stick it in creative spots for walk-by shots that would be hard to get otherwise. Over time I’ve added a few key pieces that make filming on the road smoother and more fun, without turning into a gear-heavy production.
The Camera: Insta360 GO Ultra
This little guy is genuinely a game-changer for travel creators and essential to my filming setup. It’s tiny — like thumb-sized tiny — but it shoots ridiculously smooth footage and handles everything from bumpy dirt roads to chasing my dog on a trail.
I love that I can just clip it on and forget it’s there. The stabilization is so good and if you don’t believe me about it being discreet or not recording wobbly-images, check out my video from the Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. My Insta360 Go Ultra was the only thing of my filming setup for that trip and there is a tiny moment around where my oldest sister points to it (10:39) and asks what it is and I have to tell her its a camera!
Pro tip from someone who’s learned the hard way: Pair it with a good 128GB microSD card and you’re set for days of filming without constantly swapping cards.
I knew I needed to improve on my filming setup if I wanted to be a good content creator and monetize my youtube, but I did have a bit of a hard time spending money on something because of course I bought it JUST before I got fired from my job. I used Afterpay to help me spread the cost out and definitely had some buyers remorse, until I filmed at the zoo and didn’t feel like a weird-cringe content creator. It’s been about 7 months and I don’t leave the camper without it!
A Tripod That Actually Travels Well
I have one of those cheap Walmart selfie-stick tripods. It works… but it doesn’t stand up well. After one too many wobbly timelapses and a near-death experience on a windy canyon rim, I upgraded to a Camera Tripod. What I love most about this one is the included phone/iPad mount.
I can easily switch between filming on my iPhone or set my iPad mini up as a bigger monitor or for recording voiceovers/B-roll on the go. It feels way more stable, and the carrying bag makes it easy to strap to my pack.
How It All Comes Together on the Road
I use this tripod with my Insta360’s quick-release mount for wide establishing shots, sunset timelapses, or when I want to get myself in the frame. The height range is perfect, and at only a couple pounds it’s become my most reliable travel companion.
The whole kit fits in a small pouch in my purse or backpack. No bulky cases, no stress at airport security, and I still come home with way more usable footage than I used to.
Final Thoughts
Could I have gotten by on filming with just my iphone? Absolutely. You don’t need fancy gear to make great travel content — you just need tools that work with your adventure instead of fighting against it. This setup has made filming more enjoyable and way less stressful. It doesn’t hurt that it is compact and not bulky. If I was a videographer, then maybe I could get used to carrying around a ton of gear. But some of the hikes would be impossible carrying it. This makes it so much easier!
If you’re a fellow traveling creator (or just want better vacation videos), I hope this gives you some ideas. Drop a comment and let me know what gear you can’t live without on the road!