billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

If you are really serious about a tripod then the only way to buy one is to GO to a large brick and mortar store and try them on YOUR camera. Sorry, that is the only way.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

That is neither necessary nor practical for someone who doesn't have a local photo store with a large enough inventory to allow someone to look at a number of candidate tripods. And even at B&H which has pretty much their entire catalog on display, there is no need for the OP to use HIS or HER camera. B&H will accommodate you with any camera and lens you would like to test. All you really need to do is bring a memory card so that you can view test images in front of a computer.

Besides, how a tripod performs in an indoor setting where there is an escalator, wheelchair lift, lots of foot traffic (B&H's tripod and camera area are on the second floor), and lots of heavy truck traffic that would cause vibrations that one might not see in the field, may not be a totally accurate way to select a tripod.

A better way would be to look at the Gitzo, Induro and RRS catalogs and buying guides, which do tell you which tripods are best for which lenses, and either go with their recommendations or find a lower cost, lesser known tripod that has similar characteristics with respect to leg thickness and apex (spider) size. That would result in a far better informed buying decision than testing with your own camera and bag of lenses. Tripods are funny, in that most tripods will work in a broad range of typical, commonplace situations. But when you need a really stable platform with a long lens or a high magnification macro application, only a few really cut the mustard. No point in testing a tripod in a store with a camera and a 35mm lens - when you might be adding a macro or long tele in the near future.

Oh, and the www.centercolumn.com rankings that I posted a link to will help a lot as well.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Don’t buy without checking out Really Right Stuff. I consider it to be a system you can easily grow and expand. If you know what you want you can find good deals on eBay, but it takes time and effort. I have purchased top RRS and Gitzo off eBay at savings of up to half retail. Good hunting...

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Either a monopod with a tilt head (a tilt head gives more control on a monopod) given the subject (soccer) or a good tripod with a gimbal.

And others have mentioned MTShooter's Camera Cottage for a good tripod and gimbal.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

If you are going to run up and down the side lines, you will want the lightest you can get and still be stable. I have a Benro Travel Angel II with a ball head in Carbon Fiber that is rated at about 25#. It is light enough to pack and solid enough to work. It is well made and tough. Mine has been thrown off the top of a jeep and skidded down the highway at 50 MPH with no damage beyond cosmetic.

For sports work however, I found the ProMaster MPV432+ monopod. It has three little feet on it with a ball head like connection at the bottom. My son uses a ProMaster tripod, so if you decided to look at the monopod you could also check out their tripods.

Bill

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Unfortunately, the soccer and basketball games I shoot are not conducive to moving around too much. I'm usually relegated to a bleacher seat or my three legged stool and a mono with a good tilt-head. The RRS MH-01 LR with lever release clamp is superb on everything I shoot with right up to the 150-600 and more.

sergiohm

Manfrotto, know the weight you are carrying (camera + lens) and choose the appropriate model

https://www.manfrotto.us

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

A Gitzo carbon fiber is what you need if you want the best. If in a budget there are many carbon fiber tripods that are priced reasonably. I have a Desmond DCF-432 and I am entirely satisfied with its quality.
There is always the aluminum tripod at a much reasonable cost and they have been the standard for years. Manfrotto has very good ones.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Gitzo or Really Right Stuff! Really Right Stuff (RRS) has educational material on their web site on how to select a tripod and head. Did you know that the focal length of your longest lens is a factor? The sales staff at RRS can quickly assist you if you tell them about your current (and possible future) equipment plans and the type of photography you will use the tripod for. I have two tripods. The largest one is oversized because I photograph in the mountains and elsewhere on uneven ground, and it helps to be able to extend one or more legs down slope without having to bend over to compose the image.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

I have a collection of tripods including Gitzo, Bogan and Manfrotto, my most used is my Mefoto. legs have two settings, can convert to mono pod, makes a mobile stabilized platform using the mono pod and a pocket clipped on my belt that helps stabilize my big lens but keep me mobile. Best advice, take your camera and lens and go to a store and try them out.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Info -
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm
https://digital-photography-school.com/everything-about-tripods-phil-steele/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIWvjfI_-PA
http://digital-photography-school.com/build-ideal-tripod/
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/5-pros-and-5-cons-of-using-a-tripod/
http://www.lightstalking.com/tripod-heads/

Choosing -
https://photographylife.com/how-to-choose-and-buy-a-tripod-for-a-dslr-camera
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/10-recommended-tripods-photography

Hunter Lou 1947 Loc: Minnesota

I have the Sigma 150-600mm Sport and my camera is the Canon 7D Mark II. I have the Jobe 3 Jr. for my Gimbal Head. The Gitzo, 61" 3 Section L GT4533LS Systematic Carbon Fiber Tripod with carrying case. I like the system but wish I could go to the 600 or 800mm canon lens but the cost does prohibit me to go that way. I'm confident with what I have. The Tripod is lightweight. Have carried it for over a mile at times on my shoulder with camera attached and the Sport lens attached. I'm 72 years young but may down the road go with just the smaller system like the Canon SX60 camra. Will be getting out of the bigger system. But for now I like what I have. Yes, the cost is higher for the Gitzo but the quality and durability is there. It is rugged yet lightweight. It is solid. Welcome to Uglyhedgehog. com.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Load capacity has nothing to do with stability. Nearly all tripods - even this $29 tripod has a 4.4lb load capacity, which will support an APS-C DSLR and a typical lens - like a D500 and an 18-300mm zoom - which only weighs 3.5 lbs.

https://www.amazon.com/Fotopro-Wireless-Bluetooth-Adapter-Release/dp/B01N562A19/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1537280413&sr=1-1&refinements=p_36%3A1253504011

But I would bet a dollar that it won't be stable enough for any possible application.

However, someone putting $3000 worth of gear on a $29 tripod . . . I will say no more.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Hog Haley, enjoy.

KenProspero

Amateur -- much less experience than many here, but here goes

I came to the conclusion that I need 2 tripods.

A sturdy tripod is necessary, for when it's necessary. There are many top brands (almost any of the ones mentioned here will do the trick) plus a lighter tripod that will fit in my backpack. (The best tripod is the one you have with you, and if your big tripod is too heavy or a PITA to carry -- well, it won't do you any good in your closet).

Stay with the better brands -- there's always something cheaper with a knock-off company, but you never know what you're getting. Consider used -- B&H, KEH, Adorama have good return policies. Ebay -- you're at the mercy of descriptions that may not be accurate, and possible hassles if there's a problem, but may be the least expensive source (there are almost always Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripods there, but I've not had the courage to spend that much.

You're not mentioning heads -- which are equally important as the legs. Your tripod and head are a system, don't cheap out. With heads, there's the ongoing discussion of Arca-Swiss vs Quick Release. Use the search function, this is discussed in depth on this forum.