Bipods

A bipod is a two-legged stand designed to support a load and stabilize it against unwanted motion. It is commonly used with firearms and cameras to improve accuracy and steadiness, especially when shooting from fixed positions or using long or heavy lenses. Unlike a tripod, which uses three legs and often a central column, a bipod concentrates support in two points and usually lacks a central column.

Most bipods comprise two legs connected to a mounting block or yoke that attaches to the host device. Legs are typically extendable or telescoping, with locking mechanisms to set height. Many models offer adjustable leg spread and a pivot or cant to accommodate uneven terrain. Feet can be flat, spiked, or designed for soft ground. The mounting interface is usually on the fore-end of a rifle or on a camera rig, via a rail, sling stud, threaded adapter, or other quick-attachment systems.

Variants include folding bipods for portable use, rigid non-folding designs, and models with independent leg movement or tension adjustments. Materials range from lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber to steel, balancing weight, strength, and durability.

Common applications are precision shooting and hunting, where a stable platform improves consistency and reduces fatigue, and photography or videography, where steady support enables sharper images with long lenses. In field use, bipods are sometimes chosen for their compact footprint but may be outperformed by tripods in terms of overall stability on rough ground.