Handheld grip
Also known as: hand grip, action camera handle, grip mount
A short handle for holding an action camera steadily by hand, often doubling as a mini tripod. Ideal for walking shots, vlogs and quick angles.
Updated
What it means
A handheld grip gives you something solid to hold instead of the tiny camera body itself. It keeps fingers out of the frame, reduces shake from your grip, and lets you point the camera precisely. Many grips fold open into small tripod legs, so they double as a stand.
Grips range from simple foam handles to designs with built-in batteries, remote buttons or extendable poles. Floating versions exist for water sports, as covered under floating hand grips.
For travel days, a grip is often the most used accessory, because most moments between rides are filmed by hand.
How it works in practice
Hold the grip close to your body with relaxed arms and walk with soft knees for smoother footage. Combined with in-camera stabilization like HyperSmooth, this gives surprisingly gimbal-like walking shots.
Grips work well for talking shots with a front screen, quick B-roll at a trailhead, filming friends from a chairlift, and setting up static shots on a table or rock using the tripod legs.
For low angles, hold the grip near the ground and let the subject pass close. For high angles, raise it above your head or switch to an extendable pole.
What to watch out for
Even with stabilization, fast arm movements and jerky pans show in the footage. Move slowly and deliberately when filming by hand.
Tripod legs on cheap grips can wobble or collapse with heavier cameras or accessories. Test before relying on it for a long time-lapse.
Holding the camera by hand at the beach or on boats risks drops. A wrist strap or tether protects against losing it in water or off a lift. Grips with foam or rubber handles are easier to hold with wet or gloved hands, and screw joints should be checked now and then, since they slowly work loose with use and let the camera droop mid-shot.
How RawClip handles it
Handheld clips from the trailhead, the car or the evening walk add context and personality to your action footage. Upload them with your riding clips, and RawClip mixes them into one highlight.