A Monopod
In all but the most extreme lighting situations a monopod can substitute nicely for a tripod and is a lot easier to carry. With practice you’ll be able to hold a monopod nearly as stable as a tripod, for a short time anyway. For those times you have to drag a tripod to the beach or sandy area, grab three tennis balls on the way out the door.
Cut a hole big enough for your tripod leg and fit a tennis ball over each end.