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Hi Marcus
I attended a plein air workshop in NM this past summer. I agonized with the research on what portable easel to buy, and finally decided to borrow a french easel that was available for use. It turned out great because I was able to see what other workshop attendees were using and how it worked in the field.
The most popular and practical choice by far were the pochade boxes you screw atop a regular camera tripod. They come in a variety of sizes and can hold a palette, a couple of panels. They also have extenders which were a nice feature (additional purchase). I believe- you'll have to search this- they start at around $50 or so. You can carry the tripod, easel and other supplies quite compactly in a backpack.
In addition, I bought an umbrella which was invaluable with the blazing sun.
Like you, the french easel was way too cumbersome for me. Especially schlepping around mountains. One gentlemen actually stored his in a rolling suitcase with all his supplies. It didn't look like a Samsonite.
A woman in the group had the soltek easel and hated it. She said it was way too expensive and actually too heavy for her to carry. At the end of the workshop, she sold it to a strapping young man and went back to her pochade box.
Good luck and happy painting out there.
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