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Some ultralight thru-hikers think of chairs as dead weight. Others can't imagine not bringing some comfy option to rest their legs in after a long day of hiking. Not every camping chair is suitable for the backcountry, though. You need to find the right mix of weight, packable size and comfort. We break down these qualities to help you find the best chair for your journey.
With armrests, drink holders and mesh pockets, camping chairs are the bomb. These are just as common to see at the beach or tailgating. As much as we love them, we don't want to lug one up the mountain. When backpacking, you want an ultralight chair that weighs under two pounds and fits in your pack. You will sacrifice your beloved armrests, but it is so worth it have a chair to kick back in at the end of the day.
| Price | Packed Weight | Packed Size | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HELIONOX Zero | $120 | 1 lb | 13.8 x 3.9 x 3.9 in. |
| REI CO-OP Trail Stool | $22.50 | 1 lb. 2 oz. | 4 x 22 in. |
| GRAND TRUNK Collapsible Micro Stool | $30 | 10.5 oz. | 12 x 6 1.5 in. |
| CRAZY CREEK Hex 2.0 Original Camp Chair | $55 | 1 lb. 5 oz. | 4 x 16.5 in. |
| ALITE MayFly | $100 | 1 lb. 9.6 oz. | 4.3 x 11.5 in. |
| THERM-A-REST Z-Seat Pad | $15 | 2 oz | 12 x 2.75 x 2.5 in. |
| REI CO-OP Flash Sit Pad | $25 | 3 oz | 2.5 x 5 in. |
| SEA TO SUMMIT Air Chair | $50 | 8 oz | N/A |
| EXPED Chair Kit | $50 - $100 | 15.5 oz | N/A |
| THERM-A-REST Neoair Jembe Seat Kit Deluxe | $29.95 | 3.4 oz | N/A |
In a hurry? Skip straight to the reviews.
Types of Backpacking Chairs
FOLDABLE CHAIR: If you value comfort, then a foldable chair is for you. These chairs have tent-like poles for legs, a fabric seat and sit about 11-inches above the ground. They are more comfortable than most other backpacking chairs but tend to be heavy for ultralight gear. They also have thin legs which can sink in when sitting on sand and other soft substrates.
STOOL (Freestanding or Inflatable): Get you off the ground but lack the back support of a chair. They either have three legs that expand like a tripod or two bars that open and shut like a clamshell. They can be dropped into a pack and used for short stints, but don't expect to lounge in them for hours.
The air inflatable stools allow you to roll up your sleeping pad, stand it up horizontally, and use it as a cylindrical stool. Just like the air chair, you need an inflatable pad to make it work.
GROUND CHAIRS (Foam or Inflatable): Rest either directly on the ground or a few inches off the ground. They don't have legs making them lighter and more compact than the elevated chairs. They are close to the ground so you will pick up dirt, pine needles and other forest litter. They fold flat and can double as a sleeping pad.
An air chair straps around your inflatable sleeping pad and allows you to convert your pad into a portable chair. It's an excellent solution for backpackers who are already carrying an inflatable sleeping pad.
SEAT PAD (Foam or Inflatable): If you are looking for a no-fuss layer of cushioning between your arse and the ground, then you should consider these sleeping pad-inspired seats. Just toss them anywhere and sit on them. There is no back support so you can only use them for short breaks.
DIY: Find a log, or setup a few logs to make a bench. Nearby rocks work. Maybe rest your rain jacket on the ground to prevent your butt from getting wet. Bear canisters also double up as a durable stool. Your own sleeping pad, especially if it is a foam pad, could provide ample comfort to chillax on.
13 oz ultralight backpacking stool - handmade by Sean Ricks
Main Considerations
WEIGHT: Look for chairs that are well under 2 pounds. Is a huge factor when deciding which chair to pack into the backcountry. You may be willing to carry some extra pounds for this luxury, but you don't want to break your back.
PACKABILITY: Small enough to fit inside your pack. A chair not only has to be light, but it also has to be portable. You want a chair that fits in a bag that you strap to your pack or folds small enough to stuff inside your backpack.
COMFORT: Personal preference. You pack a chair because you want to be comfortable. Don't get so caught up on ounces that you overlook this critical feature. Look at the materials and stability of a chair. Is the fabric breathable? Is there padding? Is the chair stable when you lean? Visit local retailers and test out different chairs to find the one that is most comfortable for you.
GROUND ELEVATION: Personal preference. Ground elevation how high off the ground you sit. This can be super helpful if you are in a particularly wet ground environment. Some people also find that elevated chairs are easier to get in and out of and are more comfortable than their ground-based counterparts. Other people prefer a small ground chair which is lighter in weight and easier to carry around.
Best Ultralight Backpacking Chairs
HELINOX Zero
Price: $172 on rei.com
Weight Capacity: 265 lbs
Packed Weight: 1 lb
Packed Size: 13.8 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches
The Helinox Zero is one of the lightest of the foldable chairs on the market. It weighs a mere 16 ounces and packs down to the size of a water bottle. The Zero is comfortable but can tip, so you have to be careful not to lean too much.
REI CO-OP Trail Stool
Price: $22.50 on rei.com
Weight Capacity: 200 pounds
Packed Weight: 1 lb. 2 oz.
Packed Size: 4 x 22 inches
The REI trail stool uses a lightweight tripod design that is quick to open when you want to sit and easy to fold back up.
GRAND TRUNK Collapsible Micro Stool
Price: $16
Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
Packed Weight: 10.5 ounces
Packed Size: 12 x 6 1.5 inches
The Grand Trunk micro stool has a clamshell frame that adds minimal weight to your pack and is quick to set up. You can use the mesh under the seat as a temporary storage place to keep items off the ground.
See on amazon.com
CRAZY CREEK Hex 2.0 Original Camp Chair
Price: $70 on amazon.com
Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
Packed Weight: 1 lb. 5 oz.
Packed Size: 4 x 16.5 inches
The Crazy Creek camp chair is dual purpose foam chair. The chair folds like a stadium chair, giving you back support while you sit on the ground. When flattened, the chair works as a sleeping pad providing cushion and insulation from the ground.
ALITE MayFly
Price: $100 on rei.com
Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
Packed Weight: 1 lb. 9.6 oz.
Packed Size: 4.3 x 11.5 inches
The Alite Mayfly is a foldable chair that sits on the ground. Definitely the most clunky and robust chair on the list. It has an optional front leg that you can attach for stability or leave at home if you are trimming ounces from your kit.
THERM-A-REST Z-Seat Pad
Price: $15 on thermarest.com
Packed Weight: 2 oz
Packed Size: 12 x 2.75 x 2.5 inches
The Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad uses the company's popular closed cell foam sleeping pad and trims it down to a 16 x 13-inch rectangle. It folds up like an accordion and fits easily in a backpack.
REI CO-OP Flash Sit Pad
Price: $25 on rei.com
Packed Weight: 3 oz
Packed Size: 2.5 x 5 inches
The REI Co-op Flash Sit Pad is an air inflatable seat pad that can double as a pillow.
SEA TO SUMMIT Air Chair
Price: $50
Packed Weight: 8 oz
The Sea to Summit Air chair fits on the outside of an inflatable sleeping pad and uses two straps to keep you sitting upright. It is designed to work with Sea to Summit's sleeping pads, but may also work with other brands.
See on seatosummitusa.com
EXPED Chair Kit
Price: $50 - $100
Packed Weight: 15.5 oz
The Exped chair kit completely covers your inflatable sleeping pad. You can fold your sleeping pad into a chair and then undo the straps and lay the pad out flat for sleeping. It comes in different sizes so it'll work with a variety of pads.
See on amazon.com
THERM-A-REST Neoair Jembe Seat Kit Deluxe
Price: $29.95 on thermarest.com
Packed Weight: 3.4 oz
The Jembe seat kit allows you to roll your Neoair mattresses into a ball and use it as a stool. It's super lightweight, but it can be tricky to roll the pad into place without it slipping out.
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