Best Backpacking Chair For Lounging On The Trail

The Helinox Chair Zero scoops our award for the best chair for backpacking out there this year.

Tipping the scales at 1 lb. 2 oz. (510 g), this model is one of the lightest portable chairs with back support available today. It also packs down to a tiny size in its included stuff sack for increased portability on the trail.

It’s plain to see that Helinox crafted this lightweight chair with durability and comfort in mind. With the Chair Zero, Helinox incorporated a rugged DAC aluminum frame system and a rugged, breathable fabric into one innovative design. It also has a convenient 11” seat height, making it easy to get into and out of your seat.

As with many quality pieces of gear, though, the Helinox Zero doesn’t come cheap. It also has a fairly low maximum weight capacity and its legs can sink somewhat easily into muddy ground. However, if overall performance is key, the Zero is hard to beat!.

If you’re looking for a higher weight capacity and roomier seat, be sure to check out the Helinox Chair One and Chair One XL. The Chair One is significantly heavier than the Chair Zero, but has a deeper seat, larger seat width, and is one of the best camping chairs out there.

On the lookout for an ultralight backpacking chair? If so, the Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad is a shoo-in for your shortlist.

This sit pad-style model is made with sleeping pad-style molded closed-cell foam for comfort and performance. It also has Therm-a-Capture technology built right in to help reflect radiant heat toward your body for extra warmth on the cold dirt.

At just 2 oz. (57 g) in weight, the Z-Seat is light enough for remote backpacking adventures. Its accordion-style design and bungee closure system also allow it to fold down to a small size in your pack and make it just about the most compact backpacking chair alternative out there.

The downside? Even though the Z-Seat is very budget-friendly, it’s not exactly the most comfortable option around. It doesn’t provide any back support and using one requires sitting on the ground. But, if weight savings and portability are a priority, the Z-pad’s a winner!

With the REI Flexlite Camp, you can be comfortable in the backcountry without breaking the bank.

This budget-friendly, classic backpacking chair is made from bluesign-approved ripstop polyester for durability. Its seat fabric is also treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) to help it shed moisture and prevent stains while you’re out and about.

At the same time, it provides ample back support through its easy-to-set-up aluminum frame. Then, when it’s time to leave camp in the morning, the Flexlite folds down to a small packed size in its stuff sack for increased portability.

The drawback to this affordable and comfortable camping chair, however, is that it’s fairly heavy (1 lb. 11 oz.). Its leg design also isn’t very stable in rocky terrain. If you can deal with these shortcomings, however, you’ll be getting a great hiking-chair-cum-backpacking-chair at a great price.

The Big Agnes Skyline UL is an ultra-compact chair specifically designed for trips deep into the wilderness.

Crafted for convenience, it has a color-coded aluminum pole frame system that’s quick to set up. At the same time, its hubless frame system and pre-bent poles are easier to get in and out of the included stuff sack to minimize frustration.

For performance, Big Agnes made the Skyline with 70D Robic nylon, which is durable enough to withstand regular use and abuse. They also treated it with a waterproof coating to prevent stains and mildew.

Like most premium backpacking chairs, the Skyline UL isn’t very affordable. However, it is one of the few compact options with both a high 15-inch (38 cm) height and a wide seat. So it’s a good choice for campers that want functionality and comfort in the mountains.

If you need a quick, simple, and comfortable seat for a weekend adventure, the NEMO Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Pad is a solid choice.

Made entirely out of reclaimed and remolded polyethylene foam scraps, the Chipper is the most ethically produced option on our list. While it isn’t going to win any awards for comfort, it does exactly what it’s supposed to do, i.e. provide a little cushioning and a dry spot for your posterior that beats sitting on the ground.

The Chipper has a tiny packed size and weighs just 5.6 ounces. While not the lightest “chair” on our list, it provides a little more cushioning than the Z-pad and is nevertheless a great option if you want a halfway house between a traditional chair and an ultra-minimalist seat pad.

One of the most unique backpacking chairs available, the Therm-a-Rest Trekker is a versatile choice for a range of outings.

The Trekker is designed to transform your inflatable sleeping pad into a fully-fledged backpacking chair. It’s made from lightweight and packable 75D ripstop nylon with fiberglass stays for enhanced performance.

As one of the more convenient camp chairs on this list, the Trekker can be set up in just a few seconds. Since it uses your sleeping pad as a frame, it has a high back height, even if it is low to the ground.

We should mention, though, that this model does have to be used with a Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad. It also increases the likelihood of puncturing your sleeping pad while lounging. Despite this, if you want to reduce the amount of gear you have to pack and cut down on extra weight, this lightweight camping chair is well worth considering.

Prioritizing comfort above all else, the iClimb Ultralight is a go-to option when we want home-like comfort in the wilds.

Boasting a wide and ergonomic seating area, this model is ideal for people who want to lounge in style. Its stable frame also positions you nearly 14 inches off the ground for enhanced comfort.

If that wasn’t enough, the iClimb is made with extra-durable, 900D ripstop Oxford fabric for added ruggedness and uses mesh panels for breathability. This does add extra weight to your pack, but the extra durability might be worth it for some, not to mention the added weight capacity (330 lbs.).

If you’re willing to splurge for a seriously comfortable, convenient, and altogether next-level chair that’s good for everything from barbecues in the yard to short backpacking trips, the NEMO Moonlite is well worth considering.

On the face of it, the Moonlite looks like a few of the other trail chairs on our list. It has a four-legged aluminum frame with easy-attach pole hubs, a 10.5-inch seat height, and a 300-pound capacity.

Where it differs from the rest, however, is in the use of a multiposition reclining system that moves with you when you lean forward or sit back. This might seem like a negligible divergence from the norm, but it makes a big difference both in terms of comfort and how easy it is to get into and out of your seat. Whether it’s worth all those extra $ is for you to decide!

Engineered specifically for campers who value simplicity in their gear, the REI Trail Stool is a great seating solution for minimalist backpackers.

As the only backpacking stool in our review, the Trail Stool is ideal for people who don’t require back support but prefer a high seat height. In exchange for a lack of lumbar support, though, the Trail Stool brings its A-game in terms of durability and portability.

In fact, it’s one of the lightest of all the chairs on our list with a weight of just over 1 lb. At the same time, its ripstop polyester and aluminum construction pack down small for portability. It even includes a shoulder strap for easy transport.

With all that in mind, we should note that this tripod stool has a low weight maximum of just 200 lbs. But, if this low limit is okay for you, it’s still a great and functional option.

At the end of a long day of hiking, the Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 is the lounging solution you need in your pack.

This ground seat is made with an innovative EVA closed-cell foam construction to provide enhanced coziness while you relax. It also has a burly water-resistant ripstop nylon shell fabric and carbon fiber inserts to cut weight on the trail.

Furthermore, unlike many similar models, the Hex 2.0 is designed for portability. It’s actually crafted to roll up to a compact size for storage in your pack. At the same time, it has hanging loops for simplified carrying to the campfire.

That being said, this model is a bit pricey for a ground seat. But weight and portability-conscious backpackers might find that the added cost is worth it thanks to this model’s superb performance in the backcountry.

The REI Flexlite has already joined this reviewer on many a backpacking trip and has earned my highly discriminating behind’s wholehearted seal of approval.

The Flexlite Air is, simply put, a lighter version of the REI Flexlite Camp featured above. It weighs in at a piddly 1 pound, but uses robust ripstop nylon material with a DWR finish, a 4-legged design, and a surprisingly stable aluminum frame.

Despite being a whole 11 ounces lighter than the Flexlite Camp, the Air boasts the same weight capacity (250 lbs.). The only significant difference in design between the two, in fact, is that the Camp has slightly larger dimensions and marginally burlier material. The Air costs more, but the added expense is well worth it if you are keen on keeping pack weight to a minimum.