Sitting Pretty: 15 Best Backpacking Chairs of 2019

Foldable

Stool

Ground Chair

Seat pad

Capacity

Weight

Comfort

Ease of setup

Fabric and frame material

MOON LENCE Ultralight Folding Chair

The ultralight folding chair from MOON LENCE is an incredibly popular choice because of a friendly price that doesn’t compromise on quality and comfort. This folding chair has a collapsible aluminum alloy frame and a breathable Oxford cloth fabric that packs neatly into a compact bundle that only measures about 14.2 inches by 4.7 inches. The ergonomic seat shape is highly comfortable, and the feet of the frame are even outfitted with wide rubber bases that prevent them from sinking into soft ground.

We could easily see ourselves spending several hours lounging on this MOON LENCE folding chair. If you can afford to bring the extra weight on your hike, this folding chair also comes with two removable side pockets for quick access to your gear, snacks, or a water bottle. After your hike, cleaning the MOON LENCE folding chair is as simple as wiping the fabric and frame with a wet rag. The Oxford fabric is also washable, should it get too soiled.

Compared to other backpacking chairs, the sole category where the MOON LENCE folding chair suffers is in ease of setup. While setting up this folding chair isn’t necessarily complicated, there are dozens of other backpacking chairs that can be set up faster. However, if taking a bit of time to set up isn’t a big issue for you, then the MOON LENCE folding chair is certainly one of the best and most affordable backpacking chairs you can get.

Trekology YIZI GO Portable Camping Chair

The YIZI GO portable camping chair from Trekology is another solid entry in the folding chair market. It’s slightly heavier compared to many of the entries in this list, but the additional bulk obviously went into making this backpack chair one of the more durable folding chairs for ultralight backpacking. The capacity of this chair is an impressive 300 pounds, which means that you can even rig up your backpack to the chair to keep it off the ground while you take a break. The chair’s carrying backpack (which is also made of lightweight and durable 600D fabric can also be attached to the seat’s frame, providing more storage space.

The 600D fabric of the YIZI GO camping chair is made more durable with a double-reinforced V-stitch. The breathable side mesh panels provide air circulation, making the YIZI GO chair comfortable in hot and humid environments. The YIZI GO also has non-removable side pockets which add a bit of weight but are useful, nonetheless.

The biggest criticism of the YIZI GO is actually a common flaw of folding backpack chairs, and that is their tendency to gradually sink in soft ground. The feet of the YIZI GO are rubber-tipped but are narrow enough for this to be a problem. Although Trekology sells an optional sand cover that will make the YIZI GO more adaptable to various types of terrain, adding more accessories to an already heavy backpack chair defeats the purpose of ultralight backpacking.

Overall, the YIZI GO is still one of the best backpack chairs we’ve seen. It offers unique value with its superior durability, comfort, and ease of use – just make that you set it up on firm ground.

Helinox Zero Ultralight Camping Chair

The Helinox Zero camping chair is at the top of the many lists of the best backpacking chairs, and it’s easy to see why. On the surface, the Helinox Zero just feels more elegant and stylish with its minimalist design. However, that’s far from the only reason why it’s so popular. At only 17.6 ounces, the Helinox Zero is one of the lightest folding chairs available in the market today. Equally impressive is its 260-pound capacity, which is a testament to the quality of materials used for this premium backpacking chair.

The fabric of the Helinox Zero is a ripstop polyester that is treated with UV-resistance and is machine-washable. The proprietary aluminum alloy used for the frames has a uniquely lightweight yet strong. Setting up this folding chair is made a bit easier with a single bungee cord that runs through all the segments of the frame.

In terms of all the characteristics we’ve already mentioned, the Helinox Zero appears to be the superior backpacking chair. However, there’s a major factor that forces us to dock points for this otherwise perfect chair: it costs nearly three times more expensive than many of the other entries in this list.

Of course, if you’re willing to make a sizable investment, then you can do so much worse than the Helinox Zero. However, you might have to look elsewhere if you’re not willing to spend more than $100 on a backpacking chair.

Alite Designs Monarch Chair

The market for backpacking chairs is filled with so many folding chairs that it can be hard to pick one from the other. The Monarch Chair from Alite bucks this trend by introducing a folding chair with a completely innovative. Instead of having three or four legs, the Monarch Chair only has two. The two-leg design allows you to rock the Monarch Chair and set it up any practically any type of uneven terrain.

The unique design of the Monarch Chair also makes it lighter than most other folding chairs, plus it packs a bit smaller. The ripstop nylon fabric is breathable and durable, and the segments of the aluminum frame are color-coded to make assembly a bit more intuitive. If you want a folding chair that will fit right into your ultralight gear, then the Monarch Chair is certainly worth a look.

Unfortunately, it seems that the Monarch Chair isn’t for everyone’s taste. Although the rocking chair design feels comfortable and stable enough for many, there are also those who can’t quite get the hang of it. If you’re considering the Monarch Chair because of how light and compact it is, we recommend testing it out first to make sure that you’re going to be comfortable with its unique rocking chair design.

AILLOVCOL Mini Portable Folding Stool

For those who want something smaller and lighter than the typical folding chair, then this folding stool from AILLOVCOL might be one of the best options. Weighing in at only 20.8 ounces, this stool folds into an incredibly compact bundle which should be easy to fit into any backpack. The 600D Oxford fabric isn’t just comfortable, but it’s also very durable and helps support the stool’s capacity of up to 220 pounds.

The AILLOVCOL folding stool has a four-leg design for extra stability. Each of the legs has an anti-skid pad made with flexible ABS, so there’s no danger of the stool sliding around even on wet surfaces. The joints of the legs are reinforced with another layer of steel. It literally only takes a few seconds to set up this folding stool, which is one of the biggest advantages of this type of backpacking chair.

Another characteristic that is fairly common among most folding stools is that they are much more affordable than folding chairs. This comes down to the simpler design and build of the folding stool and the smaller amount of materials that a folding stool requires. The AILLOVCOL is no exception – it’s a very cheap folding stool that doesn’t make you feel short-changed in terms of durability and design.

As we’ve mentioned, you could end up longing for the luxury of back support when you settle for a folding stool. Yes, it’s cheaper, lighter, and smaller, but folding chairs definitely aren’t the top-notch choice when it comes to comfort.

ALPS Mountaineering Tri-Leg Stool

Even within the sub-category of folding stools, there is still quite a bit of variety. One of the more standout designs is best exemplified by this stool from ALPS Mountaineering. Instead of four legs, this stool only has three. However, the biggest advantage of the three-leg design is that it can be set up even easier than a typical folding stool. In terms of weight and size, it compares poorly with many of the other backpacking chairs in this list.

The folding stool weighs 32 ounces and folds up into a pretty long 23-inch bundle. With this length, it likely won’t fit inside your backpack, and you’ll instead have to rig it up somewhere outside the pack. It’s not incredibly lightweight, either, as it’s about the same weight as many folding chairs.

In terms of quality, this tri-leg stool doesn’t disappoint. The powder-coated steel frame is strong, stable, and has ample protection against outdoor elements. The polyester fabric is breathable and comfortable even when you have to sit on the stool for an extended period. The ALPS Mountaineering stool is taller than many other folding stools in the market, so you might prefer it if you’re a similarly tall person.

Although this tri-leg stool can improve in so many aspects, it’s got one thing going for it: it’s ridiculously cheap. For the price of a usual folding chair, you can buy two or three of these folding stools. If you’re planning a hike with several people, then your group could consider getting several of these to save a few bucks. Although you give up a bit on weight and portability, the cheap price tag of the ALPS Mountaineering tri-leg stool doesn’t mean that it’s not a high-quality product.

Trekology Portable Camping Stool

Yet another design for folding stools, this clamshell-type camping stool from Trekology is an impressively lightweight option that features one of the simplest setup mechanisms. From its folded orientation, all you need to do is to connect the joints, extend the legs, and unfold the fabric – a process that takes less than a minute. The chair even comes with built-in mesh storage for storing your water bottle, some snacks, or your gadgets while lounging around your campsite.

The Trekology camping stool folds up into a thin bundle, although it is also 16 inches long. It might require a bit of strategic packing to include this stool into your ultralight gear, but it’s firmly within the bounds of reason. Trekology did not skimp on the quality of materials that went into this stool – the 1680D fabric is waterproof, and the aluminum alloy frame has been treated for weather-protection.

As far as folding stools go, the clamshell design isn’t exactly the most comfortable. By giving up a bit of comfort, the Trekology camping stool retains a simple design that helps make it one of the lightest folding stools in the market. If going ultralight is absolutely non-negotiable for you, then a clamshell-type folding stool may be exactly what you’re looking for.

MARCHWAY Lightweight Folding Chair

Sometimes, comfort trumps all other considerations. After all, if you’ve already spent the whole day hiking through difficult terrain, you would want nothing more than to spend some time luxuriously lounging around on an ergonomic and cushioned chair. With this folding chair from MARCHWAY, you no longer need to sacrifice comfort when camping outdoors.

MARCHWAY has pulled out all the stops for this luxury camping chair. It has a built-in pillow, cushions for your arms, full support for your back, neck, and head, a relaxing tilt angle, and is elevated off the ground a distance like that of a normal chair. A breathable mesh fabric promotes air circulation while the thickened aluminum poles provide excellent stability.

Of course, a few concessions had to be made to make this folding chair very comfortable. It’s one of the heaviest folding chairs around, despite the ‘lightweight’ moniker. It also packs quite big – folded down, it would probably be about the same size as your sleeping bag. Ultralight backpackers might not consider this folding chair simply because of the extra bulk, and we can’t exactly blame them either.

Still, the MARCHWAY folding chair is worth your consideration if you’re willing to carry the extra weight for a comfortable stay at camp. Considering how “deluxe” this folding chair feels, its price tag doesn’t seem too bad. It’s far from being the cheapest folding chair in this list but still only costs half of the Helinox Zero.

Crazy Creek Hex Original Chair

If you’re looking for a chair that’s versatile and foolproof, then this ground chair from Crazy Creek is an excellent option. You can use it as a camp chair by engaging the straps for back support or lay it flat when it’s time to turn in for the night. It’s not an inflatable chair but instead simply rolls open, making setup effortless.

A lot of thought has gone into the materials of the Crazy Creek Hex Chair. The frame is made with lightweight, but rugged carbon fiber and the straps are made with reinforced nylon webbing to provide support for people up to 250 pounds. The comfortable core of the chair itself has an 8-millimeter EVA foam that provides insulation against the cold ground, while a double-layer of ripstop nylon prevents water from getting into the inner foam.

Since the design of the Crazy Creek ground chair is very simple, it’s also one of the lightest backpacking chairs you could get. It packs into a small and flat bundle that you can easily secure under any of your pack’s side straps.

The Hex Original Chair isn’t for you if you’re looking for a chair that will keep you off the ground. Although it’s very easy to set up, the Original Chair will inevitably catch some of the dust and dirt from the ground you will set it on, so you’ll probably need to spend more time cleaning it. This backpacking chair something we highly recommend for beginner hikers who want something that’s simple and fuss-free.

Sea to Summit Air Chair

This ground chair from Sea to Summit looks like any typical ground chair, but we’ll have to dock a few points since the product is basically just an add-on that turns your inflatable mattress into a chair. It works by providing a nylon base lined with a waterhead that keeps off the moisture from wet ground. The back panel is anchored to the base by a super strong and abrasion-resistant Ultra-sil strap.

Since this ground chair is basically just a sleeve for an inflatable mattress, it folds up to practically nothing and is an incredibly light addition to your backpacking gear.

The Air Chair was specially designed for Sea to Summit inflatable mattresses, although any inflatable mattress of similar size should do. It may be possible to use a thick quilt instead of an inflatable mattress, but we imagine that it won’t be as comfortable.

The combination of the Air Chair and an inflated mattress can make this ground chair one of the most comfortable backpacking chairs. However, the fact that the Air Chair isn’t a stand-alone product certainly hurts its ranking. If you already have a compatible air mattress, then the Air Chair is a cheap and simple add-on that can give you air mattress an extra purpose. If not, then there are other backpacking chairs out there that don’t require you to buy another piece of camping equipment.

Therm-A-Rest Z-Seat Cushion Pad

If you search any online marketplace for backpacking cushion pads, you will get a lot of similar-looking products that can be as cheap as $2. This Z-Seat from Therm-A-Rest is a bit more expensive than those, so why are we highlighting this one instead?

For one, the Z-Seat features a reflective ThermaCapture surface that provides a nice boost to body warmth during cold nights. The “egg-crate” structure, a feature that is common to many cushion pads, is a bit more pronounced and rigid in the Z-Seat. Budget options tend to get flat over some time, but the Z-Seat is built with quality that is meant to last.

Aside from the unique benefits of this brand, cushion pads are remarkably simple and weigh next to nothing. They can be folded in half (with the bungee cord keeping it neatly folded), stored in your backpack’s side pocket, and quickly retrieved every time your group stops for a break. It’s far from being a luxury piece of camp furniture, but it also adds hardly any weight to your pack.

Camp Time Roll-A-Chair

Folding chairs provide back support but are heavy. On the other hand, stools are much lighter but have no back support. Why can’t we have the best features of both? That seems to be the thinking behind the design of this three-legged Roll-A-Chair from Camp Time – a backpacking chair that retains the simplicity of a folding stool but also offers a bit of back support.

The Roll-A-Chair is a lighter and more compact alternative to a full-sized folding chair that is still somewhat more comfortable than a stool. The body of the seat is made with a double layer of fabric that lends support diagonally and across the edge of the seat. Instead of a frame to support the backrest, it is supported by arm straps that run to the main seat. This innovative design helps keep the weight of the Roll-A-Chair down.

This particular model has a height of 22 inches when fully assembled. The extra clearance off the ground is great for larger people, although Camp Time also sells shorter versions. When folded up, the chair reduces into a bundle that is 19 inches long and comes with its own built-in shoulder strap.

There are a few reasons for why this hybrid stool and folding chair isn’t ranked higher. At around 35 ounces, it goes just a notch over the 2-pound limit that we would like for ultralight backpacking gear. It’s also a bit more expensive than many folding chairs and certainly much more expensive than most folding stools.

Therm-A-Rest Trail Seat Cushion

Therm-A-Rest gives us their take on a backpacking seat pad with the Trail Seat Cushion, a self-inflating pad made primarily with robust 75D polyester. To assemble this seat pad, all you need to do is to unroll it from its folded orientation and allow the foam to expand naturally. The seat has a built-in valve that you can blow into to make the seat firmer. It doesn’t require much effort to make this seat more comfortable than a standard, non-inflated seat pad.

The Trail Seat Cushion provides impressive support for a self-inflating seat. This is possible through an inventive internal honeycomb pattern that enhances rigidity without requiring much air pressure. The slick surface of the cushion is water-resistant, so you can just wipe it off should it get wet.

When it’s time to pack up, all you need to do is to open the valve, flatten the cushion, and roll it up. An attached elastic cord ensures that you get as much of the air out as possible to help compress the seat down. The beauty of the Trail Seat Cushion is that its’s roughly only the size of a water bottle when rolled up, so you can just stick it into your backpack’s side pocket or even the pocket of your jacket. It also weighs next to nothing.

Terralite Portable Camp Chair

Having to set up camp in a muddy spot is a nightmare for any backpacker, but there are times when this becomes an unavoidable situation. If this happens to you, then you’ll be glad that you brought along the Terralite Portable Camp Chair. What sets this folding chair apart from all the other folding chairs are the unique Terragrip feet that will prevent it from sinking or sliding on challenging terrain.

This folding chair features some of the most rugged design elements we’ve seen. The 7075 aluminum frame is strong yet flexible, allowing the chair to conform to any type of body or terrain. The seat fabric is almost purely made of mesh material, making this backpack chair very comfortable in hot and humid weather. It’s also machine-washable for easy care.

At the arm of the chair is an integrated mesh pocket for your gear or supplies, while a bag clip along the back frame is great place to secure your backpack to keep it off the ground.

The distinguishing features of the Terralite folding chair are the removable all-terrain Terragrip feet. These can be easily slid onto the feet of the folding chair to make it more suitable for use on mud or sand.

The all-terrain capability and superior capacity of the Terralite come with a steep compromise – it is one of the heaviest folding chairs in this list. At more than 50 ounces, The Terralite backpacking chair is way beyond what many backpackers would consider being ultralight. Still, if you’re the type of backpacker who likes to be ready for anything, then the Terralite is best all-terrain backpacking chair you could get.

Exped Chair Kit

Rounding off this list is the Exped Chair Kit, a bundle that includes an Exped mat and a slip-on full-coverage sleeve that turns the mat into a ground chair. Pole openings at the sleeve offer the option of reinforcing the ground chair with stiffeners such as a tent pole or a trekking pole. By simply undoing the straps that provide back support, you can easily convert this ground chair into a comfortable sleeping mat.

Although the sleeve is an effective accessory that weighs next to nothing and can be folded into a very small package, it cannot be purchased independently from the air mattress – and this is why the Exped Chair Kit isn’t ranked higher. The air mattress, although comfortable, feels a bit too heavy and bulky for ultralight backpacking.

The fabric of the sleeve also seems thin and not rugged enough to be used outdoors. If you don’t want it getting torn by sharp rocks or branches, you might be limited to using this ground chair inside your tent. It’s still pretty solid, though, if you can live with those limitations.