When you are out on a backpacking or camping trip, it is important to take some time to sit down and relax. Whether you are kicking back around the campfire or sitting down to enjoy a meal, it is essential to rest your legs and conserve energy. To help with this, a lightweight, comfortable backpacking chair is the perfect solution.
When choosing a chair for backpacking, the goal is to find the perfect balance between weight and comfort. You want a lightweight chair that is compact, portable, and easy to pack. With so many camping and backpacking chairs on the market, it can be hard to choose the right model for you. But we’re here to help! This is the ultimate guide to lightweight, portable seating. Let’s take a look at the five best chairs for backpacking.
The 5 Best Backpacking Chairs
Helinox Chair Zero Backpacking Chair
The Helinox Chair Zero Backpacking Chair offers a compact design, ultra-lightweight, and superb comfort, a chair we think is worth each penny. It weighs just over a pound and should provide you with the comfort you need in a backpacking chair. While it’s not one of the most affordable, the chair does a superb job at balancing the trade-off between comfort and weight.
It’s one of the smallest, making it ideal for situations where packing space is limited. Better yet, it’s one of the lightest at 1.1 pounds, which makes it one of the portable chairs in the market. It can fit in any backpack, even the tiny hiking daypacks.
What’s more, you won’t do any hard work to assemble it. The Helinox Chair Zero involves a two-part process that should take less than three minutes at most. As with other tent-style chairs, hooking the corner to the fabric is a breeze. Helinox does an excellent job by marking the fabric with helpful signs that show which side should be up and which goes down.
The frame is a single-pole and has been made from DAC Green poles. The fabric feels durable with a standard 210d Dyneema grid stop. The material doesn’t stretch, and the poles have been designed to take a beating, giving the chair a solid structure once assembled. The comfy seat can hold up to 265 lbs. of weight.
Highlights
- Weighs just 1.1 pounds and packs 4 x 4 x 14 inches.
- Has an aluminum alloy frame for maximum strength.
- Easy setup using a bungee cord.
- Seat and carry sack have been constructed for durability.
Pros
- It is lightweight and compact.
- The setup is quick and easy.
- It is well-built and durable.
Cons
- The price might be a deal-breaker for people on a tight budget.
Moon Lence Outdoor Folding Chairs
The Moon Lence Backpacking Chair is lightweight and has been designed for touring everywhere with you. Coming from a well-known brand that deals with outdoor furniture, you can rest assured of good quality and excellent service. It offers exciting features, along with a lounge option that provides a higher back as well as a head cushion.
The chair has ergonomics in mind. To begin with, the model offers a slight recline and a relaxing deep seat to keep the shoulders and back comfortable. You will feel the difference that the thick oxford fabric offers in providing support for your lower back. The breathable mesh of this fabric only adds to the comfort as it keeps you cool during summer days.
The chair scores high on durability featuring an aluminum alloy frame that won’t bend. This strength, coupled with the 1000 denier (D) thick fabric, keeps the chair standing up tall despite all rigors of camping. The chair can carry up to 300 pounds of weight, which is quite impressive.
It’s ideal for long hikes since it weighs just two pounds. You also receive a handy carry bag so you will not struggle when moving from place to place. The assembly is simple — just give the frame a little shake, and everything will fall into place. Then, fit in the fabric and relax.
Highlights
- The fabric seat features a 600D oxford fabric for a robust aluminum alloy frame.
- Has an ergonomic breathable seat design than adds comfort.
- Holds up to 300 pounds.
- Can be folded to become portable enough to fit in the backpack..
Pros
- It is built strong and is highly durable.
- Offers supreme comfort.
- Comes with a carry case.
Cons
- May not be suitable for people taller than 6 feet.
Trekology Yizi Go Camping Chair
When shopping for a camping chair, we pay attention to weight and comfort. The Trekology Yizi Go Camping Chair exceeds the expectations in both categories. Also, it’s way more portable than most models in the market. The setup is insanely simple because it uses the same idea as a tent.
The new YIZI Go has been designed with the deep seat design, which provides unmatched lower back support. This is your ideal camping chair if you have lower back problems. The fabric has a breathable fiber mesh that allows circulation of air to your back to keep you more relaxed in humid environments.
This chair weighs only 2 lbs. and can pack to 11 x 4.3 x 6 inches making it among the most portable options. The last thing you want after having a thrilling experience is a chair that weighs you down. It’s perfect for long camps, hikes, picnics, beaches and much more.
It has been built to last featuring a sturdy aluminum alloy frame. The fabric is tough as well as it comes from 600D polyester fabric, which can serve you for years. It can support up to 300 lbs. (136 kg), making it suitable for most of us.
Highlights
- Offers superior lower back support with mesh panels for breathability.
- Can be folded into a lightweight and small package.
- Has been engineered to last and can support up to 300 lbs.
- Has an easy set up by attaching the fabric to the mainframe.
Pros
- It is very portable and compact.
- It is quick and easy to set up.
- Offers adjustable height.
Cons
- The chair lacks a space to rest your head.
Sportneer Folding Camp Chair
Made from a reputable brand in backpacking chairs, the Sportneer Camping Chair provides impressive stability and durability. One of the main reasons why customers love it is the interchangeable feet that make it versatile. The chair comes with two sets of feet – one that doesn’t sink in the beach sand and one for more solid grounds.
It has been constructed with high-grade aluminum allow pole structure that enhances stability and is durable. The aluminum alloy is ultra-light, the main reason why the chair weighs only two pounds. When folded down, the chair is compact at 14.25” by 5.25” for maximum portability. The weight capacity is 350 pounds.
When it comes to setup, you need a minute to get the job done with the aluminum shock-cord structure. It also features an easy mechanism to fold it, which is a bonus. For people with back issues, this low-camping chair should be your all-time friend. The height is also adjustable to 3 levels: 12.6”, 13.6” and 14.6”.
Highlights
- Offers three adjustable height levels.
- Can be folded to 14.25” x 5.25“.
- Weighs 2 pounds.
- It can support up to 350 lbs.
Pros
- Has a unique and durable construction.
- It is extremely lightweight.
- Offers superb stability.
- Allows for height adjustability.
Cons
- Some people may still find it a bit low.
TravelChair Slacker Backpacking Chair
We are big fans of the Slacker Backpacking Chair from TravelChair. This is an excellent travel chair that doesn’t take much room and is extremely portable. It’s also an ideal pick for people on a small budget. Although it doesn’t promise to be the most versatile chair on the market, you can be sure to sit comfortably and carry it wherever you go.
The TravelChair Slacker is a quadpod stool, and this aids in distributing the weight evenly. The steel frames used are high-grade and shouldn’t bend or collapse. The steel frame is also powder-coated to prevent rusting, so you can take it with you in your next camp at the beach. Because it’s made of a 600D oxford polyester, the fabric of this travel chair will provide years of service without ripping apart.
The chair measures 23.5 x 4 inches when folded and 13.5 x 18 when set up. It weighs about 2.5 pounds meaning you don’t have to carry it on your shoulders. The lightweight chair can accommodate up to 275 lbs. of weight, thanks to its heavy-duty construction. An excellent addition is the carry strap that makes it easier to move with it from place to place.
Moreover, the feet have been designed with nylon on them to prevent the chair from sinking in soft sands. However, the chair lacks back support nor arms rest, which may not be ideal for situations when you are tired and need to lean back.
It is reasonably priced considering the materials used and the stability it provides. It also folds up to the size of a newspaper, making it portable and easy to store.
Highlights
- Built with a strong steel frame and comfortable polyester fabric.
- Weighs only 2.2 pounds.
- It is very compact and portable.
- Includes a simple Velcro strap for easy packing and storage.
Pros
- Highly portable.
- It is budget-friendly.
- Supports up to 275 pounds of weight.
- Has a solid build with a durable steel frame.
Cons
- It lacks back support and armrest.
Buyer’s Guide: Important Features to Look In a Backpacking Chair
When choosing a new chair for your next backpacking trip, there are a few different factors that you should keep in mind. We recommend considering the portability, weight capacity, durability, and comfort of each chair.
1. Portability
This is the most important feature since you will be carrying the chair with you during hikes. Therefore, when choosing your chair, make sure it is lightweight and foldable. It should also have a compact design that fits easily in your carry-on luggage.
2. Weight Capacity
Your backpack chair should be able to accommodate more than your weight. This helps to extend its lifespan. Ideally, you should get a chair that has a higher weight capacity so that it can be used by anyone. Big and tall campers should also consider a heavy duty camping chair.
3. Durability
You should not get a flimsy chair just because you want a comfortable and portable chair. Therefore, ensure that its frame is made of sturdy materials like aviation-grade aluminum. Also, make sure it is durable and features a tear-resistant fabric such as nylon or polyester.
4. Comfort
Among the reasons you are buying a backpacking chair is because you are seeking comfort while on your camping or hiking trip. As such, you should get a chair that will be comfortable to sit on. It should have seat padding and an ergonomic design to make you feel comfortable. If you have back issues, you may want to consider specific camping chairs with back support.
With these considerations in mind, you should be able to find the best backpacking chair for your needs.
Lightweight Backpacking Chairs FAQs
Are backpacking chairs different from camping chairs?
Yes. Camping chairs are designed to be more comfortable and heavier than backpacking chairs. The reason for this is because camping chairs are meant for being used for a longer time. Another difference is that backpacking chairs are light and compact to make it easier for you to carry around.
How do I take care of my backpacking chair?
As long as your backpacking chair is made of a sturdy frame that is coated with paint and easy-to-wash fabric such as polyester or nylon, it will be easier to maintain. You should wipe down your chair whenever it gets dirty or after using it. You can clean it with water and soap. Check the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean your chair.
What is the ideal weight of a backpacking chair?
Backpacking chairs should weigh between 1 and 3 pounds. Such weight is bearable to carry on your back when hiking. Anything above 5 pounds can be too heavy for most people. However, there are chairs with even 10 pounds, but we do not recommend such as they can weigh you down.
Final Thoughts
A backpacking chair should be a part of your backpack luggage when you are going on a hike or camping trip. In addition, it can be ideal for picnics, sporting events, and any outdoor activities you may have.
They are portable and comfortable and thus can help you to relax better when it’s time to give your muscles a break. What’s more, these chairs are affordable and budget friendly for the majority of people.
Any of the five chairs we discussed are a great choice and a good investment, especially for avid backpackers and hikers. It’s time to take a seat and relax!
Happy Camping!
What chair do you bring on your backpacking or camping trips? Is there an awesome chair that you recommend we try out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
