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Looking for the best backpacking chair? You’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we’ll share with you our top picks for the best backpacking chairs on the market. We’ll also provide a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right chair for your needs. So whether you’re looking for the lightest, most comfortable, or most versatile backpacking chair, we’ve got you covered.
Recommended Backpacking Chairs
- Helinox Chair Zero – Best Ultra Light Backpacking Chair
- Nemo Moonlite Recliner Camp Chair – Smallest Pack Size Backpacking Chair
- Moon Lence Folding Chair – Best Heavy-Duty Backpacking Chair
- Jamious Portable Folding Camping Chair – Best Budget Backpacking Chair
- REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair
- Kvittra Portable Camping Chair
- Ltrototea Ultralight Folding Camping Chair
- Helinox Chair Zero Highback
What to Look for When Choosing a Backpacking Chair
Weight
When choosing a backpacking camping chair, it is important to consider the weight of the chair. A heavier chair will be more difficult to carry, but it will also be more comfortable and durable. A lighter chair may be easier to carry, but it may not be as comfortable or durable.
Ultimately, the best chair for you will depend on your personal preferences and needs. If you are going to be hiking a long way, you may be looking to save weight on your backpack and therefore should aim for an ultra-lightweight camping chair, although these tend to be more expensive. If you are unlikely to be hiking far when you’re backpacking, you can probably save a little money and go for a heavier option.
Related: What Is The Lightest Camping Chair?
Pack Size
When choosing a backpacking chair, folded size is an important consideration. A chair that folds down small will be easier to pack and carry and will take up less space in your backpack. However smaller chairs are generally smaller when unfolded, which can be a problem if you are a taller person and need a chair that is larger to be comfortable when sitting.
If you are backpacking for a long period of time, space may be at a premium in your backpack given all the gear and food you will need. This is when a much smaller pack size is important. If you have plenty of space if your backpack, you don’t need to worry as much about the pack size.
Max Load
When you’re looking for a backpacking chair, one of the most important factors to consider is the max weight capacity. After all, you don’t want your chair to collapse when you’re sitting in it! There are a few reasons why you should consider the max load carefully:
- It ensures that your chair will be able to support your weight.
- It prevents your chair from tipping over when you’re sitting in it.
- It helps to prolong the life of your chair by preventing overloading and excessive wear and tear.
Chair Size
When choosing a backpacking chair, size is an important consideration. Chairs that are too small may not be comfortable, and chairs that are too large may be difficult to carry. The best way to choose the right size chair is to first determine how you will be using it.
If you plan on using your backpacking chair for long periods of time, comfort is key. A larger chair with plenty of padding will be more comfortable than a smaller one. However, a larger chair will also be heavier and more difficult to carry. If you don’t mind sacrificing some comfort for the sake of portability, a smaller chair may be a better option.
Once you’ve decided on the size of your backpacking chair, it’s important to make sure it has enough support. A well-built chair will provide adequate support for your back and help prevent fatigue during extended use.
Seat Height
When choosing a backpacking chair, seat height is an important consideration. A chair that is too low to the ground can be uncomfortable to sit in for long periods of time, and a chair that is too high can be difficult to get in and out of.
The ideal seat height for a backpacking chair is one that allows you to sit with your feet flat on the ground and your knees at a 90-degree angle. This will provide the most comfortable and stable sitting position.
When choosing a backpacking chair, make sure to try it out in the store before purchasing it. Sit in it for a few minutes to make sure it is the right height for you.
Price
When it comes to backpacking chairs, price is important for a number of reasons:
- Cheaper chairs are often made with lower-quality materials, which means they won’t last as long.
- More expensive chairs usually come with better features, such as being able to recline or having a built-in footrest.
- Pricier chairs tend to be more comfortable, thanks to higher-quality padding and construction.
In short, while you can find some decent backpacking chairs for under $100, you’ll likely be happier in the long run if you spend a bit more on a high-quality chair.
Ultra Lightweight Camping Chair
When it comes to buying a small camping chair for backpacking, getting an ultralight chair is a must. If you want the lightest camping chair on the market, then the Helinox Chair Zero is the backpacking chair for you.
This folding camp chair weighs just 1 pound, making it the lightest chair on the market and significantly lighter than other traditional camping chairs. You may be thinking that a lightweight chair is not going to be very durable and won’t be able to hold much weight, but you might be surprised. The Helinox Chair Zero can support up to 265 pounds in weight, which is pretty decent given how light it is.
The chair also packs down very small as well, measuring just 14″ x 4″ x 4″. This is pretty much on par with the smallest chair on the list, so is great for slipping into your backpack. Because this chair packs down so small, as you can imagine the chair itself is pretty small, measuring 25″ x 21″ x 19″. This is a similar size to other backpacking chairs, but is quite small compared to larger, less portable camping chairs. The seat height is just 8.5″, which is also quite low.
If you are looking for a light chair that folds down small enough to fit in your backpack with the rest of your camping gear, you really can’t go wrong with the Helinox Chair Zero.
Related: Best Lightweight Camping Chair
Smallest Pack Size Backpacking Chair
If you are in the market for the smallest portable chair so that you can save space in your backpack? Then look no further than the Nemo Moonlite Recliner Camp Chair.
This backpacking chair is designed to pack down small and fit nicely in your backpack. Squeezing into a 14″ x 4″ x 4″ package, there will be plenty of space in your backpack for the rest of your camping gear. With such a small pack size, you would expect and do actually get a small chair, measuring in at 26″ x 20″ x 20″, which is very similar to other backpacking chairs on the market. The seat height of 10.5″ is about average for ultralight camp chairs.
The Moonlite has a decent max load as well, accommodating up to 300lbs, which is pretty decent given how small this chair is. This is made possible by the extra weight of the chair compared to the lightest on the list, with this Nemo Moonlite weighing 1.8lbs compared to 1lbs for the lightest chair.
The Nemo Moonlite Recliner Camp Chair is a great choice for the space-conscious backpacker.
Best Heavy-Duty Backpacking Chair
If you are in the market for an ultralight backpacking chair, but you’re concerned about whether it can support your weight, you will want to get the camping chair with the highest max load. If this sounds like you, then the Moon Lence Folding Chair might just be the right choice for you.
This ultralight camp chair can support up to 400lbs in weight, which is the most of all the camping chairs on this list and great given that the chair weighs just 2lbs. This does make it one of the heaviest chairs on the list, but that might be worth it for the extra weight it can withstand.
In spite of the extra weight of this chair, it still packs down fairly small at just 14″ x 5″ x 5″, which is not much larger than the smallest chair on this list. At an unpacked size of 24″ x 20″ x 18″, it is a similar size to other backpacking chairs.
So if you’re looking for a backpacking chair that has a high max load, the Moon Lence Folding Chait would be a good choice.
Best Budget Backpacking Chair
For those new to backpacking, it can seem daunting the amount of gear that you need and how much it will cost. If you’re on a tight budget and believe that a camping chair is an essential piece of kit, then the Jamious Portable Folding Camping Chair is a great, budget friendly option.
This portable chair is very much a wallet friendly option, with a RRP of just $29.99, making it the cheapest on this list. In spite of its low cost, this chair doesn’t require much by way of compromise, still packing down to a small size at 14″ x 6″ x 5″, which should be a good size for slipping into your rucksack. The max load of 280lbs is also still pretty decent when compared to other ultralight backpacking chairs.
The only real compromise is the weight, which at 2lbs, is the joint heaviest on the list. However, this is still pretty light compared to some backpacking chairs on the market.
So if getting a decent backpacking chair at a good price is your main concern, then the Jamious Portable Folding Camping Chair would be a good choice for you.
Best of the Rest Backpacking Chairs – Lightest to Heaviest
The REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair is a backpacking chair that strikes the balance between price and packed size really well.
Measuring 15″ x 4.5″ x 4.5″ when folded, this chair is a good size for slipping into your backpack when camping for a few days. Whilst the smallest pack size chairs are in excess of $100, this chair has an RRP of just $69.95, which is a good price at this size.
The Flexlite Camp Chair is also relatively light, weighing in at 1.7lbs, which is about average for an ultralight camping chair, though not the lightest on this list. With a max load of 250lbs, this is one of the lowest weight limits on the list but should be plenty enough for most campers.
The Kvittra is a strong, affordable outdoor chair which is a great choice for the heavier camper who is on a budget.
This camp chair has a max weight of 330lbs, which is one of the highest on this list, with only the Moon Lence Folding Chair having a higher max load. This camp chair also costs just $39.99, which is very affordable compared with some of the other options on the market.
This chair also has a pretty small packed size, measuring just 14″ x 5″ x 5″, which is perfect for adding to your backpack without taking up too much room. At just 2lbs in weight, this chair is one of the heavier ones on the list, but is still very light when compared to traditional backpacking chairs.
The Ltrototea Ultralight Folding Camping Chair is a good choice for those who want a budget backpacking chair that is a solid all-rounder.
Whilst this chair might not excel in any one area compared to more expensive folding chairs, it does the basics well. Weighing 1.98lbs, this is in line with other affordable chairs. The packed size of this chair is 14″ x 5″ x 5″, which is similar to other chairs as well.
The max load for this chair is on the low side, with a weight limit of 250lbs. This is still good for most campers, but lower than other affordable options. At a price of just $32.99 though, this chair is a good choice for those who don’t want to splash out on an expensive backpacking chair that they may only use occasionally.
The Helinox Chair Zero Highback outdoor chair is a great choice for those looking for a backpacking chair that is light but also comfortable to sit in.
This version of Helinox’s popular ultralight camp chair is designed with a higher back for leaning against, meaning you can rest your shoulders and head when seated, unlike the other small camping chairs on the list. The compromise for this extra comfort is fairly small, with an additional 0.5lbs of weight vs. the original Chair Zero, as well as a larger pack size at 16″ x 5″ x 5″. The max load is the same as the non-high back version, with a weight limit of 265lbs.
Compared to the other camp chairs on the list, the Helinox High Chair Zero Highback is the most expensive, with an RRP of $169.95. This extra cost might just be a small price to pay for the extra comfort you will get.
Summary
So there you go, I hope you found this guide useful and it has helped you to find your perfect backpacking chair.