We start each of our reviews with market research, which yielded an initial selection of nearly 50 contenders for our backpacking chairs. From there, we purchased the most promising models and tested them for several weeks, updating the review frequently to reflect new products. Over the years, we have taken out close to 30 chairs and sat on everything from rocky cliff bases to desert sand to city parks. We pay attention to each model’s comfort during an extended sit, how much work it is to set up and break them down, their sizes and weights, and how stable they feel on different surfaces.
In this article, we’ve identified the four most important qualities to look for in a chair. We rate each seat on its comfort throughout 30 minutes of lounging, its size and how much it weighs, its overall stability when getting in and out, and its ease of use. We weight metrics accordingly based on our experience of what is most important in a backpacking chair, with comfort being at the top of that list, followed by size and weight, stability, and, finally, ease of use. The Helinox Chair Zero is our favorite chair for ultralight luxury. It barely misses being the lightest chair of its kind, yet it’s significantly more comfortable and stable than its lightweight counterparts.
Although it doesn’t come with a carrying bag, the chair has two built-in handles. The Coleman chair does have a unique folding design that we did not find very intuitive, but it worked smoothly once they got the hang of lifting up the sides of the seatbed to collapse the chair. For car campers looking to simplify their dining routine, it’s a nice addition to your gear collection. ozark trail camping chair The Kelty’s polyester seat cover manages to meld a cloud-like cushion with a supportive feel that’s kind to your back after a long day of roughing it. Adjustable armrests are equipped with insulated cup holders that can be expanded to fit massive water bottles and oversized mugs. No one was surprised to see this chair pass our durability test with flying colors.
Leader Accessories has been manufacturing high-quality canopy tents and other outdoor equipment for more than three decades. We tested a few tents over the years during camping trips, but the one that impressed us most is the Leader Accessories 10×10 Pop Up Canopy Tent. The portable canopy is lightweight and equipped to handle multiple camping accessories that will help keep you dry and mosquito-free. Outdoor furniture is not one size fits all, so think carefully about your unique needs before committing to a style.
Sometimes we may be willing to learn how to operate a more complicated piece of gear when the benefits balance out the struggle, but often we want to be able to pick it up and have it work. Setting up these backpacking chairs is by no means difficult, but some models have the setup dialed in. The Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool incorporates a modern backpacking chair design into stool form. The wide, scooped seat offers plenty of support and space for your rear, unlike some of the small tripod stools that have the unfortunate appearance of being swallowed up. The wide, 4-legged design with hubless poles enables this seat to be comfortable, stable, compact, and one of the lightest we tested. We’ve tested close to 40 different models over the past 10 years.
But for those who want a dry, warm spot to park their rear without adding more than a couple of ounces to their packs, this one could be your ideal solution. The seat fabric is stiff, leading to several pressure points over time. Attaching the seat fabric to the aluminum frame also takes a little finessing.
REI’s Co-op Flexlite Air Chair is perfect for the minimalist traveler. The 1-pound seat comes with a miniscule stuff sack that can easily be slipped into a backpack or suitcase. We also loved that setting up and breaking down the aluminum frame and seat cover is conveniently intuitive.
From hiking and fishing to kayaking and zip-lining, there’s something for everyone here. And after a long day of outdoor adventure, visitors can relax in luxurious accommodations specially designed for maximum comfort and convenience. If you’re looking forward to serving up a feast on your next camping trip, don’t forget to take one of our camping gas bottles and canisters. Decathlon has a large selection of camping gas bottles and cartridges to fit a variety of camping stoves. Replacing a camping gas canister is very easy, and your stove will probably have instructions on it that tell you how to do it. This oversized EZ-Up canopy includes the recent design change in the top locks and leg adjustment locks to make setup even easier.
We considered both the relative weight of each chair compared to models of the same design (foam or tent style), as well as how it stacked up against every product we tested. Because people use outdoor chairs for an array of purposes and have different preferences when it comes to comfort, it was almost impossible to choose just one best chair. We did select our favorite upright chair for car camping and tailgating, and then additional low-to-the-ground, ultra-lightweight, and ozark trail hammock chair canopy picks, as well as a great chair for kids. Ozark Trail realtree wave fishing director’s chair is made from a durable powder-coated steel frame that is sure to stand up to whatever you throw at it. The chair’s adjustable legs will keep you in a comfortable position no matter the terrain. It features plenty of storage for all your fishing gear, including a side accessory pocket, a molle style side pocket large enough to hold a 370 tackle box and 2 fabric cupholders.
We have no doubt the aluminum frame and UV-resistant polyester seat are designed to last through years upon years of outdoor seasons. The chair and sack are also machine washable, so you can always head out on a hike feeling fresh. Like many ultralight chairs structured with a pole base, it will sink into soft ground like snow or sand, but Helinox makes a ground sheet you can buy to make the chair more versatile.