This lightweight camping chair from ALPS Mountaineering just made the weight cutoff. Big Agnes built its Mica with a hubless joint design, meaning theres just aluminum (infinitely recyclable) and no plastic in the structure. Backpacking enthusiast and lead reviewer, Elizabeth Paashaus has spent hundreds of mornings, evenings, and lunch breaks seated on the ground, which is enough to appreciate the comfort afforded by a lightweight camp chair. The Hillsound Equipment Stool comes in at a close second, weighing in at 12.2 ounces and also folding up into a compact cylinder that can be stowed easily in one of the outside pockets of your pack. These are not to be confused with camping chairs which are typically larger and bulkier (are seen in the cover photo above). Despite appearances, the CLIQ chair isn't a portable backpacking chair in-line with some of the ultralight models we've tested. This is an important distinction to make. However, these chairs are usually quite expensive, and the lighter the chair, the higher the price. A lightweight, packable backpacking chair might be just what youre looking for. Lastly is the ground pad style seat, like the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat. Is A Backpacking Chair Worth It? A Complete Guide | Wonderfarr It just requires a quick twist and your body weight on the chair to set it up. . In general, foam pads are more durable than inflatable pads, but they are also less compact and heavier. A backpacking chair can be used either for backpacking or car camping. Although the Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 chair doesnt have the rigid legs or structure of a typical camping chair, this model is remarkably comfortable. To help you find the best backpacking chair to truly kick back and relax, I took some of the most highly regarded models out into the field for a head-to-head test. The Therm-a-Rest Trekker Chair Kit is unique in that it provides infrastructure for an inflatable sleeping pad to be used as a seat. If youre curious about getting a lightweight backpacking chair, but balking at the price, then the Klymit Ridgeline Short is the chair for you. As I mentioned before, it is always preferable to have a comfortable place to rest your back after a long day of hiking rather than sitting on uneven surfaces. With so many backpacking chairs on the market, how do you pick the right one? This unique design feature distributes weight more evenly across the ground, making it less likely youll tip over on uneven terrain. Sometimes the simplest answer is the best. Although you might want a chair that is light and small enough to pack on your backpacking trips, its nice to find one that doesnt skimp on comfort or back support if youre looking to lounge at the end of a long hiking day. When in use, camping chairs will provide more stability and a wider seat than the average backpacking chair. To put the chairs to the test, we first set them up without reading or looking at any instructions, and we attempted to pack them back into their bags. The line-up of tent style chairs is an impressive array of expertly balanced forces that allow you to put your body weight onto narrow aluminum poles with lightweight fabrics stretched over. Thursday November 3, 2022. It is also lower to the ground than other backpacking chairs in our lineup, making it even more stable. No "sponsored" content. 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. The chairs we tested from Big Agnes have color-coded poles and pole pockets for a quick visual cue during assembly. Trekology YIZI HIGH Back Portable High Back Camping Chair. You want to be sure the chair wont be too bulky to fit in your backpacking backpack and that its light enough to justify bringing along. For the most significant cost savings, look to the foam chairs, which are almost always less expensive than tent-style models but can still offer you a padded seat to comfort your derrire. Finding the best backpacking chair has to do with your threshold of comfort and how much youre willing to carry. Sit pads like the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat and Nemo Chipper are truly just a piece of foam that offers just a hint of padding and primarily keeps your butt from getting wet and dirty if you're sitting on the ground. The Helinox Ground Chair is a unique tent chair that sits even lower to the ground than its closest competitors, making it more of a recliner meant to extend legs forward. Due to the fact that these chairs have four legs, they are very stable on the ground and greatly reduce your chances of falling over. Backpacking chair suggestions? : r/backpacking - Reddit Backpacking chairs are a unique type of chair specifically designed for hikers, campers, and other outdoor adventurers. Hopefully, that's solid. Its definitely the best choice for the ultralight backpackers who arent looking for a chair per se but a nice seating pad for keeping your bum warm at camp. If you want to see more of our backpacking gear recommendations, if you dont know the difference between car camping and backpacking, click here), Mountain Summit Gear Ultra Comfort Camp Chair (click here to check prices at US Outdoor. It may, however, be better best suited for car camping or shorter backpacking/overnight trips where weight isnt a huge concern. Helinox is high on the list in terms of the quality of materials in its chairs, with its lightweight, aluminum leg poles and ripstop polyester seats. If you want to see more of our backpacking gear recommendations, check out our backpacking gear blog! The only downside is you must have a compatible sleeping pad in addition to the chair. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Monos Metro Backpack review: Why I think this bag is worth it - Yahoo During testing, it was clear that larger chairs were more comfortable than smaller chairs, but there is a wide range of variability within that. A backpacking mat is simply a shrunk-down sleeping pad, so it retains all the pads quality (highly insulative, waterproof & long-lasting) while being extremely compact. Based in Denver, Colorado, Murphy is an avid hiker, runner, backpacker, skier, yogi, and pack-paddleboarder. The Helinox Ground Chair and Chair Zero are also good bets, weighing in at 1 pound 4.8 ounces and 1 pound 2 ounces, respectively, and both pack up into a small size. REI Flexlite Air Chair Review - SectionHiker.com Fortunately, we didnt, and subsequent assembly of the chair was notably easier. No matter how cool or comfy a camp chair is, its not a backpacking chair unless you can carry it. How does the fabric feel on the skin? Read more: Moon Lence Backpacking Chair review. Our rating: 5/5. Before I bought it, I convinced myself that I'd rather sit on a rock or a fallen tree when cooking dinner on backpacking trips or bring a small foam pad to sit on instead. We measured how far each seat elevated us off the ground. Weight. Despite these design similarities, during testing I found that small variations, like the direction of the main support pole or a slight bend on the back legs, made a big difference in the stability of each chair. $75 $50 from Amazon. We love that some of the Helinox models include picture directions printed on the chairs, making your first setup as easy as your fifteenth. You lose out on a backpacking chairs ability to function properly when you push the weight too far down. Best value backpacking chairs: REI Flexlite & Therm-a-Rest Trekker. While this chair is more spacious and a bit more comfortable than its counterpart, it lacks the lightness and portability that make for a truly great backpacking chair. Let's get down to business! Our only comment about sit pads like these is that because they are so light, if you get up to grab something on a windy day, they'll blow off of whatever surface you had them on. If youre looking to invest in a chair that offers back support and doesnt add too much weight to your pack, the Flexlite Air Chair is a great option. How can we improve GearLab? If we had to sum up the Z Seat in just a few words: Sit anywhere for 2 ounces. The answer is a resounding yes! What is a backpacking chair? | Hiker Rest Stop If youre carrying one of these, you likely also have some whiskey in a flask and plans to toast your trip in front of an epic vista or roaring campfire (maybe both) later that evening. Some fit tighter than others, but nothing compared to the notoriously difficult task of putting a tent back into its bag! While it requires you to have a compatible sleeping pad, it utilizes something thats already in your pack to create a chair, which we really like. These are available in both inflatable and foam variants and perform very similarly to their sleeping pad counterparts. Those who dont mind packing more weight, and prioritize comfort over all else, will love to relax in this seat by the campfire. The Nemo Moonlite has a unique ball and socket attachment system which is easy to lock into place. These tent-style chairs are lighter than any taco-style competitor we tested despite having legs. And if youre still wondering whether the extra weight is worth it, keep in mind that the whole point of packing less is to be able to hike further and more comfortably. For some people, this is a must-have when on the trail, and for others, it is, to put it bluntly, is a massive waste of space and money. Deuter Aircontact Core Backpack Review: My Original Survived 10 Years Will the Updated Pack Last as Long? Setting up these backpacking chairs is by no means difficult, but some models have the setup dialed in. Otherwise, scroll through our picks for the best backpacking chairs of 2023: At only a pound, the Flexlite Air Chair ($100) from REI offers the perfect balance of comfort, stability, and price. If, on the other hand, a chair is unstable, it's the first complaint you'll hear. Got feedback? The lightest product wed classify as more of a classic chair we reviewed is theREI Flexlite Air Chair, coming in at around a pound. Backpacking chairs come in all shapes and sizes and are made with different materials that affect their overall build quality. REI Flexlite - Review 2023 - DIVEIN Proper beach chairs tend to be lower to the ground and that makes them much more comfortable than camping chairs at the beach. Are Backpacking Chairs Worth It? - betatourist.com However, it is possible to lean back too far. Insulation is another good reason not to sit on the ground and use at least a mat for it. No ads. Backpacking chairs are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of different settings. If you're carrying one of these, you likely also have some whiskey in a flask and plans. Living in Bishop on the flanks of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Miya spends most of her summers backpacking out to alpine climbing objectives and knows how nice it is to have a comfortable seat to lounge in at the end of a long hiking day. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. From budget-friendly options to ultra-comfortable picks, weve got you covered. The Moon Lence Backpacking Chair is a value pick that outperforms its price point. For this metric, we evaluated the myriad ways chairs can be more or less comfortable and used these characteristics to rate each product against each other. A backpacking chair should strike an appropriate balance between comfort, weight, and bulk. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product worksor doesnt. Lancaster is Outdoor Life's gear staff writer where she focuses on in-depth testing of backpacking and camping gear, with a particular interest in lightweight and ultralight gear. Similar to a flat-folding chair seat, the Trekker relies on your sleeping pad for comfort and structure. It also uses high-tenacity yarn for increased durability while keeping weight low. To figure out which chairs work best for larger individuals, I looked at the weight limit and considered the functional width of each chair, and then had a 6-foot-3 individual sit down and stand up in the finalists several times to provide feedback. While you could use it for backpacking, it would be a little on the bulky side, but it won a spot in the review for its high sustainability score. Though they add some extra weight to your pack, the level of comfort they provide makes up for it. At one point, we wondered if we were going to break the frame just getting the polyester body on. Camping chairs, in general, dont pack down as small and are quite bulky but do offer a good deal of comfort. First, the legs cover a larger square area than others at this size and weight. Measurements are helpful but seeing each chair in its stuff sack side by side puts the differences in measurement in perspective. We evaluate each seat on its comfort, identifying crucial elements of each product's performance. That said, we all know that person willing to haul an extra pound or two to improve their camp amenities. Comfort almost always comes at the cost of weight, though, which backpackers are always trying to whittle down. Support us! This results in less pressure against the side of the hips. Its also more of a chore to get into and out of (although a back and forth rocking motion can give you the momentum you need to propel yourself up). The top 5 backpacking chairs we recommend for 2023: Big Agnes Helinox Chair One. The Darchen Backpacking Chair sells on Amazon for $34 ( HERE ). Out of all the chairs, they provide the most comfort as well as allow you to lean forward to do things. But, some chairs stood out for supporting the back for longer sessions. If you don't mind a bit of extra weight, this model offers unmatched comfort wrapped up in a reasonably small travel size. Among them is a chair, or more specifically a backpacking chair. The curve in the legs of the Big Agnes Skyline UL add to the stability while keeping the packed size small. Free Gear Friday: Win a Backpacking Pack and Tent From Mountain Equipment Company, Build It and They Will Ride: New Adaptive MTB Trails Open Up the Sport, Bike First, Electric Second: Velotric Thunder 1 ST E-Bike Review, Patagonia Sues Nordstrom, Alleges Counterfeit Clothing Sold at Rack Stores. Top picks include REI, ALPS, Coleman, and more. The Dash Chair is a good choice if you dont yet own any camping chairs and want a one-size-fits-all option that works in both the backcountry and front country. However, our testers found themselves surprised at how comfortable they were sitting on this model. If you want a lightweight, packable chair that is actually a proper chair, the lightest one is our category winner, the REI Flexlite Air. Typically these fall in the price range of greater than a hundred dollars. Trekology YiziGo Camping Chair. It totally depends on personal preference. But big guys know that the tradeoff with having a piece of gear that actually works for their frames is more than worth it. Best budget backpacking chairs: Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat, Gossamer Gear Thinlight & Moon Lence Portable Chair. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. The Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is without a doubt the lightest and most compact chair in our lineup. But are backpacking chairs worth it? For example, chairs that weigh about 1 lb or so can cost around $100 or more. Combining a decade of backpacking experience with years of authoring gear reviews, shes well-suited to help you make the most informed purchasing decision for your backpacking chair needs. This is a great choice for those looking for a lighter option for longer backpacking trips, without sacrificing comfort and support. Laura Lancaster Key Features Weight: 1 pound, 14 ounces Weight Limit: 300 pounds Seat Height: 10.5 inches Materials: Aluminum, polyester Pros Open sides constrict the hips less than traditional-style backpacking chairs Adjustable back High weight limit for its size Cons Most of the products we test are performance-driven. Because these backpacking chairs will likely be used on varying terrain, stability is an important feature to consider when making your purchasing decision. We analyzed packability and weight for this metric, knowing that a chair would have to be pretty compact to make it into an already heavy pack on your next trip into the backcountry. She has backpacked thousands of miles through the Appalachian mountains, the deserts of Southern Utah, and the high Sierra, both alone and with her husband and two girls. Our Verdict The Helinox Chair One earned our award for Best Portable Camping Chair. Consider this chair if youre looking for a more traditional chair style (higher off the ground with a back), want a sturdier weight capacity, and dont care too much about weight. ), Helinox Zero Ultralight Compact Camping Chair (click here to check prices on amazon), Clic Camping Chair (click here to check prices on amazon). The comfort between these categories is notably different. I looked at comfort, ease of set up and packing, and stability in each environment. None of the taco-style chairs in our review has any breathability, and all use similar materials. This chair folds down super easily, and stuffs down small, fitting well into the included stuff sack. Yeti's Trailhead camping chair immediately stands out for how comfortable it is to sit inand how expensive it is. It weighs just shy of 2lbs without its zippered case, so it's nearly twice as heavy as the more expensive chairs. You'll find this review helpful in narrowing down your options in a market full of excellent chairs. We found these models are stable from side to side, but if you put your weight too far back, you're liable to take a tumble. The second easiest to set up is the Hillsound Equipment BTR Stool. The Best Backpacking Chairs of 2023, Tested and Reviewed You should also consider how much weight you are used to carrying. We scoured the internet for chairs made with recycled materials or that were USA-made, and couldnt find many. What was supposed to be a summer job in Yosemite National Park turned into five years, with her ultimately becoming a rock climbing guide with the Yosemite Mountaineering School. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and daughter. It has a lot of short tube segments, and the legs are especially challenging to fold up and pack away. We found the hubless pole design on the Big Agnes Big Six to be great for reducing bulk and increasing stability, but it does mean the setup requires a bit more focus than poles that spring into place mostly on their own. The Greatest Backpacking Chairs of 2023, Examined and Reviewed DALLAS For the second year in a row, the Dallas Independent School District will require students to wear clear backpacks during the 2023-2024 school year. A wider, taller, and heavier counterpart of our top pick, the REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Boss Chair ($90) is precisely 20% larger in all dimensions. Most backpacking chairs are designed with built-in pockets or compartments that allow you to store items such as your pocket knife, phone, etc. In testing, it checked all our boxes: a very light-packed weight, easy setup, and comfort while sitting. Indisputably the simplest chair in the lineup is the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat. (select . The REI Co-op Trail Stool is a lightweight in-between option at 17 ounces it doesn't have a backrest, but it does have legs that keep you off of the ground. This is a great way to keep your hands free, and it also allows you to have easy access to items that are needed at any moment. The Dash Chair ($120) the lightest chair in the brands camp furniture lineup has an aluminum frame and a burly 420-denier ripstop fabric. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. (tested with a NeoAir sleeping pad), Makes a chair out of your already-packed sleeping pad, Designed to be used with Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pads but some have been able to configure with other pads as well, Packs down to the size of a 32 oz. Most of them even feel small to me, a paltry 5-foot, 5-inch individual. A few of the tent-style chairs come in next in the weight category: the REI Flexlite Air at 16 ounces, followed closely by the 17-ounce Chair Zero. Assuming that you are already carrying an inflatable sleeping pad, the Therm-a-Rest Trekker Chair Kit is a scant 10.8 ounces. Additionally, this chair is really gangly. The BTR (better than a rock) Stool weighs only 12.2 ounces and comes in two sizes.

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