Best Backpacking Chairs and Stools for Comfort on the Trail

Taking a chair backpacking may seem like a bit of an unnecessary luxury to fit in your pack, but when you’re on your feet for several hours a day you’ll be surprised at how welcome one can be. Taking a break at the top of a mountain is all the more enjoyable when you can sit in comfort, not to mention spending your evening at camp kicking back and relaxing. Thankfully, the best backpacking chairs are much more lightweight than they used to be. Packing one on your next multi-day trip won’t add too much weight to your pack, and if you get one that feels as comfortable as it is light then it will be well worth those extra few pounds.

• The 10 best backpacking chairs
• What to look for when choosing a chair for backpacking
• Features of the best backpacking chairs

Summary of the best backpacking chairs in 2024

Disclaimer: We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.

If you’re looking for a chair that is less portable and more suited to car camping, tailgating and backyard BBQs then take a look at our camping chairs guide. Otherwise, read on.

The 10 best backpacking chairs

Nemo Moonlite Reclining Chair

Weight: 1.87 lbs (850g)

Released in 2021, the Nemo Moonlite Reclining Chair takes backcountry comfort to a new level! Not only does it offer low weight in a very compact case but it’s also one of the most stable backpacking chairs out there. This is thanks to a combination of things. Firstly the frame attaches to the seat via a ball and socket joint which clicks into place. There’s zero chance of the frame slipping out of the socket. Secondly, a couple of the frame joints are permanently fixed to add strength and stability that most other frame designs don’t offer. Be sure to consider this when folding the frame away!

However, the most appealing selling point of this, let’s be honest, rather pricey backpacking chair, is that it allows sitters to adjust the chair into a reclining position. Delightful!

Worth the money? Jury is still out. The general quality and design is certainly better than any backpacking chair I’ve tried. However, it does tend to tip you forward slightly and I find myself slipping out of the chair if I’m on even the tiniest slope. I’ve not had that issue with similar style chairs.

Find the latest price at:
Nemo Equipment | REI

REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair

Weight: 1 lb (450g)

Weighing just 1lb, the REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair is a super lightweight backpacking chair that even the lightest packers can add to their backpack. The Flexlite Air Chair features an aluminum tent-like frame that sits 11” above the ground. The four-leg design promises a stable seat that can hold up to 250lbs. Are you ready to strike camp? The Flexlite Air Chair is a piece of cake to fold and store. It tucks away into compact stuff sack, ready for the next campsite. When it comes to sustainability, the main fabric of this lightweight backpacking chair is Bluesign approved ripstop nylon with a DWR finish.

Find the latest price at:
REI

Robens Pathfinder Lite Chair

Weight: 2 lbs (900g)

With an oh-so-stylish matt gold finish, complemented by a granite grey seat, the Robens Pathfinder Lite Chair is one of THE most stylish backpacking chairs out there. It has a very similar design to the Chair One, boasting mesh panels, a sturdy frame and durable fabrics. It also weighs almost the same and unfortunately, comes with a heavy price-tag attached to it. However, like the Chair One, you get what you pay for. And if it’s convenient comfort, durability and reliability you’re after then it’s well worth the spend. Plus, a chair this good looking fits in rather nicely in your back garden, too!

For more information read our full review of the Robens Pathfinder Lite Chair.

Find the latest price at:
Robens | Cotswold Outdoor | Amazon

Helinox Chair One

Weight: 2.1 lbs (950g)

The Helinox Chair One is a premium chair and one of the priciest on our list. It comes in a wide range of colours, including some designs with contrasting colours and patterns. The high-quality construction and high weight capacity make this chair a favourite for heavier hikers. And at just over 2lbs it is just about light enough for long distance backpackers, too. It folds into a carrying case that is 14″ long and it is easy to set up, although not instant. A high quality chair that will last for many years of backpacking and camping.

For more information read our full review of the Helinox Chair One.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon | Helinox | REI

Therm-a-Rest Trekker Chair

Weight: 0.8 lb (370g)

The lightest option on the list is also the most unique. The Therm-a-Rest Trekker Chair converts a Therm-a-Rest (or other comparable) sleeping mat into a chair. The Trekker Chair comes in two sizes and both are incredibly light. The largest style is still only 13oz! There are no drink holders in the chair, but it is the very best option for backpacking because you do not have to carry a sleeping mat and separate chair. With the unique conversion straps and buckles, your inflatable mattress can also double as your chair.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon | REI

TravelChair Joey

Weight: 2.3 lbs (1040g)

Another excellent quality lightweight backpacking chair is the TravelChair Joey. It packs down to a similar size as the Crazy Creek Hex but provides an elevated and comfortable seat for those looking for a little more luxury and comfort after a long day out on the trail. Although a little heavier than the Helinox Chair One, this highly comfortable option offers a little more sturdiness on uneven ground with its anti-sink disk feet. It will leave you feeling as at home in the wilderness as it will kicking back at a backyard grill.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon | Backcountry

Nemo Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat

Weight: 0.47 lbs (215g)

Those looking for a low impact, no-frills backcountry sitting solution should look no further than the Nemo Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat.
Created using sleeping pad scraps that would otherwise go to landfill, Nemo diverted 8.8 tons of scrap foam from the waste stream in the first year of production.

But its appealing eco-credentials aren’t the only thing worth shouting out. The Chipper is also the most inexpensive backcountry seat option on our list AND the most lightweight. It’s also much easier to attach to the outside of a pack than the chair options, and with zero setup time it gets way more use on the trail for short rests.

Sure, it doesn’t compare to a regular backpacking chair in terms of comfort and luxury. But the egg box style design offers an R-value of 2 for warmth and provides a surprisingly comfortable spot to sit or kneel on.

Find the latest price at:
Nemo Equipment | REI

Crazy Creek Hex 2.0

Weight: 1.3 lbs (600g)

If you’d rather not convert your sleeping pad into a chair and risk getting it dirty or wet, the Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 is an excellent alternative. At only 1.3lbs (0.6kg) it is light enough for backpacking and rolls up to only 4 inches (10cm) in diameter. The high density foam provides 8mm of padding and insulation and doesn’t require any inflation (like the Trekker). This simple and low profile option is one of the best portable chairs for backpacking as well as other outdoor events and car camping.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon | REI

REI Trail Stool

Weight: 1.12 lbs (500g)

Backpacking chairs don’t get much more simple than this tripod stool from REI. Sure, it won’t win any prizes for comfort and luxury, but for those looking for a highly practical and lightweight stool for backpacking and camping, you can’t go wrong with the REI Trail Stool. Complete with a shoulder strap for easy carrying around camp, this packable stool also has a second strap to secure the legs together when on the move. And at only 22 inches long, when folded up, it fits very nicely on the outside of a hiking backpack. It has a highly durable ripstop polyester seat, which, together with the aluminum legs, can support up to 200lbs.

Find the latest price on:
REI

Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool

Weight: 1.2 lbs (540kg)

If you like the idea of a backpacking stool over a chair, but don’t want to sacrifice comfort, then look no further than the Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool. Weighing only a fraction more than the REI Trail Stool you’ll sure look forward to getting your butt into this lightweight stool after a tough day on the trail! It has a highly durable and water resistant ripstop nylon seat that is reinforced with a high-tenacity Robic yarn. Whatsmore, the ultralight aircraft aluminum pole system can support up to 250lbs. It is super easy to assemble and comes in a small stuff sack for easy packability. But it is also up there with the more expensive backpacking chairs on our list.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon | REI

What to look for when choosing the best backpacking chairs

Weight

Unlike camping chairs — that are hauled directly from the car to the ground next to the car — backpacking chairs are carried miles and miles on foot. So choosing one that is as lightweight as possible is high up on the list of priorities for most backpackers. That said, if you’ve made the effort to carry it, you really want it to be worth it! Be sure that it provides comfort, too.

Comfort

Backpacking chairs with a supportive back tend to provide a little more comfort and luxury than a lightweight stool. Tripod stools are generally the least comfortable but they have their own appeal from a simplicity point of view.

When considering comfort levels, you should also think about whether you prefer/want/need to be close to the ground or elevated. While elevated seats are great for sitting comfortably and relaxing in, they also mean that you have to bend down to do any tasks at ground level — like cooking. Ground level backpacking chairs, on the other hand, need to be insulated to prevent getting a cold butt.

Packability

The next most important thing to consider, after weight and comfort, is a chair’s packability. Firstly, the best backpacking chairs should be easy to set up and put away. This is especially important if you are the sort of person who likes to take lots of breaks on the trail. Secondly, it shouldn’t take up much room in your pack, and the smaller the pack-down size, the better.

Weight capacity and strength

Lastly, be sure to choose a chair that will hold your weight. Imagine lugging your lightweight stool up a mountain only for it to collapse under you! Opting for something that is constructed of tough and durable materials will help ensure that it provides plenty of support, as well as holding up to the tests of time. Look for seat fabrics made of ripstop nylon or polyester and frames made of aluminium.

Features of the best backpacking chairs

Backpacking chairs are generally fairly frill-free. However, there are a few things to look out for and consider, depending on your needs.

• 

  Mesh panels

  The addition of mesh panels on backpacking chairs makes them more cool and comfortable in hot weather. But they also help to keep the weight of the chair as low as possible without compromising too much on toughness and strength.

• 

  Storage sack

  This is especially important for chairs that dismantle into more than one piece. It will help prevent you from losing key components, and makes the chair much more packable either on the outside of a backpack or stashed inside.

• 

  Grippy feet

  If you backpacking stool or chair has legs then it should also have feet that are durable and grippy. Look for either rubber feet or anti-sink feet that dig into the ground slightly.

• 

  Pockets

  Most lightweight backpacking chairs don’t have pockets. However, some chairs do exist with them, like the Therm-a-Rest Quadra. Pockets are useful to keep your snacks and drinks close at hand.

Carrying a chair on a backpacking trip may seem like a luxury you just can justify. Opt for something that is as lightweight as it is comfortable, however, and you’ll barely notice the extra weight in your pack. Some people can live without a backpacking chair, but for those who value a little luxury and comfort in the wilderness, these beauties are invaluable.

• Share