Unless I’m mistaken, after trying out a modern backpacking chair for the first time and taking it on that first trip, I’ve taken a chair on every backpacking trip since. That’s a solid 10+ years of backpacking. While the limited use of a chair and the extra, non-necessary weight carried may go against ultralight principles, the comfort in camp is worth it. And with many of my trips featuring a blend of miles plus extra activities like photography or fishing or just watching the scenery, there is some time in camp to be had.

Modern backpacking chair options, such as the REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair shown here, can offer packability and quite a bit of comfort for around a pound.

Best Backpacking Chairs

For me and when it comes to backpacking chairs with legs, it all started with Alite Designs Monarch Chair, now known and offered as the Grand Trunk Alite Monarch Chair. You can read our full review of the Monarch Chair here. This $90, 18 ounce chair packs up small and is unique in that it has only 2 legs. If this has you skeptical at first, I can tell you right away that it’s easier to balance on this chair than one might at first think, and it makes a lounging, legs-extended position quite comfortable. That said, for sitting upright and cooking it can be a little uneasy at times, and yes, I’ve tipped completely over backwards once…or twice.

Balanced on the Alite Monarch Chair

For more stability with 4 legs you have a few options here. One can be found in the Helinox Chair Zero ($140, 17 ounces) – find our full Helinox Chair Zero Review here. This chair has the additional stability (although with any backpacking chair, you have to be careful) and is especially comfortable again in a legs-extended position which is great for the knees at the end of the hiking day. This chair has a more upright seating posture and is a bit higher off the ground than some competitors, all of which makes it easier to get in and out of. Additionally, multiple versions of this chair are available such as a large and a highback.

Helinox Chair Zero

For a bit less weight however, the Flexlite Air Chair from REI Co-op ($100, 16 ounces) is quite the contender. Read our Flexlite Air Chair review for all the details, however to summarize you’ll be going about as light as you get here and this chair has a relaxed and a bit lower seating position, but is most comfortable knees bent or legs crossed – which is perfect for preparing a meal in camp. Legs extended I find the seat fabric cuts into your legs a bit, but I do often find myself taking this chair on trips considering its light weight.

REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair

When I want acceptable weight but it’s a more relaxed trip and comfort is a priority, the Helinox Ground Chair ($140, 23 ounces) is my preferred option (see more here: Helinox Ground Chair Review). This one is getting a bit heavy, but I find this chair to be really quite comfortable in a lounging position and it works fine knees-bent as well.

Helinox Ground Chair

The only con (other than weight) on this chair is that – appropriate to its name – it's just about right on the ground. Getting in and out can be a bit of a chore, but once you’re there this is the most comfortable chair option I’ve used in the backcountry.

Summary: Best Backpacking Chairs

Grand Trunk Alite Designs Monarch Chair
Helinox Chair Zero
REI-Co-op Flexlite Air Chair
Helinox Ground Chair

Other Backpacking Seating Options

You can save a bit of weight by going with a stool option. For my backpacking at this point I’d rather go with the heaviest of all options – a rock close to my campsite rather than a stool, so it’s chair or nothing for me or you could just go with a backpacking sit pad. However, preferences vary.

Additionally if you pack a bear canister, you can just use that, and Crazy Creek has offered chair options (this was actually my first backpacking chair some 30 years ago) that have you sitting in the chair on the ground for many years. If not and a stool works for you, we’ll keep it simple here: the REI Co-op Flexlite Air Stool (about $70, 12 ounces) is an option that will save just a bit of weight over a chair and admittedly, does offer an upgrade over a sitpad or rock.

Backpacking chairs can be convenient on everything from a day hike to extended trips, and can offer a place to sit when there isn't really one available.

Conclusion

While a chair for most of us is not a necessary item for backpacking but is indeed one that is appreciated if you’re spending any amount of downtime in camp, as a luxury it's one where I do look to keep the weight as low as possible. Thankfully, there are a few options out there these days that work for various preferences in regards to seating posture and several different options to suit preferences in regards to comfort. While I still wish every chair I’ve ever carried was just a bit lighter, the weight has always been worth it.

For a full selection of backpacking and camp chairs, take a look at this page at REI-Co-op.