Best Ultralight Backpacking Chairs: 8 Field-Tested Options Compared

8 Field-Tested Options Compared

A backpacking chair is a luxury item—until you spend hours glassing from a cold ridge, cooking dinner beside camp, or trying to relax after a long day on the trail. Then it starts feeling a lot more essential.

Over the past several years, I’ve tested everything from two-ounce foam pads to reclining ultralight chairs. Each option has its own balance of weight, comfort, packed size, stability, and price.

This comparison covers eight backpacking seats I have personally used:

• Therm-a-Rest Z Seat

• NEMO Chipper

• REI Co-op Flexlite Air

• Helinox Chair Zero

• NEMO Moonlite Elite

• Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool

• Crazy Creek Hex 2.0

• Moon Lence Ultralight Chair

Prices mentioned are what these products cost at the time of testing and may have changed.

Quick Backpacking Chair Comparison

ChairTested weightPrice at time of reviewBest featureTherm-a-Rest Z Seat2 oz.$33.95Lowest weight and fastest deploymentNEMO Chipper6 oz. on my scale$20More padding and insulationREI Flexlite Air1 lb. trail weight$99.95Lightweight and affordableHelinox Chair Zero1 lb. 1 oz. trail weight$139.95Good comfort-to-weight ratioNEMO Moonlite Elite1 lb. 2 oz. trail weight$179.95Best overall comfortBig Agnes Skyline UL Stool1 lb. 3 oz. trail weight$99.95Excellent stabilityCrazy Creek Hex 2.01 lb. 5 oz.Around $65Low-profile back supportMoon Lence Chair1 lb. 7 oz. for my modelAround $33Budget-friendly comfort

Therm-a-Rest Z Seat: My Favorite Overall

The Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is easily the backpacking seat I use most often. It is simple, functional, quick to deploy, and weighs only two ounces.

It isn’t the most comfortable option in this comparison. You can still feel rocks, sticks, and uneven ground underneath it. However, it keeps you off wet, cold, or dirty ground while adding virtually nothing to your pack weight.

It is especially useful for glassing. Its low profile allows me to sit on a ridge without sticking out like I would in a taller chair. I can also place it against a tree or rock to create a basic backrest.

The Z Seat folds quickly and fits easily in a backpack’s side or stretch-mesh pocket. There are no legs to assemble, fabric to stretch, or poles to break.

The Marine Corps taught me how to embrace the suck, while the Air Force taught me how to be comfortable. The Z Seat is a good compromise: I get a little comfort without carrying unnecessary weight.

Pros

• Extremely lightweight

• Fastest and easiest option to deploy

• Keeps you off wet or cold ground

• Low profile for glassing

• Fits easily outside a backpack

• No frame or moving parts to break

Cons

• Limited cushioning

• No built-in back support

• You can feel uneven ground underneath it

For solo backpacking, hunting, and glassing trips, this remains my go-to choice.

NEMO Chipper: More Padding and Insulation

The NEMO Chipper is another folding foam seat, but it provides more cushioning than the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat.

My Chipper weighed six ounces on my scale, although newer versions may have different listed weights. It is made from reclaimed foam and has an R-value of 2, making it a potentially better option for winter use or sitting on cold ground.

You can unfold it and place part of the pad against a tree to create a padded seat and backrest. If you want to reduce its weight, you could potentially cut off one of the folding sections, although that would permanently modify it.

At approximately $20 when tested, the Chipper was less expensive than the Therm-a-Rest. The tradeoff is additional bulk and weight.

Pros

• More comfortable than a thin foam seat

• Offers some insulation from cold ground

• Affordable

• Can function as both a seat and back pad

• Simple construction

Cons

• Heavier and bulkier than the Z Seat

• No structural back support

• Not as compact as the lightest foam pads

Choose the Chipper if you want more padding and insulation and don’t mind carrying a few additional ounces.

REI Co-op Flexlite Air: Lightweight but Wobbly

The REI Flexlite Air has a trail weight of approximately one pound, or one pound and one ounce with its stuff sack. At about $100 when tested, it was one of the more affordable framed ultralight chairs in this comparison.

It is easy to assemble, easy to pack away, and backed by REI. Unfortunately, I found it noticeably less stable than the other framed chairs.

At roughly 180 pounds during testing, I could feel parts of the frame pressing against my back and legs. The chair also tipped backward relatively easily—even when I used it on level ground.

Although it had a listed weight capacity of 250 pounds, I would be hesitant to recommend it to someone over 200 pounds without trying it first. A product’s maximum weight rating doesn’t necessarily tell you whether it will feel comfortable or stable.

Pros

• Lightweight

• Relatively affordable

• Fast and simple setup

• Easy to fit inside its stuff sack

• Good option for occasional backpacking trips

Cons

• Less stable than the Helinox Chair Zero

• Frame can press against your body

• May feel cramped for larger users

• Easy to tip backward

The Flexlite Air offers good weight savings for its price, but its stability and fit kept it from becoming one of my favorites.

Helinox Chair Zero: Best Balance of Weight and Comfort

The Helinox Chair Zero weighs approximately one pound and one ounce without its stuff sack. That makes it only slightly heavier than the REI Flexlite Air while providing noticeably better stability and comfort.

This chair feels secure when reclining, and I can lean back without feeling like I’m about to tip over. That alone makes it a much better fit for me than the Flexlite Air.

My main complaint is the lack of adjustment. When leaning forward or sitting upright, the chair offers very little back support and begins to feel more like a stool. It is at its best when you can sit back and relax.

At approximately $139.95 when tested, you are paying more for the combination of lightweight construction, stability, and comfort.

Pros

• Excellent comfort for its weight

• More stable than the REI Flexlite Air

• Easy to assemble and pack

• Comfortable reclining position

• 265-pound listed capacity

Cons

• More expensive than the Flexlite Air

• Minimal back support when sitting upright

• May still feel too small for big-and-tall users

• Feet can sink into soft ground

The Chair Zero is one of my top recommendations when weight is the priority but you still want a real chair.

NEMO Moonlite Elite: The Most Comfortable Option

The NEMO Moonlite Elite is my favorite traditional backpacking chair in this group.

Its trail weight is approximately one pound and two ounces. The platform-style carrying case increases the total weight to around one pound and six ounces, but it can also be placed underneath the chair on sand or soft ground. It spreads out the load and prevents the legs from sinking, making the Moonlite Elite surprisingly useful as a beach chair.

The chair’s biggest advantage is its adjustable reclining system. Pull the adjustment tabs to sit upright with actual back support, or loosen them when you want to recline. That versatility makes it comfortable while eating, talking around a fire, relaxing, or even taking a nap.

You do need to pay attention during setup. The seat has a clearly marked bottom, and installing it incorrectly can cause the chair to come apart when you sit down. Once you understand how it assembles, the setup is straightforward.

At approximately $179.95 when tested, it was the most expensive chair in this comparison. However, it also delivered the best combination of comfort, adjustability, construction, and warranty coverage.

Pros

• Most comfortable chair tested

• Adjustable upright and reclining positions

• Provides back support while sitting upright

• Stable on soft ground with the carrying platform

• Quality construction

• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Most expensive option tested

• Slightly heavier than the Chair Zero

• Setup requires more attention

• Carrying platform adds several ounces

If comfort matters more than saving the final ounce, the NEMO Moonlite Elite is the chair I would choose.

Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool: Stable but No Backrest

The Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool weighs approximately one pound and three ounces without its stuff sack. It has one of the strongest and most stable frames in this group.

Its color-coordinated assembly points make setup easy, while its pole configuration creates a surprisingly sturdy platform. Of all the framed seats I tested, this was one of the least likely to feel as though it might collapse underneath me.

It is also comfortable for a stool. The problem is that it doesn’t provide any back support. If I’m already accepting the limitations of a backless seat, I would generally rather carry my two-ounce foam pad.

Pros

• Extremely stable

• Comfortable for a stool

• Compact packed size

• Straightforward, color-coded assembly

• More affordable than many ultralight chairs

Cons

• No back support

• Heavier than a foam seat

• Slightly more involved setup

• Limited advantage over a lightweight pad for my needs

This is a strong option for someone who values stability and wants an elevated seat but doesn’t need a backrest.

Crazy Creek Hex 2.0: Low-Profile Back Support

The Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 combines a foam pad with adjustable straps and structural stays. It sits directly on the ground while providing genuine back support.

The design works well on slopes and keeps you low while glassing. You can also adjust the straps to change the amount of support or open the chair and use it as a basic pad.

My biggest issue is the packed shape. Although the chair rolls up, the internal stays prevent it from compressing like a normal foam pad. It occupies more space than many of the framed chairs and generally needs to ride on the outside of a backpack.

At approximately one pound and five ounces, it is also heavy enough that I would usually rather bring a fully elevated chair.

Pros

• Provides back support

• Excellent low-profile design

• Works well on hillsides

• Useful for glassing

• More affordable than premium framed chairs

• Can also function as a foam pad

Cons

• Bulky packed shape

• Difficult to place inside a backpack

• Weighs as much as some elevated chairs

• Must be used directly on the ground

The Crazy Creek makes sense for hunters and backpackers who want to stay close to the ground without giving up back support.

Moon Lence Ultralight Chair: The Budget Choice

My older Moon Lence chair weighs approximately one pound and seven ounces. That exact version is no longer available, and newer models may be considerably heavier.

At approximately $33, it was the least expensive framed chair in this comparison. Despite the low price, mine has held up well and still feels relatively sturdy.

The chair is easy to assemble, comfortable enough for relaxing around camp, and doesn’t press the frame directly into my body. Some of the fabric does bunch underneath me, but the overall comfort is respectable for the price.

Pros

• Very affordable

• Easy to assemble

• Reasonably sturdy

• Comfortable for the price

• Good entry-level camping chair

Cons

• Heavier than the premium ultralight chairs

• Older model is no longer available

• Newer versions may weigh significantly more

• Fabric fit is not as refined

This is a practical choice for someone who wants a functional backpacking chair without spending well over $100.

What Is the Best Ultralight Backpacking Chair?

My favorite seat overall is still the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat. At two ounces, it is extremely difficult to beat for solo backpacking, hunting, and glassing trips. It is always ready, takes up very little space, and provides enough comfort to keep me off the ground.

If I want a real chair, my decision comes down to the Helinox Chair Zero and NEMO Moonlite Elite.

The Helinox Chair Zero is the better choice for someone focused on minimizing weight. It is comfortable, stable, and approximately one ounce lighter than the Moonlite Elite.

The NEMO Moonlite Elite is my choice for maximum comfort. Its adjustable back support, reclining capability, carrying platform, and lifetime warranty make it the most versatile chair in this comparison.

My Final Rankings

Best minimalist seat: Therm-a-Rest Z Seat

It offers the lowest weight, simplest design, and fastest deployment.

Best ultralight chair: Helinox Chair Zero

It provides a strong combination of low weight, stability, and reclining comfort.

Most comfortable chair: NEMO Moonlite Elite

Its adjustable seat and supportive design make it the best choice for relaxing at camp.

Best insulated foam pad: NEMO Chipper

It offers more cushioning and protection from cold ground than thinner folding pads.

Most stable stool: Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool

Its stout frame inspires more confidence than most ultralight seats.

Best low-profile chair: Crazy Creek Hex 2.0

It keeps you close to the ground while still providing back support.

Best budget chair: Moon Lence

It provides respectable comfort and stability at a much lower price.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best backpacking chair comes down to the type of trip you’re planning.

If I’m hiking alone and trying to travel light, I usually bring the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat. When I’m camping with friends or my wife and expect to spend time sitting around a fire, carrying a framed chair becomes much easier to justify.

Larger backpackers should be especially cautious about choosing a chair based only on its listed weight capacity. My friend Mike is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs approximately 230 pounds, and none of these smaller ultralight chairs worked well for him. He ultimately chose the larger Helinox Chair One and has been much happier with it.

Comfort is personal, so try a chair before buying one whenever possible. The lightest model isn’t necessarily the best if it feels unstable, presses into your back, or doesn’t fit your body.

Whatever you choose, get outside and stay connected to the wild.