If you are an avid outdoor lover or backpacker like us, you would be following the seasons to all kinds of outdoor and nature destinations around the world. For each of these outdoor adventures or camping trips, having the right backpacking chair to help us rest and chill in while watching the sun rise, barbeque our food or wait for the stars to come out. As a backpacker, weight matters a lot, given everything goes on your shoulders. Hence, items that are lightweight and practical are of utmost importance. There are many things to consider when you start planning your next camping trip, and lets look at our recommendations of ultralight camping chairs for your next trip.
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What is the Best Backpacking Chair?
To find the list of absolute Best Backpacking Chair, we have researched many lightweight and portable chairs for backpacking and what backpackers who bought and used them say about the weight, comfort and portability of them during their backacking or camping trips. Based on their personal experiences using them and assesing its quality, we compiled for you the top 5 Backpacking Chairs.
Also, to make it easier for you to making the right choice, we also wrote a mini Chairs for Backpacking Buying Guide and frequently asked questions (FAQs). You will find it at the end of this article.
1. G4Free Upgraded Lightweight Portable Camping Chair
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The G4Free Upgraded Lightweight Portable Camping Chair is lightweight. At only 2.8 pounds, the chair is easy to take along on your travels. The chair is comfortable to relax in and has longer legs than regular camp chairs for the taller backpacker. The chair can also manage a weight of up to two hundred twenty pounds as it is nine hundred D oxford cloth with a substantial aluminum alloy frame.
The design of the chair is ergonomic for comfort and made with a foldable mesh to allow for airflow and to make it easy to fold up small. A convenient storage bag attaches beneath the chair so you can store essential items close by such as your keys or wallet. The storage bag becomes the travel bag as the chair folds up for storage.
Pros
- The chair only weighs 2.8 pounds.
- You can easily clean the chair with soap and water.
- The chair can support up to two hundred twenty pounds of weight
Cons
- The bars in the middle of the chair can break if you sit down too hard.
- The chair does not balance well on uneven ground
2. ALPS Mountaineering Rendezvous Chair
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The ALPS Mountaineering Rendezvous Chair is a sturdy chair made with powder-coated steel. TechMesh Fabric covers the metal framing giving you a breathable, comfortable chair to recline. The chair design comes with shorted legs so you can stretch your legs out and lean back.
Because the chair is smaller, it can collapse down and fit in the small, included travel bag. The chair takes up little room and only weighs 6.8 pounds when assembled. The chair also comes in four different colors so you can match your gear if you choose.
Pros
- The fabric is a solid fabric, which means no tearing or fraying.
- The chair is comfortable enough to sit and fish in for hours.
- The chair has very durable stitching that holds up to even the most substantial weight
Cons
- Taller, heavier people might not be comfortable in the chair.
- The plastic can warp in extreme heat
3. Cascade Mountain Tech Compact Low Profile Outdoor Folding Camp Chair
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The chair is a breathable mesh material that will keep you feeling fresh in the heat of the summer. The frame is a durable steel and aluminum combination that can hold up to two hundred fifty pounds and is easy to transport as it is only 7.4 pounds.
Pros
- You can carry it easily around with the convenient carry bag.
- The chair can support up to two hundred fifty pounds
- The chair is close to the ground so you can stretch your legs out
Cons
- The chair might be too low if you have trouble standing up.
- The chair is not as cost-effect as other chairs
4. Helinox Chair One Original Collapsible Camping Chair
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The Helinox Chair One Original Lightweight, Compact, Collapsible Camping Chair packs small and weighs less than a bottle of wine. The frame uses a lightweight, sturdy aluminum alloy to hold up to three hundred twenty pounds. The total weight of the chair only equals up to 2.1 pounds and comes with a five-year warranty.
The cloth seat comes off for storage and is a machine-washable mesh that is six hundred weaves polyester that prevents tearing. It is ultraviolet light-resistant to help it reduce sun damage. The chair is quick to set up with bungee cord assembly poles that help hold it together.
Pros
- The cover is a durable, machine-washable polyester that is ultraviolet light-resistant.
- The chair can support up to three hundred twenty pounds.
- The chair comes with a five-year warranty, in case of damage
Cons
- The legs can break if you sit down hard in the chair.
- The chair tips easily if you are trying to stand up
5. Sunyear Compact Chair
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With inventive deep-seated technology for easy comfort, Sunyear offers an extremely light chair. Tiny made in durable nylon and comes in vibrant colours is a perfect blend between portable, durable and comfortable. It is a budget-friendly chair with the real motive of lightweight and comfort for any outdoor activity.
Pros
- Value for money
- Extremely lightweight as 2.1 pounds
Cons
- No hand-rest
Verdict
After all of our long research about the Best Backpacking Chair, we found that G4Free Upgraded Lightweight Portable Camping Chair is the best Backpacking Chair available today.
There’s also a Premium Option with all the best features and high-quality materials if you have more money to spend, namely ALPS Mountaineering Rendezvous Chair.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the Cascade Mountain Tech Compact Low Profile Outdoor Folding Camp Chair as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying Backpacking Chairs
Design
The design of the chair needs to be sturdy enough to withstand abuse. If you are traveling with these chairs like we are or taking them into the woods, the plastic and metal components need to be able to withstand scrapes, kicks, and tight spaces. They also need to be designed in a way that will support your weight and not tip over.
Material
A high-quality camping chair is a combination of aluminum, steel, and fabric. All components need to be top-grade materials to help the chair last a long time. Our chairs are going on a year and so far, no problems.
Weight Limit
The weight limit is often a guideline on these chairs. You would occassionally be mounting it onto your backpack, so the lighter is always better.
In ideal situations, you want to consider how you will use the chair, and if your weight will be a factor. How you sit down can also cause problems as the sudden weight can break frames.
Whats the Best Backpacking Chair
We went about looking for chairs that sit well on sand, dirt, rock, clay as well as cement. We also wanted something sturdy enough to survive getting thrown around our RV or campervan while we traveled off roads. The best chair we found is the Cascade Mountain Tech Compact Low Profile Outdoor Folding Camp Chair with Carry Case.
The Cascade Mountain Outdoor Folding Camp chair is set lower to the ground for added stability. It is also a durable design that can withstand backpacking, rock climbing as well as car road trips. It is not as light as other chairs at 7.4 pounds, but the durability has helped us keep using them across the country and in many off-grid situations.
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