The Takeaway:
1. Our Pick: Alite Designs Monarch Chair
2. Runner-Up: Sunyear Compact Folding Backpack Chair
3. Third Pick: GCI Outdoor Quick-E-Seat Folding Tripod Chair
A trusty chair is your best friend on a long hike or backpacking trip. Even if you’re heading out to the beach or fishing at the lake, you’ll always be grateful to have a chair handy. Take a look below for a full breakdown of our top three choices:
Primary Rating:
4.8
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Primary Rating:
4.2
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Primary Rating:
4.0
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Overall Dimensions:
Folded: 12 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches
Unfolded: 23 x 21.5 x 17 inches |
Overall Dimensions:
Folded: 14.6 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches
Unfolded: 25.6 x 21.7 x 13.8 inches |
Overall Dimensions:
Folded: 27 x 5 x 6 inches
Unfolded: 27 x 18.2 14 inches |
Total Weight:
1.3 pounds
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Total Weight:
1.8 pounds
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Total Weight:
6 pounds
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Available Colors :
Black, Capitola Blue, Jup Orange, Paradise Blue, Spreckels Red, Sutro Green
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Available Colors :
Black, blue, orange, camo
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Available Colors :
Midnight, Black
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Material:
Ripstop nylon, aluminum
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Material:
Nylon, 7075 Aviation Aluminum
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Material:
600 denier polyester, powder-coated steel
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Our Verdict:
A lightweight and easy to assemble backpacking chair that offers a comfortable and breathable seat at a moment’s notice.
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Our Verdict:
A budget-friendly camping chair that mimics many of the qualities seen in more expensive options.
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Our Verdict:
A sturdy and large tripod style backpacking chair that includes a helpful beverage holder. Weighs more than other options, so not ideal for long-distance travel.
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Unfolded: 23 x 21.5 x 17 inches
- Color coded aluminum makes assembly a breeze. Holds up to 250 pounds. Breathable Nylon sling Stuff sack included Lightweight and easy to move
- A little pricey. Could use additional supports
Unfolded: 25.6 x 21.7 x 13.8 inches
- Lightweight and compact. Ergonomic seat design. Quick setup and collapse. Aircraft-grade aluminum support.
- Not incredibly stable when sitting down. Customers close to the 250-pound weight limit have experienced issues.
Unfolded: 27 x 18.2 14 inches
- High-quality materials. Easy folding and transport Extra-wide 18-inch backrest Beverage holder
- Weighs six pounds.
What We Look For: Our Selection Criteria for Backpacking Camp Chair
Foldable backpacking chairs come in many shapes and sizes, so deciding which suits your needs can be hard. When we decided on our top picks for small camping chairs, these were the criteria we used:
Our Pick: Alite Designs Monarch Chair
Recommended For: Anyone looking for a sturdy yet extremely lightweight chair at a fair price. It’s our top pick for a backpacking chair.
The Monarch Backpacking Chair comes in at our top spot for the best backpacking chair. The Alite Designs brand has a unique story that reveals its love of the outdoors. Their website states, “We believe that spending time in the great outdoors is good for the soul.”
The brand’s website is a treasure trove of valuable information about camping and backpacking. The company’s mission and goal are to make getting outside easier and more fun than it has ever been.
Alite Designs is composed of a team that loves quality design and the outdoors equally. The company strongly focuses on outdoor gear that is easy to assemble and tough to withstand any condition.
They even go so far as to support environmental groups and organizations focused on conservation. The employees often volunteer with these groups and donate a portion of sales to them.
The Monarch butterfly backpacking chair is the culmination of these efforts. It is made of 210D ripstop nylon fabric and 7075 aluminum, which are designed to be lightweight and durable. Weighing just 1.3 pounds, the sling-light backpacking chair is also easy to move around when you’re hiking or traveling.
The aluminum on the chair is color-coded to make assembly a breeze. Speaking of breezes, the nylon fabric is also designed for ideal breathability, and a stuff sack makes it easy to pick up and go whenever you please.
Runner Up: Sunyear Compact Folding Backpack Chair
Recommended For: Those who want a budget-friendly option, but the chair’s lifespan may not be long-term as a result.
Our next pick is a similar design to the Monarch chair, but this one comes in at a much lower price point. This light camping chair utilizes nylon and an aluminum shock-cord pole structure for easy setups and breakdowns.
This chair weighs 2 pounds, slightly heavier than our top pick but not heavy by any means. Its deep seat design also offers a larger and more comfortable seating experience than other chairs on the market.
The chair’s aluminum is Aircraft-grade 7075 aviation aluminum, which combines heavy-duty durability with a lightweight design. The chair’s feet have non-slip rubber covers to ensure they don’t slip on surfaces, either.
This budget-friendly option works well for outdoor events, hiking, or camping. The company also promises 24-hour customer service and a 1-year warranty to go along with their guarantee.
Value Pick: GCI Outdoor Quick-E-Seat Folding Tripod Chair
Recommended For: Anyone looking for a highly durable, extremely stable chair solution and would not mind the weight of the chair coming in at six pounds.
Our next chair comes from GCI Outdoor, founded in 1996 by Dan Grace. His approach was centered around a single question: “Why isn’t there a chair for this?” As an engineer, Dan was able to bring his vision to life.
He joined with Jeffrey Polke to grow the brand, and today GCI Outdoor is known for its chairs, which can thrive in any outdoor situation. This Tripod camping chair is one of their best products. The high-quality materials combine with an easy folding transport solution.
While it does weigh six pounds, this chair has a weight capacity of 250 pounds and utilizes powder-coated steel and 600 denier polyester for a tough design. An extra-wide backrest that measures 18” across makes it comfortable for many users.
Also Great
Helinox Chair One Camping Chair
Recommended For: Outdoor lovers looking for lightweight and easy assembly outdoor seating. Keep in mind that it is more expensive than many of the other options.
Helinox is a brand by DAC that specializes in outdoor equipment. Their focus is on lightweight alloy tubing and high-strength materials for a gear that is both portable and strong. This chair has an innovative design that links the frame with an elastic shock cord.
As a result, the chair naturally assembles itself by pulling into the proper positions. The frame also has a certain flexibility that allows it to form in your body shape. The carry bag is also attachable to the frame, so you don’t lose it when the chair is deployed.
A webbing ladder and large loops can attach the folded chair to a backpack or bike. Customers have often reported that the chair also performs well in the long term.
Moon Lence Compact Ultralight Portable Backpacking Chair
Recommended For: Anyone looking for a lightweight and portable chair at a good price.
Our next chair falls into the budget-friendly category. This small backpacking chair from Moon Lence offers many features we would expect from a higher-priced camping chair. A great selection of colors also allows you to choose a chair that matches your personality.
The seat is made from 1000D Oxford cloth and a high-quality aluminum alloy frame. It weighs just two pounds for easy portability. The seat is designed for both ergonomic comfort and breathability.
Since the material is washable, cleaning is a breeze with soap and water. This chair is an affordable and durable option for burgeoning campers or hikers.
Therm-a-Rest Z Seat
Recommended For: Anyone in need of a very simple, compact, and durable backpacking chair that doesn’t offer a lot of bells and whistles.
The Thermarest backpacking chair is a compact chair that ranks at the top of these options for campers. It is made from puncture-proof closed-cell foam and has an accordion-style design that allows you to store it quickly for travel.
The latest model also includes an integrated bungee loop, which will help you keep it rolled up while it’s not in use.
This chair is also incredibly light, at just 2 ounces, making it easy to carry. Hikers and campers love this chair for a variety of uses.
Not only does it keep you from getting wet or dirty, but it also provides a comfortable mat when you’re entering or exiting a tent.
Crazy Creek HEX 2.0 LongBack Chair
Recommended For: Anyone on-the-go. A simple, but very portable backpacking chair that is easy to carry with you where ever you may go.
Crazy Creek is a brand that was started by an outdoorsman named Rob Hart. He came up with the idea after realizing he never had anywhere to sit while on long hikes. When he first came up with the design, he got help from fellow hikers, friends, and family.
The original chair design was sold out of the back of his car, but it quickly began to sell very well. He started Crazy Creek in 1987 to chase his dream of better outdoor gear. The company’s tagline is “Creating comfortable products for the outdoors.”
While Rob himself was killed in a tragic skiing accident, the company is still going strong, and its leadership has continued to pursue his goals. This brings us to the HEX 2.0 backpacking chair.
This redesigned version offers a larger size and backrest for support and comfort. The EVA closed-cell foam is a high-density choice that provides insulation without extra weight. A strap keeps the packable chair for backpacking rolled up when not in use.
A limited lifetime warranty ensures this chair will accompany you on many future trips.
Tommy Bahama Backpack Cooler Chair
Recommended for: Anyone who wants a stylish and fun seat with great durability for all of their outdoor needs.
Beach enthusiasts should look no further than the Tommy Bahama backpacking chair. This stylish floral design comes in numerous colors for every style of beach-goer. This brand is a huge player in the beach gear scene, with apparel and furniture for every type of beach lover.
Tommy Bahama has been a strong and reliable outdoor lifestyle brand since 1992. Their goal is to make life “one long weekend.”
This Backpacking chair from Tommy Bahama can be adjusted into five positions, including one where you can lay flat on the beach under a hot sun. Two storage compartments, an adjustable pillow, and insulated beverage holders offer everything you need for the perfect beach chair.
EcoTek Outdoors Inflatable Backpacking Chair
Recommended For: Anyone looking for a versatile, ultralight, and durable inflatable backpacking seat pad.
EcoTek’s story is familiar to outdoor enthusiasts. It was founded by friends who loved exploring and wanted to share their ideas for a gear that helps you see more of what Mother Nature offers. The hexagon pattern of their inflatable camping chair is a patent-pending design that gives you a balanced surface off the ground.
The exterior material is 700 woven polyester, which is equally resistant to leaks and tears. The entire chair weighs just over 1 pound, so it easily meets our requirements for portability.
The rapid inflation valve also ensures you can fully inflate the chair within 10-15 breaths. When it comes time to deflate, the air comes out quickly. No pump is needed for this chair! EcoTek also partners with the National Forest Foundation and funds tree planting with every purchase.
Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping and Sports Chair
Recommended For: Anyone. With locks for stability and a weight capacity of 300 pounds, there’s plenty to love about this budget-friendly chair.
Kijaro is an outdoor furniture supplier focusing on bold colors and unique designs. Their camping chair solution offers a no-sag seat and diamond ripstop polyester material. The back of the chair is lined with breathable mesh as well.
The chair features 2 cup holders, zip and mesh pockets, and a carrying bag. It can also be carried with you whenever you move. With a weight capacity of 300 pounds, it’s an extremely durable option.
When unfolding the chair, you can set the locks for additional stability. They can be disengaged by pushing a button, making it easy to open and close the chair. It’s truly a great chair for all outdoor activities.
Best Backpacking Chair Review 2024 – Final Verdict
The best backpacking chair meets and exceeds your needs through durability and quality design. While we highly recommend the Alite Designs Monarch Chair, each chair on this list brings unique qualities.
One thing is certain: you shouldn’t head out for your next camping trip without a comfortable place to sit.
Recommended Reading
High Weight Capacity Camp Chairs Review
Discover our comprehensive guide’s best high-weight capacity camp chairs, ensuring outdoor comfort.
References & Resources:
- Kijaro Backpack Chair, Official Brand Website.
- Sunyear Backpak Chair, Official Brand Website.
- Helinox Backpack Chair, Official Brand Website.
- Crazy Creek Backpack Chair, Official Brand Website.
- GCI Outdoor Backpack Chair, Official Brand Website.
- Therm-a-Rest Backpack Chair, Official Brand Website.
- Tommy Bahama Backpack Chair, Official Brand Website.
- Whats the Lightest Chair?, Backpackinglight.
- What Is the Difference Between Nylon and Polyester?, Bean Bags R Us.
- The Fabric Strength Challenge – 600D Polyester, 500D Nylon, 1000D Nylon & More, Orientbag.