In a Nutshell:
The Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is a very simple, but durable backpacking chair that doesn’t offer a lot of bells and whistles, but when you need a place to sit, it will always be there.
Durability
Portability
Stability
Overall Rating
4.3/5
Benefits
Drawbacks
Recommended For: Anyone in need of a very simple, compact, and durable backpacking chair that doesn’t offer a lot of bells and whistles.
Many of us wish we could enjoy the outdoors, but we never have the time or the equipment to make it happen. There are so many things to see and do on this incredible planet, many of which are in your backyard.
You’ll need a chair. This Therm-a-Rest Z Seat review will look at one of the top chairs on the market. It’s quite simple, but it has a great price and plenty of happy customers to back it up. Let’s find out if it should accompany you on your next trip.
Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Overview
The Therm-a-Rest brand began back in 1971. As the company website describes it, the idea came together from a trio of engineers who wanted a better way to sleep outdoors.
These three climbers knew they needed a good night’s sleep if they were ever going to continue on long trips into the outdoors. The entire team at Therm-a-Rest is devoted to the outdoors and building things with their own hands whenever possible.
The focus of all Therm-a-Rest products is comfort. They believe that you need rest to truly enjoy the time you’re outside. The company sells durable sleeping bags and unique seats allowing you to create a chair from any surface.
The Therm-a-Rest Z Seat is the latest in its simple but effective outdoor backpacking chairs. While it doesn’t have the solid frame or high-end features that other backpacking chairs offer, it comes at an excellent price point.
The sturdy exterior cushions the ground. It also prevents dirt from getting on your clothes if you take a quick break or eat lunch while hiking. The accordion design makes it simple to fold the chair and resume activities.
You can’t ask for more from a camping chair for the price. Let’s take a look at our Therm-a-Rest Z seat review and its features.
Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Features
While this chair is simple in theory, the reality is that it has many features we like to see from portable chair options. Here’s an in-depth breakdown of the things you can expect:
Puncture-Proof Material
The chair’s material is puncture-proof closed-cell foam. This gives the exterior a sturdy but comfortable texture comprised of divets and self-contained closed cells.
Accordion Design
The chair unfolds immediately whenever you need it. Once you’re finished and ready to move on, the accordion folding design compacts the chair back into an easy-to-carry form.
Integrated Bungee Loop
This 2018 model of the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat includes an integrated bungee loop that holds the chair securely in its folded state.
Extremely Lightweight
Perhaps the most astonishing part of this chair is its weight. While many backpacking chairs weigh several pounds, or one pound at the lightest, the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat weighs a mere two ounces! You practically won’t feel it when carrying it around inside your pack.
Reflective Surface
The surface of the Limon/Silver version of the Z Seat pad is a bright and reflective shade of silver. Thanks to this style of coloring, the chair reflects heat and sunlight away from you, keeping the surface from getting too hot.
Product Specifications
Pros and Cons of Therm-a-Rest Z Seats
We are big fans of the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat, but we know it’s not perfect. Even so, this chair most certainly made our list of the best backpacking chairs on the market. Here is a handy breakdown of the pros and cons we saw while reviewing this chair:
PROS
CONS
A backpacking chair that weighs two ounces is entirely unheard of. While most chairs weigh at least a pound, this chair isn’t even a quarter of that weight. While this kind of lightweight design is mostly achieved through the lack of a frame, the chair still manages to be comfortable.
The puncture-proof foam offers some cushion from the hard ground while remaining durable for all outdoor excursions. When you’re ready to move on, the accordion folding design lets you quickly put the chair back into a compact shape and secure it with a bungee cord.
The lack of a frame means this chair can only be used on flat surfaces. It won’t work for long periods of sitting, but you can’t beat this option for quick breaks. Now, some customers have expressed a point that other similar chairs are even less expensive.
While this is true, and the other chairs offer similar features, in this case, we believe that buying from a reputable brand is worth the extra funds. It also ensures that you have someone to contact for any issues.
Final Verdict on Our Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Review
There aren’t many negative Therm-a-Rest Z Seat reviews out there. Most customers enjoy the portable and comfortable features this backpacking chair offers them. While it’s not quite perfect, the pros of this chair vastly outweigh any cons that may be associated with it.
Consider this chair if you need something simple and affordable to bring with you on your next trip. It is a budget-friendly option that fits various environments and outdoor locations.
Recommended Reading
Moon Lence Compact Backpacking Chair Review
Discover the Moon Lence Compact Backpacking Chair and its standout features for outdoor adventures in this review.
Crazy Creek HEX 2.0 LongBack Chair Review
This review analyzed the Crazy Creek HEX 2.0 LongBack Chair, a portable and lightweight backpacking chair.
References & Resources
- Therm-a-Rest Seat, Official Brand Website.
- Why Hiking Is the Perfect Mind-body Workout, Time.
- How to Choose the Best Wedge for Your Needs, Sittingwell.
- Health Benefits of Relaxing in Nature, Health Fitness Revolution.