A camp chair is the one luxury most hikers stop apologizing for after the first night. The trick is matching seat height, weight and packed size to how far you actually carry it. These are our picks, from 2-ounce foam pads to tall, cushy loungers for car camping.
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Our picks at a glance
| Product | Best for | Price | Weight | Seat height | Capacity | Packed size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Agnes Skyline UL | Best overall | $200 | 29.0 oz | 10 in | 275 lb | 17 × 4 × 3.5 in |
| Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 | Best ground seat with a backrest | $70 | 19.3 oz | Ground level | 250 lb | 16 × 3 × 4 in |
| Moon Lence Backpacking Chair | Best budget chair | $40 | 38.6 oz | 8 in | 400 lb | 13 × 4.5 × 5.5 in |
| Therm-a-Rest Z Seat | Best for ultralight hikers | $35 | 1.8 oz | 0.5 in | — | 13 × 2.5 × 2.5 in |
| Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool | Best backpacking stool | $150 | 19.0 oz | 12 in | 250 lb | 12.5 × 3 × 3 in |
| Big Agnes Big Six | Most comfortable for car camping | $250 | 51.0 oz | 12 in | 300 lb | 21.5 × 5.5 × 5.5 in |
| Helinox Chair Zero LT | Lightest full chair | $160 | 16.6 oz | 10 in | 265 lb | 13.5 × 4 × 4 in |
| NEMO Moonlite Elite Reclining | Best reclining chair | $190 | 21.6 oz | 11 in | 250 lb | 13 × 4 × 4 in |
| REI Co-op Flexlite Air | Good value lightweight chair | $100 | 16.9 oz | 7.5 in | 250 lb | 14.3 × 4.5 × 4.5 in |
1. Big Agnes Skyline UL — Best overall
The Skyline UL hits the sweet spot between comfort and carry weight. The seat sits you down into it rather than perched on top, and the wide stance keeps it from tipping when you reach for the stove.
Specs: Weight: 29.0 oz · Seat height: 10 in · Capacity: 275 lb · Packed size: 17 × 4 × 3.5 in · List price: $200
Pros:
- Deep, bucket-style seat that cradles your back
- Splayed legs feel planted on uneven ground
- Generous 275 lb rating
Cons:
- Heavier than the ultralight crowd
- A few extra steps to assemble
2. Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 — Best ground seat with a backrest
A clever folding seat with strap-tensioned back support. There are no poles to lose, which is why it has a loyal following among paddlers and long-distance hikers.
Specs: Weight: 19.3 oz · Seat height: Ground level · Capacity: 250 lb · Packed size: 16 × 3 × 4 in · List price: $70
Pros:
- Unfolds and is ready in seconds
- Tough, simple build with nothing to break
- Doubles as a sit pad on the trail
Cons:
- You sit right on the ground
- Not the lightest backrest option
3. Moon Lence Backpacking Chair — Best budget chair
If you mostly car camp or hike a mile to the lake, this is a lot of chair for the money. Just don’t plan on hauling it up a mountain.
Specs: Weight: 38.6 oz · Seat height: 8 in · Capacity: 400 lb · Packed size: 13 × 4.5 × 5.5 in · List price: $40
Pros:
- Very low price
- Handy side pockets
- Square base is stable and rated to 400 lb
Cons:
- Too heavy for long trips
- Fabric stiffens with use and is awkward to pack
4. Therm-a-Rest Z Seat — Best for ultralight hikers
A folded foam pad that keeps your backside dry and warm. It weighs less than a granola bar and it’s the seat most thru-hikers actually carry.
Specs: Weight: 1.8 oz · Seat height: 0.5 in · Capacity: — · Packed size: 13 × 2.5 × 2.5 in · List price: $35
Pros:
- Practically weightless
- Durable closed-cell foam
- Zero setup, works as a kneeling pad too
Cons:
- No backrest
- You’re sitting on the ground
5. Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool — Best backpacking stool
A taller seat for people who mostly want to get off the ground while cooking or fishing. It packs small and feels more stable than most three-legged stools.
Specs: Weight: 19.0 oz · Seat height: 12 in · Capacity: 250 lb · Packed size: 12.5 × 3 × 3 in · List price: $150
Pros:
- Wide, scooped seat
- Surprisingly steady for a stool
- Tall enough to stand up from easily
Cons:
- No backrest
6. Big Agnes Big Six — Most comfortable for car camping
This is the chair you bring when the car is parked fifty feet away. It’s too big for a backpack, but nothing on this list is more relaxing.
Specs: Weight: 51.0 oz · Seat height: 12 in · Capacity: 300 lb · Packed size: 21.5 × 5.5 × 5.5 in · List price: $250
Pros:
- Tall back with a headrest
- Roomy, deep seat
- Feels like a living-room chair at camp
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- More involved setup
7. Helinox Chair Zero LT — Lightest full chair
The latest version of the chair that made ultralight seating mainstream. If you want a backrest without paying a big weight penalty, start here.
Specs: Weight: 16.6 oz · Seat height: 10 in · Capacity: 265 lb · Packed size: 13.5 × 4 × 4 in · List price: $160
Pros:
- About a pound for a real chair
- Packs about the size of a water bottle
Cons:
- Narrow feet can sink in soft ground
8. NEMO Moonlite Elite Reclining — Best reclining chair
A light chair with two back angles: sit up to eat, lean back to watch the stars. It’s one of the better compromises between weight and lounging.
Specs: Weight: 21.6 oz · Seat height: 11 in · Capacity: 250 lb · Packed size: 13 × 4 × 4 in · List price: $190
Pros:
- Adjusts between upright and reclined
- Packs small for the comfort
Cons:
- Pricey
9. REI Co-op Flexlite Air — Good value lightweight chair
A budget-friendly take on the classic ultralight chair design. It weighs about the same as premium options for noticeably less money.
Specs: Weight: 16.9 oz · Seat height: 7.5 in · Capacity: 250 lb · Packed size: 14.3 × 4.5 × 4.5 in · List price: $100
Pros:
- Light for the price
- Simple hub-and-pole setup
Cons:
- Low seat
How to choose backpacking chairs
Weight vs. comfort
Anything under about 20 oz is easy to justify on a backpacking trip. Chairs in the 30–50 oz range sit higher and support your back better, but they belong on short hikes, canoe trips and car camping.
Seat height
Ground-level seats (0–4 in) are the most stable and lightest. A 10–12 in seat is far easier to get in and out of, especially for taller people or anyone with stiff knees.
Capacity and frame
Check the rated capacity and look for a wide footprint or feet that spread the load. Narrow legs sink into sand and soft dirt.
Packed size
A chair that packs to roughly the size of a water bottle slides into a side pocket; longer packs usually have to ride inside your main compartment.
FAQ
Are backpacking chairs worth the weight?
If you spend long evenings in camp, most people say yes. An ultralight option under 20 oz adds real comfort for the weight of a water bottle.
Stool or chair?
Stools are lighter and simpler, but you lose back support. If you like to lean back and read, get a chair with a backrest.
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