Backpacking

Best 15 Backpacking Chairs Of 2024

pulpit rock hike

It is often a good idea to bring a backpacking chair in one of your backpacking adventures. Chairs prevent ticks and other insects from going inside your clothes and biting you. There are lots of chairs to choose from but keep in mind that chairs will add more weight to your backpack. So only bring one if you are strong enough. I am recommending a few backpacking chairs that are awesome. You are likely to be satisfied with one of the chairs below and I know that mainly because the chairs I have listed have a lot of capabilities and made to be durable.

 

Best Backpacking Chairs – Quick Chart

Backpacking Chairs Weight Material Dimensions Type
1. TETON Sports ComfortLite Self Inflating Seat Cushion 12 oz Soft stretch microfiber top 17″ x 12″ x 1.5″ Inflatable Seat
2. Klymit V Seat 2.6 oz 75D Polyester 14″ x 14″ x 1″ Inflatable Seat
3. Moss Green Thick Seat Cushion by Guidesman 11.2 oz 1.5″ thick, closed cell foam 13″ W x 14″ H Foam
4. Northeast Products ThermaSeat Sport Cushion Sporting Event Seat Pad 4.8 oz Softek closed-cell foam 13″ x 0.8″ x 14″ Foam
5. Therm-A-Rest Trail Seat 5 oz Closed cell foam 16″ x 12″ x 1.5″ Foam

 

 

Backpacking Foldable Chairs

Backpacking Chairs Weight Material Frame Weight Capacity
6. Sportneer Portable Lightweight Folding Camping Chair 2.2 lbs 600D Nylon Aluminum 330 lbs
7. Trekology YIZI GO Portable Camping Chair 2.3 lbs 600D Nylon Fabric Aluminum alloy 300 lbs
8. OneTigris Camping Backpacking Chair 2.4 lbs 600D Dual-layer Ripstop Nylon 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum alloy 330 lbs
9. MOON LENCE Outdoor Ultralight Portable Folding Chairs 2 lbs Oxford Cloth Aluminum Alloy Frame 400 lbs
10. Cliq Camping Chair 3.5 lbs Nylon Aluminum 300 lbs

 

 

Backpacking Foldable Stools

Backpacking Chairs Weight Material Frame Weight Capacity
11. GCI Outdoor PackSeat Portable Tripod Camping and Sports Stool 1.3 lbs Nylon Aluminum 250 lbs
12. Geertop Folding Tripod Camping Stool 1.3 lbs 600D Oxford Fabric Aluminum 220 lbs
13. Opliy Stools 1.5 lbs 600D double Oxford cloth Aluminum 320 lbs
14. ALPS Mountaineering Tri-Leg Stool 2 lbs Powder-coated steel frame and 600D Polyester fabric Aluminum 250
15. TravelChair Slacker Chair Folding Tripod Camp Stool 1.9 lbs 600D Rip Stop Poly Aluminum 275 lbs

 

 

How To Choose A Backpacking Chair

Types Of Outdoor Chair

Foldable

There are a lot of foldable chairs with different designs. Some even have footrests and some have umbrellas. Some are very light in weight and some have very strong frames. This is the most common type of chair that you will end up seeing people bring in their camping or backpacking trips.

Rocking Chair

There are also a lot of foldable backpacking that can rock. These rocking chairs swing back and forth with reducing the overall stability of the chair. These chairs are meant for people who like to rock themselves while sitting.

Stool

There are a lot of stools that are meant for backpacking. These are chairs that do not have a back or arms. They often have three to four legs. It is easy to spot one. A good example would be a bar stool. A bar stool does not have any arms or back. It is the same for backpacking stools. They do not have arms or back and these chairs are also often foldable.

Pillow

You can also use foams and inflatable pillows as a chair. These items are very light in weight and very compact. They are ideal for keeping your bottom off the ground while in the outdoors.

 

Choosing The Correct Material

Polyester

I love that polyester provides a lot of benefits. This is a very good material with water repelling capabilities. It is true that polyester backpacking chairs are very easy to carry and that they are lightweight. The simple fact is that items made from polyester are very durable. One of the main things I love about this material is that it is also very affordable.

Oxford Fabric

The amount of benefits that oxford fabric offers is enormous. Cleaning this material is very straight forward and very easy. There are a lot of very durable backpacking chairs that are made out of oxford. This material is very flexible and bends easily. I love that this material is very good at repelling water if it is coated with some form of DWR finish.

Steel Frames

This is a very good material for the legs of a chair. This is very affordable because this is very easy to make. This material does not easily bend or break which makes this material very durable. I love steel because this material is very good and sturdier than most metals.

Aluminum Frames

We all know that the legs of backpacking chairs can be made out of a lot of materials but a lot of people prefer that they are made out of aluminum. This material does not bend easily and this is very strong. Legs of backpacking chairs made out of aluminum tend to be very durable. Aluminum has a lot of benefits while remaining to be very affordable.

No Legs Or No Frames

Backpacking chairs without legs or frames tend to be very light. These chairs are often inflatable or made out of foam.

 

Backpacking Chair Features To Think About

Total Weight Capacity

Chairs will often have a maximum weight capacity. If you are a little over weight then you should check the capacity of the chair. A chair can only handle a certain amount of weight. If the weight goes beyond that, there is a possibility that the chair will collapse and be destroyed.

Frame Material

It is also very important to check out the frame material. The frame of the chair is like the skeleton of the chair. The frames are responsible for stability, durability and support. If the frames are flimsy and not good then the chair will also be not good.

Inflation / Deflation

If you are going to get inflatable chairs or pillows, it is best to find out how much breaths or effort is required to inflate and deflate these chairs. You do not want to put a lot of effort into luxury items like a chair. You will use a lot of your energy with hiking, backpacking and cooking in the outdoors.

Weight

The weight of the item is always important. Any item needs to be weighted and calculated before going on a backpacking trip. The simple truth is that we are very limited by how much weight we can carry. So every pound, and every ounce is very important. A chair is considered more of a luxury. We should try to find the lightest chair as much as possible.

Pack Size

The pack size of the chair is also very important. A lot of chairs are very huge. There are really comfortable chairs for camping but at the same time, they are very heavy. We have to find chairs that are very light and compact. We can also strap the chair on the outside of our packs. But that can cause a lot of time and annoyances as well.

Setup Time

There are lots of chairs to choose from. There are pillow types, foldable, stools and more. We need to make sure that they are easy to set up and pack. It is just very annoying to setup a chair for some minutes. We just want it to be ready to be sat upon as soon as possible.

Comfort

Chair is a luxury in terms of backpacking but a lot of people want to be very comfortable. They want their behinds to be very comfortable. I am not going to judge anyone; we are all different. Some want a comfortable bed, some want a gourmet meal, and some want a comfortable chair all the time. We are all different but at the same time, we are all looking for more comfort.

Durability

The chair has to be very durable. There are lots of chairs that falls apart very easily. These chairs will just end up wasting our money. There are lots of chairs that are very flimsy also because they are made out of flimsy materials. Remember that companies have to make the chair lightweight, so they may take away the durability of the chair to make it more packable and weigh less.

 

Advantages Of Using A Chair

Insect Prevention

The ground is the home for a lot of insects such as ticks and fleas. By lifting yourself off the ground and sitting on a chair, these ticks and insects will have a hard time getting into your body. A chair can keep these insects away from you.

Back Support

Chairs provide a lot of back support. It can help people maintain a good posture. Having a good posture is important for blood circulation. Being able to rest your back can allow you to become more peaceful and happy.

Relaxation / Comfort

Chairs offer a lot of comfort and relaxation. People can even fall asleep on a chair. Bringing a chair can provide a lot of rest and relaxation while you are on a backpacking trip.

 

 

pulpit rock hike

 

 

Best Backpacking Chairs – Inflatable And Foam

Here are some amazing chairs for backpacking. These are very durable, lightweight and very compact as well. These chairs below are inflatable and foam cushioning chairs that provide cushioning and support. All product links are affiliate links.

 

1. TETON Sports ComfortLite Self Inflating Seat Cushion

backpacking chairs
Technical Specs
Weight: 12 oz
Material: Soft stretch microfiber top
Dimensions: 17″ x 12″ x 1.5″
Type: Inflatable
Feature Summary: Soft stretch microfiber top, great for picnics, to sporting events, and camping, durable, comfortable, and easy to keep clean

Short Review: This is a terrific backpacking chair that I know you will like. Comes with a twist valve and watch the pillow fill itself up to 18x10x4 inches. Equipped with a grey non-slip bottom keeps pillow in place that is washable that you can just wipe it off with a damp cloth and a microfiber top feels soft against your face. This is very lightweight and only weigh around 12 ounces. I like Teton. They make amazing outdoor items. This one is very comfortable which is why I recommend it. Easy to inflate and deflate. A very good item to have if you love the outdoors and made out of high quality materials.

 

2. Klymit V Seat

lightweight chair
Technical Specs
Weight: 2.6 oz
Material: 75D Polyester
Dimensions: 14″ x 14″ x 1″
Type: Inflatable
Feature Summary: Klymit’s lifetime guarantee, lightweight, durable, simple effective padding anywhere

Short Review: I really like this chair which is the reason I am recommending it to you. This outdoor cushion easily compresses down to 3.5 by 1.5 inches, smaller than a lighter, when deflated. This is constructed out of strong polyester material that ensures the V Seat holds up under various conditions. This features a V-chambered design ensures comfort from the highest peaks to the lowest valleys. This has plenty of characteristics that makes it high quality and it is made by an incredibly popular company. This is very durable, comfortable to sit on and easy to inflate. Easy to carry because of the compact design which gives us more room in our backpacks.

 

3. Moss Green Thick Seat Cushion with Holding Handle and Velcro Strap by Guidesman

top outdoor chair
Technical Specs
Weight: 11.2 oz
Material: 1.5″ thick, closed cell foam
Dimensions: 13″ W x 14″ H
Type: Foam
Feature Summary: Does not wick moisture, stadium seat, camping seat, kayak seat, and more

Short Review: If you get hold of this lightweight chair, you’ll be amazed at how excellent this is. This is lightweight with closed-cell foam which is soft, comfortable and waterproof Does not wick moisture. Perfect for hunting, backpacking, stadium seat, garden kneeling pad and many more uses. This is not very compact but very comfortable. You can just take it out and sit on this easily. Can be used in a stadium, picnic or beach as well. Lightweight items like this one are very easy to carry which gives people more energy to have fun. A great item to have if you love hiking and this is made out of high quality materials.

 

4. Northeast Products ThermaSeat Sport Cushion Sporting Event Seat Pad

lightweight chair
Technical Specs
Weight: 4.8 oz
Material: Softek closed-cell foam
Dimensions: 13″ x 0.8″ x 14″
Type: Foam
Feature Summary: Does not absorb moisture, does not get hard in cold weather, comfort grip handle, easy to carry

Short Review: I love this outdoor chair. This is very comfortable and multi purpose item. This is a very comfortable softek closed-cell foam that will not absorb moisture or get hard in cold weather. This stays pliable in cold weather to keep you comfortable and works well for outdoor purposes. You can use it for the outdoors, beach, picnic and so on. Lots of people love this too. You can often go through the consumer feedback and you will realize that I am not the only one who likes this item. This is very user friendly and works well. A very good item to have if you love the outdoors because this provides a comfortable place to sit. The item is of fantastic quality and it is meeting my needs.

 

5. Therm-A-Rest Trail Seat

camping chair reviews
Technical Specs
Weight: 5 oz
Material:
Dimensions: 16″ x 12″ x 1.5″
Type: Foam
Feature Summary: Self inflating, lightweight, compact, made in USA

Short Review: This hiking chair may be one of the best things that you have ever ordered. Therm-A-Rest is an amazing company that create popular outdoor items. This is pretty comfortable, compact and lightweight. This portable seat offers plenty of warmth and comfort with 1.5-inch thick foam that insulates from the ground temperature. People can easily adjust the firmness of the self-inflating seat at camp or on the trail with a valve that can be adjusted with one hand. A very easy item to carry for backpacking and outdoor activities. This is awesome. A very good item to have if you love to hike and this provides lots of usefulness.

 

Check Out My Other Reviews – backpacking knife sharpenersbackpacking bear food containersbackpacking collapsible water containersbackpacking windbreaker jacketsbackpacking face masks

 

Best Foldable Backpacking Chairs

These backpacking chairs are foldable chairs that offer back support also. These chairs a little bit heavy but they are pretty comfortable. Great chairs to sit on when you are looking at a valley or in a viewpoint.

 

6. Sportneer Portable Lightweight Folding Camping Chair

backpacking chairs
Technical Specs
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Material: 600D Nylon
Frames: Aluminum
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Feature Summary: Can be folded into a small piece, extremely easy to carry, carry-on bag, heavy duty

Short Review: You should check out this lightweight folding chair for the reason that it might be the item that you are looking for. This is constructed out of constructed with heavy-duty 7075 aluminum alloy and 900D Oxford cloth. I have been getting a lot of Sportneer items these days. They are all very good quality. The design of this item is extremely gorgeous and this is also extremely affordable. Space saving design is amazing. This can handle up to 330 pounds which is amazing. This is a very versatile item to have for hiking and for backpacking purposes.

 

7. Trekology YIZI GO Portable Camping Chair

hiking chair
Technical Specs
Weight: 2.3 lbs
Material: 600D Nylon Fabric
Frames: Aluminum alloy
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Feature Summary: Adjustable height, suitable for toddlers and adults, provides sturdy support, weight capacity of 300 lbs

Short Review: I love this folding chair which is the reason I am promoting it to you. This is a small collapsible chair frame that is shockcord connected that is easy to setup. The chair frame made of an aero-grade aluminum alloy known for its durability & sturdiness. The fabric is constructed out of ultra-strong 60D Nylon ripstop polyester that is tear-resistant, lightweight, and ultra-strong. The design made this item extremely gorgeous and the company did an awesome job putting in a whole lot of high quality materials into the item. This is a multipurpose outdoor item. I find this to be incredibly satisfactory for my needs and it is precisely as advertised.

 

8. OneTigris Camping Backpacking Chair

best chair
Technical Specs
Weight: 2.4 lbs
Material: 600D Dual-layer Ripstop Nylon
Frames: 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum alloy
Weight Capacity: 330 lbs
Feature Summary: Folding design, premium materials, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy legs, tear-proof gusseted, rubberized connection points

Short Review: You will be very happy with this particular backpacking foldable chair. This is very easy to use. This is constructed out of 7075 aluminum alloy frame and heavy duty 600D polyester of durability and dirt, water, and scratch resistance. The high strength aluminum alloy 7075, corrosion-resistant, and oxidation resistance. The material is very lightweight which is why this is good for the outdoors. Ideal item to have for the outdoors and this will provide lots of usefulness. If you would like an item that is incredibly sturdy and is made from high quality materials, then this is a good choice.

 

9. MOON LENCE Outdoor Ultralight Portable Folding Chairs

camping chair
Technical Specs
Weight: 2 lbs
Material: Oxford Cloth
Frames: Aluminum Alloy Frame
Weight Capacity: 400 lbs
Feature Summary: Breathable and soft seat net makes you feel comfortable while you sit, foldable mesh and metal poles make it easy to set up and fold down

Short Review: This hiking chair is outstanding that I am love making use of this.  This is 600D Oxford cloth and high-strength 7075 aluminum alloy frames. The heavy duty camping chair weighs 2lb and can hold up to near 400lb. This is very good since it is lightweight. Comes with foldable mesh and metal poles make it easy to set up and fold down. This is most likely among the best that you will find and that’s why this has a whole lot of positive customer feedback. This chair is very easy to setup and pack. This is not that heavy and easy to transport.

 

10. Cliq Camping Chair

camping chair review
Technical Specs
Weight: 3.5 Pounds
Material: Nylon
Frames: Aluminum
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Feature Summary: Camping chair ready in five seconds, tip-proof outdoor chair keeps you stable and secure in sand, mud and dirt, Cliq folding chair is super compact and versatile

Short Review: This camping chair is one of the best that I really like. The quality is evident in the material and construction. This outdoor chair is not only compact, but it can set up in five seconds. Constructed out of  aircraft-grade aluminum, ripstop ballistic nylon and double seams, our chairs will last a lifetime. This is extraordinary which is a good thing. I am so happy I did my research and was in a position to discover this item. I love this for camping and a lot of people do also which is why this is very popular. One of the best items to have for outdoor purposes and this is very comfortable. A great chair that people can sit on. This is a simple item that works very well.

 

Check Out My Other Reviews – backpacking bear food containersbackpacking matscamping gazebo tentshiking bootsluggage straps

 

Best Foldable Backpacking Stools

There stools are very lightweight and very easy to setup. These are great for backpacking, travel, camping and other similar activities. These are very compact and easy to carry.

 

11. GCI Outdoor PackSeat Portable Tripod Camping and Sports Stool

backpacking chairs
Technical Specs
Weight: 1.3 lbs
Material: Nylon
Frames: Aluminum
Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
Feature Summary: Ideal for any outdoor activity including camping, bird watching, hiking, hunting, fishing, traveling and sporting events

Short Review: There are a number of people who love this backpacking stool. This is lightweight but durable, this portable stool provides a quick and easy way to take a load off just about anywhere. This comes with a carry bag with closure strap, buckle and carabiner. This is made from sturdy powder-coated steel, this collapsible stool supports up to 250 pounds and includes a patented anti-splay reinforcement panel for added leg strength. This is very lightweight which makes this great for backpacking. One of the lightest chairs that I know of. Not complicated and easy to setup plus very user friendly. This has an impressive amount of positive customer reviews which should provide people plenty of useful information.

 

12. Geertop Folding Tripod Camping Stool

camping chair
Technical Specs
Weight: 1.3 lbs
Material: 600D Oxford Fabric
Frames: Aluminum
Weight Capacity: 220 lbs
Feature Summary: Easily folds & open; set up or put back in the carrying case in seconds, light, sturdy and great for rest after mountaineering or during fishing

Short Review: This lightweight foldable stool is amazing. This is made with iron pipes and 600D Oxford waterproof fabric which makes this very stable and firm. Designed with heavy duty tri-leg that can hold up to 220 pounds weight capacity. The stool easily sets up and securely fold up with strap in seconds. This features a stable triangular structure and textured anti-slip pad on each leg. I like that this is pretty durable for the reason that there are lots of fragile items out there because the design is not pretty good. This is desired by a large number of people as a result of its outstanding design and sturdiness.

 

13. Opliy Camping Stools

top camping chair
Technical Specs
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Material: 600D double Oxford cloth
Frames: Aluminum
Weight Capacity: 320 lbs
Feature Summary: Camping folding stool is ultralight, perfectly built for lightweight pursuits like camping, ultralight hiking, picnics and more, provide strong support with 4 legs which keep sturdy no wobbling

Short Review: I am ecstatic to recommend this compact and foldable stool for the reason that this is amazing. The stool is constructed out of 600D double Oxford cloth and high quality steel pipe which makes this item provide strong support with 4 legs. The four legs make this very sturdy and stable with no wobbling. I absolutely like this item and I am happy to recommend this to a great deal of men and women. Versatile item that makes backpacking a lot more fun. This is an exceptionally good item that can provide a place to sit while in the outdoors plus it also has a gorgeous design.

 

14. ALPS Mountaineering Tri-Leg Stool

outdoor chair
Technical Specs
Weight: 2 lbs
Material: Powder-coated steel frame and 600D Polyester fabric
Frames: Aluminum
Weight Capacity: 250
Feature Summary: Strength and stability, compact design, long lasting use, perfect when space is limited, included shoulder bag

Short Review: If you do your homework, you can easily notice that many men and women love this compact folding stool. ALPS is an amazing outdoor company that creates a lot of useful items. This is constructed out of powder-coated steel frame and 600D Polyester fabric provides strength and stability for a long lasting use. This includes a carry strap attached to the Tri-Leg in case you don’t want to bring along the included shoulder bag. This has a great deal of features and the selling price is pretty affordable. It can also provide a place to sit while in the outdoors. Setting this up is very easy and not very complicated. This hiking item is good to have and this is very high quality as well.

 

15. TravelChair Slacker Chair Folding Tripod Camp Stool

compact chair reviews
Technical Specs
Weight: 1.9 lbs
Material: 600D Rip Stop Poly
Frames: Aluminum
Weight Capacity: 275 lbs
Feature Summary: Sturdy and durable, tripod stool folds, supports up to 275 lbs, velcro strap closure, easy to carry

Short Review: Among the finest travel folding chairs is this. It is remarkable that this item is incredibly resilient. This is constructed out of steel legs with 450D ripstop polyester. The nailhead is made from 420D polyester as well which makes this light weight and portable while having a capacity of 275 lbs. The selling price is very inexpensive and the capabilities that this item has are superb. Foldable and compact are great attributes of this item. The material is very lightweight which is why this is good for the outdoors. Multi-purpose item that makes camping easier and this provides lots of usefulness.