Take A Load Off! The Best Foldable Backpacking Chairs
1. Helinox Chair Zero Camp Chair
The Helinox Chair Zero Camp Chair is an ultralight chair for bringing along on every adventure. Sitting low to the ground, 11 inches to be exact, is a great way to take a load off your tired feet. Hang out by the lake or fireside, enjoying what nature has to offer.
- Superlight compact backpacking/camping chair
- Single shock corded pole structure for easy setup
- Compact size for easy packing /carrying
- Stuff sack included
- Weight: 1.1-lbs
- Seat Height: 11 inches
- Capacity: 265 lbs
2. MOON LENCE Backpacking Chair Outdoor Camping Chair
· More DURABLE than the competition. We only select premium suppliers, while you can see from the reinforced strength and stitching of our chair. BUY WITH CONFIDENCE.
· Ultralight aluminum shock-cord-pole frame makes transport easy and is truly suitable for use during a long distance trek. ENJOY A LIGHTWEIGHT TRIP.
· Well-structured joints and anti-skip feet, which can hold up to 400lbs weight capacity. Square Design Frame makes it much more Stable. STABILITY UPGRADE.
· Waterproof and breathable fabric mesh delivers the super unrestricted seating experience. SEAT IN COMFORT ANYTIME.
3. Hillsound BTR Stool
The BTR is the ultimate companion for a variety of uses. Whether you are heading to a campfire with friends, a day in the mountains, or waiting for the perfect photo opportunity. The BTR is small, ultralight, and comfortable. And always Better Than a Rock! The seat (100% Nylon Mesh) of the BTR is removable, washable, and replaceable. Simply twist to remove each corner and pop back onto the poles once completed. High quality materials like aerospace-grade Aluminum Alloy 7001 give the BTR a 110kg (240 lbs) load capacity.
4. Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair
The Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair is an ultralight backpacking chair that makes it easy to rest and relax on your adventure. Featuring shock-corded aircraft aluminum poles, this camp chair is super durable and packs down small. Without adding much weight or bulk to your pack, you’re free to take a load off and keep your butt off the dirty ground at camp or out on the trail.
Features
- Ultralight compact backpacking chair
- Fully shock corded architecture for simple set up and break down
- Color-coded frame for easy setup
- Patented frame construction
- Stuff sack included
Fabric Details
- Ultralight nylon 70D robic with nylon 66 rip-stop for extra tear strength
- High-tenacity robic yarn that is lightweight and 25% – 30% stronger than regular yarn in the same denier
- Waterproof UTS coating gives fabric a soft feel and enhances tear strength
5. Kelty Camp Chair
The Kelty Camp Chair is a foldable chair for sitting down just about anywhere. At the park, over on the bleachers, during the music festival and most definitely during some fireworks. Pop it open and adjust the straps for as much or as little lean as you need. Durable and padded with closed cell foam for just enough comfort.
FEATURES OF THE KELTY CAMP CHAIR
- Adjustable, angled seat position
- Closed-cell foam padding
- Seat Stabilizing composite stays
Do I actually need a framed chair (to get off the ground?)
Chairs with foldable aluminum or carbon fiber frames are optimal for when the ground is wet or there is no suitable place to sit where your rear is elevated from your feet. The main sacrifice you’ll be making with this type of design is the extra weight the tubing will add to the overall design. Folding chair pads don’t get you off the ground, but they’ll make any rock, stump, or ground/tree combo a more comfortable place to rest. Your choice is going to entirely rely on what you think will work best for you and your intended trail.
How often and how long should I rest while backpacking?
Try to keep breaks close to 10 minutes and avoid going over 15-minute breaks. Plan out where you will get water and use these stops as resting breaks. Another good time to take a short break while going at a fast pace is when you stop for lunch. Frequent breaks catered to your specific fitness level will keep you going for longer and also serve as a good reminder to recharge with water and trail snacks.
Why not just buy the cheapest backpacking/camping chair?
Cheap backpacking and camping chairs (especially the rigid frame folding kind) don’t evenly distribute the load (you) across their surfaces and often over-emphasize supporting the thighs rather than the actual seat. This leads to them being uncomfortable sitting for more than a minute or two and this will lead to less effective rest periods.
Another reason you should avoid cheaper chairs is that they’ll break a lot easier. If you’re using one frequently, multiple times over the weekend, and for longer periods at night, you’ll want something that is both durable, and comfortable. Most cheap chairs can’t handle anything over 225 pounds and the average male weighs around 200 pounds. If you’re big/tall then this already makes the most affordable options out there either too large to backpack with or too flimsy to handle the weight safely.
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