Best Backpacking Chairs In 2022 [Buying Guide] – Gear Hungry (2024)

Backpacking Chair Buying Guide & FAQ

How We Chose Our Selection of Backpacking Chairs

The Gear Hungry team believes that sitting back and taking in the view is all part of the outdoor adventure. While you might be skeptical about adding a luxury item to your already heavy backpacking kit, you could come to realize that the added comfort on your journey is worth it. Not to mention that these chairs are super light and you’ll hardly feel their weight. It’s for this reason that we made the effort to round up a list of our favorite portable chairs by taking their size, weight, durability, and comfort into consideration. Oh, and let’s not forget the price, since the budget is always a deciding factor!

Features To Look For In Backpacking Chairs

Fabric Material - Camping chairs need to be designed with the outdoors in mind. Seats should be made using durable materials that clean easily and are preferably water-resistant. Seams need to be strong enough to hold the pressure of body weight and the thicker the fabric, the better. Chairs that come with mesh panels allow the seat to “breathe”, which means you will be less likely to build up a sweat as you lean back in comfort.

Frame Material & Design - Portable chairs should ideally be made using rust-resistant materials that won’t bend or buckle under pressure. Aluminum and steel frames tend to be the sturdiest option, although the stability of a chair also has a lot to do with how it has been engineered.

Comfort - Apart from lifting your rear-end off the ground, one of the main purposes of a chair is to give you comfort and relief. If you find yourself with a rickety chair that leaves your bones and muscles aching, then it’s not really serving its purpose. Some camping chairs come with a padded lining but it’s more the design of the chair that determines its comfort.

Weight - One of the main objectives of any backpacking chair is to weigh as little as possible. If you are looking for a chair for lengthy excursions where you will have to carry it from point A to B, then we advise you to make weight one of your priority deciding factors. Heavier portable chairs are more ideal for campers or festival goers who don’t mind lugging extra weight around for a short period of time.

Weight Capacity - We want to avoid that dreaded scenario where we find ourselves falling through our chairs. This can lead to injuries and a nasty experience that we simply don’t want to wish upon anyone. So, when shopping for a fold-out chair, we strongly advise that you pay attention to the model’s weight capacity. Most chairs can withstand an average rate of 250 pounds while other chairs are strong enough to hold as much as 350 pounds of body weight.

Packability - When it comes to picking the best lightweight backpacking chair, we can only agree that size does, in fact, matter. Hikers, happy campers and even festival goers prefer to keep their luggage light and it only makes sense for portable chairs to fold up to conveniently compact sizes. Chairs that roll up or fold neatly into a small bag are ideal for hikers who are short for space. Size shouldn’t skimp on quality or durability, however. So, the easier your chair can be packed without compromising its main purpose as a bottom rest, the better.

Ease of Set-up - With some chairs, you simply pop them open and plunk yourself down – which is always a bonus. Other portable backpacking chairs, however, often come with multiple hubs and require a little more time and effort to set up. Chairs with frames that need more effort to connect tend to be sturdier with more “chair-like” attributes, although this is not always necessarily so. If you are using your chair for quick breaks whilst hiking, then you definitely want to opt for something that takes seconds to set up and packs away just as quickly.

Types of Backpacking Chairs

Foldable Chair - Foldable chairs do exactly that, they fold. When you extend them, they open up to offer a comfortable seat and when you close the folds, you are left with a compact device that’s perfect for packing and is usually lightweight enough to carry with ease. Most folding chairs do come with a backrest and are raised comfortably above ground-level. The frames can vary considerably but most resort to your regular four-legged chair shapes or feature X-shaped frames.

Stool - Camping or backpacking stools keep you raised comfortably above ground. Most stools do not feature a backrest, which generally makes them lighter than foldable chairs. They also fold to a more compact size. Stools tend to sport a tripod frame with a triangular seat-rest, although they can, of course, come in other shapes and sizes. Stools have a knack for encouraging you to sit straight, which can be comfortable (and good for your back) but this also forfeits the luxury of sinking into a chair and relaxing.

Ground Chair - Ground chairs tend to look like they are uncomfortable but when you sink into one, you will be surprised at how sturdy and accommodating they can be. They have no legs and the seat is placed directly onto the ground. This means that you will have to extend your legs as you sit and lean back into the backrest. Ground chairs have an inner padded lining and are usually made from very durable and water-resistant fabrics to ensure that you are kept dry as you relax and take a breather. Sometimes you get ground chairs that extend and they can then double up as padding for sleeping bags.

Seat Pad - The lightest and more affordable option for hikers and campers is a modest seat pad. While it comes without the bells and whistles, you’ll still have a cushy place to plonk your bottom on. In short, seat pads are cushions that have been designed to withstand the outdoors. They are usually insulated to keep the heat or cold from the ground at bay and they are also made from waterproof materials to keep you dry as you sit close to the ground. Some seat pads can also extend to be used as padding for under sleeping bags or they can also be used as a knee rest. They can fold or roll up to compact sizes and are the perfect solution if you are already lugging around a heavily packed backpack.

Backpacking Chair FAQ

Q: What kind of Backpacking Chair should I get?

A: While it all comes down to personal preference, a chair that weighs less than 2 pounds and folds up to a compact size is what you should be looking for. Straps and hooks that allow you to connect the packed chair to the outer loops of your backpack are always convenient. If you are heftier in weight or size then you want to make sure the chair you choose can accommodate you. A seat that quickly folds out and in again is always a bonus.

Q: What is the difference between Backpacking and Camping Chairs?

A: If you are camping and don’t need to carry your gear too far then you can opt for a chair that has more accessories and is slightly heavier or larger in size. Camping chairs are designed to be the ultimate “chair away from home” and are usually more comfortable than your standard backpacking chair, which is purposefully designed to be compact and light so that it doesn't add much weight to your hiking kits.

Q: How do I maintain my Backpacking Chair?

A: Most portable chairs come with clear cleaning and maintenance guidelines. As a rule of thumb, you should never fold or store a chair when it is even the slightest bit wet as this often leads to a collection of mold or mildew. Steel frames can also rust if they are not dried thoroughly before being stored for a lengthy period of time. Backpacking chairs are commonly made from water-resistant fabrics and you simply need to give them a wipe with a damp cloth to remove dirt. Built-in stains can be removed using a fabric-friendly spot cleaner. Always keep your chair in a cool and dry cupboard when not in use as exposing it to weather for long periods of time could weather and tear the materials.

Sources:

1. How to Choose Folding and Portable Chairs -Dick’s Pro tips
2. How to Choose the Best Backpacking Chair -Outdoor Gear Lab
3. Ultralight backpacking - Wikipedia