7 Ultralight Camping Chairs For Thru Hiking That Won’t Wreck Your Base Weight
Enjoy backcountry comfort without the weight penalty. We review 7 ultralight chairs designed for thru-hikers that add minimal ounces to your pack.
You’ve just crushed 22 miles of rocky trail, your shoulders are screaming, and your feet feel like bruised fruit. You finally reach camp, drop your pack, and scan the area. All you see are damp logs and sharp rocks. In that moment, the debate over a few extra ounces in your pack vanishes, replaced by a singular, primal need: a comfortable place to sit.
The camp chair is one of the most debated "luxury" items in a thru-hiker’s kit. For purists, it’s dead weight; for others, it’s a non-negotiable tool for recovery and morale. The good news is that you no longer have to choose between a happy back and a low base weight.
Modern ultralight chairs offer incredible comfort for a pound or less, transforming a spartan campsite into a backcountry living room. Here are seven options that let you rest easy without wrecking your meticulously planned pack weight.
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Why Carry a Chair? Balancing Comfort and Weight
Ask a dozen thru-hikers about chairs and you’ll get a dozen different answers. The core of the debate isn’t about the gear itself, but about the philosophy of your hike. Are you moving through the wilderness as efficiently as possible, or are you living in it? A chair is a clear vote for the latter, providing a clean, dry, and supportive place to rest that a log simply can’t match. Getting your body out of the dirt at the end of the day can be a huge psychological and physical boost, making it easier to cook, tend to your feet, and mentally recharge for the next day.
Of course, every gram counts when you’re carrying your life on your back for months at a time. The primary argument against a chair is its weight and bulk. An extra pound is an extra pound, and that can feel significant on a 3,000-foot climb. For many ultralight hikers, a small foam sit pad is the perfect compromise, weighing next to nothing while still providing a barrier from the cold, wet ground.
Ultimately, this is a personal calculation of comfort versus efficiency. There is no right answer. The key is to be honest about what makes a long-distance hike sustainable for you. If the promise of sinking into a real seat after a long day is what keeps you motivated, then a chair isn’t a luxury; it’s a critical piece of gear.
Helinox Chair Zero: The Ultralight Gold Standard
When you think of an ultralight backpacking chair, the Helinox Chair Zero is likely the first one that comes to mind. Weighing in at a mere 1 pound, 2 ounces, it set the bar for what was possible in a comfortable, packable seat. It disappears in your pack, taking up about as much space as a one-liter water bottle.
The design is a marvel of engineering: a single shock-corded DAC aluminum pole set that snaps together intuitively, creating a stable frame for the durable ripstop polyester seat. Assembly is quick and painless, even with tired hands at the end of the day. The tradeoff for this incredible weight is a low-to-the-ground profile. This can make standing up a bit of a chore for taller hikers or those with stiff knees.
The Chair Zero is the choice for the thru-hiker who has optimized every other part of their kit and wants to add a touch of comfort without a significant weight penalty. It’s an investment, but its performance and ridiculously low weight have made it a trail icon for a reason. If your primary goal is the absolute lowest weight for a full-function chair, this is your benchmark.
REI Co-op Flexlite Air: A Solid and Stable Rival
Hot on the heels of the Chair Zero is REI’s own ultralight contender, the Flexlite Air. It follows the same design principles—shock-corded aluminum poles and a sling-style seat—and comes in at a nearly identical weight, typically just an ounce or two heavier than its main competitor. For many hikers, that tiny difference is negligible, especially when considering the Flexlite Air’s often more accessible price point.
Where the Flexlite Air often shines is in its perceived stability. The four-leg pole architecture can feel a bit wider and more planted on uneven ground, giving some users more confidence when they sit down. The seat material and cut are slightly different, which can be a matter of personal preference. It’s a prime example of how small design tweaks can change the feel of a piece of gear.
This chair is perfect for the backpacker looking for top-tier ultralight performance without the premium brand name price tag. It’s a workhorse piece of gear that delivers reliable comfort day after day on the trail. The decision between this and the Chair Zero often comes down to trying them both out and seeing which one feels better for your body and your budget.
NEMO Moonlite: Reclining Comfort for a Few Ounces
Imagine leaning back to watch the sunset or gaze at the stars from the comfort of your camp chair. The NEMO Moonlite makes that a reality with its innovative reclining system. Using a clever set of adjustable tension straps, you can seamlessly switch from an upright, dining-style position to a relaxed, reclined lounge mode. It’s a level of camp comfort that was previously unheard of in the backpacking world.
This added feature comes with a weight cost. At just under 2 pounds, the Moonlite is significantly heavier than the Chair Zero or Flexlite Air, pushing it to the very edge of what most thru-hikers would consider "ultralight." However, the build is exceptionally robust, and the seamless mesh seat conforms to your body, eliminating the uncomfortable pressure points that can sometimes occur with other sling chairs.
The Moonlite isn’t for the gram-counting purist. It’s for the hiker who prioritizes a high-quality camp experience. If you plan on spending more time relaxing at camp, or if you know that superior comfort is key to your long-term recovery on the trail, those extra ounces might be the best weight you choose to carry.
Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool: For the True Minimalist
What if you want to get off the ground but don’t need a backrest? The Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool offers a brilliant compromise. By eliminating the back support, it shaves off critical ounces and reduces packed size while still providing a stable, elevated seat. It’s a simple, elegant solution for the minimalist who just needs a place to perch while cooking dinner or filtering water.
The stool uses the same type of shock-corded pole architecture as its full-sized chair counterparts, making setup just as fast and easy. It’s surprisingly stable and provides a comfortable platform that’s worlds better than a sharp rock. The lack of a backrest means it isn’t ideal for long-term lounging, but that isn’t its purpose. Its job is to provide functional, temporary seating.
This is the perfect option for a fast-and-light hiker who is constantly on the move. You get the primary benefit of a chair—getting your body off the cold, damp ground—without the weight or bulk of a full-featured model. If you see a chair as a tool for camp chores rather than a luxury for relaxation, a stool is an excellent choice.
Crazy Creek Hex 2.0: The Bombproof Legless Option
Before ultralight pole chairs became the norm, the Crazy Creek was the go-to seat for backcountry travelers, and the Hex 2.0 PowerLounger brings that classic design into the modern era. This legless chair is essentially a padded, foldable shell with adjustable straps that create a self-supporting seat. You can place it anywhere: on snow, wet ground, or uneven rock slabs.
The Hex 2.0’s biggest advantages are its durability and versatility. There are no poles to snap and no tiny feet to sink into soft ground. It provides excellent insulation, making it a fantastic choice for cold-weather trips. You can even unclip it to lay it flat, creating a short, half-length sleeping pad in an emergency. It’s a multi-purpose piece of gear that has been trusted by outdoor professionals for decades.
While it’s relatively light (around 21 ounces), its packed form is a bit bulkier and flatter than a pole chair, often getting strapped to the outside of a pack. This chair is for the practical hiker who values bombproof reliability over the highest-tech, lowest-weight option. It’s a workhorse that will never let you down.
Sea to Summit Air Chair: Converts Your Sleeping Pad
For the ultimate multi-use gear nerd, the Sea to Summit Air Chair is a fascinating solution. It’s not a chair at all, but a lightweight (8-10 oz) and durable nylon sleeve designed to transform your inflatable sleeping pad into a comfortable seat. You simply fold your pad to the correct length, slide it into the Air Chair, and use the integrated straps to create a supportive, insulated backrest.
The weight savings are undeniable. By leveraging a piece of gear you’re already carrying, you get the comfort of a chair for a tiny fraction of the weight penalty. It’s a brilliant concept for the ounce-counter who wants to maximize the utility of every item in their pack.
However, there are practical drawbacks. To use it, you must unpack your sleeping pad, which can be a hassle, especially if it’s windy or raining. More importantly, you are placing your primary insulation and sleep system on the ground, exposing it to potential punctures. This makes it a risky choice for rocky or thorny terrain. It’s best suited for hikers in forgiving environments who are meticulous about campsite selection.
Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat: The Ultimate Ounce Counter
Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best one. The Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat is the undisputed king of minimalist comfort. It’s a small, accordion-style folding pad made of closed-cell foam that weighs a paltry 2 ounces. It isn’t a chair, and it won’t offer any back support, but what it does, it does perfectly.
The Z-Seat provides a clean, dry, and insulated barrier between you and the ground. On a cold morning, sitting on this instead of a frosty rock is a game-changer. During a rainy lunch break, it gives you a dry spot to sit under a tree. It’s indestructible—you can throw it on sharp rocks or pine needles without a second thought.
Beyond sitting, its uses are nearly endless: a doormat for your tent, a clean surface for organizing gear, a windscreen for your stove, or a pad for kneeling on rough ground. For the dedicated ultralight thru-hiker, the Z-Seat is often the only "chair" they’ll carry. It provides 90% of the benefit for 10% of the weight, making it one of the most efficient pieces of gear you can own.
Choosing a camp chair, or choosing to leave it behind, is a reflection of your personal hiking style. There’s no "best" answer, only what’s best for you and your journey. Whether it’s a full-featured reclining chair or a simple 2-ounce foam pad, the right choice is the one that helps you recover, stay motivated, and enjoy your time in the wilderness. Don’t let the gear become the focus. Pick what works, pack your bag, and get back on the trail.
