REI Flexlite Air Stool Review

Bottom Line

Weighing less than 12 ounces, the REI Flexlite Air Stool is a lightweight, low-maintenance camp seat that’s more accessible and packable than a full-fledged backpacking chair. Over the past few months, we’ve packed it alongside sit pads and backpacking chairs to compare its pros and cons as we set up campsites throughout the New Mexico Wilderness.  

If your biggest campsite concern is back support, you can stop reading. If you’re looking for a handy seat that gets you off the ground, stick with us. The REI Flexlite Air Stool is lighter than an ultralight backpacking chair, packs down small, and sets up quickly when it’s time to tend your cookstove, filter water beside a stream, or stop for a snack at the saddle. 

While we are not sold on stools for extended sits, we can get behind this REI stool for short breaks and camp chores. We also prefer the Flexlite Air Stool to the regular REI Flexlite Stool because the Air is lighter, more packable, and has a higher weight limit. That’s why it’s the sole camp stool that made the cut for our guide to the best backpacking chairs.

How We Tested

We rank backpacking chairs for comfort, packability, stability, and ease of use. Our review of the REI stool is based on our experiences with it on overnight backpacking trips, field tests, side-by-side comparisons, and notes from other CleverHiker gear analysts.

Comfort

A stool just can’t compete with a chair for comfort, but compared to sitting on the ground, it’s quite the improvement. The REI Flexlite Air Stool is best for short sits, scenarios where you’re getting up and down, and campsite chores (especially group camping dish pits). 

With a 17.5-inch seat height, the Flexlite Air Stool supports a taller seating position than any of the backpacking chairs we tested. That’s a potential comfort plus, especially if you’ve had trouble getting in and out of a classic backpacking chair. We found the higher, upright seating position fine for cooking, filtering water, inflating our sleeping pad, and other camp chores. 

Overall, this stool ranks below average for comfort. The small, triangular seat didn’t do much for us. Guys, in particular, may find it difficult to straddle the seat’s raised corners without crushing things that shouldn’t be crushed. Obviously, the biggest comfort limitation is the lack of a backrest. If you’ve got perfect posture, you might find it comfortable sitting up straight on top of the REI Flexlite Air Stool. However, CleverHiker Gear Analyst Jory Brass has a bad back, so he’d never choose a stool over a backpacking chair.

Comfort isn’t this stool’s strong suit. However, it ranks much higher for weight and packability.

Weight & Packability

The biggest win for the REI Flexlite Air Stool is that it saves several ounces over a true backpacking chair. At 11.5 ounces, this stool is about five ounces lighter than the ultralight options in our lineup. It’s also 6.5 ounces lighter than the OG REI Stool. If you value weight savings over comfort, consider this stool as a possible alternative to a backpacking chair, even an ultralight one. 

This weight savings also carries over to packability. The stool’s packed size is noticeably narrower than the backpacking chairs we tested. We found it much easier to stuff the REI Flexlite Air Stool into the side pockets of our backpack than most chairs we tested.

Stability

Stability is not a strong suit of the REI Flexlite Air Stool. With a narrow base, tall height, and fewer legs underneath us, we wobble pretty easily when perched on top of the stool. Our tester even fell off the Flexlite Air, even though it was set up on solid, even ground. The tripod-style frame doesn’t inspire much confidence, and the higher center of gravity doesn’t help matters, either. 

On the plus side, the Flexlite Air Stool has a standard weight capacity of 250 pounds. Just bear in mind, you will get some wiggling if you choose a 3-legged stool over a 4-legged chair. We ranked it near the bottom for stability compared with the other options we tested for backpackers.

Ease of Use

The Flexlite Air Stool is a no-brainer to set up, but you can’t totally turn off your brain to keep your balance while sitting in it. You simply need to twist it and set it on the ground to use. However, the Flexlite Air was also quite easy. 

Our initial setup took only 20 seconds, and re-packing it was also easy, thanks to the smaller components and a generous stuff sack. These stools are built to set up and tear down quickly. That’s why we like them for trailside breaks, lunch stops, and camp chores.

Should You Buy the REI Flexlite Air Stool?

The REI Flexlite Air Stool makes sense for some backpacking uses and not for others. If you’re a backpacker looking for a lightweight and packable seat that you can whip out quickly for breaks and chores, this camp stool fits the bill. Given the height of its seat, the Flexlite also makes sense for taller backpackers and those with mobility issues. 

However, if you are on the hunt for more comfort, stability, or back support, this not your chair.  Finally, the regular REI Flexlite Stool is the more budget-friendly option. Still, we prefer the REI Flexlite Air because it’s lighter, more packable, and more appropriate for backpackers over 200 pounds.

What Other Backpacking Chairs Should You Consider?

If you’re not feeling the REI Flexlite Air Stool, feel free to browse our full guide to the best backpacking chairs or check out these options:

(Regular) REI Flexlite Stool: The original REI Flexlite stool is heavier and bulkier than the Flexlite Air Stool, but it also costs half as much. 

REI Flexlite Air Chair Review: If you’re not sold on the stool, the REI Flexlite Air Chair offers more comfort and stability while staying lightweight and affordable. 

Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Review: For a featherweight and inexpensive camp seat, check out Therm-a-Rest’s Z-Seat sit pad – a favorite for ultralighters.