10 Best Backpacking Chairs of 2024

Though it’s super basic, the Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad is an all-time favorite among ultralight backpackers, thru-hikers, and day hikers. When you need a soft place to plop down, the Z-Seat deploys quickly, weighs almost nothing, and offers a bit of extra comfort and protection from the ground whenever you need it.

CleverHiker Founder, Dave Collins, has used this seat for thousands of miles of hiking over the last decade. It’s been his go-to for backpacking trips everywhere from the Sawtooths, Yosemite, and Banff, to the Uintas, Wind River Range, and Mount Saint Helens – plus hundreds of day hikes. 

The Z-Seat is extremely lightweight and super convenient to store, set up, and pack away for quick trail breaks, which makes it ideal for use throughout the day. At only two ounces, it’s the lightest “chair” on our list. Plus, it can literally save your rear, since you’ll vastly improve the appearance of (and extend the life of) your pants or shorts by using a pad instead of the ground.

The obvious downside is this pad doesn’t provide any back support, but it does add a layer of softness and a bit of insulation between you and the ground, which is really important on rough trails and cold, wet days. Also, you’ll still be sitting on the ground, a rock, or a stump with the Z-seat on top, so the level of comfort is relative – but we’d still prefer the cushioning and protection it offers over a wet bum.

For how versatile and affordable it is, we view the Z-Seat as a must-have for day hiking, backpacking, and more. Anytime you’re outside and want a bit of protection from that sandy beach, forested trail, or rocky summit, this little pad is a small investment with a big payoff.

The Helinox Ground Chair is right near the top for the first time as a lightweight, comfortable, and seriously stable seat. If you want a backpacking chair that’s easy to carry, durable, and ergonomic, this is the one for you.

The Ground Chair is, as its name implies, low to the ground. With a seat height of only 4.5 inches, this design allows you to extend your feet in front of you. In a world of tight and small backpacking chairs, we love the back support and comfortable positioning of this chair, which feels downright lavish. The bucket-style seat doesn’t round our backs much, and the durable but ventilated mesh keeps the air moving.

Stability is the Ground Chair’s trademark. Its unique square base offers unparalleled sturdiness, a design that really shines when you’re setting up on soft ground. Where other chairs tend to sink into sand, soil, and mud, the four wide leg pads that make up the base of this model keep the chair more level and stable than most.

Our only complaints about the Ground Chair come down to weight and price. At a pound and a half, it’s on the heavier side, although it’s still a low weight and we love it for shorter backpacking trips. This model is also a bit pricey. But, you get exactly what you pay for: one of the most durable, stable, and well-built backpacking chairs out there.

While such a low chair isn’t for everyone (we see you, tall people), the Ground Chair is a stellar chair for shorter adventurers. This is a stable and comfy chair that will last for years we recommend it for anyone who loves to lean back and spread out when they’re relaxing. This is a stable and comfy chair that will last for years.

The Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair is our favorite for its tall seat height and stellar back support. 

If you want the easiest chair to get out of and sit in, this is our top recommendation. At a whopping 15 inches, the Skyline is tied with the REI Trail Stool for the tallest seat height on this list. Since most backpacking chairs are lower to the ground, we found those extra inches can make a meaningful difference in comfort and accessibility.

The Skyline is very similar in design to the REI Flexlite and Helinox Chair Zero, but it’s much more supportive, a bit wider, and has a higher weight capacity. A slight curve in the rear legs adds a bit of stability, and we like that the scoop-style seat positions you upright without rounding your back or your butt – a rarity for most camping chairs. The result is a chair that feels stable yet cushy.

But at one pound, eleven ounces, the Skyline is one of the heavier chairs on this list and sits at the upper end of our maximum weight for a backpacking chair. It’s also one of the more expensive options we tested. However, it’s very compact and a real luxury for shorter overnight trips and is worth every penny for a taller chair that’s built to last.

This Big Agnes model is one of the few chairs we don’t mind lounging in for a couple of hours because it’s just that comfortable. It’s a durable, well-built choice for backpacking, but we also recommend the Skyline from hanging at the park to the packed dirt around a frontcountry campfire ring.

The Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 is one of our favorite chairs when you need a quick, durable, and water-resistant seat to rest down on any surface. It provides a clean and dry place to sit and offers a bit of back support, unlike a basic sit pad.

The Hex 2.0 couldn’t be easier to deploy – simply unroll it, connect the arm rests straps from the seat to the back, and you’re ready to lounge. Whether you need to kick back during a lunch or snack break, want to take in the view from a gorgeous vantage point, or you’re ready to relax after setting up your tent, this model is ready to go in an instant.

The Hex 2.0 is versatile in the frontcountry as well, and it’s our go-to all summer long for a variety of events. We’ve used ours to make bench seating at baseball games more comfortable, brought it along for summer lawn concerts, and we’ve even taken it out on our paddle board to recline while floating.

At almost one and a half pounds, it certainly isn’t the lightest or the most compact option available, but the Hex 2.0 is durable. Thanks to excellent construction, burly nylon ripstop fabric, and carbon fiber stays, this model is built to last for years of use, and you’ll find yourself reaching for it season after season.

This chair also has the lowest seat height on this list, since it’s positioned directly on the ground. For those with mobility issues, sore hips or joints, or folks who want an ergonomic “classic” chair that lets you sit upright and bend your knees, the Hex 2.0 will fall a bit short. 

That said, you won’t find a better seat when it comes to convenience, speedy setup, or ease of use. Also consider checking out the LongBack version, which is taller and wider than the 2.0, or the Power Lounger, which offers more coverage under the legs so you can lay back without your feet or calves touching the ground.

The REI Trail Stool is a budget-friendly and hassle-free solution for those who simply want to get off the ground during short hikes and day trips. If you’re looking for a fast seat anytime you need a break and don’t mind the lack of a backrest, this small chair may be all you need.

The Trail Stool is quick and easy to get out and put away, and it certainly beats sitting on the ground or looking for the perfect rock, root, or stump. Its fast deployment and super simple design make it perfect for everything from gardening and fishing to hiking and cooking. The Trail Stool also packs away as fast as it sets up, making it a great choice for restful stops.

We’re also big fans of this model’s seat height. At 15 inches, it’s one of the tallest chairs on our list, tied only with the Big Agnes Skyline UL. A taller seat can help minimize pain from sitting down and standing up, plus they give you a bit more space to stretch your legs – a treat when you’re sore from hiking all day.

Our biggest gripe with the Trail Stool is an issue with stools in general: there’s no back support, so it’s not our go-to for extended vegging sessions. It also has the lowest weight capacity rating on this list – 200 pounds – which limits who can sit in it and its overall usefulness.

That said, we love the Trail Stool as a fast and reliable seat for short adventures where breaks are frequent. It’s built to last for years, so we recommend keeping it ready to go in your car or gear room for the next adventure. If you have bad knees, are fed up looking for the perfect rock to rest on, or simply need a place to perch in camp, the Trail Stool is well worth considering.

The Therm-a-Rest Trekker Chair is as comfortable as ultralight chairs come. This model is one of the most lightweight and compact seats on this list but still offers great back support in a unique, functional design.

To use the Trekker Chair, you’ll need a sleeping pad like the NeoAir, which is sold separately. It takes a few minutes to set up the Trekker: first you’ll need to inflate the sleeping pad, then situate it in the elastic sleeves, and finally adjust the chair into its upright position. The bulk of the chair is dependent on the sleeping pad you pair it with – so, the thicker your sleeping pad, the more cushy the chair will feel. 

The Trekker Chair takes a few extra steps, but it feels like a real luxury in the backcountry once it’s set up. Since you’re already bringing your sleeping pad along, the elastic frame only weighs 10 ounces more, and you can transform your pad into an entirely new piece of trail furniture. When it comes to flopping your legs out and relaxing at camp, this is one of our favorites.

That said, the Trekker Chair is a bit cumbersome to set up, so we exclusively reserve it for backpacking trips when you’re hanging out at camp. This is not the chair you can whip out for short trail breaks, which is why it’s near the bottom of our list.

This chair also puts your sleeping pad in a vulnerable position: almost directly on the ground. Your sleeping pad is an absolutely essential piece of gear, and inflatables run the risk of being punctured. Be sure to inspect and clear debris before you set the chair down. We highly recommend using a small ground cloth underneath the Trekker Chair to ensure its safety when outside the tent.

The Trekker isn’t designed for on-the-go use during short adventures on the trail, but it’s a stellar investment for those who want a super comfortable seat after a long day of hiking and want a seriously cozy resting place in camp.