Bottom Line
The Trekology Yizi-Lite is one of the more comfortable backpacking chairs we tested – and one of the cheapest. That’s why it made our list of the best backpacking chairs.
This chair sits low to the ground, letting us stretch out our legs after a taxing day on the trail. We also appreciate the deep seat with high back support, which was comfortable and supportive enough for our tester with a bad back.
As an entry-level camp chair, the Trekology Yizi-Lite lags behind most backpacking chairs we tested in weight and packability. Even so, it’s a reasonable option for backpackers who won’t pay a premium for ultralight performance. It also scored pretty well in other metrics, which is a plus at this price point. Overall, you probably get a little more than what you pay for with this budget backpacking chair.
How We Tested
Gear analyst Jory Brass tested this Trekology chair over a two-month period at a series of New Mexico backcountry campsites. We compared its comfort alongside other chairs in frontcountry campsites. Additionally, we weighed, measured, hauled it into the wilderness, and timed how long it took to assemble, disassemble, and repack. To gauge its stability, we set the chair on soft and uneven surfaces – and even roughed it up to see if it wobbled or fell apart underneath our weight.
Quick Specs
Trekology Yizi-Lite
Best Budget Backpacking Chair
CleverHiker Rating: 4.4/5.0
Price: $46
Weight: 1 lb. 10.4 oz.
Weight Limit: 220 lb.
Seat Height: 9.8 in.
Pros
- Roomy
- Back support
- Ventilated fabric
- Price
Cons
- Weight
- Lower weight capacity
- Low to the ground
Comfort
The Trekology Yizi-Lite isn’t an expensive chair, but we found it more comfortable than several of the premium backpacking chairs we tested.
We particularly liked the deep scoop seat. It’s roomy enough to accommodate broad shoulders and big booties, and the backrest hits higher than most models we tested. Our gear tester has a bad back, and he appreciated this chair’s back support in camp. We didn’t notice pinch points or corners digging into our backs, thanks to the seat’s generous dimensions.
The chair’s short height, however, could be a positive or negative for comfort. Trekology lists this chair’s height as 9.8 inches; however, we measured half that much space between our butts and the ground. With a seating position so low to the ground, the Yizi-Lite felt more like a ground chair than a typical backpacking chair.
On one hand, this just-off-the-ground design makes it easier to extend your legs in camp. On the other hand, it’s harder to get in and out of a ground chair. Our tester enjoyed leaning back in this chair while stretching his legs out in front of him to give them a much-needed rest after a big day on the trail. However, other backpackers may prefer sitting higher off the ground.
If you’re going to lug an extra pound or two into the backcountry, you want it to be worth it. The Yizi-Lite didn’t come up short in the comfort and support metric. However, it’s best to consider it a ground chair, which might not be for everyone.
Weight & Packability
Budget backpacking gear almost always weighs more than premium gear, and that’s the case with the Trekology Yizi-Lite.
Unlike many camp chairs available on Amazon, it weighs less than 2 pounds – CleverHiker’s cutoff for a “backpacking” chair (versus a camping chair). However, at 1 lb 10.4 ounces, the Yizi-Lite ranks near the bottom of the chairs in our gear guide. The packed size is also borderline, thanks to the added bulk of the chair’s oversized plastic hubs and chunky aluminum pole segments. It’s taller and slightly thicker than a Nalgene bottle in its stuff sack—a tight fit for most backpacks’ expandable side pockets. Like most backpacking chairs, the Yizi best fits strapped outside your pack.
Weight and packability are expected downsides for Trekology’s budget-friendly price. Still, this is the most packable backpacking chair we’ve found at this price point. Realistically, you’ll need to pay 2-3 times as much to buy a backpacking chair that’s a half-pound lighter and a bit easier to pack.
Stability
Stability wasn’t a strength for the Yizi-Lite camping chair. Because of its design and weight, it surprised us, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker, either.
At first glance, this looks like a super stable backpacking chair. The Trekology chair is heavy, sits low to the ground, and features thicker parts than most backpacking chairs we tested. However, we were surprised when it teetered side to side when we tested it on soft, sloping ground at a campsite in the Sandia Mountains.
Why did the Yizi-Lite chair wobble on uneven ground as we reached for our coffee and camp stove? For starters, the chair’s center pole runs front-to-back, not side-to-side like most backpacking chairs. Plus, its short legs form a narrower base that’s only 11 inches wide. These features limit its lateral stability despite the Yizi-Lite’s low center of gravity. This may also contribute to this chair’s lower weight capacity of 220 pounds.
We trust this chair’s stability on solid ground, and we felt confident when shifting our weight forward and backward. However, the Trekology Yizi-Lite’s side-to-side stability fell a little short, especially when we placed it on a soft bed of pine needles. With average stability, this chair works best at level campsites, based on our first-hand testing experience.
Ease of Use
There’s nothing tricky about using the Trekology Yizi-Lite. It’s a typical camp chair – with tent-style aluminum poles connected by shock cord. Initial assembly took us less than a minute. Repacking the chair took us a little longer because the chair’s plastic hubs are chunkier than most. However, the stuff sack has plenty of room to accommodate the chair’s bulky hubs and poles once we corralled them and wrapped them in the seat fabric.
As mentioned above, this chair sets up better on solid, level ground. Obviously, we always want a flat campsite. However, that’s a little more important with the Trekology chair than with other backpacking chairs. Plus, the chair sits low to the ground, which makes it tougher to lower yourself into the chair and get back up – especially when you’re stiff from a big day of hiking. However, these are small inconveniences, not big problems.
Should You Buy the Trekology Yizi-Lite Camping Chair?
If you’re looking for a budget camp chair that’s barely light and packable enough for backpacking, the Trekology Yizi-Lite is our top pick. It’s also a good choice for campers and backpackers who prefer a ground chair to stretch out their legs at camp.
If you’d rather not sit so close to the ground, you’ll find other backpacking chairs on our list more comfortable and easier to use. Plus, you won’t confuse this budget buy with a premium backpacking chair, given its weight and the quality of its materials. Overall, though, this is an average backpacking chair with a price that’s well below average. It’s a solid value.
What Other Backpacking Chairs Should You Consider?
If you’re looking for something different, you’ll probably find it in our full guide to the best backpacking chairs, including these options:
REI Flexlite Air Chair Review: This REI chair costs twice as much, but it’s still a great value for backpackers with its one-pound weight, smaller packed size, and more typical, off-the-ground seating position.
Helinox Ground Chair Review: For a premium backpacking chair that sits low to the ground, the Helinox Ground Chair is an upgrade over the Yizi-Lite, thanks to its lower weight, better packability, and superior stability.
Moon Lence Portable Chair Review: If you care less about weight, packed size, and durability, the Moon Lence chair is cheaper and more comfortable than the Trekology Yizi-Lite – but its 2 lb+ weight isn’t great for backpacking.
