I Tested 5 Backpacking Folding Chairs—Here’s the One I Actually Use
Why I Started Testing Backpacking Chairs
Backpacking chairs seem like a luxury—until you’ve hiked 12 miles, your knees are throbbing, and you’re trying to cook dinner in the mud.
At first, I thought chairs were dead weight. I’d see them on gear lists and think, Who actually brings that? I was all about trimming ounces, not adding them. But after enough trips spent crouching on wet rocks, leaning awkwardly against my pack, or standing through dinner just to avoid the cold ground—I finally gave in.
Turns out, a good chair isn’t about pampering yourself. It’s about recovery. It’s about actually enjoying camp instead of just enduring it. When your legs are shot and your back’s tight, a decent place to sit becomes one of the biggest morale boosts on trail.
Prefer to watch instead? Check out my full YouTube breakdown here: 🎥 https://youtu.be/inO1jf6bBqE
And before we dive in, grab my Free Backpacking Gear Checklist—it’ll save you from carrying the wrong stuff (and make room for a chair if you decide to bring one).
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I’ve field-tested five different chairs on real trips: muddy campsites in spring, windy alpine passes in fall, lazy riverside lunches in summer.
Some earned a permanent spot in my pack. One I ditched after just a single use.
Let’s break down what worked, what didn’t, and what I’ll never carry again.
⛺ Just want the top takeaways? These are the three chairs I’d actually consider bringing again:
The Best Backpacking Folding Chair I’ve Used: Helinox Chair Zero
Pros and comfort level
When people ask me, “Is a backpacking chair really worth the weight?”—this is the chair I point to.
The Helinox Chair Zero weighs just a hair over one pound, yet it offers full-on back support, a proper seat height, and actual comfort you can feel in your knees, hips, and spine after a long day on trail. It lifts you several inches off the ground—so you’re not just perching on a rock or folding into a squat. You’re actually sitting down.
What really surprised me was how much of a difference that elevation makes. It’s not just about comfort—it’s recovery. After hiking all day, sitting in something that supports your back while keeping you dry and off the cold ground is honestly a small luxury that feels huge.
I’ve used it to eat dinner, prep gear, chill with a view, and even stretch out in the morning while sipping coffee.
It’s not just a chair—it’s a morale booster.
- Ultralight, compact camping and backpacking chair weighs just 1.1 pounds and packs smaller than a bottle of water (measures 4 x 4 x 13.5 inches packed)
- Lightweight, folding chair frame is constructed from advanced DAC aluminum alloy to provide maximum strength at a minimum weight; holds up to 265 pounds
Setup and packability
Setup is incredibly straightforward. The poles are shock-corded like a tent frame—they snap together intuitively.
Then you stretch the seat fabric over the frame, and you’re done. The first time, it might feel a little tight, but after a few setups, it becomes muscle memory.
It packs down close to the size of a 1L Nalgene and fits neatly into most outer pack pockets or strapped on top. For how functional it is, it takes up surprisingly little room in your gear system.
For me, the setup-to-comfort ratio is a big win here. You don’t waste time fiddling with it when you’re tired or cold.
Where it falls short
Now, it’s not perfect.
On soft ground—like sand, loose dirt, or wet forest floors—the feet can sink. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to be aware of.
Helinox does sell a separate ground sheet (on Amazon) that distributes the weight across a wider surface and prevents that sinkage. I ended up buying one, and while it solves the issue, it does add both cost and a tiny bit more bulk.
And yes, speaking of cost—this chair is not cheap. At around $150, it’s one of the most expensive pieces of non-essential gear in my setup.
Why it’s my go-to chair
Eventually, I gave in. I bought the Chair Zero—and I haven’t looked back since.
It strikes the perfect balance of low weight, comfort, reliability, and ease of use. Even though it started as a splurge, it’s become a core comfort item in my pack. I don’t always bring a stove. I don’t always bring camp shoes.
But this chair? It comes with me every single time.
In the world of backpacking folding chairs, the Helinox Chair Zero isn’t just good—it’s trail royalty.
Budget-Friendly Surprise:
Stansport Folding Camp Stool
Compact design and use cases
Don’t overlook this little guy. The Stansport Folding Camp Stool is the kind of budget gear that makes you do a double take—not because it’s flashy, but because it actually works.
It weighs about one pound, putting it on par with high-end chairs like the Helinox Chair Zero—but it costs just around $30. That’s nearly one-fifth of the price, which is a huge win for newer backpackers or anyone trying to trim costs without sacrificing too much comfort.
It doesn’t look like much. Just a small metal frame and a cross-stitched nylon seat. But when you’ve been hiking all day and you’re faced with cold, wet, or rocky ground? This stool becomes a lifesaver.
Here’s what it’s perfect for:
- Cooking dinner without crouching or balancing on a rock
- Tying your shoes or swapping socks without sitting in the dirt
- Changing layers during breaks
- Sitting around camp while keeping your shorts clean and dry
It doesn’t have a backrest, sure—but it gets you fully off the ground, and that alone is a huge upgrade over a sit pad or damp log.
- America’s favorite seat
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Made of strong aluminum and heavy duty fabric seat
- Perfect for camping, sporting events and backyard BBQ’s
When it beats a full chair
Because there are no poles to assemble, no fabric to stretch, no balancing to worry about—it’s instant setup. Just flip it open and sit.
That simplicity makes it ideal for tasks where you’re up and down a lot, like cooking, filtering water, or reorganizing your pack.
No fuss. No parts. Just a functional seat.
While it’s not something you’ll lounge in for hours, it’s arguably more convenient than a framed chair for fast-paced camp routines.
Ideal for ultralight trips
Ultralight backpackers are always watching the ounce count. And when comfort items come into the conversation, the tradeoffs get serious.
This stool hits a sweet spot.
It adds real function without demanding much in weight or pack space. I usually just strap it to the outside of my pack, and it’s always there when I need it—whether I’m stopping for a quick lunch or setting up camp.
If you’re trying to stay under a certain base weight but still want to add a comfort boost, the Stansport Folding Camp Stool is pound-for-pound one of the best values I’ve tested.
It’s not glamorous. But it works. And sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
A Classic That Still Holds Up:
Crazy Creek Chair
Versatile and tent-friendly
This was my first real backpacking chair—and even after upgrading to fancier options, I still respect what it brings to the table (or campsite).
The Crazy Creek Chair is as simple as it gets: no legs, no poles, no complex setup. Just fold-out panels with sturdy foam padding and adjustable straps to dial in your back support. That simplicity is its superpower.
Because there are no rigid frame pieces, it works almost anywhere:
- Inside your tent during storms
- On rocky platforms where legs won’t sit evenly
- In backcountry shelters or cabins
- Even during trail breaks when you don’t want to unpack a full chair
It’s not elevated—but for ultralight hikers, thru-hikers, or anyone who prefers versatility over height, it’s one of the most useful sit-anywhere options out there.
Who it’s best for
This chair is for you if you value true back support but don’t want the cost, bulk, or setup time of a framed chair.
It weighs around 1 pound, costs about $45, and it’s been a favorite among backpackers, paddlers, and minimalist campers for decades.
If you’ve ever used one of those padded stadium seats—this is the backcountry version.
But unlike a foam sit pad, it lets you lean back and actually relax, which makes a big difference during mealtimes, morning coffee, or wind-down routines.
- A PRACTICAL OUTDOOR CHAIR – Tried and tested to withstand the most extreme climates, Crazy Creek’s The Chair lets you relax in the great outdoors. With a portable, functional design, it delivers…
- TAKE IT WHEREVER YOU GO – It’s lightweight, foldable and fits easily in your backpack. Use it for camping, backpacking trips, or as a lawn chair – it remains stable in sand, mud and rocks! Suitable…
- ADJUST TO YOUR COMFORT – Features tight-knit straps with adjustable buckles on both sides that can turn your chair into a recliner, allowing you to rest your back in between adventures. With 250 lbs…
Pros vs. framed chairs
Framed chairs like the Helinox Chair Zero are elevated, but they also come with the downsides:
More moving parts, more weight, more potential failure points, and more setup time.
The Crazy Creek, on the other hand, is:
- Flat-folding
- Nearly indestructible
- Quick to deploy
- Comfortable in tighter spaces
It straps easily to your pack—bottom, top, or side—and takes up very little room once folded.
Sure, it won’t lift you off the cold ground. But if you’re fine sitting low and want guaranteed back support wherever you are, this is a reliable, minimalist solution.
Whether you’re on your first trip or your fiftieth, the Crazy Creek still earns its place in the pack.
The Minimalist’s Must-Have:
Therm-a-Rest Z Seat
Why I always pack a sit pad
It’s not technically a chair—but it’s one of the smartest pieces of gear I own.
The Therm-a-Rest Z Seat (or any similar foam sit pad) weighs about 2 ounces, costs around $30, and has quietly become a non-negotiable item in my pack—no matter the trip.
I actually started carrying one by cutting three panels off an old Z Lite sleeping pad. Now, even when I bring a full chair like the Helinox Chair Zero, I still carry a sit pad. Why? Because it’s stupidly useful.
You get a dry, warm, insulated place to sit for breaks, lunch stops, and around camp. And unlike inflatable pads or framed chairs, there’s nothing to set up, inflate, or fail.
It’s the purest “grab-and-go” comfort item you can carry.
- Durable, superlight (2 ounces) closed-cell foam portable camping seat for insulation and on-the-spot comfort on rough terrain
- Ideal for hiking, backpacking, trekking, snowshoeing, and ski touring; also great for stadiums and bleachers, or for Concert and festival seating
- Puncture-proof closed-cell foam is virtually indestructible; included bungee cord keeps seat compact for transport
- Warmth-boosting, reflective ThermaCapture surface has an R-Value of 2. 6 (R-Value measures the material’s ability to insulate)
Bonus functions beyond sitting
And here’s the kicker: this pad does way more than just give you a place to sit. It pulls triple (sometimes quadruple) duty in your kit:
- Extra insulation under your sleeping pad in cold temps
- A clean surface for organizing or prepping food
- A kneeling pad for filtering water or tending a stove
- Reinforcement or padding inside a frameless pack
- A wind shield for stoves in breezy conditions
Because it’s closed-cell foam, it doesn’t absorb moisture, so even if it rains or the ground is wet, you’re not stuck with a soggy sponge.
It folds accordion-style, so it stashes easily in your side pocket or lashes to the outside of your pack. Fast access, no hassle.
When it’s enough—and when it’s not
Let’s be clear: this won’t replace a full-on chair. There’s no elevation, no backrest, and no lounging.
But if you’re going ultralight or just want to keep things minimal, this covers 80% of what you actually need for sitting comfort, especially on fast-and-light missions or multi-day thru-hikes.
It’s also a great backup option on trips where you’re debating whether to bring a chair at all. Even if you leave your framed chair at home, the Z Seat still lets you stay dry and organized around camp.
📋 Check out my Ultralight Gear List for more clever weight-saving swaps like this.
For about two ounces, the value it adds is massive. It’s not flashy. But it’s dependable—and it’s in my pack, every single time.
What I’ll Never Bring Backpacking Again:
Marchway Folding Chair
Good build, bad tradeoff
On paper? It checks a lot of boxes.
The Marchway Folding Chair (on Amazon) costs around $35, looks a lot like the Helinox Chair Zero, and offers decent comfort and back support.
It folds up in a similar way with shock-corded poles and a fabric seat—and it feels sturdy once assembled.
But here’s the catch: it weighs around 2 pounds. And that extra weight? You will notice it.
At first, I thought it was a steal—a budget version of a premium chair. And for some people, maybe it is.
But for me, the weight just didn’t justify the comfort boost—especially when better, lighter options exist.
The weight penalty explained
Backpacking is all about trade-offs. And this one just doesn’t stack up.
Once you’ve got 2.5 pounds strapped to your pack for miles—and you’re already carrying a full kit—you’ll start to ask yourself if that camp comfort is worth the strain.
Even on short overnights, it feels bulky compared to lighter alternatives.
If you’re car camping, base camping, or just hanging out at a trailhead? Sure, it’s perfectly fine.
But when every ounce counts, this chair moves from luxury to liability—fast.
Better for car camping
To be fair, this isn’t a bad chair—it’s just not ideal for my style of backpacking.
Durable? Yes. Comfortable? Also yes. But the weight-to-function ratio knocks it out of my regular rotation.
If you’re just getting into backpacking and trying to avoid common gear mistakes, definitely check out 👉 Beginner Backpacking Mistakes to Avoid
Lesson learned: Just because something looks like a lightweight option doesn’t mean it acts like one on trail.
Final Thoughts: What Matters Most in a Backpacking Folding Chair
Backpacking is a constant balancing act—and chairs are a perfect example of that.
Comfort is amazing. But on the trail, every ounce matters. And when your legs are burning and your shoulders are sore, you’ll question everything you packed—especially the luxuries.
That’s why picking the right backpacking folding chair comes down to one question:
Does it earn its place in your pack?
Some chairs absolutely do. They offer back support, warmth, elevation, or multi-use function—without weighing you down or overcomplicating camp life.
Others? They look good on paper, but when it’s time to hike them up a mountain, they reveal their true cost.
Here’s what to keep in mind when deciding what to bring:
- Terrain and weather: Will you be sitting in mud, snow, or hard-packed rock?
- Trip style: Are you moving every day or base camping?
- How much weight you’re willing to carry: Ounces really add up over long miles
- What comfort means for your trip: For some, sitting low is fine. Others need back support or elevation.
Some chairs become trail staples. Others? You carry them once—and swear you never will again.
Ultimately, there’s no one “right” chair—just the one that fits your body, your trip, and your priorities.
And sometimes… that chair is no chair at all.
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