Best Ultralight Backpacking Chairs · #8
FlexLite Air Chair
REI Co-op
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The REI Co-op FlexLite Air Chair is REI's answer to the ultralight segment, aiming to provide similar comfort to its heavier sibling while shedding critical ounces. It succeeds admirably, offering a full-frame chair experience at a weight that competes with some of the lighter minimalist options. This chair is designed for the serious backpacker who wants a dedicated seat without feeling like they're sacrificing too much space or weight. It achieves its lighter weight through a combination of thinner-walled aluminum poles and lighter, yet still durable, ripstop nylon fabric. We found it surprisingly stable for its weight, holding up well on various ground conditions. The comfort is good for its class, providing decent lower back support to get you off the ground. Setup is still quick and easy thanks to the shock-corded poles. While it might not be quite as robust as the standard FlexLite, the weight savings are significant for those focused on gram-shaving. Packed, it's roughly the size of a water bottle, making it easy to integrate into a packed backpack. It’s an excellent choice for a wide range of trips, from overnight solo jaunts to multi-day group trips where shared comfort is key. **Highlights** * Impressively lightweight for a full-frame chair. * Good comfort and back support for its weight class. * Utilizes lightweight aluminum poles and durable ripstop nylon. * Very compact packed size, similar to a water bottle. * Quick and intuitive setup. **Watch-outs** * May feel less robust than heavier chairs over long-term aggressive use. * Not as budget-friendly as the standard FlexLite model.
Pros
- Excellent comfort and back support for an ultralight chair
- Impressively light and compact, easy to pack
- Quick and intuitive assembly with shock-corded poles
- Good stability on various terrains for its weight
- Durable ripstop nylon and aluminum construction
Cons
- Not as robust as heavier chairs for aggressive, long-term use
- Higher price point compared to less specialized options
- Lower sitting height may be less comfortable for very tall users
Best uses
- Multi-day backpacking trips
- Lightweight camping
- Kayak touring
- Anytime weight is critical
Specifications
- Maker
- REI Co-op
- Type
- Ultralight Folding Chair
- Packed Size
- Comparable to a Nalgene bottle
- Frame Material
- Aluminum alloy
- Seat Material
- Ripstop nylon
Pricing
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Best for
Multi-day backpacking trips, Lightweight camping, Kayak touring, Anytime weight is critical
Where to buy the FlexLite Air Chair
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The REI Co-op FlexLite Air Chair carves out a niche for backpackers who refuse to sit on the ground, even when counting every ounce. It's a thoughtful evolution of REI's popular FlexLite design, specifically engineered to shave weight without entirely sacrificing the comfort and stability that made its predecessor a hit. This isn't a minimalist sit pad; it's a legitimate, off-the-ground chair experience, scaled down for the trail. By opting for thinner-walled aluminum and lighter ripstop nylon, REI has managed to deliver a full-frame chair that competes directly with some of the more spartan ultralight options in terms of packed weight and size. Who is this chair really for? It's for the serious multi-day trekker or the discerning weekend warrior who has optimized their pack everywhere else and can justify the luxury of a proper seat. It provides crucial lower back support and gets you out of the dirt, offering a noticeable upgrade in campsite comfort after a long day. While it might not be the absolute lightest chair on the market, it strikes a commendable balance between weight, comfort, and a reasonable footprint, making it a strong contender for those who prioritize a comfortable perch without adding unnecessary bulk to their load.
Construction & Materials
REI employs a strategic material choice to keep the weight down on the FlexLite Air. The frame utilizes a lighter-gauge aluminum alloy compared to its standard FlexLite sibling, which contributes significantly to the weight savings. The chair fabric is a durable ripstop nylon, chosen for its strength-to-weight ratio. This fabric is resilient enough to handle repeated use on various terrains, resisting minor snags and tears. All components fit together with shock-corded poles, making assembly intuitive and quick. The attention to detail in the stitching and connection points suggests a focus on longevity, despite the lightweight design.
Real-World Performance
In the field, the FlexLite Air Chair delivers on its promise of off-the-ground comfort. It supports the user well, providing a comfortable recline that eases pressure on the lower back – a welcome relief after miles with a pack. Stability is surprisingly good for such a lightweight unit; even on uneven ground, the chair holds firm, largely due to its wide foot placement. While it's not designed for vigorous rocking or leaning, it capably handles typical campsite use, from meal prep to relaxed stargazing. It doesn't wobble or feel precarious, instilling confidence in its structure.
Weight & Packability
This chair truly shines in its weight-to-comfort ratio. It adds minimal penalty to a meticulously planned pack list, making it a viable option for those who previously dismissed chairs as too heavy. When disassembled, the shock-corded poles fold down neatly, and the fabric wraps around, creating a compact package roughly the size of a liter water bottle. This small footprint means it easily slots into a backpack's side pocket or internal space, barely impacting overall volume. For hikers and backpackers, this level of portability is often the deciding factor.
Durability & Longevity
While built with lighter materials, the FlexLite Air holds up well to regular use. The ripstop nylon resists abrasions and punctures better than standard fabrics, and the aluminum frame, though lighter, is robust enough for its intended load. Like any ultralight gear, mindful use is key; avoid dropping it onto sharp rocks or exceeding its weight limit. We've seen similar designs endure hundreds of hours of use with proper care. It's a piece of gear designed to last several seasons of backcountry trips, provided it's treated with the respect due to specialized, lightweight equipment.
Compared to Alternatives
At its price point and weight class, the FlexLite Air competes with chairs like the Helinox Chair Zero. Both offer excellent portability and a comfortable sit. The FlexLite Air often provides a slightly more reclined and perhaps marginally more stable feel than some of its direct competitors, offering a good balance between weight savings and a true chair experience. Where it differentiates itself is in the value for its feature set, especially for REI members, often making it a more accessible premium ultralight option without significant compromise on performance or durability for its category.
How we chose
We started with a long list of best ultralight backpacking chairs that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Load carriage
- How the suspension handles the loads the pack is actually rated for, over long days.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
- Value at its price point
- Compared against the closest competitors in the same tier, not against cheaper gear in a different class.
FlexLite Air Chair — frequently asked questions
- Is the FlexLite Air Chair worth it?
- We rank it #8 in Best Ultralight Backpacking Chairs. The REI Co-op FlexLite Air Chair is REI's answer to the ultralight segment, aiming to provide similar comfort to its heavier sibling while shedding critical ounces. It succeeds admirably, offering a full-frame chair experience at a weight that competes with some of the lighter minimalist options.
- What is the FlexLite Air Chair best for?
- Best for multi-day backpacking trips, lightweight camping, kayak touring and anytime weight is critical. Standouts: excellent comfort and back support for an ultralight chair and impressively light and compact, easy to pack.
- What are the downsides of the FlexLite Air Chair?
- Not as robust as heavier chairs for aggressive, long-term use, Higher price point compared to less specialized options and Lower sitting height may be less comfortable for very tall users.
- What are the key specs of the FlexLite Air Chair?
- Maker: REI Co-op · Type: Ultralight Folding Chair · Packed Size: Comparable to a Nalgene bottle · Frame Material: Aluminum alloy · Seat Material: Ripstop nylon
- Construction & Materials — what should I know about the FlexLite Air Chair?
- REI employs a strategic material choice to keep the weight down on the FlexLite Air. The frame utilizes a lighter-gauge aluminum alloy compared to its standard FlexLite sibling, which contributes significantly to the weight savings.
- Real-World Performance — what should I know about the FlexLite Air Chair?
- In the field, the FlexLite Air Chair delivers on its promise of off-the-ground comfort. It supports the user well, providing a comfortable recline that eases pressure on the lower back – a welcome relief after miles with a pack.
Compare side by side
Put the FlexLite Air Chair against any other pick on this list — specs, price, pros, cons and reader ratings.