OEX Ultra-Lite Camping Chair with Stability Mat, Compact Expedition Chair, Wild Camping Chair, Backpacking Chair, Camping Furniture, Camping Equipment, Black, One Size

Product Information

The chair is great because it rocks and reclines, but it takes a little practice to figure out the extent to which one can lean before gravity takes its toll. With their lightweight and portable design, comfortable seating, and durability, these camping essentials offer the perfect mix of functionality and usability. I think NEMO takes a swing at all the major categories with the Moonlite and for the most part, hits on just about all accounts. These bends do two things: broaden the base at the point of ground contact, which increases stability, and allow for a wider seat.

Our comparably heavy friend TJ, as mentioned, also put many evenings on his Chair Zero with no issues before he upgraded to the Moonlite—strictly for comfort. I got one from aliexpress for 20 quid, Outad brand, but they are all the same, just different brands stitched onto them. On anything longer than an overnighter, many bikepacking setups rarely provide space for anything more than the bare essentials. And, as is the case with most of these chairs, the low seat height may cause discomfort for those with knee or hip issues.One clever extra is the "sink mat" which not only protects your tent floor but also gives you an extra grip on uneven ground adding to the stability of the chair. The Helinox Chair One is also pretty comfy and comparable to the Big Agnes, but it’s heavier and much bulkier. It is one of the heavier models we tested, but with that weight comes more of the comfort and stability one expects to find in a “real” chair. Fully mesh made me a little nervous at first, as I wondered if it would be strong enough or prone to snagging, but after four months of regular use, I’ve found that my worries were unwarranted. The absence of hubs cuts down on the bulk of the chair’s frame and makes packing the chair a less clumsy undertaking than some of the other options.

The seating available on the stool is adequate and robust and there is some cushioning where the seat connects to the legs support to cushion your bottom. A compact camping chair that comes in under 2 pounds, making it an option for backcountry use or most commonly, an easy to haul option for those times in the frontcountry when you need a chair (car camping, backyard cookouts, beach trips, and more). Packed into a robust carry sack with a loop handle both at the top and side of the bag, the whole chair fits neatly inside. The chair has a surprising amount of stability considering how light it is and allowed us to move and comfortably shift positions without any wobbling or fear of tipping over. The angles of the base poles create a more upright sitting position than that of the Monarch or REI’s Flexlite Air, and the relatively taut ripstop polyester fabric cradles the back versus stretching like nylon.The chair has been used during weekend camping trips, day trips to the beach, at several backyard cookouts, and pulled out of the trunk at the trailhead when I’m back at the car after a strenuous hike (I love sitting it in to take my sweaty boots off and enjoy a moment of rest before getting back in the car). Whereas the other chairs’ base poles simply slide into reinforced pockets at the corners of their slings, the Moonlite’s poles have balled ends that fit into nylon molded sockets at its corners. Most purchases from business sellers are protected by the Consumer Contract Regulations 2013 which give you the right to cancel the purchase within 14 days after the day you receive the item. For others, specific circumstances of the bikepacking journey determine what are and what aren’t essential items that deserve a spot on the pack list. Logan’s a big fan of the Helinox Chair Zero and finds it pretty comfy as long as you’re on flat ground and can keep the legs from sinking.