The Journey to Realizing a Backpacking Chair is Worth Every Ounce
Helinox Zero Chair
My Honest Opinion
The REI Flexlite Air and Helinox chairs are both popular choices for backpacking, but they differ in design and price. The REI Flexlite Air is typically more budget-friendly than the Helinox, with a simpler structure that offers a lightweight, no-frills solution for sitting comfortably on the trail. Its minimalist design is easy to pack and carry, which makes it a practical choice.
On the other hand, the Helinox chair zero often comes at a higher price, but it’s preferred by many backpackers for its durability and slightly sturdier frame, which can provide a more stable sitting experience, especially on uneven terrain. While I’m perfectly content with my REI Flexlite Air, I’ve noticed my friends gravitate toward the Helinox for its build quality and extra comfort.
If you’re on the fence about buying a backpacking chair, keep reading-
The Beginning
When I first dipped my toes into the world of backpacking, I remember walking into the gear store with a mix of excitement and cluelessness. I was ready to be a “minimalist adventurer” and carried a mental checklist: the perfect backpack, a compact stove, maybe even a lightweight yet ultra thick sleeping pad. I had my eyes on everything essential, or so I thought.
Less Is More
The guy helping me pick out my backpack looked like he’d been on a thousand trails, and he offered me the kind of wisdom only seasoned hikers know. At one point, I considered picking up a small chair. “Trust me, you’ll regret the added weight,” he said, glancing at the chairs on the display wall. In the moment, I nodded, feeling like I was in on some insider tip. Less is more, right? So, I followed his advice, proudly stripping my pack of any non-essentials.
Envy and Awe
Fast forward to a big hike with a large group of friends, and I was pretty confident in my streamlined setup. But then, as we reached our campsite and settled in, Sara—a fellow backpacker who had joined us—pulled out something unexpected: a chair. Not just any chair, but a lightweight, foldable one, made by Helinox. And there she was, reclining in comfort while the rest of us settled for rocks or the sandy ground. It was a humbling moment, to say the least. We looked at her with equal parts envy and awe.
REI Flexlite Air Chair
A Little Luxury
As it turns out, Sara had cracked the code we were all missing: sometimes, a little luxury on the trail is well worth the extra ounces. After that trip, I couldn’t shake the idea. Next time, I wanted to be the one with the chair, savoring the view comfortably, and feeling my muscles relax after a long day. And that’s how I ended up back at REI, determined to get my hands on a chair. The guy was right about many things but wrong about this. A chair was exactly what I needed to make the trail feel just a bit more like home. Now, every time we set up camp, that chair is one of the first things I pull out. It’s more than just a place to sit—it’s a reminder of those early hikes and the friends who taught me that comfort on the trail isn’t something to regret; it’s something to celebrate.
So If you are planning on making backpacking part of your life then I highly recommend investing in a chair.
Happy hiking! And keep on trekking!
Candice