Somewhere along the 100-Mile Wilderness, my chair broke.
Marty wasn’t even sure he wanted to bring a chair when we were doing our final gear shakedowns. He already owned an REI Flexlite that tipped the scales at 1 lb 11 oz. Once I tried it on trail, though, the decision was easy. He ordered a second one so we could both enjoy the luxury of sitting off the ground. I kept the used one and we headed north.
Around day three in the 100 Mile Wilderness, the pole punched right through the fabric. I was so bummed. I told Marty my “chair dealer” had sold me a bum chair. (He laughed.) Being the gentleman he is, he immediately swapped with me and used the broken chair for the rest of the trip. “I don’t know any other chair dealer who’ll honor a warranty in the middle of the woods,” he said. Fair point.
That chair turned out to be one of the best accessories we carried. Down south the ticks were relentless, so not having to sit on the ground felt like a small victory every time we stopped. In Maine the chairs became part of our daily rhythm—morning coffee, evening meals, long rest breaks when our feet needed a break from the rocks and roots.
And here’s the honest truth for those of us in our 50s: sitting on the ground gets harder. Hips and backs start to complain. A real chair, even a tiny one, makes a noticeable difference at the end of a long day.
When we got home I ordered a replacement—but this time I went lighter. I chose the REI Co-op Flexlite Air.
Why the Flexlite Air is such a smart backpacking choice
The Air version keeps the same basic design as the original Flexlite but strips away every unnecessary ounce. Here are the numbers that matter:
- Weight: 1 lb (16 oz / about 454 g)
- Packed size: roughly 4.5 × 15 inches—small enough to slide into a side water-bottle pocket on many packs
- Seat height: 11 inches off the ground
- Capacity: 250 lbs
- Frame: shock-corded aluminum with two hubs
- Seat: 70D ripstop nylon with a DWR finish
- Price: around $100
That one-pound weight is the real story. It’s light enough that the “do I really need this?” debate mostly disappears. Compared with the original Flexlite we carried (1 lb 11 oz), I saved 11 ounces—almost three-quarters of a pound—while keeping the same basic comfort and the ability to sit properly instead of on a log or the dirt.
It’s not the most stable chair on soft ground (the narrow feet can sink a bit), and it’s not as plush as heavier options, but for the weight it delivers real back support and a surprisingly comfortable sling. Setup is quick: the poles are shock-corded, the hubs click into place, and the seat slips over the ends. Tear-down is just as fast. When on soft ground, we used our Nemo Switchback pads to set the chairs up. This kept the legs from sinking into the ground.
For us the biggest wins are practical:
- No more sitting in the tick zone
- Easier on aging hips and backs after big miles
- Small enough that it doesn’t fight for space in the pack
- Affordable enough that replacing one (or buying a second) doesn’t feel like a major investment
Marty still uses his new Flexlite. I now carry the Air. Between the two of us we’ve decided chairs are no longer optional gear on multi-day trips. Once you’ve spent a week sitting comfortably at the end of long days, going back to the ground feels like a step in the wrong direction!
If you’re on the fence about adding a backpacking chair, the Flexlite Air is one of the easiest ways to try the idea without a big weight or cost penalty. One pound for the chance to sit like a civilized human after 15–20 miles? We’re sold.
Weight Comparison (True Framed Backpacking Chairs)
| Chair | Approximate Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| REI Co-op Flexlite Air | 1 lb (16 oz) | One of the lightest full framed options |
| Helinox Chair Zero | 1 lb 1–2 oz (17–18 oz) | Closest competitor; usually considered slightly more stable and comfortable |
| Helinox Chair Zero LT | ~1 lb 3 oz | Newer, slightly heavier version with updated fabric |
| NEMO Moonlite Elite | 1 lb 2–7 oz | Reclining model; weight varies depending on whether you include the case |
| Original REI Flexlite (the one that broke) | 1 lb 11 oz | The heavier Marty and I originally carried |
| Big Agnes Skyline UL | ~1 lb 11–12 oz | Higher seat, often preferred by taller people |
| Helinox Chair One | ~2 lb 2–8 oz | More stable and comfortable, but notably heavier |
My Little Red Bike 