The 5 Best Compact Camping Chairs in 2023

Our review of the 5 best compact camping chairs showcases ultralight and ultra-packable chairs that give you both comfort and convenience.

We only included camping chairs with backrests and some with minimal armrests. Most camping chairs on this list need a simple assembly, but you’ll also find a folding example.

If you’re looking for your next compact camping chair, don’t go anywhere, this article will introduce you to the best on the market:

Our List of the 5 Best Compact Chairs for Camping in 2023

We ordered these products by the packed volume from bulkiest to smallest to make it easier to identify the chair for you.:

Compact Camping Chairs FAQ

What Makes A Camping Chair Compact?

A compact camping chair is designed to be lightweight and easy to transport. They typically fold up into a small size and can be carried in a backpack or attached to a gear bag.

Is A Compact Camping Chair Comfortable?

Yes, many compact camping chairs are designed with comfort in mind. Look for a chair with a supportive backrest, wide seat, and durable materials that won’t sag or stretch over time.

How Much Weight Can A Compact Chair Support?

The weight capacity of compact camping chairs varies, but most can support between 200-300 pounds. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications before purchasing a chair to ensure it can safely support your weight.

What Materials Are Compact Camping Chairs Made From?

Compact camping chairs can be made from various materials, including aluminum, steel, and lightweight fabrics like nylon or polyester. Look for chair options made from durable materials that can withstand outdoor conditions.

Is A Compact Chair Lightweight And Easy To Set Up?

Yes, most compact camping chairs are designed to be easy to set up and take down. Most chairs are foldable or collapsible. And nearly all of them are considered lightweight. Look for chairs that come with clear instructions and require minimal assembly. The chair options we’re reviewing are easy to set up and take down.

Which Is More Important, Durability Or Design?

How a chair looks and functions are important, but so is durability. Ultimately, it comes down to personal tastes balanced with buying something that will last you a long time. Remember, the trail is rough on items like camping chairs.

Is A Portable Camping Chair And A Compact Camping Chair The Same Thing?

Not necessarily. The chairs we’ve reviewed here are portable AND compact, and all of them are ideal for camping. While all compact camping chairs are portable, some portable chairs aren’t very compact.

Can A Compact Camping Chair Be Used For Other Activities Besides Camping?

Yes, compact camping chairs are versatile and can be used for various outdoor activities, including hiking, picnicking, and tailgating. Most of these types of chairs work for both indoor for outdoor seating. All of the options we’ve listed here are good for both.

Okay, now that we have the Q&A handled, let’s take a look at our 5 best choices for compact camping chairs.

1. Big Agnes Mica Basin Arm Chair

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 29″ x 31″ x 19.5″
• Folded Dimensions (L x W x D): 18″ x 5″ x 4″
• Weight: 2.15 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 300 lbs

First on our list is the Big Agnes Mica Basin Arm Chair. It is a collapsible backpacking chair with armrests. And it is this excellent feature that clearly sets it apart from its closest competitors.

It needs a simple assembly, but this is the same as all the other chairs on the list, just a shock-corded frame and a sling attached to it. It is worth stressing that there are no plastic hub elements. But as you see in the picture, it has relatively narrow feet with plastic caps, so this is not the best feature for soft ground.

Most Comfortable

Pros:

• Packs down well
• Comfortable armrests
• Excellent cup holders
• It comes with a carry bag

Cons:

• More expensive than other models

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Let’s see some numbers:

The chair is here because of its great packed size; it measures 18 x 5 x 4 inches (46 x 13 x 10 cm). This means that its volume, when packed, is around 6 liters. As for the weight, it’s only 2 lb 15 oz (1.33 kg), so we would describe it as a lightweight chair but not an ultralight.

The capacity is 300 lb (136 kg). So this chair is a bit bulkier than most of the chairs in the list, but it is also large; the dimensions are (H x W x D) 29 x 31 x 19.5 inches (74 x 79 x 50 cm).

2. Travelchair Joey Chair

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 28″ x 21″ x 21″
• Folded Dimensions (L x W x D): 14″ x 4″ x 4″
• Weight: 2.35 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 300 lbs

This chair can be described as light or even ultralight with its 2.35 lb (1.07 kg) weight. The official capacity is quite good for such a lightweight chair; it is 300 lb (136 kg). But one of the main reasons it’s here is its excellent packed size at 14 x 4 x 4 inches (36 x 10 x 10 cm). This equates to 3.6 liters of volume after folding.

Best Packsize

Pros:

• Super lightweight
• Very easy to use
• Great price
• Carry bag

Cons:

• Plastic hub elements

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The overall dimensions are (H x W x D) 28 x 21 x 21 inches (71 x 53 x 53 cm), and the seat is relatively high; you have 16 inches (41 cm) from the ground. They claim this is a patented design, but we’re not sure what has to be patented; there are many chairs of this type on the market.

This chair is a collapsible type; its frame structure follows the usual logic of such chairs, so all the tubes are shock-corded. This makes setup easy, and you can do this even at night without a light. Note that the feet have caps that should prevent sinking in the ground, but they will still sink if the ground is soft.

3. Helinox Chair Zero

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 25″ x 18.5″ x 20″
• Folded Dimensions (L x W x D): 13.5″ x 3.5″ x 3.5″
• Weight: 1.1 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 265 lbs

The third selection on our list of the 5 best compact camping chairs in 2023 features an ultralight chair; in fact, you’re unlikely to find anything much lighter. Its weight, when assembled, is 1 lb 1 oz (0.49 kg) and can officially support a weight of up to 265 lb (120 kg).

We place it on this list because of its lightweight and packed size; it measures 13.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches (35 x 10 x 10 cm) when packed in its nicely designed carry bag. As you realize, the packed volume is 2.74 liters.

Lightest Pick

Pros:

• Incredibly lightweight
• Very easy to use
• Nice carry bag
• Great warranty

Cons:

• Again, pretty expensive

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

It’s another collapsible chair, so it needs assembly. But there is not much work to do with this chair. The frame is shock-corded, so all the elements are interconnected and easily fit into each other, so you can have the frame ready in seconds. After that, just attach the seat to the ends of the poles.

We also love that they offer an incredible 5-year warranty. This is one of the reasons this chair also made our list of best ultralight backpacking chairs.

4. Big Agnes Skyline Ultralight Backpacking Chair

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 26″ x 21″ x 17.5″
• Folded Dimensions (L x D): 17″ x 3.5″
• Weight: 1.11 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 275 lbs

This Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair is from their new series, and it should not be confused with the Stool version, which has the same name. Obviously, here you have an actual chair with a backrest.

You can describe it both as ultralight and also ultra-packable. The official packed size is (L x D) 17 x 3.5 inches (43 x 9 cm). This would give around 2.73 liters of volume when packed.

Top Pick

Pros:

• Super easy to assemble
• Ultralight weight
• Nice carry bag

Cons:

• High price
• Narrow feet

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

When it comes to capacity is 275 lb (125 kg), and its overall dimensions, when unfolded, are (H x W x D) 26 x 21 x 17.5 inches (66 x 53 x 44 cm). The seat is 15 inches (38 cm) high.

Technically, this is not a folding chair. It’s a collapsible chair, but you have only two elements here: the lightweight shock-corded frame and the seat fabric you easily attach.

Note that there are no plastic hubs; this makes it different from some of its competitors. The fabric is an ultralight 70D Robic rip-stop nylon with a waterproof UTS coating.

5. Cliq Camp Chair

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 26″ x 24″ x 24″
• Folded Dimensions (L x D):13″ x 3.4″
• Weight: 3.65 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 300 lbs

The final chair on our list is a folding chair, which means there is no assembly, so you can get the chair assembled in seconds. You have a unique and ingenious patented construction here; we do not remember anything similar available on the market.

The pop-up camping chair has a packed size of (L x D) 13 x 3.4 inches (33 x 8.9 cm). The volume, when folded, is only around 2.05 liters, so it’s straightforward to pack.

Pop-Up Version

Pros:

• Incredibly compact
• Unique design
• Good size

Cons:

• Hard to get up from
• A bit heavy

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The lightweight frame is anodized aluminum, and the chair folds like an umbrella. You even have a strap and a release button similar to an umbrella to pop the chair up.

The weight of this chair is 3.65 lb (1.66 kg), and its capacity is 300 lb (136 kg). The seat is relatively low; you have 12 inches (30 cm) clearance. The chair dimensions, when unfolded, are (H x W x D) 26 x 24 x 24 inches (66 x 61 x 61 cm).

Here’s a quick video that will help you understand why we added it to our list:

Final Thoughts: All Great Chairs!

We wanted to make our list of the best compact camping chairs short and sweet, so you could quickly find the right chair for you. And we hope this article has done just that.

There are many compact camping chairs on the market, which is why we limited the list to the best brands and the most reliable designs. And this meant finding chairs that wouldn’t collapse the first time you sat on them.

All of these chairs have been heavily tested before, so you know exactly what you’ll get before you make your purchase. So, hopefully, it will give you some peace of mind.

As mountaineers, we know how important it is to keep your backpack light. And while a camping chair won’t be on all our lists, it’s a must-have for some people.