It doesn’t make sense why I bought REI Co-op’s Flexlite Camping Chair — at least on paper. I’ve never backpacked, rarely camp and live in Los Angeles, so I’m not exactly scrambling for a lightweight camping chair. But after two months of using the Flexlite, I’ve fallen in love and set it up almost every day, whether it’s at the park, on my balcony, at the crag or even in my room.
The takeaway: You don’t have to be a granola-eating outdoor enthusiast to enjoy REI’s Flexlite Camping Chair, though those folks will love it too. That’s because no matter how or where you use it, a comfortable, portable chair comes in handy, even if your idea of an outdoor excursion is sunbathing in the park.
With the Flexlite Camping Chair, REI Co-op manages to offer a packable, sturdy and lightweight chair for a competitive price. Those are compelling features, whether you’re a hiker, camper, beachgoer or someone who just wants to crack a cold one on their deck.
What I like about it
Extremely lightweight and compact
At around 1.7 pounds, REI Co-op’s Flexlite chair is lighter than the latest Macbook Air. While that might be too heavy for ultra-light backpackers — REI sells a Flexlite Air Stool that weighs less than a pound — it’s plenty light for most casual campers, hikers and beachgoers. In its collapsed form, it’s a tad larger than a loaf of bread. That’s small enough that I can throw it in my backpack alongside a book and water bottle, and then bike to a nearby park. And I could easily toss it in my trunk for impromptu beach hangouts too.
Easy to assemble
REI Co-op’s Flexlite Camping Chair doesn’t come with instructions, but that isn’t a problem because it’s easy to put together. The chair is in two parts: a bluesign-approved ripstop polyester seat and a collapsible pole-and-hub aluminum frame.
The poles, which stay connected with a bungee cord that runs through the center, fit nicely into plastic hubs, forming a V-shaped base. You simply feed the top of these poles into four reinforced pockets, creating a hammock-like seat that can support up to 250 pounds. The process will be familiar to anyone who’s assembled a tent. And while it took me around one minute the first time I set up the chair, now I can have it up in 30 seconds or less.
Surprisingly comfortable
The Flexlite Camping Chair has quickly become my preferred work-from-home chair. I set it up where my room gets the most light and bask in the sun for hours while typing away. That’s high praise, as my other option is an ergonomic, adjustable desk chair that costs at least three times as much. That’s not to say that this camping chair is good for my back — it feels a bit like sitting in a hammock — but it is comfortable enough to sit in for hours. Nevertheless, I could see the chair’s taco-style design being an issue for larger body types or people with knee problems, as it’s only 11 inches off the ground. REI Co-op does sell the pricier Flexlite Camp Boss, which is essentially the same chair in a larger size.
Durable and well made
I’m fairly confident this chair will last years, as each part feels sturdy and well made. The ripstop polyester is thick, with clearly reinforced pockets and flawless stitching; the aluminum poles feel lightweight without being flimsy; and the plastic pole hubs appear tough despite being made of plastic.
I did find a fair number of reviews that complained about the pole joints and pole pockets?breaking. Still, I’m not too concerned because those comments are in the minority, and REI has an excellent one-year, 100% satisfaction guarantee for members. A sustainable bonus: The retailer offers replacement seats for $20.
Great value
Nearly $100 seemed like a lot to spend on a chair. But when I looked at similar options, I realized that REI’s Flexlite chair was a deal. Sure, you can cheap out on a standard camping chair like this one from Coleman. But that Coleman chair is also nearly four times as heavy and bulky enough that you won’t be carrying it on a hike or bike ride.
Plus, when you start looking at comparable backpacking chairs, you’ll find that most of them cost more than $100, unless you go for uncomfortable seating pads, stools or foldable options. (Backpacking gear is invariably expensive and lightweight). So, yes, $80 is a lot, but it’s a bargain when you consider the alternatives.
What I don’t like about it
Somewhat unstable
The biggest gripe you’ll hear about this chair is that it’s unstable. That’s true, unfortunately. Set the Flexlite Camping Chair on uneven ground, and you’ll rock from leg to leg. If you place it on a soft surface, like a sandy beach or a damp lawn, you’ll have the same problem. That said, I never tipped over or fell out of the chair, so I didn’t find the instability too bothersome. If it does bug you, you could go the DIY route, as one creative REI customer did, and build a pair of PVC stabilizers.
Limited airflow
Sitting on the Flexlite Camping chair with a sweaty back is unpleasant. Yes, the polyester seat wicks moisture, and yes, the two slits provide airflow. Even so, I found that my sweaty back remained wet (and cold) for longer than I’d like because the material is just too thick. I suspect this is a problem with many camping chairs, though REI could add a mesh component or more vents to increase breathability.
How it compares
The camping chair industry is booming — at least, it seems that way. REI sells 91 camping chairs. Backcountry? Over 100. While I’d argue that’s a couple dozen too many, the variety is a bonus for consumers, since there’s pretty much a camping chair for every occasion and person. If you’re looking for something dirt-cheap that you can sit on, then go for the Coleman Broadband Mesh Quad Chair. It’s bulky and heavy, but it’s also only $20.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are also plenty of hardcore backpacking chairs. The $150 Helinox Chair Zero is similar to the chair featured in this review, except it weighs just 1.1 pounds. And then there are plenty of specialty chairs, like Kelty’s camping chair love seat and the Nemo Stargaze recliner (we named it one of the best camping chairs). For what it does — namely offer a highly portable, comfortable seat — you won’t find competitors that are much better for the price than REI Co-op’s Flexlite, though I encourage you to look at Co-op’s other options. With over a dozen of its own chairs, including variations on the Flexlite, it’s a good place to start.
Bottom line
REI Co-op’s Flexlite Camping Chair isn’t for everyone. It’s a bit too heavy for serious backpackers and a little too expensive for the average consumer. But if you find yourself somewhere in the middle of those two demographics, say, an outdoorsy city dweller who appreciates a sturdy, lightweight chair (aka me), then you’ll love this chair. Heading to a next-door neighbor’s barbecue? Bring the Flexlite. Meeting friends for after-work drinks at the park? Pack the Flexlite. Just be prepared for the occasional wobble.
