A camping chair backpack keeps your hands free for a cooler, a kid or a fishing rod. There are two kinds: chairs with built-in backpack straps that fold flat against your back, and compact chairs that pack small enough to ride inside or on the side of a backpack.
We compared both types by carry comfort, weight, seat comfort and capacity, using brand specs and owner ratings. Here are the 7 best options depending on how far you walk and where you sit.
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Best Camping Chair Backpacks at a Glance
- Best Backpack-Strap Chair: Rio Brands Big Boy Backpack Beach Chair
- Best Premium Backpack Chair: GoSports WOVN Beach Backpack Chair
- Best Chair That Fits in a Backpack: Helinox Chair One
- Best Budget Packable: Naturehike YL08 Ultralight Camping Chair
- Best Roomy Packable: MOON LENCE Portable Camping Chair Plus
- Best High Back Packable: MARCHWAY Lightweight High Back Chair
- Flattest Packable Seat: ALPS Mountaineering Weekender Camp Seat
Camping Chair Backpack Comparison
| Product | Best for | Carry style | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Brands Big Boy Backpack Beach Chair | Best Backpack-Strap Chair | Backpack straps | 8 lb | View |
| GoSports WOVN Beach Backpack Chair | Best Premium Backpack Chair | Backpack straps | 10 lb | View |
| Helinox Chair One | Best Chair That Fits in a Backpack | Inside a pack | ~2 lb | View |
| Naturehike YL08 Ultralight Camping Chair | Best Budget Packable | Inside a pack | 2.12 lb | View |
| MOON LENCE Portable Camping Chair Plus | Best Roomy Packable | Side of pack | 2.7 lb | View |
| MARCHWAY Lightweight High Back Chair | Best High Back Packable | Strapped to pack | 3.7 lb | View |
| ALPS Mountaineering Weekender Camp Seat | Flattest Packable Seat | Flat in pack | ~21 oz | View |
The 7 Best Camping Chair Backpacks
1. Rio Brands Big Boy Backpack Beach Chair
1The Big Boy folds flat and rides on padded backpack straps. It weighs 8 lb and adds a pillow, cup holder, 4 recline positions and a large storage pouch. Over 2,100 owners rate it highly.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Backpack straps
- Storage pouch for towels or snacks
- 4-position recline
Watch out for
- 13 in low seat
- Heavier than packable chairs
Key Specs
- Weight: 8 lb
- Seat height: 13 in
- Carry: backpack straps
2. GoSports WOVN Beach Backpack Chair
2GoSports uses a no-rattle, powder-coated aluminum frame rated to 400 lb in a backpack-style chair. At 10 lb it is heavier than Rio but stronger.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- 400 lb capacity
- Aluminum frame
- Stylish woven fabric
Watch out for
- Premium price
- 10 lb
Key Specs
- Weight: 10 lb
- Capacity: 400 lb
- Frame: aluminum
3The Chair One packs to about the size of a water bottle, so it fits inside nearly any backpack. It is the best choice when you hike more than a mile.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Packs tiny
- About 2 lb
- 320 lb capacity
Watch out for
- No straps of its own
- Low seat
Key Specs
- Weight: ~2 lb
- Capacity: 320 lb
4. Naturehike YL08 Ultralight Camping Chair
4At 2.12 lb, the budget-priced YL08 is the cheapest chair we would put in a backpack for long walks. Anti-sinking feet help on sand.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- 2.12 lb
- Wide feet
- Budget-friendly price
Watch out for
- 265 lb capacity
- Narrow seat
Key Specs
- Weight: 2.12 lb
- Capacity: 265 lb
5The Plus gives a roomy 24 inch seat while still packing small enough to strap on the side of a daypack.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Wide seat
- 330 lb capacity
- Budget-friendly price
Watch out for
- 2.7 lb
- Longer packed length
Key Specs
- Weight: 2.7 lb
- Capacity: 330 lb
6. MARCHWAY Lightweight High Back Chair
6If you want head support but still need to carry the chair on a pack, the MARCHWAY High Back weighs 3.7 lb and holds 330 lb.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Head support
- 330 lb capacity
- Budget-friendly price
Watch out for
- 3.7 lb
- Bulky in small packs
Key Specs
- Weight: 3.7 lb
- Capacity: 330 lb
7. ALPS Mountaineering Weekender Camp Seat
7This padded ground seat folds flat and slides into a pack’s back panel. It weighs about 21 oz and still gives you a backrest.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Folds flat
- About 21 oz
- Backrest
Watch out for
- Ground level
- Not for wet ground
Key Specs
- Weight: ~21 oz
- Type: ground seat
How We Chose
We compared chairs by how easily you can carry them hands-free and how comfortable they are once set up. Weighting: carry comfort and packability (35%), seat comfort (25%), owner ratings (25%) and capacity (15%). We did not receive free products, and we do not claim hands-on testing. TOR Scores combine published specs, verified owner ratings, review volume and price.
Backpack-Strap Chairs vs Packable Chairs
Backpack-strap chairs are full-size, low beach-style chairs with straps sewn onto the back. They carry comfortably for a few hundred yards to a beach, lake or concert lawn. Packable chairs are compact hub-style chairs that ride inside a backpack and suit hikes of a mile or more.
How to Choose a Camping Chair Backpack
Walking distance
Short walks from the car favor backpack-strap chairs with extra comfort. For longer hikes, choose a packable chair under 3 lb.
Strap comfort
Look for padded straps and a chair that folds flat against your back without poking you.
Storage
Many backpack chairs include a large pouch for towels, snacks or sunscreen, which reduces what you need to carry separately.
Seat height
Backpack-strap chairs sit low, around 13 inches. Packable hub chairs sit a bit higher but feel less stable on sand without wide feet.
Capacity
Check ratings carefully. The GoSports WOVN is rated to 400 lb, while some packable chairs stop at 265 lb.
Carrying Tips
- Adjust straps so the chair sits high on your back and does not bounce.
- Put heavy items in the chair pouch close to your back.
- Strap packable chairs vertically on the side of a pack to avoid snagging branches.
- Shake out sand before strapping a chair to your back.
Common Backpack Chair Mistakes
The most common mistake is buying a heavy beach-style backpack chair for a multi-mile hike. Even with padded straps, 8 to 10 lb on a frame that sits away from your back becomes tiring. The opposite mistake is choosing an ultralight chair for daily beach use, where its narrow feet sink in sand.
Where Backpack Chairs Shine
Backpack chairs are ideal for beaches, lake shores, river fishing spots, outdoor concerts and kids’ sports fields, anywhere you park and walk a short distance. For multi-mile hikes, stick with packable chairs.
Related: low camping chairs, lightweight hiking chairs and ultralight backpacking chairs.
Sources and further reading: Leave No Trace: the 7 Principles, Smokey Bear: campfire safety and National Park Service: camping. Product specs come from brand listings on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best camping chair backpack?
The Rio Brands Big Boy Backpack Beach Chair is our top backpack-strap pick, with padded straps, a storage pouch and high owner ratings from more than 2,100 owners.
Can a camping chair fit inside a backpack?
Yes. Compact chairs like the Helinox Chair One and Naturehike YL08 pack small enough to fit inside most backpacks.
How heavy are backpack chairs?
Backpack-strap chairs weigh around 8 to 10 lb. Packable chairs weigh about 2 to 4 lb.
Are backpack chairs good for camping?
They are great for short walks to camp or the beach. For longer hikes, a packable chair is more comfortable to carry.
Final Verdict
The Rio Big Boy is the best camping chair backpack for short walks, and the Helinox Chair One is the best chair to put inside a backpack for longer hikes. Choose the GoSports WOVN for a 400 lb backpack chair or the Naturehike YL08 for a budget packable.
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