REASONS TO BUY
Extremely lightweight
Reasonable price
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor stability
Less comfortable
REI Co-op Flexlite Air Review
This is a super light chair that offers more comfort than the ground for a decent price
Credit: REI Co-op
RELATED: Best Backpacking Chairs of 2024
Our Verdict
The incredibly low weight of the REI Flexlite Air is impressive, and we consider it reasonably comfortable — for its weight. The fabric is thin but feels fairly durable; however, the combination of the light fabric and poles give it more flex and bend than most, reducing its stability. The seat is small, the back is low, and the pocket for your bum is shallow, making the Flexlite Air best suited for smaller folks. You may find it perfect for your ultralight needs and budget, and it's certainly more comfortable than the ground, but there are always drawbacks when using ultralight adventure gear.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
REI Co-op Flexlite Air | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Choice for Minimalists | Best Backpacking Stool |  Best Bang for the Buck | ||
| Price | $100 List $69.89 at REI | $32.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $19.95 at REI | $69.73 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $33 List $32.98 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This chair's lightweight design and reasonable price make it a good choice for ounce-counting adventurers | No excuse not to pack this ultralight, durable, and versatile foam seat | This ultralight twist on a classic egg crate sit pad is made from recycled bits of other camping products | Far more comfortable, packable, and lightweight than expected, this stool impressed our testers | This inexpensive chair has a deep bucket seat and side pockets to keep outdoor accessories within reach |
| Rating Categories | REI Co-op Flexlite Air | Therm-a-Rest Z Seat | NEMO Chipper | Big Agnes Skyline U... | Moon Lence Backpack... |
| Comfort (35%) | |||||
| Size and Weight (30%) | |||||
| Stability (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
| Specs | REI Co-op Flexlite Air | Therm-a-Rest Z Seat | NEMO Chipper | Big Agnes Skyline U... | Moon Lence Backpack... |
| Measured Weight | 16.9 oz | 1.8 oz | 3.3 oz | 20.0 oz | 38.6 oz |
| Measured Packed Size | 14.3"L x 4.5"W x 4.5"H | 13.0"L x 2.5"W x 2.5"H | 12.5"L x 4.0"W x 2.5"H | 12.0"L x 3.3"W x 3.3"H | 13.0"L x 4.5"W x 5.5"H |
| Listed Maximum Weight Capacity | 250 lbs | N/A | N/A | 250 lbs | 400 lbs |
| Main Material | Ripstop nylon with aluminum frame | Cross-linked polyethylene | Reclaimed, remolded polyethylene foam | High-tenacity Robic nylon with polyester ripstop and waterproof UTS coating with aluminum frame | 900D Oxford ballistic nylon |
| Legs | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Measured Seat Height (Ground to Butt) | 7.5 in | 0.5 in | 0 in | 9.5 in | 8 in |
| Measured Seat Width (At Edge) | 19.5 in | 16.0 in | 17.0 in | 19.0 in | 21.0 in |
| Measured Base Size (Width x Depth) | 9.0"W x 11.0"D | 16.0"W x 12.5"D | 12.8"W x 16.5"D | 14.5"W x 12.0"D | 15.0"W x 15.0"D |
| Features | Hubbed pole design, stuff sack | Clip loop | 100% reclaimed foam remnants, ultralight, egg carton mould, removable loop for lashing | 4 legged stool, color-coded frame, hub-less pole design | Two storage pockets, carry bag |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Flexlite Air manages to reduce its weight low enough for a new category of ounce-conscious backpackers to consider adding it to their packs. At just 17 ounces, it is one of the lighter chairs on the market. While it doesn't rank extremely highly in comfort, it's certainly more comfortable than the ground and helps you get out of the mud.
Performance Comparison
Enjoying the lightweight comfort of the Flexlite Air in the Eastern Sierra
Credit: Lauren DeLaunay
Comfort
The Flexlite Air has a uniquely designed seat the may reduce weight but doesn't do much for comfort. It is shaped more like a low dish than a bowl and can leave the user feeling like they are sliding out of it. The shape also puts the lower back into a curled position that is decidedly uncomfortable. After just a few minutes in this chair, most users will note the tightness on their hips that increases in discomfort the longer you sit.
Taller users will find the low back on the Air to dig in under the shoulder blades. They may also struggle to put themselves into the low seat at only 7.5 inches off the ground. It's such a small seat that it is really best suited to smaller folks.
All of these complaints are just to say that the Flexlite Air has some shortcomings in the comfort department — but only when compared to other similar chairs, most of which are going to be significantly heavier. When compared to sitting on the ground, you will still find comfort in being elevated and not crunched as you might be without a chair. If you are on the petite side or focused on pinching every ounce while still carrying a chair, the Flexlite Air may offer just what you need.
In a rocky environment, it takes work to find just the right perch where you can sit without tipping.
Credit: Elizabeth Paashaus
Size and Weight
We believe that the main purpose of the Flexlite Air is to give folks who are concerned about pack weight a chair option that will work for them. It is one of the lightest chairs available, even lighter than most taco-style chairs. At 17 ounces, it's less than the weight of a half-full Nalgene bottle.
The Air folds easily into its stuff sack, and its packed dimensions make it one of the smallest chairs we tested. The stuff sack is oversized, so when shoved into a pack side pocket, the chair takes up even less space than it appears it would.
We particularly love chairs that are compact enough to stash in virtually any pack's side pocket.
Credit: Elizabeth Paashaus
Stability
One thing that the Flexlite Air is lacking, besides ounces, is stability. Our review team received feedback from numerous friends and family, and one of their first critiques was regarding this chair's wobbliness. When used on anything other than completely flat, hard ground, there is a period of testing where you check and re-check that you aren't about to tip over in any direction.
Between the feet sinking into softer ground, sometimes unevenly, and the flexibility of the poles, it can be hard to confidently relax in the Flexlite Air.
Credit: Lauren DeLaunay
We definitely find this chair to be less secure than others and, while we never completely tipped over, we can't totally relax in its frame. Sitting in the Flexlite Air is really more of an act of gingerly placing rather than plopping your bum. REI lists the weight rating of this chair at 250 pounds giving us a little more peace of mind, but as our larger testers will share, someone over 180 pounds is going to feel like the chair is about to snap under them.
That being said, if staying lightweight and low profile is your number one goal, then sacrificing a little stability may make sense. It all depends on your style of adventure. As we've mentioned before, bringing a chair along into the backcountry is a luxury many people will choose to forgo anyway.
Despite the light materials, we are impressed with the feel of durability and stability of this tiny receiver pocket for pole ends.
Credit: Elizabeth Paashaus
Ease of Use
We have no complaints about the ease of setting up and breaking down the Flexlite Air. The flexible poles are actually helpful in this regard. Opposite of most tent-style chairs, it is easier to insert the bottom poles before the top poles due to their bendable nature. From there, getting the chair back into its bag is also a simple affair. The stuff sack is a bit oversized, so you don't even have to pack it perfectly.
One concern about the ease of use is going to only affect folks who struggle to get in and out of a low crouch. Because the chair is low and wobbly, your quad muscles will need to be ready to ease you into a low crouch in a controlled manner.
The mesh stuff sack is wide enough that there's no struggle to put the Flexlite Air back inside.
Credit: Lauren DeLaunay
Should You Buy REI Co-op Flexlite?
This chair is on the lower end price-wise of all the tent-style models we tested, and it's also among the lightest of its style. Buyers wanting either of these benefits — or both — will be drawn to the Flexlite. Backpackers will like how easy it is to strap onto a pack or shove into a side pouch, but the trade-off for being easy to carry is a smaller seat, lower clearance, and a wobbly, unsteady frame. That being said, this chair at least keeps you out of the dirt, and it's rated at 250 pounds. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend this model to all the gram weenies out there. We think it's a decent choice for the backcountry fans, river lovers, or any other outdoor junkie who geeks out about saving on weight.
Sometimes there is one very obvious reason to sit off the ground.
Credit: Elizabeth Paashaus
What Other Backpacking Chairs Should You Consider?
The Flexlite knocks it out of the park in regards to weight, but if you're willing to spend a little more for lightweight chairs that also offer comfort and stability, we suggest reading up on the Big Agnes Skyline UL or the Helinox Chair Zero.
—
Elizabeth Paashaus and Jason Wanlass
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