REI Flexlite Air Stool Overview

Backside Line

Weighing lower than 12 ounces, the REI Flexlite Air Stool is a light-weight, low-maintenance camp seat that’s extra accessible and packable than a full-fledged backpacking chair. Over the previous few months, we’ve packed it alongside sit pads and backpacking chairs to check its execs and cons as we arrange campsites all through the New Mexico Wilderness.

In case your largest campsite concern is again assist, you may cease studying. In case you’re on the lookout for a helpful seat that will get you off the bottom, stick to us. The REI Flexlite Air Stool is lighter than an ultralight backpacking chair, packs down small, and units up shortly when it’s time to have a tendency your cookstove, filter water beside a stream, or cease for a snack on the saddle.

Whereas we aren’t offered on stools for prolonged sits, we will get behind this REI stool for brief breaks and camp chores. We additionally favor the Flexlite Air Stool to the common REI Flexlite Stool as a result of the Air is lighter, extra packable, and has the next weight restrict. That’s why it’s the only real camp stool that made the lower for our information to the perfect backpacking chairs.

How We Examined

We rank backpacking chairs for consolation, packability, stability, and ease of use. Our evaluate of the REI stool relies on our experiences with it on in a single day backpacking journeys, area checks, side-by-side comparisons, and notes from different CleverHiker gear analysts.

Fast Specs

REI Flexlite Air Camp Stool

Finest Stool

CleverHiker Score:

3.6/5.0

Worth:

$60

Weight:

11 oz.

Weight Restrict:

250 lb.

Seat Peak:

17.5 in.

Professionals

Tall seat top
Packability
Fast setup

Cons

Beneath common consolation
No again assist
Restricted stability

the regular REI Flexlite Stool and lighter REI Flexlite Air Stool sit side by side at a campsite to compare their sizes and builds — The REI Flexlite Air (proper) is lighter and extra packable than the common Flexlite Stool (left). – Photograph Credit score: Jory Brass (CleverHiker)

Consolation

A stool simply can’t compete with a chair for consolation, however in comparison with sitting on the bottom, it’s fairly the development. The REI Flexlite Air Stool is greatest for brief sits, situations the place you’re getting up and down, and campsite chores (particularly group tenting dish pits).

With a 17.5-inch seat top, the Flexlite Air Stool helps a taller seating place than any of the backpacking chairs we examined. That’s a possible consolation plus, particularly in the event you’ve had bother getting out and in of a basic backpacking chair. We discovered the upper, upright seating place wonderful for cooking, filtering water, inflating our sleeping pad, and different camp chores.

Total, this stool ranks under common for consolation. The small, triangular seat didn’t do a lot for us. Guys, specifically, might discover it tough to straddle the seat’s raised corners with out crushing issues that shouldn’t be crushed. Clearly, the most important consolation limitation is the shortage of a backrest. In case you’ve bought good posture, you would possibly discover it comfy sitting up straight on high of the REI Flexlite Air Stool. Nevertheless, CleverHiker Gear Analyst Jory Brass has a nasty again, so he’d by no means select a stool over a backpacking chair.

Consolation isn’t this stool’s robust swimsuit. Nevertheless, it ranks a lot increased for weight and packability.

a backpacker rests alongside a desert canyon trail while sitting on the REI Stool with one leg extended and one foot on the ground for balance and stability — The Flexlite Air Stool is comfy sufficient for brief trail-side breaks. – Photograph Credit score: Jory Brass (CleverHiker)

Weight & Packability

The largest win for the REI Flexlite Air Stool is that it saves a number of ounces over a real backpacking chair. At 11.5 ounces, this stool is about 5 ounces lighter than the ultralight choices in our lineup. It’s additionally 6.5 ounces lighter than the OG REI Stool. In case you worth weight financial savings over consolation, take into account this stool as a doable different to a backpacking chair, even an ultralight one.

This weight financial savings additionally carries over to packability. The stool’s packed measurement is noticeably narrower than the backpacking chairs we examined. We discovered it a lot simpler to stuff the REI Flexlite Air Stool into the facet pockets of our backpack than most chairs we examined.

the REI Flexlite Air Stool packed on top of a kitchen scale that reads 12 0z — Stools save vital weight in comparison with backpacking chairs. – Photograph Credit score: Jory Brass (CleverHiker)

Stability

Stability isn’t a powerful swimsuit of the REI Flexlite Air Stool. With a slim base, tall top, and fewer legs beneath us, we wobble fairly simply when perched on high of the stool. Our tester even fell off the Flexlite Air, despite the fact that it was arrange on strong, even floor. The tripod-style body doesn’t encourage a lot confidence, and the upper middle of gravity doesn’t assist issues, both.

On the plus facet, the Flexlite Air Stool has a typical weight capability of 250 kilos. Simply keep in mind, you’re going to get some wiggling in the event you select a 3-legged stool over a 4-legged chair. We ranked it close to the underside for stability in contrast with the opposite choices we examined for backpackers.

close up of a 200 lb backpacker sitting on the REI Flexlite Air Stool in front of his tent — The Flexlite Air Stool helps extra weight than the common Flexlite Stool. – Photograph Credit score: Jory Brass (CleverHiker)

Ease of Use

The Flexlite Air Stool is a no brainer to arrange, however you may’t completely flip off your mind to maintain your steadiness whereas sitting in it. You merely must twist it and set it on the bottom to make use of. Nevertheless, the Flexlite Air was additionally fairly straightforward.

Our preliminary setup took solely 20 seconds, and re-packing it was additionally straightforward, due to the smaller parts and a beneficiant stuff sack. These stools are constructed to arrange and tear down shortly. That’s why we like them for trailside breaks, lunch stops, and camp chores.

a camper sits on the stool as he leans forward to work with his camp stove outside of his tent — We like the peak and comfort of a stool for camp chores. – Photograph Credit score: Jory Brass (CleverHiker)

The REI Flexlite Air Stool is sensible for some backpacking makes use of and never for others. In case you’re a backpacker on the lookout for a light-weight and packable seat that you may whip out shortly for breaks and chores, this camp stool matches the invoice. Given the peak of its seat, the Flexlite additionally is sensible for taller backpackers and people with mobility points.

Nevertheless, in case you are on the hunt for extra consolation, stability, or again assist, this not your chair. Lastly, the common REI Flexlite Stool is the extra budget-friendly possibility. Nonetheless, we favor the REI Flexlite Air as a result of it’s lighter, extra packable, and extra applicable for backpackers over 200 kilos.

another picture at camp of a backpacker drinking coffee on the Flexlite Air Stool — We discovered the Flexlite Air Stool slightly wobbly on this smooth mattress of pine needles. – Photograph Credit score: Jory Brass (CleverHiker)

What Different Backpacking Chairs Ought to You Think about?

In case you’re not feeling the REI Flexlite Air Stool, be happy to browse our full information to the greatest backpacking chairs or take a look at these choices:

(Common) REI Flexlite Stool: The unique REI Flexlite stool is heavier and bulkier than the Flexlite Air Stool, however it additionally prices half as a lot.

REI Flexlite Air Chair Overview: In case you’re not offered on the stool, the REI Flexlite Air Chair affords extra consolation and stability whereas staying light-weight and inexpensive.

Therm-a-Relaxation Z-Seat Overview: For a featherweight and cheap camp seat, take a look at Therm-a-Relaxation’s Z-Seat sit pad – a favourite for ultralighters.