REI Co-op Flexlite Air Review
The REI Co-op Flexlite Air ($100) promises ultralight performance for backpackers who want more than just a foam pad at camp, but don’t want their kit weight to balloon. It succeeds in that respect as one of the lightest chairs on the market, but it doesn’t quite deliver on the comfort side. The Flexlite Air’s geometry makes it hard to fully relax in, and there are much better-feeling models on the market (that, to be fair, are usually heavier). If weight is your top priority and luxury is an afterthought, it might suffice—but we’d usually rather carry a few more ounces for a much better experience.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Weight
1 lb.
Dimensions (W/D/H)
20 x 20 x 24 in.
Seat Height
11 in.
Weight Capacity
250 lb.
Pros
Cons
REI Co-op Flexlite Air
For a breakdown of this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Chairs.
When considering the REI Co-op Flexlite Air’s low score in this category, it’s essential to remember that this chair is first and foremost made for keeping your pack weight relatively low on a backpacking trip while still being able to bring along a dedicated camp chair. Now that that’s out of the way, though: I wanted to love the Flexlite Air’s minimalism, but the sitting experience didn’t pan out. Even at 5-foot-10 I found the 11-inch seat height surprisingly tall for a chair this compact, and that actually worked against it—the high center of gravity amplified its instability, and the front-to-back crossbar under the seat created an odd pressure point. It also meant I had to keep my feet planted just to stay balanced, which felt like too much work after a long day on the trail.
Additionally, the seat’s nylon material didn’t have much give, and I definitely noticed it cutting into my legs during long lounging sessions. Without any ventilation panels or side slits (like those found on the Helinox Chair Zero), the fabric felt stuffy in warm weather. The Flexlite Air’s tight dimensions (its seat measures just 20 in. by 20 in.) also made lounging harder than expected—I either had to slouch awkwardly or sit bolt upright, neither of which was comfortable for long. This camping chair provides an experience that’s a step above sitting on a rock, sure, but I’d be stretching the word “relaxing” to say more than that.
Even on flat ground, I never fully trusted the Flexlite Air to stay put. While the A-frame legs look solid enough, the crossbar running front to back makes the chair prone to tipping with any side-to-side movement. If I leaned over to grab something off the ground, one of the opposite legs would lift slightly—not enough to dump me, but enough to keep me on edge.
The Flexlite Air’s feet are also narrow and tend to sink into soft ground, which you’ll probably encounter on any backpacking trip. Add in the high center of gravity and the lack of torsional structural support, and this was easily one of the least stable camp chairs I’ve used. On gravel, packed dirt, or sand, I was constantly bracing with my feet just to feel semi-secure. This is a pretty major issue for any chair, and I’d probably opt for two backpacking models, the Helinox Chair One or the Nemo Moonlite, which are double the weight (which isn’t terrible) but much more stable.
The REI Co-op Flexlite Air doesn’t feel flimsy, but it doesn’t feel robust either. The aluminum frame held up fine during testing, and the nylon seat fabric—though thin—never tore or frayed. That said, at 70-denier, it’s the least durable of the ultralight chairs I’ve used, and the 250-pound weight limit is on the lower end. (Comparatively, the Moonlite and the Chair One check in with a 300-lb. and a 320-lb. limit, respectively.)
What undermines this chair’s longevity most, though, isn’t the materials—it’s the design. The crossbar and high seat height combine to put awkward forces on the frame, and I’d be concerned about long-term wear at the pole junctions and tension points. If I had to choose between this and the similarly priced Helinox Chair Zero—another ultralight competitor that weighs 1 pound 2.6 ounces—I’d pay extra for the better engineering and tougher fabric (100D) of the latter.
Setup is straightforward: connect the frame, stretch the seat corners over the poles, and sit. But those corner pockets are deceptively tight. I needed both hands and a fair bit of leverage to pull the seat fabric into place, and it never got easier with repeated use. The frame itself snapped together quickly, but I always felt like I was wrestling the seat to finish assembly.
In the name of accounting for every ounce, this chair has absolutely no bells or whistles. That means no armrests, no pockets, no cup holder. And that’s okay. The Flexlite Air is a truly minimalist chair, after all. But when the Nemo Moonlite manages to add an adjustable recline system and still weighs just over 2 pounds, I start to wonder whether the Flexlite Air’s compromises are really worth it.
This is where the Flexlite Air shines. At exactly 1 pound, it’s one of the lightest fully framed chairs you can buy, and its packed size (4.5 x 15 in.) slides easily into a backpack or tote. I appreciated how compact it felt compared to traditional folding chairs and even most ultralight competitors, such as the heavier Moonlite and Chair One. Neither of these models is a slouch when it comes to this camp chair category, but the Flexlite Air still has them handily beat in the weight department. As you probably understand by now this is not the chair for a comfort-forward camp hangout, but if every ounce counts on your backcountry trip you might make this chair your first choice.
That said, packing up the REI Co-op Flexlite Air was a little finicky. The mesh storage bag wasn’t very protective, and I had to be particular about how I folded the poles and rolled the seat to make everything fit. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but compared to the Chair Zero’s more forgiving stuff sack, it slowed me down a bit at camp.
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Longevity
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Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Armrests, Cup Holders, and Storage
No armrests, cupholders, or storage, just as you’d expect in this weight class. I still missed having a spot to stash my headlamp or phone.
Rocker(ish)
The Flexlite Air’s scoop design allows for a slight swaying motion: It’s not enough to call it a rocker, but it adds a small amount of give.
Helinox Chair Zero ($140): A Costlier Competitor
The Chair Zero weighs just 2.6 ounces more than the Flexlite Air, and it shares the latter chair’s portability goals. In almost every meaningful way, though, it’s the superior chair. The Chair Zero has a lower seat height (8.5 in.) and a crossbar that runs side-to-side—both of which make it feel more stable and comfortable. I also appreciated the slitted seat fabric, which gave it a bit more stretch and ventilation. Its 100-denier nylon seat is more durable than the Flexlite’s 70-denier fabric, and its 265-pound weight limit inspires more confidence. The only downside is the extra $40, but honestly, I’d pay it every time. To learn more, check out our Chair Zero review.
Helinox Chair One ($100): A Category Stalwart
This is the better $100 chair. It’s more than twice as heavy (2 lb. 2 oz.) as the Flexlite Air, and might not be the best fit for a true backpacking setup, but for any car camping or basecamp use, the Chair One is the obvious choice. Its 600-denier seat is way burlier, and it uses the same side-to-side crossbar design as the Chair Zero for better stability—the difference here being that the Chair One is much stiffer due to the seat fabric and suffers much less sway. It also has mesh ventilation panels for airflow and dries faster after a wet sit. Unless I’m counting every ounce, the Chair One wins easily.
Nemo Moonlite ($160): Featherlight and Feature-Heavy
Like the Chair One, the Moonlite is significantly bulkier (2 lb. 2 oz.) than the Flexlite Air, but it’s also a vastly better chair in both build and comfort. Its all-mesh seat is breathable and flexible, the ball-and-socket connectors eliminate pressure points, and the low center of gravity makes it much more stable on uneven ground. Most impressively, it has a fully adjustable recline system that operates via simple straps. That’s a luxury the Flexlite doesn’t come close to offering. For backpackers who want more than just “not sitting on the ground,” the Moonlite is a better investment if you don’t mind the extra weight—or the price, which is pretty rich for a chair that, adjustability and all, is definitely still on the minimalist side. For more, check out our review of the Moonlite.
A backpacking chair at a great price, the Flexlite Air gets you off the ground (or a log) at a minimal hit to your wallet and pack weight. Unfortunately, it lacks the comfort and stability of class leaders, but remains a viable value option.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Incredibly light yet surprisingly comfortable, the Camp Zero is a backcountry standout. Considering its diminutive packed size, its stability and toughness also exceed expectations. The chair isn't a multi-hour lounger, but it delivers real luxury at just over one pound.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
The Chair One helped revolutionize what a portable and lightweight camping chair could look like. While its minimal design isn’t for everyone, it’s still a great choice for folks who are looking for a compact, supportive, and durable seat.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Is the Flexlite Air for You?
We’d recommend the REI Co-op Flexlite Air only for ultralight backpackers who absolutely need the lowest weight possible and are willing to sacrifice comfort and stability to get it. It’s compact and easy to carry, but its flawed design and limited durability kept us from ever really relaxing in it. If you’re planning to lounge at camp, you’re better off with something like the Helinox Chair Zero or the Nemo Moonlite—even if they each add a few ounces to your pack. But if you're content with something marginally better than a log, the Flexlite Air will do the job. Just don’t expect to love it.
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