Big Agnes Mica Basin Camp Chair Review – Ultra Light

Big Agnes Mica Basin Camp Chair is an ultralight backpacking collapsible structure without plastic joints, very packable and easy to use.

Key features

What this is about

So this Mica Basin Camp Chair is from a completely new series launched by Big Agnes for the season 2019. This is a collapsible chair and this means at least the following two things: i) it needs a simple assembly, and ii) it is nicely packable. The instructions for setting the chair up are printed on the inner side of its nicely designed carry bag, see the picture:

But this is also what they call a hub-less design. This is a patented structure but I am not sure that the term hub-less is really accurate here. It should be understood as a design without plastic parts. Normally all such chairs have some nylon (plastic) joints to which the legs and backrest poles attach.

This is missing here, so you have the metal to the metal attachment. In my book, this is still an all-metal hub structure, but it does not matter. What matters is that you know the exact meaning of this term. The picture below shows how this looks:

The same design you have in their Big Agnes Big Six Camp Chair and in Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool.

So this is a chair that offers a backrest which is 29 inches (74 cm) high from the ground.  This should be quite enough for hikers, see how it looks from the side, that this is one out of 5 color combinations:

Note that the seat is not low, it is 16 inches (38 cm) above the ground. The fabric is a lightweight nylon 100D Robic with a 300D polyester rip-stop for extra tear strength. They claim that this is 25% – 30% stronger than a regular yarn in the same denier. You also have a waterproof UTS coating which gives it a soft feel.

The frame is an aircraft-grade aluminum, and all the tubes are shock-corded. So you have only two elements: the sling and the frame, plus the carry bag.

The chair Mica Basin is named after the spectacular Mica Basin hiking spot in the Zirkel Wilderness in North Routt County. This is typical for the products of this brand.

But the Big Agnes brand itself is named after a 12000-foot peak north of Steamboat Springs.

Who is it for

Weight-wise, with its 2 lb 3 oz (992 g) this chair is light enough to be included in my list of ultralight backpacking chairs. So it is suitable for some hiking and mountaineering tours, though indeed there are lighter options.

The packed size 17.5 x 3.5 inches (44 x 9 cm) is such that you can easily attach it to the backpack, and also transport on a bicycle or a motorbike. This is a very versatile chair, see the packed chair in red color.

Capacity-wise, with its 300 lb (136 kg) this chair is quite typical, nothing spectacular though, but this should be strong enough for most of the users.

Size-wise, you will see in the comparison table below that this Mica Basin is a bit bigger than its competitors. So for such a type, its dimensions are quite good.

Please see more in this short video:

My rating, pros & cons

The daily updated Amazon’s price is in the link below. So it is expensive but a quality item. Please see how I rate it:

Specifications

• Type: collapsible camping chair.
• Weight: 2 lb 3 oz (992 g).
• Capacity: 300 lb (136 kg).
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 29 x 22 x 19.5 in (74 x 56 x 50 cm).
• Packed size: 17.5 x 3.5 in (44 x 9 cm).
• Seat height: 16 in (38 cm).
• Seat width: 22 in (56 cm).
• Colors: 5.

Big Agnes Mica Basin Camp Chair vs competitors

I have decided to show you this Mica Basin chair side by side with currently the lightest chair on the market, the Helinox Chair Zero, and with the Nemo Sub 1 which is in the same weight range as the Mica Basin. As you realize it is a bit bigger but it is also heavier than the other two, and its packed size is inferior to them. Please follow the links to read more.

Final thoughts

If you need more options from this brand, check my list of Big Agnes camp chairs. Check their Big Agnes Mica Basin Armchair which is built in a similar style but with armrests.

Note also that this Travelchair Joey Chair is very similar in weight and even more packable.

Note that this is not a sponsored text and I am not paid by any brand. Please use the comment box below in case of questions or comments.