Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool Review – Incredible Weight & Packed Size

This Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool review is about a new ultralight and ultra packable backpacking chair with an innovative hubless design.

Key features

What this is about

Here you have an item from the new series by Big Agnes which they launched for the 2019 season, and it includes this Skyline UL Stool and Skyline UL Chair (shown below).

This Stool is a minimalist design, its main purpose is to offer you off-ground sitting in the camp and at a minimal weight and bulkiness. So this item will not take much space regardless of how you carry or transport it.

This is a collapsible design, so you have basically only two parts:

• The shock-corded frame. So all pieces are interconnected and you can never lose any of them, and this also makes the setup easy and quick, in seconds.
• The seat fabric.

Of course, you also have a carry bag included (see the picture) but you do not have to carry it on the trail.

Hub-less design

One new and very distinctive feature here is also its hub-less design. So there are no plastic elements where the poles of the frame connect. This is all metal here. They have introduced this design in all of their new chairs launched for this 2019 season, you can see this also in their Big Six Camp Chair, see the picture:

Who is it for

Weight-wise, you will hardly find something lighter yet with such a capacity. It weighs only 1 lb 2 oz (510 g) and this is certainly a great reason to include it in my list with ultralight backpacking chairs.

The packed size is among the best that you can find, 12 x 3.5 in (30 x 9 cm). So the stool will fit even in the side pocket of your backpack. It packs better than its closest competitor the Helinox Speed Stool.

Capacity-wise, this stool supports up to 250 lb (113 kg). This is not so spectacular but it should work for most backpackers and hikers.

Size-wise, the seat width is quite good 21 inches (53 cm), but it is not a square so it is narrower from the side (shown in the picture below). Note also that the seat is not particularly low, it is at 15 inches (38 cm) above the ground. So sitting on such a chair definitely gives much more comfort than sitting on a pad on the ground.

Materials

The fabric is an ultralight 70D Robic with nylon 66 rip-stop for extra tear strength. They claim that such a material is 25% – 30% stronger than a regular yarn in the same denier. It is with a waterproof UTS coating and you have a soft feel. The frame is an ultralight aircraft aluminum.

As you see from the picture above, there are plastic caps on the feet, so the chair will sink when you use it on a soft ground. This is why chairs like Big Agnes Helinox Ground Chair may be a better option, and it also offers a backrest.

Please see more in this video by the brand:

My rating, pros & cons

This is an expensive (as usual for this brand) but also a top-quality product that combines several great features. Please see how I rate it:

My rating breakdown of the Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool:

Product Name: Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool

Product Description: This Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool review is about a new ultralight and ultra packable backpacking chair with an innovative hubless design.

Brand: Big Agnes

SKU: B07M65DV3T

MPN: FSULSB19

• Weight - 9.9/10
  9.9/10
• Dimensions - 6/10
  6/10
• Packed size - 10/10
  10/10
• Capacity - 7/10
  7/10
• Comfort - 8/10
  8/10
• Craftsmanship - 9.7/10
  9.7/10

8.2/10

Summary

My overall rating of this stool is Very Good:

Pros

• Incredibly light.
• Very easy to use.
• Top quality.
• Great packed size.
• Great carry bag.

Cons

• Expensive.

Sending

User Review

6.11/10 (15 votes)

Specifications

• Weight: 1 lb 2 oz (510 g).
• Capacity: 250 lb (113 kg).
• Packed size: 12 x 3.5 in (30 x 9 cm).
• Seat height: 15 in (38 cm).
• Seat width: 21 in (53 cm).
• Colors: 2, see the pictures.

Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool vs Helinox Chair Zero

I think this should be an interesting comparison, note that Helinox Chair Zero still offers back support which you do not have in the Skyline Stool design. The Stool packs better but the weight is the same, so it is up to you.

Final thoughts

If you would rather have a chair with a backrest, check these Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair and  Big Agnes Mica Basin Camp Chair from the same series.

Please note that this is not a sponsored text and I am not paid by the manufacturer. There is a comment box below, so let us know what you think about this item.