REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair

This REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair is ultralight with its 1 pound (454 g) weight, and it is also nicely packable, easy to use, and affordable. Keep reading.

Key features & benefits

What this is about

This REI Flexlite Air Chair is a collapsible type, and this means it needs a simple assembly. But it has only two separate elements:

• A shock-corded frame.
• Seat fabric.

With its tubes that are permanently interconnected to each other, there is no chance to lose them ever, and they easily click in place when you want to use the chair. After that, you simply attach the sling to the ends of the four poles.

Attaching the sling is easy, you have seen the word Flexlite in the name, which means that the frame is quite flexible.

There is also a third element, and this is a carry bag, but you can shed the weight a bit if you leave it at home. When in the bag, the dimensions are (L x D) 16 x 5 inches (41 x 13 cm). So clearly, this you can attach to the pack, or you can transport it on a bicycle and in any other way. 

Note that the carry bag is roomy so it is very easy to put the chair back in it. 

The materials

You have an aluminum alloy 7000 series frame of a particular type that is not necessarily the best. Namely, the bar underneath the seat goes in the front-back direction, and this is contrary to what you have in most chairs of this type where this bar goes transverse left-right.

With such a design, the legs are not very much angled to the back. But the upper poles that support the backrest are indeed angled. So when you naturally lean back, stability may be compromised.

The feet are with narrow plastic caps, so with such a shape, they are not the best option for a soft terrain.

The fabric is a ripstop nylon with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish. There are 4 tiny pockets on its underside where you place the ends of the poles. They do not look particularly strong to me.

They claim that materials used in the construction meet bluesign criteria.

Who is it for

Capacity-wise, the chair is officially for users of up to 250 lb (113 kg). This should be good enough for most backpackers and hikers, but I would not go to the limits with this chair.

Size-wise, the seat is quite small and the backrest is low. The seat’s height is 11 inches (28 cm), so elderly users or tall people can find it a bit difficult to get in and out of the chair. So I would say the chair is better suited for shorter users.

Weight-wise, this chair is in the category of ultralight, it weighs only 1 lb (454 g). This is one ounce lighter than the Helinox Chair Zero and you will hardly find anything lighter. So I have included it in my list of ultralight backpacking chairs.

Specifications

• Weight: 1 lb (454 g).
• Capacity: 250 lb (113 kg).
• Dimensions: 19 x 22 x 22 in (48 x 56 x 56 cm).
• Packed size (L x D): 16 x 5 in (41 x 13 cm).
• Seat height: 11 in (28 cm).

Rating, pros & cons

Below you can see how this chair stands against my usual set of rating criteria. The overall rating is very high.

Ultralight & compact chair

Product Name: REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair

Product Description: This REI Co-op Flexlite Air Is Ultralight with Its 1 Pound (454 g) Weight, and It Is Also Nicely Packable, Easy to Use, and Affordable.

Brand: REI

SKU: 148036

• Weight - 10/10
  10/10
• Dimensions - 7/10
  7/10
• Packed size - 8.6/10
  8.6/10
• Capacity - 7/10
  7/10
• Comfort - 8.5/10
  8.5/10
• Craftsmanship - 9.5/10
  9.5/10

8.4/10

Summary

Although the dimensions are modest, the overall rating is Very Good, and this for all good reasons.

Pros

• Ultralight.
• Great packed size.
• Reasonable price.
• Carry bag.

Cons

• Modest size.

Sending

User Review

8.07/10 (28 votes)

Final thoughts

Please check under the category Camping Chairs if you need more options. See its closest competitor by weight, the Helinox Speed Stool.

Let me know if you have a question, there is a comment box below. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.