REI Flexlite - Review 2023

Comfort

Perhaps the most resounding commendation I can give REI’s Flexlite is it’s the only chair that I’ve tested in the lightweight category that I’d bring to a BBQ. Most backpacking-oriented options have narrow and low-slung seats that make them 1.) hard to get into and 2.) not much fun to sit in for long periods. I found the Flexlite more akin to a pod-style house chair and had a considerably easier time sitting down and standing up than comparable models.

I’d describe the attitude as relaxed–the Flexlite favors a canted back, casual approach that allows for a little backward lean. The high and wide back is unique within its category; I noticed that the top poles didn’t dig into my shoulder blades as they did with the Chair Zero or Marchway’s Ultralight Chair. The same can be said for the seat.

The Flexlite is all-around bigger than most of its contemporaries. This was never more apparent than when I sat down, and my thighs weren’t touching. Being able to maintain a natural seated position regardless of having wider hips was a huge boon and goes to further my position that the Flexlite punches way above its weight class in the comfort category.

Unfortunately, this increase in comfort comes at the expense of a not insignificant number of ounces.

Weight and Packability

If you could cut the weight of the Flexlite in half, it would be hands-down the best backpacking chair on the market. As it stands, at a few ounces shy of the 2lb mark, it’s nearly twice as heavy as current leading models.

The virtue of bringing a chair along on any kind of extended backpacking trip is already very much in question, so those considering the Flexlite will want to “weigh” their decision carefully. I’d rule it out for thru-hiking or any kind of expeditionary travel on the merit of weight alone. But for slackpacking or trips with limited elevation gain, it’s still well within the realm of an appropriate luxury item.

However, the packed dimensions of the Flexlite are much less of an issue. Compared to lightweight, low-volume models like the Chair Zero, there is only a slight difference in size. But the total additional packed volume is well worth the exchange when you consider the extra space and comfort you gain upon setup.

If you’ve already committed to making room in your pack for a chair, there’s no reason that you can’t justify opting for the Flexlite.

Setup

There’s nothing incredibly unique about the setup of the Flexlite. It’s the standard process for your four-legged tent pole style chair. Everything comes out of the bag like an elastic-corded marionette, and the poles slot together very intuitively with a little provocation on your part.

I think the most difficult part about deploying it is figuring out which way the seat goes on. There have been a few instances (particularly in low-light scenarios) where I’ve managed to get the fabric stretched out every single way but the correct one.

The Flexlite differs from other backpacking chairs that I’ve tested in that the central pole runs from the front to back rather than across the seat, though this discrepancy doesn’t do much to change the setup process. Instead, it allows for the chair’s more relaxed style and high back- it’s a nice little detail that adds a lot to performance aspects that I valued over the course of testing.

Price

The Flexlite outshines the competition in comfort, but it also does so at an appreciable value. The baseline model can be found in-store or online for around 60 dollars. Nearly half the price of premium ultralight models such as the Chair Zero and the Skyline UL from Big Agnes, the Flexlite is a great option for anyone who has an easier time rationalizing weight over price.

There’s almost a direct exchange- half the price for double the heft. In the case of ultralight gear, there are diminishing returns between the amount of money you dump into a product and how much better it actually is than alternatives. Optimizing is expensive, and that’s something you’ll want to keep in mind when you’re already considering something that is primarily considered a luxury item.

Other Models

By my reckoning, REI’s Flexlite lands squarely in the middle of the pack for backpacking chairs. If you’re looking for alternatives, your biggest decision point is figuring out how much of a chair you actually need.

If you’re cringing at the weight and the idea of spending 100+ dollars, I’d highly encourage you to turn your sights towards the “sit-pad” category. Not only do these cost significantly less, but they make even the lightest full-sized backpacking chair seem like a pile of rocks in the pack. Products like the REI Flash Sit Pad or Therm-a-Rest’s Z Seat can get a barrier between you and the ground- and at the end of the day, that’s all you really need.

For more fleshed-out and fully realized chairs, our main point of comparison is the Chair Zero from Helinox. Big Agnes’ Skyline UL Chair is very similar, in the 1lb weight class with similar packability and a hefty price tag. On the budget end, Marchway’s Ultralight Folding Chair espouses the essential qualities we seek in our backpacking options for only 30 dollars, with a big step down in quality.

If none of these options sound good to you, an ultralight stool might be more in line with what you’re searching for. More often than not, they hit the sweet spot between affordability, justifiable weight, and reasonable affordability.

There are also a few versions of the Flexlite itself. Those interested in an even lighter alternative for backpacking should turn their attention to the Flexlite Air. The Camp Boss model is the same concept, just bigger and sturdier, more suitable as a frontside camp chair than anything you’d want to bring backpacking. The same can be said for the Flexlite Dreamer, which is similar to the Camp Boss with the addition of pockets, a higher back, and a removable pillow for stargazing or a fireside snooze.

Out of all of the backpacking models that I’ve had the chance to try, the Flexlite is the only one I could consciously say holds up to my comfort expectations. On top of that, its price is only bested by cheaper options where durability starts to be a concern. It collapses small enough to store away reasonably well in a pack, and the only significant drawback compared to true ultralight models is the weight.

I’m of the mind that if weight is your only major concern with a backpacking chair, you would be better served by something less expensive and more straightforward (in other words, a sit pad). For the kinds of trips that I would bring a chair on, the uptick in weight is an easy write-off when you consider the comfort and the casual attitude of the Flexlite, and for this reason, I can say for sure that it’s among my favorites of the backpacking chairs that I’ve tried out.