On a hike of several days, or any camping trip where space is tight, a bulky chair isn’t an option. Lightweight backpacking chairs are meant to give you a comfortable seat without the weight and size of a normal camp chair. I got hold of the Moon Lence Portable Folding Chair to see whether it deserves its reputation. I’ve taken it on a few recent trips to test how stable it is, how easy it is to set up and how comfortable it is after a long day on the trail.
What’s in the box
A light, foldable backpacking chair with a sturdy aluminium frame, 600D Oxford nylon fabric and side pockets.
What we like
- Packs down to a very compact size
- Weighs only 1.35 kg
- Sturdy carry bag with handles
- Attached straps prevent losing parts
- Handy and strong side pockets
What we don’t
- Sits quite low to the ground
- Assembly can take some effort
- Mesh back is cold on chilly nights
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Moon Lence |
| Material | 600 D Oxford NylonAluminium Alloy Frame |
| Colour options | BlackGreenGreyKhakiOnyxOrangeDesert Camo |
| Weight | 1.35 kg |
| Max load | 180 kg |
| Size | Set up55 × 55 × 70 cmPacked36 × 12 × 12 cm |
| Included | Carry bag |
| Features | Side pocketsMesh backAttached straps |
First look
Straight out of the box, the Moon Lence chair impressed me with how small it packs. It comes in a sturdy carry bag with a zip and several loops for hanging the bag up around camp. It felt a little heavier than I expected for a backpacking chair, and my scale confirmed it: 1.35 kg, a bit more than the advertised weight. It’s still light and small.
The elastic cord in the frame is very strong and pulls the pieces together almost by itself. The best part is that the straps that hold the frame in a bundle are attached to the frame. You can’t lose them on the trail, which has happened to me with other chairs.
Materials & Build QualityMaterials & Build Quality
The frame is aircraft-grade aluminium, which makes it rigid and sturdy while keeping the weight low. The fabric is 600 D Oxford ripstop ballistic nylon with double seams and feels very durable. I have no doubt it will take plenty of use. The mesh panel in the back is a good idea for warm weather, because it lets air through.
A central pole links the frame into two triangles, and that base feels very stable. The carry bag is made from the same strong material, with a solid velcro strap and hanging loops. It should last a long time.
Ergonomics & WeightErgonomics & Weight
On a hike every gram counts, and at 1.35 kg the Moon Lence camping chair is a good compromise between weight and comfort. Packed, it slides into a backpack or straps to the outside. Set up, it’s roomier than you’d expect. The seat height is alright for a chair that folds this small. You sit low, but that’s the trade-off for something this easy to carry.
The side pockets are a real help. They’re roomy and sturdy, good for a phone, a water bottle or a snack. That makes the chair more useful than many others like it: your essentials stay within reach.
Performance & FeaturesPerformance & Features
The Moon Lence chair does what a good backpacking chair should. Setup is very quick: the shock-corded poles more or less find their own place, and then you slip the fabric seat on. It feels stable, even on slightly uneven ground, thanks to the triangular frame. That’s reassuring when you’re tired and just want to sit down.
The mesh back lets air through and keeps you cooler on hot days. That’s great in summer but not on cold nights, when I hung a jacket over the back for insulation. The side pockets mean you can keep small things to hand without getting up.
Want a higher back?
Moon Lence also makes a high back version. The Moon Lence High Back Camping Chair has a tall back with a headrest pillow and legs that set to four heights. It’s also rated to 180 kg, but at 2,047 g on our scale and 49 × 23 × 17 cm packed, it’s heavier and bulkier than this one.
Portable or High Back?
We’ve also reviewed the bigger Moon Lence High Back Camping Chair. Both are rated to 180 kg and pack into a bag. The High Back gives you a tall back and a headrest pillow; the Portable is lighter and packs much smaller.
This one Portable |  High Back | |
|---|---|---|
| Back | Mid-back, mesh | High, headrest pillow |
| Height set up | 70 cm | 114 cm |
| Packed size | 36 × 12 × 12 cm | 49 × 23 × 17 cm |
| Weight | 1.35 kg | 2.05 kg |
| Max load | 180 kg | 180 kg |
| Price paid | $80 | $95 |
| Our score | 8.7 | 8.8 |
Conclusion: Moon Lence Portable Camping ChairConclusion
The Moon Lence Portable Folding Chair is a light, compact chair that’s well thought out. The frame is sturdy, the fabric is durable, and the attached straps and side pockets are details other chairs lack. It sits low, takes some effort to assemble and isn’t the lightest chair around, and the mesh back is cool on cold nights. For hikes of several days, or as an extra chair when you want to travel light, it’s a very good choice.
A light, compact chair that's well thought out.
At 1.35 kg it packs small, the frame is sturdy and the fabric durable, and the attached straps and side pockets are details other chairs lack. It sits low, takes some effort to assemble and the mesh back is cool on cold nights.
- Backpackers
- Hikers
- Picnics
Yes. An aircraft-grade aluminium frame, side pockets and a 1.35 kg weight give great comfort for the price. It sits low and takes some effort to assemble.
