Sometimes all you want after a walk is somewhere to sit for a few minutes and look at the view. That’s what a small stool is for: not a full camp chair, but something light you can carry without thinking about it. I’ve been using the Wanderer Lightweight Tripod Stool on recent day trips and a few fishing trips. I wanted to know how it copes with uneven ground, how it holds up and whether it’s as easy to carry as it looks.
What’s in the box
A light tripod stool with a powder-coated steel frame and a polyester seat. It carries up to 90 kg and has a carry strap.
What we like
- Extremely lightweight at 802 grams
- Folds and unfolds in seconds
- Handy carry strap for transport
- Powder-coated steel frame
- 90 kg weight capacity
What we don’t
- No storage bag included
- Can be wobbly on uneven ground
- Seat area can feel a bit small
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Wanderer |
| Material | Powder-coated Steel FramePolyester Fabric |
| Colour | Black |
| Weight | 802 g |
| Max load | 90 kg |
| Size | Set up33 × 42.5 cmPacked57 × 10 × 10 cm |
| Features | Carry strapVelcro strap for storage |
First look
Out of the box, the Wanderer Lightweight Tripod Stool is simple and light in the hand. It comes folded, held together by a velcro strap around the seat fabric. There’s no carry bag, just the stool with a carry strap already attached.
Unfolding it is just as easy: pull the legs apart and it sets into a stable tripod. The seat is small, which is the trade-off for such a compact stool.
Materials & Build QualityMaterials & Build Quality
The frame is powder-coated steel, which feels sturdy without weighing much. The coating adds protection against rust and weather. The seat is polyester and feels tough enough for plenty of use. The stitching on the seat, and where the fabric joins the legs, looks strong and well reinforced.
The three legs are held together by rivets, which feel solid and show no sign of working loose. It’s not heavy-duty gear, but steel and tough fabric suit what it’s for. The carry strap is decent quality: strong, and comfortable over a shoulder for short distances.
Ergonomics & WeightErgonomics & Weight
When you’re walking or fishing, weight matters, and this stool does well. It came in at 802 grams on my own scale. With the carry strap you sling it over a shoulder or hang it on a backpack. A full-size camp chair takes real space; this just disappears among your gear. Folded, it measures 57 cm by 10 cm by 10 cm, so it fits in the boot or a cupboard at home.
On level ground it’s more stable than I expected. Like most tripod stools, it can feel wobbly on rocks or a slope. The seat height of 42.5 cm is a good middle: low, but high enough to be comfortable for most people.
Performance & FeaturesPerformance & Features
The point of the Wanderer Tripod Stool is that it’s simple and easy to carry, and that’s what it does best. It unfolds in a couple of seconds, which is perfect for short breaks. Whether I stopped to bait a hook at the water’s edge or needed a seat to tie my laces on the trail, it was ready straight away. The steel frame feels stiff and carried me without any trouble within its 90 kg limit.
The polyester seat is on the small side, but it’s enough for a short rest. I use the carry strap to carry the stool and to hang it up around camp. It’s a no-frills stool that does what it should.
How it compares with our other stoolsStool comparison
We’ve also tested a collapsible camping stool that telescopes down into a flat disc, and the Naturehike YL06, a light folding chair with a high back. The Wanderer is the lightest of the three and its fabric seat is the comfiest stool seat, but the telescopic stool packs much smaller and takes twice the weight.
This one Wanderer Stool | Compact Collapsible Stool | Backrest Naturehike YL06 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backrest | No | No | Yes |
| Frame | Tripod legs | Telescopic rings | Folding chair |
| Seat height | 42.5 cm | 6.5–45 cm | 41 cm |
| Packed size | 57 × 10 × 10 cm | 25 × 25 × 6.5 cm | 36 × 12 × 10 cm |
| Weight | 802 g | 1040 g | 1303 g |
| Max load | 90 kg | 180 kg | 150 kg |
| Price | $25 | $20 | $75 |
| Our score | 9.0 | 8.1 | 9.2 |
Conclusion: Wanderer Lightweight Tripod StoolConclusion
The Wanderer Lightweight Tripod Stool is light, easy to carry on its strap and sets up in seconds. The steel frame and polyester seat are sturdy enough for casual outings. It comes without a storage bag, it can wobble on uneven ground and the seat is small. It isn’t a comfortable chair and isn’t meant to be. For a quick rest on a walk or by the water, it’s ideal.
A light stool that's ideal for a quick rest on a walk or by the water.
It weighs 802 g, carries on its strap, opens in seconds and holds 90 kg on a powder-coated steel frame. There's no bag, it can wobble on uneven ground and the seat is small, so it isn't a comfortable chair.
- Hikers
- Anglers
- Picnics
Yes. An 802 g stool that opens in seconds and holds 90 kg is good comfort for the price. There’s no bag, it wobbles on uneven ground and the seat is small.
