ProView – Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair Review

What’s my favorite luxury item to bring backpacking? Always a chair. Nothing beats plopping into a comfy seat after a grueling hike with a heavy pack on. As a 10-year user of my trusted Crazy Creek, I decided it was finally time to upgrade to a chair that keeps me elevated off the ground.

Comfort

This chair is extremely comfortable to sit in. It sits more like a proper camp chair rather than a lightweight mini version of a chair, which is one area I believe this chair stands out. The center pole keeps the chair feeling level and secure even on uneven ground. The seat itself is nice and wide, and offers just the right amount of back support without being too upright or reclined.

Features

The Skyline UL comes with a great little bag to hold everything in, and it’s not even a struggle to make it fit back into the bag! The shock-corded frame makes for easy setup and teardown, as the poles naturally want to snap into place. The Big Agnes site mentions a color-coded frame for easy setup, but I honestly never noticed anything color-coded in the several times I set this chair up. That being said, it’s pretty intuitive to set up, plus there are instructions on the exterior of the bag. I would’ve loved to see some little pull tabs on the corners of the chair to make it easier to pull the last corner or 2 over the frame. That always seems to be the trickiest part about setup with this style of chair, and the pull tabs would make things easier while adding hardly any weight.

Weight/Packability

One area I didn’t want to compromise on when looking for a new chair was both weight and size. Coming in at 1lb and 12oz, there are certainly more lightweight options on the market, but you may sacrifice in other areas. The Skyline UL has you sitting about 15″ off the ground, whereas competitor chairs mostly have you sitting around 9″-11″. The jury is still out on whether the extra height is worth the 8-12 oz of extra weight at my height of 5’6″. However, I could see the extra few inches off the ground being most beneficial for the comfort of taller folks. Needless to say, the weight isn’t a concern for the 1-2 night backpacking trips, but if you’re considering a longer trip and still want the luxury of a seat, I’d explore other options.

Durability/Construction

The extra weight of this chair definitely is tied to the durability. The frame is constructed from ultralight aircraft aluminum, making the poles feel extremely hardy. In comparison to other models that are more optimized for weight, Big Agnes uses a High-tenacity Robic™ nylon ripstop with a waterproof UTS coating. The corner pockets where the frame goes into place are reinforced, making it feel even more sturdy. The weight capacity for this chair is slightly higher than competitors, with the ability to hold up to 275 pounds.

The Final Word

Ultimately, this chair will keep its seat (ha!) in my gear rotation. I think this chair will find many uses in day-to-day life aside from just in the backcountry. It’s the perfect small chair for the beach, a festival, a parade, a concert, or anywhere else you want a comfy seat without lugging a full-size camp chair along. The price tag at $199.95 MSRP is a little tough to swallow for a camp chair, but it’s comparable to other similar lightweight backpacking chairs. Plus knowing that I can use it beyond the backcountry helps make the price worth it!

It packs small, it’s comfortable, it’s durable, and the weight only becomes a problem if you’re carrying it across several miles. For the ultralight backpackers counting every ounce, there are lighter options out there. But for someone who prioritizes comfort and durability, and doesn’t mind carrying a few extra ounces, the Skyline UL strikes a nice balance between a backpacking chair and an everyday camp chair.

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