Big Agnes Skyline UL Review: Is This the Best Ultralight Backpacking Chair?

Leave grandpa’s heavy camping chair at home! Sure, it has all the bells and whistles, like that foldout tray ;). And say hello to lighter loads and happier backs with the Big Agnes Skyline chair! It’s an ultralight backpacking chair designed to lighten your backpacking gear load. In this Big Agnes Skyline UL chair review, we’ll cover what makes this portable backpacking chair stand out, how comfortable it really is, and if it’s really the best outdoor camping chair out there.

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Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair Review Overview

In general, portability and function are the keys to any outdoor gear. If you can also get comfort, you’ve found a real gem! That’s where the Skyline UL Chair by Big Agnes comes in. They are trying to establish themselves as having the best backpacking chair on the market – we’ll see about that!

The Skyline Chair is part of Big Agnes’ ultralight lineup, meaning it’s specifically engineered to minimize weight and bulk without sacrificing performance. With its compact size and minimalist design, the Big Agnes UL chair is an outstanding option for hikers, backpackers, cyclists, bank anglers and other minimalist packers who need to keep their gear-load light. Plus, it beats sitting on a log!

Comfort, Back Support, and Seat Experience

Comfort is the key when it comes to outdoor chairs. So, what’s it like sitting in the Skyline UL Chair?
Here is part of the camping chair review, where I note that the Big Agnes has been in our family for several years. No one sent us one for free in exchange for a glowing write-up, and what you see here is a simple, honest review based on real-world usage. Unfortunately, any time we go to use the Skyline chair, being so comfy, we forget that we actually need to take photos – that’s why there really aren’t any in this post. Sorry about that! 🙁

I should also mention that my family went to an outfitter in pursuit of a lightweight, backpackable camping chair, and luckily, they had several to choose from. We played musical chairs for quite some time before settling on what is very well the best backpacking chair. It was a unanimous decision that this was the most comfortable camping chair! And coolest! 😉

Here is the part where reviews suck. Comfort in many aspects of life (such as a chair) is subjective to the person! What may be comfortable to me may not be to you. Granted, the more relaxed people feel, the better the odds are that this chair is for them. 

The Big Agnes Skyline chair has a wide, deep seat, a low profile and a reclined angle of 110 degrees, which allows for comfortable lounging after a strenuous hike. The seat height of the UL Skyline is about 9 inches off the ground, which makes an easy in and out for most people. It may not be ideal for those who have trouble getting up or who prefer upright seating in a high-back chair. Being over 6 feet, I find the back low, but in fairness, the chair is relaxing and super comfy. My kids love the Skyline and prefer taking it on our island camping trips over the high back chairs.

Frame and Fabric Breakdown

The frame of the UL chair is made from a high-quality aircraft aluminum alloy, which is why it can hold up to 275 lbs. The shape of the Skyline frame helps with lateral stability on uneven terrain. The soft-to-the-touch fabric is a 30D nylon ripstop material, which just can’t be beat. It dries quickly and shakes clean. The mesh sides of the Skyline UL help reduce the chair’s weight and provide breathability and support.

Weight, Pack Size, Portability, and Big Agnes Skyline Ultralight Chair Specs

The UL camp chair is small, but mighty, and it’s extra light. As per Big Agnes, here are the specs of the Skyline UL chair:

Size:

• Seat Height: 15 in. (38 cm)
• Back Height: 26 in. (66 cm)
• Width: 21 in. (53 cm)
• Depth: 17.5 in. (44 cm)

Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair Weight:

• Capacity: 275 lb (125 kg)
• Weight: 1 lb 12 oz. (.79 kg)

Materials:

• Colour coded shock cord
• Fabric: Robic® Nylon ripstop with UTS coating
• Stuff Sack: Included

A 1 lb 12 oz, the Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair is super lightweight, making it easy to pack and carry on any hiking trail or rugged terrain. Even though it’s under 2 lbs, the Big Agnes backpack chair can support up to 275 pounds, which is insane for something so small with an aluminum frame. At least you know, when your loved one or kiddo comes in for a snuggle, you won’t be kissing the ground!

Big Agnes was nice enough to include a quality stuff sack to keep the pieces together and the chair clean. The Skyline UL packs down to 3.5 x 17 inches, which is a nice compact packed size that easily fits a side pocket of your day hiking pack, under a car seat or any little nook you can find.

Breakdown of the Skyline UL Chair’s Functionality

The Skyline UL Chair is designed with a minimalist approach that prioritizes weight and portability. What that means, and perhaps its only con, is that you won’t find creature comforts like armrests, cup holders and the usual goodies that most camping chairs have. But to be fair, you don’t really need those when you’re hunting in the woods or setting up for an overnight camp.

In our family, we compensate for that by having a similarly made table from Burton called the Helinox x Burton Table One. This ultralightweight table, of course, has endless uses, especially when tent camping. The big takeaway here, however, is that extra features are sacrificed for portability, and that will determine the right buyer for this small hiking chair.

If you are overlanding and have ample room and weight allotments, you will want the most comfortable, decked-out chair on earth, like the Kuma Lazy Bear Chair. I must admit, we are huge fans of Kuma, especially the heated version!!! It helps keep the butt warm on those cool camping nights or during movie night at the beach. Yes, some campgrounds still do this!

However, here’s a Little Food for Thought: Overlanding, mentioned above, is when you take your car to go tent camping, and hiking is not required. Pay particular attention to the ample room part. Our family went to Bonnechere twice last summer. Once with a trailered boat, which became storage for all kinds of camping gear, including big, comfy chairs! But the other time was just the Jeep. If you are camping for a week with a family of 4 in an average-sized vehicle, you DO NOT have room for big, puffy, armrest-style chairs. It’s worth noting that there is always a use for an ultralight, ultra-packable and ultraportable chair, especially one that packs down to a backpack size.

Big Agnes Skyline Chair Setup

Now, let’s get to the juicy part. The Big Agnes Chair pulls out easily from its pack-away sack. The interlocking frame pieces with grooved segments are held together with a shock cord and assembled fully in less than a minute. Our youngeon, with no knowledge of gear, can do it! The best part is that there are no tabs or buttons to fumble with, which makes for easy setup and disassembly.

The four-legged chair frame with its sturdy aluminum poles is designed to provide a stable and supportive base for the seat and backrest. The fabric is a one-piece fabric. In other words, it attaches in seconds. Assembly and disassembly are a breeze. Instead of being a chore, the ultralight camping chair is built to make assembly fun every time!

Disassembly is simple, and the steps are the exact reverse of assembly.

Factual Design Features in the Comfort Department

Here’s the good news: With a four-point stance, even on uneven terrain, the ultralight UL feels rock-solid, so much so that it instills confidence that you are securely seated in a solid product. Even though you are sitting in a suspended piece of fabric. The brain feels uncomfortable, but the body definitely likes it! 

By design, the easy-to-carry UL Skyline camping chair also curves and moulds to you. If you have ever heard people fondly describe their favourite blanket – it “hugs” their body, well, this is exactly what this ultra light camp chair does with its scoop seat design.

In the specs, we mentioned mesh sides. While it reduces weight, it increases breathability, which is especially helpful in hot weather. And let’s face it, most people will use this chair far more often in the hotter months. If it’s winter use you seek, such as ice fishing, you’ll have so many clothes on that it won’t matter what chair you have. If you have an extra $50 lying around, you can buy the insulated Skyline UL camp chair cover to keep you nice and toasty!

Skyline UL Backpacking Chair Portability: Ease of Packing and Transporting

One of the key selling points of the Skyline UL Chair is its portability. So, how easy is it to carry with you on your outdoor adventures? With it being under 2 lbs and disassembly into a tube-like shape that’s 3.5″ in diameter, it doesn’t get any better! The Big Agnes backpacking chair can easily fit inside the pack of anyone who needs to be ultralight.

Take that a step further, and you will ALWAYS find an available nook or cranny for your chair, whether it’s in your car, boat, tent, deer blind, ice hut and so on.

The included stuff sack allows you to pack the chair away quickly and easily. It makes for a one-hand grab and helps keep the chair well-protected.

Durability: How Well Does the Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair Hold Up Over Time?

Our camping gear takes a beating from transporting and rough terrain, not to mention the elements. It’s not fun replacing costly gear, and it’s doubly not fun when it fails when you need it most – and in the middle of nowhere!

Already established, the Skyline UL is made from high-quality materials. While that’s never a guarantee, it’s the first place to start.

The second thing to look at is the warranty. Big Agnes’ lifetime warranty applies to all their products. They don’t cover normal wear and tear, which is fair. 

Let’s be honest, nothing lasts forever. Oddly, Big Agnes offers repair services for a modest fee, and who better than the manufacturer as a trusted source to keep your beloved gear in service? Ask yourself how many manufacturers are eager to help you keep your products longer. Last time I checked, most just wanted to sell you something else! Full details are on Big Agnes’ warranty page.

Longevity

Many fellow users have used their Big Agnes camping chairs for multiple seasons without any problems, and the reviews are phenomenal. Even after years of regular use, our Skyline UL Chair is in almost new condition. I say nearly, as a small piece of amber has landed on the seat and burned a hole through the fabric. Seeing as our UL chair gets heavy use, the burn hole is the same size, and we can happily report that there are no tears around it.

Maintenance

Big Agnes did their part with fantastic, durable materials. You also need to do your part. To keep your Skyline UL Chair in good condition, give the chair a quick wipe with a damp cloth. For heavier stains, we use baby wipes or a light, soapy, wet cloth. When not in use, pack your adventure seating away to help prolong its lifespan.

Value: Is the Skyline UL Chair Worth the Price?

The Big Agnes UL Chair is a premium portable camping chair, but is it worth the investment?

No doubt, Big Agnes used high-quality materials, the construction is durable, and assembly is super easy. In the world of outdoor gear, the Big Agnes Skyline UL is considered one of the top backpacking chairs and is worth the investment for those who spend most of their time outdoors and are looking for lightweight camping chair options. Not to mention comfort!

Compared to other high-end camping chairs like the smaller, lighter Helinox Chair Zero, the Big Agnes Skyline is competitively priced and offers excellent value for the money, making it the best portable chair for camping and backpacking. It also sits higher off the ground than most backpacking chair models, providing comfortable seating even for those with broad shoulders.

If you’re looking for a budget alternative to the Big Agnes ultralight chair, there are plenty cheaper options available like the OneTigris Tigerblade Camping Chair, which is a 1lb heavier and not ideal for backpacking like the Skyline UL. Price becomes a moot point if your chair is uncomfortable, wobbly, heavy, or difficult to set up.

👉 Thanks for reading my Big Agnes Skyline Chair Review. Comment below if you have a favourite backpacking chair? Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on our social channels.

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