NEMO: Deals

How will you use the chair? 

• If you plan to take it backpacking, weight and packed size are key.  

• For car camping, picnicking, or sitting in your backyard, pick a premium chair that's bigger and as plush as you'd like. 

Chairs for backpackers  

• Camp stools: the lightest and simplest option of all— light but with no back rest.  

• Two-legged chairs: Your feet act as the front feet of the chair, which saves weight and lets you rock a little.  

Pick a camp chair style 

• Classic camp chair: has four legs, a straight back and a flat seat. Afforable, stable and typically high enough to sit down and stand up with ease. 

• Low chair: a chair with four short legs that’s good on uneven ground. 

• Suspended chair: a newer, more pricey style; sitter suspends from the chair frame. 

• Scoop chair: resembles a sling. Good compromise between lightness and comfort. 

Other features to consider:  

• Price often reflects the quality of the frame and fabric material. 

• Pay attention to extras such as cup holders, footrests, head and lumbar pads. 

What size hammock is best for you? 

A single hammock is lighter for backpacking, but less spacious. A double hammock allows two people to share or one person to spread out. 

Look for a hammock that is at least 2 feet longer than your height. (This should be most hammocks, unless you’re really tall.) 

In what kinds of conditions will you use your hammock? 

Heavy-duty fabrics with a high denier count are more durable, while lower-denier models are more lightweight. 

Underquilts (sold separately) offer the best insulation for hammock camping in cooler weather, compared to just using a sleeping pad. Rain tarps, hung above the hammock, are also an option to protect from the elements.  

If you’d like a bug net, look for models with 360-degree protection and “no-see-um” netting. 

Should you consider a hammock tent? 

Compared to a traditional tent, a hammock tent requires no level ground for setup, has less impact on ground vegetation, is generally lighter and more compact, and cooler for summer camping. 

Hammock tents won’t work without sturdy trees, are colder and less rainproof than a traditional tent, generally not a great option for more than one person to sleep, and have minimal interior storage.  

What capacity tent do you need?

• How many are in your group? Backpacking tent models usually hold 1 to 5 people.
• There’s no industry standard for what each size means, so check product specs.
• Assume a close fit for the number of people your tent is designed to accommodate, especially with ultralight models. If you need more elbow room, consider the next size up.

Decide whether you need all-year protection

• Many backpackers, especially beginners, choose a 3-season tent for great all-around protection.
• 3+- season tents are a little sturdier and warmer than their 3-season cousin, and with less mesh.
• 4-season tents are engineered to handle high winds and other severe weather. This can make them stuffy in warm weather.
• Consider alternative shelters like hammock tents, bug shelters or bivy sacks depending on your preferences and the conditions you may typically encounter on backpacking trips.

Tent weight

Backpacking tents are a tradeoff between weight and comfort. Pay attention to the difference between packaged weight (every part included) and minimum trail weight (the weight of just the tent, rain fly and poles).

Think about livability

• Peak area: How tall is the tent?
• Floor area: How much square footage is inside?