Nemo Moonlite Elite Reclining Backpacking Chair: Tested
There’s nothing quite like roughing it in the wild – unless, of course, you’re the only one not roughing it. Let’s be honest: watching your “old-school is best” mate unroll a wafer-thin, yoga-mat-lookalike sleeping pad while battling to light a fire for a billy boil is genuinely entertaining. But let’s be real – it’s even better when, at that exact moment, you’re effortlessly brewing an AeroPress espresso on your 60-second Jetboil, all while kicking back on your ultra-light Nemo Moonlite Elite Reclining Backpacking Chair while your sleeping pad inflates itself with a smug little micro-pump. Roughing it? Never heard of it.
Of course, there’s a particular pride in counting grams, and ditching anything that doesn’t serve a life-or-death purpose. But at what point do you admit that sitting on a jagged rock or a wet patch of ground in sweaty thermals and sodden shell pants isn’t making you hardier, just grumpier?
Enter the Nemo Moonlite Elite Reclining Backpacking Chair – a ‘non-essential’ that might just become essential. Is it the ultimate betrayal of the ultra-light ethos, or is it the greatest thing to happen to campfire lounging since someone figured out how to toast marshmallows?
Whatever the case, ultra-light camp chairs are no new thing, but they are growing in popularity – and rightly so. When everyone else dodges bull ants or fidgets to find a dry spot, you can kick back, put your legs up, and enjoy the view. But does the Nemo Moonlite Elite Reclining Backpacking Chair justify its place in your pack, or is it a luxury for the weak-willed?
Design
The Nemo Moonlite Elite Reclining Backpacking Chair is the ultra-light sibling of Nemo’s older Moonlite chair. The brand’s engineers have gone full “weight-weenie” on this thing, skeletonising every component to shave grams like a Tour de France cyclist before weigh-in.
It now weighs just 617g when packed, or 510g without the Platform Pack™ (200g lighter than the original Moonlite). It folds down to 32cm (L) x 8cm (W) x 10cm (D), roughly the size of a 1.5-litre Nalgene bottle. In short, it’s perfect for backpackers, bikepackers, and anyone who begrudgingly accepts that carrying a chair into the wild is a luxury – but does it anyway.
The frame is forged 6061 aluminium hubs with variable-diameter poles, ensuring it’s sturdy and incredibly light. The tubing design allows for optimal strength-to-weight ratio, maintaining durability while minimising excess material. The chair’s ball-and-socket hub connection system provides an easy-to-use and stable seating structure that adapts to uneven terrain.
Nemo has used Bluesign®-approved, fully recycled, stretch-mesh fabric for the seat. This fabric prevents pooling water after unexpected rain showers and dries quickly, making it a reliable all-weather option. They’ve ditched heavier webbing in favour of HTP and Dyneema cordage, an ultra-strong yet featherlight material commonly used in high-performance climbing gear. This cord system integrates with cam-style clamps, allowing the chair’s reclining function to be adjusted to different seating angles. Whether you want an upright posture for eating or a more laid-back recline for stargazing, the system is quick to tweak.
The Platform Pack groundsheet/roll-pack is another highlight. It’s designed to prevent sinking on soft surfaces such as sand or loose soil. Rather than a simple add-on, it’s integrated into the system as a roll-pack with reinforced stabilisation points to enhance the chair’s overall weight distribution.
In the field
Let’s face it: nobody invests in a 500g chair unless they’re an ultra-light fanatic or have learned the hard way that logs are never as comfy as they look. The Nemo Moonlite Elite Reclining Backpacking Chair will fit neatly into a bikepacking set-up (for the kitchen-sink kinda biker) or more a trekking pack (even slotting in sideways in the bottom of many packs), without adding noticeable bulk, making it an easy inclusion for those who crave comfort without hauling a full-sized festival throne.
Setting up is a cinch – unfold and assemble the frame of four legs and a backrest, clip the fabric in, and done. The colour-coded ball-and-socket attachment system makes assembly foolproof; stretch and click – so much nicer than struggling with the sleeve design of some cheaper chairs. The adjustable recline is a nice touch, though in practice, it’s mainly useful for shifting between “dinner” and “dozing” mode.
The Moonlite Elite was tested on an overnight backpacking trip and a car camping weekend. For the backpacking, I was grateful for its light weight – it barely registered on my pack weight – especially compared to the craft brews I threw in last minute. After a day traipsing singletrack, I sat down, stretched out my legs, and felt like a king.
For the car camping trip, it proved its mettle by being something that can just be chucked in and take up no space but also unfold to a comfy, usable fireside chair, proving it’s just as handy in a laid-back set-up as it is for hardcore backcountry use.
Comfort-wise, it’s good but not perfect. Compared to the original Moonlite, the backrest is slightly shorter and narrower, which might leave taller folks (like me) feeling a bit unsupported. I’m being picky; while it may not be as supportive as its predecessor, I found no issues during testing. At 25.4cm off the ground, the seat is relatively low, keeping it stable but making getting seated and unseated a bit of a chore – especially after a long day on the trail when your knees are plotting revenge. But that’s true for many ultra-light compacts, including the Helinox Zero at 21.6cm.
Among its competitors, the Helinox Chair Zero weighs 490g (chair only), 510g (with cover), or 670g (with groundsheet), making it a lighter alternative on paper but slightly heavier when fully equipped with the groundsheet, which comes standard with the Nemo. The Big Agnes Skyline Chair is another choice at 795g (with cover) and offering a seat height of 38cm, making it a more comfortable option for those keen on a higher sitting position. The Mountain Designs Lightweight Chair, at 860g, is bulkier but provides a larger seat and higher weight capacity.
The mesh seat fabric on the Moonlite Elite is excellent for summer as it promotes airflow to keep things cool. Of course, this also means a chilly breeze during colder months. Of course, it’s easy enough to place a shell or softshell jacket under your bum/back (if you’re not wearing it) during colder months, as it kills the ‘cold breeze up the back’ syndrome – unless you enjoy the sensation of sitting on an ice block.
Some may consider the included Platform Pack groundsheet/roll-sack overengineered and unnecessary, but I love it. If you have a case/roll-pack, it might as well serve a second purpose; its function as a groundsheet is a standout, particularly for coastal camping. Some ultra-light purists might scoff at the extra grams, but anyone who has tried to sit on soft sand without gradually sinking will appreciate its brilliance.
The final word on the Nemo Moonlite Elite
So, is the Nemo Moonlite Elite worth the near $300 price tag? If you prioritise weight, packability and stability, it’s one of the best compact camp chairs available. It’s lighter than the original Moonlite and includes thoughtful features like the groundsheet and recycled materials. That said, it’s pricey, and the smaller size, lower backrest and seat height may not suit everyone.
Ultimately, if you’re serious about shaving grams, staying stable and enjoying time by the fire without slowly sinking into the ground, the Nemo Moonlite Elite Reclining Backpacking Chair is a solid choice.
RRP: $299.95
See Nemo Equipment for more info.
