Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair

Review by Erin Trail

The Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair is easy to pack and bring anywhere.

Details

• Heavy-duty 900D Oxford fabric
• 7075 Aluminum frame
• Carrying case and carabiner included
• Holds up to 300 lbs
• 21 x 20.5 x 27 in (packed within the provided carrying case)
• Weight 2.1 lbs (including case)

Review

The Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair is a lightweight and compact ultralight chair that’s actually comfortable and easy to use.

I recently raced the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship race in Milwaukee. This is a gigantic race (for triathlon standards) and my age group for the Olympic race was a full 2 hours and 20 minutes after the first age group. I had raced this event 5 years ago and remembered having to sit on concrete curbs or worn grass as I waited for my group to race. This time, I wanted to be comfortable and off the ground as I waited.

The Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair is fairly compact and lightweight. First, I had no problem packing it into my checked bag because of how lightweight it is.  Second, I was able to stow the packed chair into my enormous race-day backpack that also holds all of my swimbikerun gear. Once we were kicked out of transition and forced to wait for our waves to start, I unpacked the Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair in the shade of a tree.  As I sat in the shade, off of the ground, enjoying my pre-race breakfast, many competitors stopped by to congratulate me on my smart idea.

Setting up the Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair is easy and straightforward.  The aluminum legs are connected together by a shock cord, slightly resembling a jangly spider.  Aluminum poles fit easily into the chair pockets and the feet provide stability and grip on a variety of surfaces.

Packing up the Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair takes practice.  The aluminum legs need a bit of arranging (and use of both hands) in order to get everything to neatly fit inside the provided carrying case.  I suspect this will get easier with use as packing it becomes more habitual.

The fit of the Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair was very comfortable.  I didn’t feel too low to the ground or too folded up.  I was able to slightly recline when I used my enormous backpack as a foot stool. The chair felt sturdy and stable beneath me.  I didn’t experience any points of discomfort from seams or fabric edges.

I had actually planned to test the Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair for bikepacking, but my race and adventure schedule hasn’t allowed me time for a bikepacking trip.  The chair, at just over 2 pounds, is for me, a luxury item.  It weighs as much as my 1P bikepacking tent.  In the past, I have made due with sitting on whatever’s available at my campsite or sitting on an inflatable cushion, but I have found myself longing for a chair.

The Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair is fairly bulky and won’t fit inside any of my bikepacking bags (which admittedly, are pretty small). The chair does strap nicely to the top of my saddlebag.  If I opt into panniers in the future, I know the chair will easily fit inside one of those bags or on top of the rack.

The price of the Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair is VERY competitive when compared to other chairs in the ultralight marketplace.  In August 2026, the Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair retails for $80, which is the lowest priced ultralight chair around, even for chairs at comparable total weights.

Closing Thoughts

The Dakine Ultra Lightweight Chair is a well made and well priced ultralight chair that’s easy to stow and use.  The chair is available in four colorways: Floral Quilt, Moonless Night, Utility Green, and Castlerock.

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke

Erin Trail on her mountain bike at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race

Erin Trail on her running at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race