Sometimes comfort trumps weight, and while the Mica Basin Chair from Big Agnes might not be the lightest, it sure beats the hell out of sitting on a stump any day. With a luxurious 22-inch-wide seat, pre-bent poles for superior weight distribution, and a 300-pound capacity, this chair is a great choice for taller and heavier folks or those who just prefer a dependable chair while backpacking.
While its 2-pound weight isn’t the lightest backpacking chair I’ve ever toted, and it likely won’t be the choice for the ultralight thru-hikers out there, the Mica Basin is a fantastic choice for car campers, RVers, and casual backpackers who don’t mind carrying an extra couple of pounds. Let other people run the race to the bottom when it comes to backpackable furniture — the Mica Basin is happy right where it’s at.
I’ve tested the Big Agnes Mica Basin Chair over two seasons now, often taking it along to backyard gatherings where it would promptly be taken over if left empty. Deployed in a variety of terrains in the high desert region of the Eastern Sierra, Calif., I’ve set it up in sandy campsites and grassy yards alike. And I’ve had friends of different heights and weights try it out for themselves. All agree: If weight isn’t a worry, go big with the Mica Basin.
In short: Leave the scrap of foam pad at home — the Big Agnes Mica Basin is a better camping and backpacking chair — even if it weighs a bit more. It’s made with sustainable materials, a wide seat, and a high-quality all-metal frame, and you’re sure to be comfortable and secure in this chair when hanging at camp.
Our favorite seats in the backcountry vary widely, from light-is-right foam options to more plush ones like the Mica Basin here. To see the rest of our favorites, check out GearJunkie’s Best Backpacking Chairs Buyer’s Guide.
Big Agnes Mica Basin Chair
Specs
- Weight 2 lbs., 3 oz.
- Weight limit 300 lbs.
- Packed size 3.5 x 17.5”
- Materials Lightweight 100D Robic nylon with 300D polyester ripstop, aluminum
Pros
- Color-coded frame for easy setup
- Pre-bent poles help create stability and support the wider seat
- Made by a sustainability conscious company
Cons
- A bit heavy for backpacking
- Backside of seat isn't printed, and feels a bit unfinished
Big Agnes Mica Basin Chair: Review
First Impressions
This is definitely one of the larger camp chairs I’ve tested, and noticeably heavier as well. The bag it comes in has a nice side zipper for easy access instead of the usual stuff sack design, which usually means you spend extra time fumbling and squeezing fabric back into a small bag.
The first thing I noticed was how well-made the chair legs felt and how easily they snapped into place. The chair is tall, and the pre-bent legs give it an overall feeling of stability.
I enjoyed the wide seat, which just made hanging at camp more comfortable overall. With the Mica Basin, you don’t have to lower yourself into a short, small seat. But rather, you can sit up tall and comfortably next to a table cooking dinner.
Comfort and Back Support to Spare
The Mica Basin has a deep, comfortable seat and a high back, earning it high marks in the comfort and support categories. The chair seat is 19.5 inches deep, whereas many other chairs of its kind typically have back support that’s around 15 inches deep.
Other camping chairs, like the Big Agnes Big Six Camp Chair, are made with an exaggerated tall back for extra support, but add weight and heft that swing the scales out of the backpacking camp and into car-camping-only territory.
The Mica Basin strikes a great balance between being nimble enough to pack away and put in a backpack while still maximizing the seat and frame construction to provide a very comfortable and supportive seating experience.
To make an even cozier seat, you can even buy an insulated cover from Big Agnes that adds warmth and some padding to the Mica Basin.
On Solid Ground
The Mica Basin has a unique frame design, featuring pre-bent poles made of heavy-duty aluminum that will support up to 300 pounds. It also has no plastic joint hubs, which are often weak points prone to cracking or breaking. With a seat height of 16 inches, this chair is easy to get into and out of, making it a great choice for larger and taller folks, as well as seniors or those who might have knee problems.
The poles are heavier and sturdier than many other backpacking chairs we’ve tested. Many of these opt to shave weight with lighter materials, which can sometimes feel flimsy. However, with a higher overall seat and longer legs, one must be careful not to lean back too far, which will cause the chair to tip. Chairs with a lower center of gravity tend to have better overall stability.
No Boat Anchor, but Heavier Than Most
The Mica Basin is heavier and larger than most other backpacking chairs in our general review and, therefore, wouldn’t be my top choice for the best backpacking chair for your next overnight adventure. At 2 pounds, 3 ounces, it’s a whole pound and 3 ounces heavier than the lightest chair we tested.
While that doesn’t seem like much, for serious backpackers, those extra ounces add up quickly. For this reason, I would recommend the Mica Basin for car camping, road trips, concerts, sporting events, or backyard hangouts.
That being said, if you’re a tall guy or gal and hate how some of the smaller camp chairs buckle under your weight or dig into the backs of your thighs, carrying that extra 2 pounds of weight might not be that big of a deal — and it’s well worth the extra comfort! With a wide base of 22 inches and a tall back of 19.5 inches, the Mica Basin is large and comfortable.
Ease of Setup
You assemble this chair much like any other backpacking chair. The fully shock-corded, color-coded pieces slot together in under a minute. The fact that the Mica Basin has no plastic hubs means that the joints don’t fit together as easily and obviously as other chair models.
The trade-off here is that there are fewer vulnerable parts, making this a great durable option. The aluminum frame is also more environmentally friendly, as it’s easily recyclable and doesn’t use any plastic parts.
Surprisingly Sustainable
Typically not a major metric for backpacking chairs, the Mica Basin actually scores quite high in the sustainability department. The all-metal chair frame doesn’t use plastic joints, and the aluminum used in it is infinitely recyclable — nice.
There is also no foam used, which can be nasty to produce on its own. Instead of paying for these sins by using pre- or post-consumer polymers and calling it sustainable, Big Agnes cuts the stuff from the start.
Further, sales of certain prints funnel a portion of proceeds toward a handful of different initiatives, including Protect Our Winters, the Yampa River Fund, and the National Forest Foundation.
Room for Improvements
While this chair is fantastic for car camping and serviceable for shorter backpacking trips, we would love to see Big Agnes shave a few ounces off of it so we could also justify taking it backpacking on longer trips. I know, cake and eating it and all that, but I can dream. Maybe they’ll roll a titanium version in the future.
While I love the different colors and patterns it comes in, I do find it a bit odd that only the interior of the seat is printed, and the exterior is not. This makes it seem “unfinished” and not as attractive or polished as it could look. I love, however, that it is made with sustainable materials.
Big Agnes Mica Basin Chair: Conclusion
If you’re on the taller side and like a chair that sits higher off the ground — and prefer a wider, deeper seat and sturdy, stable legs — the Big Agnes Mica Basin is a great choice. Snag an uber-light option when weight is a concern (like the Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat), but when you’re going for the luxe experience, the tradeoff is worth it, in my opinion.
Since it isn’t an ultralight option, the added durability is likely to see the chair supporting you longer into the future, as well, and by avoiding lighter construction methods, the Mica Basin also earns high regard from the planet. Coming in a variety of fun colors and patterns, this durable chair is sure to last a long time in your quiver and provide a comfortable seat wherever you decide to take it.
