Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair Review: The Ultimate Backcountry Comfort Upgrade?

I can still feel the damp chill seeping through my pants. It was a late autumn backpacking trip, and after a grueling eight-mile hike, we finally made camp by a pristine alpine lake. The view was breathtaking, but my seating options were not. A lumpy log, a sharp rock, or the cold, wet ground. I chose the log, and for the next hour, while trying to enjoy my rehydrated chili, all I could think about was the ache spreading through my lower back and the cold radiating into my bones. It’s a moment every outdoor enthusiast knows well: the simple, profound discomfort of having nowhere comfortable to sit. This isn’t just about luxury; it’s about recovery, morale, and genuinely being able to enjoy the wild places you worked so hard to reach. Without proper back support, a beautiful evening can quickly turn into a countdown until you can crawl into your sleeping bag, which is where a specialized ground chair becomes not just a piece of gear, but a game-changer.

What to Consider Before Buying a Portable Ground Chair

A portable ground chair is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for transforming any patch of ground into a comfortable seat with crucial back support. Its main benefits are twofold: enhancing comfort and promoting better posture during periods of rest outdoors. This simple piece of equipment can be the difference between cutting an evening short due to discomfort and lingering to watch the sunset. It insulates you from cold, wet, or dirty surfaces, making breaks more restorative and enjoyable, whether you’re on a multi-day trek, at a kid’s soccer game, or enjoying an outdoor concert. For backpackers, hunters, and anyone who values minimalism, it provides the core benefits of a chair without the bulk and weight of a traditional folding model.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who prioritizes portability and function over sitting high off the ground. This includes backpackers counting every ounce, hunters who need a low-profile seat in a blind, stadium-goers stuck on hard bleachers, and park-goers tired of backless benches. It’s for the person who says, “I just need to get off the cold ground and have some back support.” However, it might not be suitable for those with significant mobility issues who find it difficult to get up from a low-seated position. For them, a traditional folding chair with legs, like one of the alternatives we discuss later, would be a much better fit. Similarly, if your primary use is car camping or tailgating where weight is no object, a larger, more feature-rich chair might offer more creature comforts.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Weight & Portability: This is paramount, especially for backpacking. Look at the packed dimensions and the verified weight. A chair that rolls to a 4-inch diameter is excellent, but you must reconcile its weight with the comfort it provides. Always check recent user feedback, as listed weights can sometimes be inaccurate.
• Support & Comfort: The core function is back support. Look for rigid but flexible stays (carbon fiber is a premium choice) that prevent the chair from collapsing. The quality of the foam padding is also critical; high-density closed-cell foam offers a great balance of cushioning and insulation without absorbing water.
• Materials & Durability: The wilderness is unforgiving. A tough outer shell, like 600D polyester, will resist abrasion from rocks and sticks. An inner lining of ripstop nylon adds strength and seals out moisture and dirt. Pay attention to the stitching and the quality of the buckles, as these are the primary points of failure.
• Versatility & Ease of Use: A great ground chair should be simple. How quickly can you unroll and set it up? Are the straps easy to adjust? Look for features like adjustable side straps that allow you to change the recline angle, effectively turning a simple seat into a customizable lounger for any terrain.

While the Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unrolling an Outdoor Icon

When the Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair arrived, its compact form was immediately impressive. Rolled up and secured by its integrated strap, it’s barely 4 inches in diameter—small enough to lash to the outside of any pack without a second thought. Unfurling it reveals the sharp, effective King’s Camo XK7 pattern, a nod to its hunting and deep-woods heritage. The texture of the 600D polyester outer shell feels rugged and substantial, inspiring confidence that it can handle being tossed on gravel, dirt, and rock without issue. The inner 70D ripstop nylon is smoother and clearly designed to seal out moisture. There’s no assembly; you simply unbuckle, unroll, and sit. The most striking elements are the two virtually unbreakable carbon-fiber stays running vertically along the back. They provide the chair’s entire structure, and you can feel their rigidity. The Rock Lockster buckles on the side straps feel solid and engage with a satisfying click, ready to be cinched down to provide that legendary back support Crazy Creek is known for. It feels like a thoughtfully engineered piece of gear, refined over years of real-world use.

Performance Deep Dive: Putting the HEX 2.0 to the Test

A spec sheet can only tell you so much. The true measure of a chair like this is how it performs in the field—after a long day, when your body is aching and you just need a place to rest. We took the Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair on backpacking trips, to local parks, and used it for shoreline fishing to see if its legendary status holds up. The short answer is a resounding yes, but with one major caveat that needs to be addressed head-on.

The Weight Question: Unpacking the Great Discrepancy

Let’s get this out of the way first, as it’s the most common point of contention we found in our research, which was immediately confirmed by our own scale. Several online listings have stated the weight of this chair to be around 10.4 ounces (0.65 lbs). Our test model, the King’s Camo HEX 2.0 Original, weighed in at a solid 23.4 ounces (1.46 lbs). That is more than double the advertised weight in some descriptions. For an ultralight backpacker, an extra 13 ounces is a massive difference and a potential deal-breaker. We saw this echoed by multiple users, with one noting his came in at 24 ounces, and another at 1 lb 7.4 oz. So, is this a fatal flaw? In our expert opinion, for most users, it is not. It simply re-frames the chair’s purpose. It moves it out of the “ultralight enthusiast” category and squarely into the “lightweight comfort” category. For the vast majority of campers, hikers, hunters, and general outdoor lovers, the comfort and durability offered by this chair make that extra pound an incredibly worthwhile trade-off. As one user, a 6’3″ man weighing 260 lbs, stated, it “completely altered the quality” of his backpacking trip. For him, and for us, the unparalleled support is worth carrying the actual weight. You just need to know what that weight truly is before you buy. If you’re looking for a chair that truly delivers on support, you can check its full specifications and current pricing here.

Engineered Comfort: More Than Just a Pad

The magic of the Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair isn’t just the padding; it’s the structural system. The chair essentially uses your own body weight and leg position to create a taught, supportive backrest. The two carbon-fiber stays are the backbone of this system, preventing the chair from slouching or collapsing. When you sit and cinch the side straps, you create a stable bucket seat that cradles your lower back. The straps feature Rock Lockster buckles, which hold their position firmly without any slippage, even after hours of use. This system allows for an “infinite-position recline.” Loosen the straps, and you can lean back for a bit of stargazing; tighten them, and you have an upright, supportive seat perfect for cooking or glassing a hillside. The 8mm high-density cored closed-cell foam is the unsung hero. It’s thick enough to smooth out small rocks and roots under you, but more importantly, it provides a critical thermal break. We tested it on damp, 40°F ground, and the insulation was immediately noticeable—no cold seeped through. One user perfectly captured its everyday brilliance, noting they use it on backless park benches to make their days “much easier” and more enjoyable. It’s this simple, effective design that makes it a feature-rich solution for any outdoor scenario.

Built for the Backcountry: A Study in Durability

This chair is clearly built to last. The choice of materials reflects a deep understanding of outdoor abuse. The outer shell is a 600D coated polyester, a fabric known for its exceptional resistance to abrasion and tearing. We had no hesitation placing it on granite slabs, sandy riverbanks, and muddy clearings. After extensive testing, it shows no signs of wear. The inner shell is a 70D coated ripstop nylon, which serves two purposes. First, the ripstop weave prevents small punctures from becoming large tears. Second, the coating makes it highly water-resistant and impervious to dirt and sand. After a day at the beach, a simple shake-out and a wipe-down were all it needed. The PFAS Free DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is a modern touch, providing water resistance without the use of “forever chemicals,” which is a responsible choice we appreciate. The stitching throughout is robust, particularly around the webbing straps and where the carbon-fiber stays are sewn in. These are the high-stress areas, and they are clearly reinforced to handle loads up to its 250-pound capacity. This isn’t a delicate piece of gear; it’s a workhorse designed for years of reliable service, a sentiment confirmed by users who praise its “very solid materials” and “high quality” construction. When you invest in a Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair, you’re buying a piece of equipment that is built to endure the elements alongside you.

What Other Users Are Saying

Synthesizing feedback from a wide range of users, a clear picture emerges. The overwhelming sentiment is positive, with most users hailing the Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair as a transformative piece of gear. One user summed it up perfectly: “Love the chair. It completely altered the quality of my recent backpacking trip.” This is a common refrain—people are consistently impressed by the level of comfort and back support it provides in such a small package. Its versatility is another major selling point, with users reporting it’s “perfect” for everything from truck driving breaks to camping to upgrading backless park benches.

However, the praise is almost always followed by the same critique: the weight discrepancy. Nearly every user who weighed the chair noted that it came in significantly heavier than some product descriptions claimed. As one backpacker put it, “I ordered this chair because its product description said it weighed 10.4 oz… When it arrived it weighed more than twice that amount, at 23.4 oz.” While this was a source of frustration, it’s telling that many, like the first user mentioned, still concluded it was a “great product” and worth carrying. The only other minor criticism is the price, with one person noting it feels “overpriced” unless you can find a deal. Overall, the consensus is that if you can accept the true weight and the premium cost, you are getting an exceptionally well-made and comfortable chair that lives up to its reputation for quality and performance.

How Does the Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair Compare to Alternatives?

The Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair occupies a unique niche as a legless ground chair. It prioritizes ultimate portability and simplicity. However, for users who need to be elevated off the ground or require different features, several traditional folding chairs offer compelling alternatives.

1. ALPHA CAMP 2 Pack Camping Chair with Cooler

The ALPHA CAMP chair represents a completely different approach to outdoor seating, prioritizing features and value over minimalist portability. Coming in a two-pack and boasting a built-in 3-can cooler, side pocket, and cup holder, this is the ideal choice for car camping, tailgating, or backyard barbecues where weight is not a concern. Its traditional quad-fold design provides a standard seating height, which is a major advantage for those with mobility issues or who simply dislike sitting on the ground. While it can’t be strapped to a backpack, its feature set offers immense convenience for stationary activities. If your outdoor life revolves more around the parking lot than the backcountry, the ALPHA CAMP two-pack offers incredible value and comfort.

2. SUNNYFEEL Oversized Camping Director Chair with Side Table

The SUNNYFEEL Director Chair is built for stability and convenience. Its rigid, upright frame is much more stable than typical quad-fold chairs, making it easier to get in and out of. The standout feature is the integrated side table with a cup holder, providing a stable surface for a plate, book, or phone—a luxury you don’t get with a ground chair. This model is oversized and heavy-duty, appealing to users who want a robust, rock-solid chair for RV trips, fishing, or sideline spectating. It offers a more structured and upright seating position compared to the relaxed recline of the Crazy Creek. Someone who values stability and a built-in “end table” above all else would prefer the SUNNYFEEL chair.

3. FAIR WIND 2 Pack Oversized Padded Camping Chair with Cooler Bag

The FAIR WIND chair focuses on plush comfort and heavy-duty capacity. With full padding and a high 450-pound weight limit, this chair is designed for maximum relaxation. It’s an excellent choice for larger individuals or anyone who wants to sink into a cushioned seat at the end of the day. Like the ALPHA CAMP, it comes in a two-pack and includes a cooler bag, making it another fantastic value proposition for family car camping or social events. The trade-off is significant bulk and weight. A user would choose the FAIR WIND over the Crazy Creek if their top priority is deluxe, padded comfort for stationary camping and they have the vehicle space to transport it.

Our Final Verdict on the Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair

After rigorous testing and careful consideration, our verdict is clear: the Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair remains an iconic and indispensable piece of outdoor equipment, despite the notable discrepancy in its listed versus actual weight. You must go into this purchase knowing it weighs closer to 1.5 pounds than 0.65 pounds. Once you accept that, what you get is a masterclass in functional design. It delivers unparalleled back support and insulation in a package that is still remarkably portable and ridiculously simple to use. It transforms uncomfortable logs, rocks, and cold bleachers into genuinely comfortable seats, extending your enjoyment of the outdoors.

We recommend it wholeheartedly to backpackers who prioritize comfort over absolute ultralight status, hunters needing a low-profile seat, and any general outdoor enthusiast who is tired of aching backs. While it may not be for those who struggle to get up from the ground, for everyone else, it’s a durable, versatile, and game-changing investment in your comfort. If you’re ready to fundamentally upgrade your ground-level experience on any terrain, the Crazy Creek Products HEX 2.0 Original Chair is an absolute must-have.