The Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Original Chair is a lightweight, portable camping and backpacking chair. It weighs 21.6 ounces and rolls up to a 4-5” diameter tube that is 16.5” long. Due to its weight, it falls into the luxury item category in my backpacking gear arsenal and is not something I bring on every trip. However, when I know my trip will have some downtime in camp or breaks in scenic places, it’s lovely to tip back in a comfy chair and relax.
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- Weight: 21.6 oz (on my scale at home)
- Seat height: 0 inches
- Seat width: 15 inches
- Seat back height: 16.5 inches
- Frame: Carbon fiber stays
- Seat material: outer shell 210D coated ripstop nylon, inner material is 70D coated ripstop nylon, 8mm high-density closed-cell foam core
- 250 lb capacity
- Pros: Inexpensive, Rolls up, Multipurpose
- Cons: Rests on the ground
The Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 is an update on their original folding chair. It is far more compact than the original since it can roll up. Just cinch up the attached webbing strap to keep it rolled, and easily attach it to a pack using pad or compression straps. You can also store or transport it flat if that happens to be more convenient. I transport it this way on the deck of my kayak or tuck it behind other gear for car camping.
The closed-cell foam core is comfortable for sitting, but you want to set it up on fairly level ground without large rocks or roots. It is thin but quite sturdy. It is thick enough to insulate your posterior from the ground but not so thick as to create a bulky package once rolled up. The outer fabric is robust, and minor dirt can easily be wiped off. The corners between the seat and back are reinforced for durability.
The Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 also comes in a Longback version for taller users and a Powerlounger version with a longer seat. These versions are heavier than the Hex 2.0 Original I tested and may be less attractive backpacking chairs for that reason.
Tight-knit webbing straps with clips on the side of the chair adjust the reclining angle. You can also unclip the sides and flatten the chair. You could use this mode to add padding and insulation to your sleep system. I’m 5’2” and flattened out; it is big enough for my head and torso. I find it handy for stretching at camp after a day of hiking. Flattened, it could also serve as a cozy seat for two people.
While the Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 is a little heavier than some other backpacking chairs on the market but it does have some advantages. The best feature is that it does not have legs that will sink into the ground at your campsite. The main disadvantage is that you are sitting on the ground, so it will take a little more effort to get up than it might from a chair with legs. If you place it on a bit of a slope or a flat rock, you can use the slope or rock height to make it easier to stand up.
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On a recent trip in the Grand Canyon, where the amount of gear and water I was carrying made it necessary to carry my tent on the outside of my pack, I was able to roll the Hex 2.0 completely around my tent and then attach the whole thing with my pad straps at the bottom of my pack. I thought I was ingenious to come up with this solution that saved space and protected my pricey Dyneema tent from thorny bushes and cacti along the trails.
I enjoyed relaxing in the Hex 2.0 chair and taking in the views at the end of the day. It’s a very sturdy product that would also be handy if you needed to make a leg splint in an emergency. You’d have to abuse it pretty seriously to break it, but I would definitely recommend it!
About the author
Wanda Rice has been backpacking since the late 1980’s. She has climbed the New Hampshire 48, the New Hampshire 48 in winter, the New England 67, the New England Hundred Highest, and the Four-Season 48. Wanda also teaches for the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Mountain Leadership School, the AMC New Hampshire Chapter Spring and Winter Schools as well as the AMC NH Winter Hiking Series. She leads day and overnight trips for AMC NH year-round and loves mentoring new leaders. She is a gear junkie, a self-proclaimed Queen of Gear Hacks, and loves sharing her tips and tricks with others. Wanda lives in southern NH and is looking forward to moving closer to the mountains in the next few years.
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