Camping stools
A camping stool is the smallest and lightest way to sit. It has no back, so it suits short breaks, fishing, cooking and travelling light, and less so a long evening of relaxing.
Types of stool
Tripod stools fold into a thin bundle and are very light, but three legs can sink on soft ground and the seat is small. Four-leg folding stools are steadier and usually a little heavier. Stools with a backrest sit between a stool and a chair. Bucket and box stools double as storage and are used more by anglers.
Where a stool is the better choice
Hiking and backpacking, where every gram counts. Cooking, where you move up and down. Fishing and photography, where you move around. Festivals and queues. A stool also works as a footrest for a chair or a low table.
Where it is not
For a long time sitting, a stool without a back tires the back. For anyone with back or hip trouble, a proper chair will be kinder. For children and older people, stability and ease of standing matter more than weight.
What to check
Seat size, seat height, the weight rating, the foot design and the stool's stability on rough ground. Check the folding mechanism for pinch points. If you hike, check the weight against the lightweight chair options.