Sea to Summit Air Chair
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Air Chair
Camp Chair · Sleeping Mat Accessory · Ultralight
The Air Chair turns your outdoor sleeping pad into a comfortable camp chair with a few simple folds and the quick clip of some buckles. Available in both Regular and Large sizes, the Air Chair is compatible with all Sea to Summit Air Sprung Cell mats and most Self Inflating mats. The durable 70D base protects your sleeping pad from rough or damp ground, and the adjustable back panel side straps support you comfortably — whether you're lounging back or sitting upright.
Saves Pack Space
No separate chair frame to carry — the Air Chair uses your sleeping pad as the cushion. Total packed size 2×2×2 in.
Ultralight
9.2 oz / 260 g (Regular) — lighter than any standalone camp chair on the market.
Mat Protection
70D base with 2000mm waterhead shields your sleeping pad from rough ground, wet grass, and abrasions.
Adjustable Recline
Side strap adjustability lets you lounge back or sit upright — one chair, multiple positions.
Field-Repairable
Stainless-steel pin Field Repair Buckles mean broken buckles can be replaced in the field, not back at home.
Quick Setup
Fold your sleeping pad, clip some buckles, and you have a camp chair. No assembly tools required.
Sleeping Mat Conversion System
The Air Chair's core design: it converts a sleeping pad (inflatable mat) into a camp chair using a frame system of fibreglass poles and buckled straps. This eliminates the need to carry a separate chair — your mat serves double duty as both sleeping surface and chair cushion. Saves significant pack weight and volume versus a traditional camp chair.
Fibreglass Pole Frame
Two fibreglass poles form the chair's structural frame — light enough to keep total weight under 10 oz, strong enough to support an adult in upright or lounging position. Fibreglass is chosen over carbon fiber or aluminum for cost-effectiveness and flex tolerance (fibreglass bends rather than cracks under stress, important for camp-chair use).
Reinforced Pole Sleeves with Rubber Caps
The pole sleeves are reinforced at the ends with puncture-proof synthetic rubber caps — these prevent the pole tips from poking through the fabric sleeves when weight is applied. A common failure mode in cheaper camp chairs; STS addressed it with reinforced caps.
70D Base with 2000mm Waterhead
The base fabric is 70D nylon with a 2000mm waterhead rating — the same 70D fabric used in many of STS's premium products. 2000mm waterhead means the base can withstand 2 meters of water pressure before leaking — well above the standard for "waterproof" designation. Protects your sleeping pad from wet grass, damp ground, and morning dew.
High-Tenacity Back Panel & Strap Anchors
The back panel and strap anchor points are sewn from high-tenacity, abrasion-resistant fabric — these are the highest-stress areas of the chair (where the user's weight pulls against the buckles). High-tenacity fabric resists tearing and abrasion better than standard nylon, extending chair life under repeated use.
Field Repair Buckles with Stainless-Steel Pins
The side release buckles use stainless-steel pins for high break-strength and durability — standard plastic pins can shear off under hard use. Stainless-steel pins can be replaced in the field with STS Field Repair Buckles (sold separately), so a broken buckle doesn't end a trip.
Elasticated Side Gusset
An elasticated gusset along the side keeps your sleeping pad protected and contained inside the chair — without it, the pad could shift or pop out when you sit down. The elastic stretches enough to fit different mat thicknesses but holds the mat snug in use.
Compatibility (CRITICAL)
Sleeping Mat Compatibility
The Air Chair is designed to work with all Sea to Summit Air Sprung Cell mats and most Self Inflating mats from STS. Regular Air Chair fits small and regular unisex Sea to Summit mats, and regular and large women's mats. Large Air Chair fits large unisex Sea to Summit mats.
Not Compatible With
The Air Chair is not compatible with the following STS mats:
- Comfort Deluxe Self Inflating mats (too thick)
- Double mats (wrong dimensions)
- Campervan mats (wrong dimensions)
If your mat is from another brand, the Air Chair may still work — but Sea to Summit doesn't guarantee compatibility.
Setup & Use
Quick Setup Process
Setup: Deflate your sleeping pad (or partially inflate for less cushion), fold it in a specific pattern per STS instructions, insert the fibreglass poles through the pole sleeves, clip the side release buckles to the back panel, adjust the back panel straps for your preferred recline angle, and sit down. Pack-down is the reverse process. Total setup time once practiced: under 2 minutes.
Adjustable Recline Position
The side straps can be tightened or loosened to change the recline angle — fully tightened for upright cooking/working, fully loosened for laid-back lounging/stargazing. One chair setup handles multiple positions throughout the day.
Regular / Large
Two sizes based on the sleeping mat you pair with. Regular fits small/regular unisex and regular/large women's mats. Large fits large unisex mats. Choose the size that matches your sleeping mat, not your body size.
Best Use
Activity
Camping, backpacking, bikepacking, basecamp lounging
Materials & Construction
Fabric
100% Nylon (70D base with 2000mm waterhead, high-tenacity back panel + strap anchors)
Poles
100% Fibreglass (lightweight, flex-tolerant)
Seat
100% Nylon
Storage Pouch
100% Nylon (included)
Pole Caps
Puncture-proof synthetic rubber caps
Buckles
Side release buckles with stainless-steel pins (Field Repair Buckle compatible)
Dimensions & Weight (by size)
| Measurement | Regular | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 9.2 oz / 260 g | 9.5 oz / 269 g |
| Packed Weight | 9.2 oz | 9.5 oz |
| Packed Size | 2 × 2 × 2 in 4 × 4 × 4 cm |
2 × 2 × 19 in 4 × 4 × 48 cm |
| Inflated/Set-up Dimensions | 21 × 18 × 18 in 53 × 46 × 46 cm |
24 × 19 × 19 in 61 × 48 × 48 cm |
Compatibility
Compatible Mats
All Sea to Summit Air Sprung Cell mats · Most STS Self Inflating mats · Regular size fits small/regular unisex and regular/large women's STS mats · Large fits large unisex STS mats
Not Compatible With
Comfort Deluxe Self Inflating mats · Double mats · Campervan mats
Use Cases
Camp lounging, cooking at the tent vestibule, basecamp hanging out, festival seating, outdoor concerts, stargazing
Profile
Brand
Sea to Summit (Australian outdoor gear, founded 1994)
Category
Camp Chair / Sleeping Mat Accessory
Activity
Camping, backpacking, bikepacking, basecamp, festivals
Season
Year-round (all seasons)
Cleaning
Wipe clean with a damp cloth and mild soap if needed. For tougher dirt, rinse with water and a soft brush. The 70D base with 2000mm waterhead can handle more aggressive cleaning without water penetration. Air dry completely before long-term storage. Do not machine wash or tumble dry — can damage the buckles, pole sleeves, and high-tenacity fabric.
Storage
Store loosely in the included storage pouch — don't compress tightly for long periods, which can stress the fibreglass poles and the elasticated gusset. Keep in a dry place away from direct sunlight (UV degrades nylon and the rubber pole caps over time). For extended storage, consider removing the poles and storing them separately to avoid any compression set.
Pole Care
Fibreglass poles are durable but can crack if bent sharply or stepped on. Inspect periodically for hairline cracks, especially at stress points (where the pole meets the rubber cap). To extend pole life: don't store the chair compressed for months, avoid sitting on the chair when it's not fully set up (poles can snap if loaded at wrong angles), and replace cracked poles promptly before they fail in use.
Buckle Maintenance
The Field Repair Buckles with stainless-steel pins are designed to be field-replaceable — if a buckle breaks, you can replace it in the field with a STS Field Repair Buckle (sold separately) rather than ending your trip. To clean: rinse with fresh water after exposure to sand, salt, or mud. Avoid lubricants — they attract grit and gum up the buckle mechanism.
70D Base Fabric Care
The 70D nylon base is durable and water-resistant (2000mm waterhead). For small punctures or tears: clean the area, apply a TPU/nylon repair patch (Sea to Summit repair kit or generic), and allow to cure for 12–24 hours before use. Avoid contact with sharp objects (campfire tools, broken branches) that can puncture or tear the fabric.
Elasticated Gusset Care
The elasticated gusset can lose elasticity over years of use and exposure to UV. If the gusset starts to feel loose (mat not held snug inside the chair), inspect the elastic for fraying or brittleness. Replacement gussets may be available from STS warranty service — don't use the chair with a stretched gusset as the sleeping pad can shift unexpectedly.
Set-Up Best Practices
Always follow STS's folding instructions for your specific mat — incorrect folding puts stress on the wrong parts of the Air Chair and can damage the chair or the mat. Practice setting up the Air Chair at home before relying on it in the field. Carry a spare Field Repair Buckle and a small repair kit for emergency fixes in the backcountry.
Sleeping Mat Care When Used with Air Chair
Your sleeping pad is the chair cushion — keep it clean. Body oils, sweat, and dirt transfer from you to the pad to the chair base. Wipe down the pad before installing it in the Air Chair. Inspect the pad for damage before each chair use (the Air Chair's base protects from below, not from internal pad failure).
Travel Tip
The Air Chair's 2×2×2 in packed size is small enough to fit in any backpack's outer pocket, hipbelt pouch, or strapped to a pack handle. For bikepackers, it tucks into a frame bag or handlebar bag without taking precious cargo space. The 9.2 oz / 260 g weight is barely noticeable on long-distance rides or hikes — much lighter than any standalone camp chair.
Shipping Policy
Components:
All component items (wheels, drivetrains, suspension, brakes, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days of purchase.
Bicycles:
Complete bikes typically ship within 2–3 weeks due to build, tuning, and inspection times. You will receive tracking information as soon as your order is ready to ship.
Riding Gear & Apparel:
Riding gear and apparel orders (helmets, jerseys, gloves, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days.
Returns & Exchanges:
If you received the wrong size or wish to exchange an item, it must be returned in original condition—unused, uninstalled, and with all packaging intact.
For full details, please see our Refund Policy before initiating a return.
