Naturehike Y08 Small Moon Chair Review: Light, Compact and Priced to Surprise

Introduction

Naturehike’s current chair range includes three new models: an overlanding chair, a backpacking chair, and a high-backed backpacking chair. The smallest of the three, the Y08 Small Moon Chair, is the one aimed squarely at weight-conscious campers. Its design follows the familiar folding backpacking chair formula, with two notable differences: the packed size is small and the weight is low.

At $48, it supports up to 265 lb and packs down to 14 in long by 4 in thick. The chair on its own weighs 1.9 lb, and the complete kit with the storage bag and the included ground feet comes to 2.4 lb.

The frame is 7075 aluminium with grey and red sections and black reinforcement hardware. The seat is 600D Oxford fabric with polyester mesh panels on both sides for airflow, and it is offered in green or a tan-yellow-brown shade. Assembly is simple: the frame sections slide together in seconds and the seat sleeves slide over the poles, although the seat does need a firm push to seat fully.

Who This Chair Is For

This chair suits backpackers, hikers, bikepackers and motorcycle campers who want a genuine seat at camp without adding much weight or bulk to a pack. At 1.9 lb for the chair and a packed size of 14 in by 4 in, it is easy to justify carrying on trips where a full-size camp chair would never make the cut.

Compared with a comparable OneTigris chair, the seating position and overall size are very similar, but the Y08 offers a smaller pack size and lower weight. Compared with the Helinox One, size and weight are close, yet the Y08 costs considerably less. The Helinox Zero is lighter still at just over 1 lb, but it sells for around $160, roughly $100 more.

Weight capacity is the one specification worth checking before buying. The Y08 is rated to 265 lb. Campers who need more headroom than that should look at the Naturehike Y05 chair, which supports up to 330 lb, costs the same, and is a little heavier.

Main Strengths

Build quality is the strongest argument for this chair. The stitching is clean with no loose threads, the frame and polymer hardware look well finished, and the fabric feels substantial rather than thin. Everything about the chair reads as premium, which is unusual at this price point.

The storage bag follows the same standard. It has a grab handle on each side, a single zipper across the top, and enough interior space to get the chair back in without a fight. The side loops also let the bag hang beneath the seat as a pouch, which is a tidy use of the same piece of gear.

The included ground feet are another point in its favour. Naturehike calls them anti-sink feet, and comparable chairs often sell this kind of accessory separately.

Lightweight Build and Packed Size

The chair weighs 1.9 lb on its own and 2.4 lb as a complete set with the storage bag and the four ground feet. Packed, it measures 14 in long and 4 in thick, which is a smaller package than several chairs with a similar seated footprint. For context, the Helinox Zero is just over 1 lb but costs around $160, so the Y08 gives up roughly a pound of weight savings in exchange for a very large price difference.

Comfort and Seating Position

Comfort is where this chair comfortably outperforms its price. The seat sits 14.6 in from the ground to the bottom of the seat, which keeps the knees in a natural position instead of folding them up. Seating depth is 12.2 in and the seat width is 15.5 in, and the fabric does not dig into the back of the legs. Set up, the chair stands 28 in tall, 16.1 in wide, and 21.3 in wide across the top of the backrest. The recline is mild enough that leaning forward to eat or read is easy.

The mesh panels on both sides matter here as well, since air moves through the seat rather than building up heat on warmer trips. Taken together, the seating position feels closer to a proper camp chair than to a minimalist perch, which is the main reason this model is easy to recommend for long evenings around a fire.

Included Ground Feet and Setup

The frame goes together in about three seconds by sliding the sections into place, and an elastic loop holds the folded bundle together. That loop does an acceptable job rather than a tight one, but it keeps the pieces organised. Fitting the seat means sliding the sleeves over the poles with the logo at the top on the back side, and the fit is firm. It takes more effort than some folding chairs require, though it never slows camp setup down for long.

The four anti-sink feet have a round textured base with a raised rim, and they push onto the leg ends without tools and come off just as easily. On soft, muddy ground the legs still press into the surface, but noticeably less than they would without the feet, and the chair does not get stuck in the mud.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The seat fabric has to be pushed firmly onto the frame poles. The sleeves are tighter than on some competing chairs, so buyers who dislike a stiff fit should be aware of it.

The storage bag zipper is short relative to the opening. The chair and frame have to be worked out of the bag rather than lifted straight out, which is a minor annoyance rather than a real problem.

The elastic loop that holds the folded frame together is loose. It works, but it does not hold the bundle tightly.

The 265 lb weight limit will not suit every user. Heavier campers, or anyone who wants a wider safety margin, should consider the Naturehike Y05 chair instead.

The four ground feet add roughly half a pound to the kit, so the lightest possible setup is the chair without them.

There are no side pockets. That keeps the chair simple and light, and it means there is nowhere to stash a phone or a small item while seated.

Long-term durability is the open question. The materials and finish look promising, but frame and fabric will show their real character after a full season of packing, unpacking and sitting.

Buying Advice

At $48, the Y08 Small Moon Chair is an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a lightweight chair without paying lightweight-chair prices. It delivers a small packed size, a comfortable seated position, a 265 lb capacity, and the ground feet come included rather than as an add-on purchase.

Buyers who need a higher weight limit should look at the Naturehike Y05 chair, rated to 330 lb, sold at the same price and slightly heavier. Buyers who want the absolute lowest weight will find it in the Helinox Zero at just over 1 lb, but that chair costs around $160. For most backpackers and casual campers, the Y08 sits in the sensible middle: light enough to carry, comfortable enough to use for hours, and priced low enough to buy without hesitating.

The green colourway is the more conventional choice, while the tan-yellow-brown option is more distinctive. Either way, the chair is deliberately simple: no pockets, no fuss, and nothing extra to carry.

Conclusion

The Naturehike Y08 Small Moon Chair does the important things well. It is light at 1.9 lb, it packs small at 14 in by 4 in, it is comfortable to sit in for extended periods, and it costs far less than the chairs it competes with. Build quality holds up to close inspection, and the included anti-sink feet add genuine value.

The trade-offs are modest: a firm seat-to-frame fit, a short zipper on the storage bag, a loose elastic loop, and a 265 lb weight limit. For backpackers and campers who want a dependable, comfortable seat at a modest price, this chair makes a lot of sense.