Nemo Moonlite Elite Review

It’s amusing how many people I hear from who’ve become devout bikepacking camp chair converts over the last few years. I’m the first to admit that it’s an easy cult to join. Once you try one, it’s almost sure you’ll have a new staple, must-carry item for your kit. It’s laughable how minimal I sometimes pack yet still manage to make room for a chair, often sacrificing clothes or other essentials in favor of an unnecessary glamping accessory. But then again, resting my back, zoning out, and doing some proper forest or desert bathing after a big ride is one of my favorite activities. Other people are quick to express similar findings. I actually think the recent rise in camp chair popularity is due to word of mouth more than anything. As a result, quite a few lightweight, pack-friendly camping chairs are on the market nowadays. The Nemo Moonlite Elite is one of the latest offerings, promising near best-in-class weight, comfort, and durability in a very portable package. A couple of us had the chance to try one out for a few months for this review.

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Nemo Moonlite Elite vs. Moonlite

The Nemo Moonlite Elite is the updated version of the Moonlite reclining chair, which we reviewed a couple of years ago in our ultralight camp chairs roundup. The overall concept of the Elite is the same as the original, but the updates make the newer version a significantly lighter chair. Whereas the original Moonlite weighs 939 grams, or roughly 2 pounds, the Elite weighs in at 620 grams (1 pound, 5.9 ounces) when packed in its fancy carrying case, or 523 grams without. Eleven ounces may or may not seem like a lot of weight, but it could be enough to make a real difference for folks who toe the line between lightweight and luxe.

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Nemo made a few tweaks to the Moonlite’s design to cut that excess weight from the original version. The most obvious change is in the chair’s frame. They are both made from molded 7001 series aluminum tubing, complete with an internal elastic shock cord to keep them together, but the newer Moonlite’s back poles are shorter, the base is narrower, the feet are shorter, and the tubing is generally smaller in diameter.

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The other notable difference between the two chairs is the adjustable reclining apparatus. The Elite swaps out the cinchable webbing straps and buckles for slim cordage made from a blend of HTP and Dyneema fibers. That high-strength cordage is fed through petite clamps (think tiny belays inspired by rock climbing devices) that easily adjust the chair from an upright to reclined (or relaxed) position. Another obvious contributor to the weight savings is the new design of the chair’s feet. The original Moonlite has larger (heavier) feet, with the two in the rear even more gargantuan, which provide significantly more surface contact. In contrast, all four feet on the Elite are much smaller than any of those on the original version.

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Nemo also changed the fabrics they used in the seat sling, which may also be a factor in the weight difference, but that is impossible to measure without destroying the chairs. The Elite’s seat is made from custom-engineered, 100% post-consumer-recycled mesh, blending polyester, and TPU fibers to make a very fine mesh material that’s significantly different from the net material used in the regular Moonlite. Based on the feel of the fabric, we think it’s safe to say that the mesh sling of the original is a heavier-weight material. The forged 6061 aluminum hubs and molded plastic corner mounts were also trimmed down to minimize weight.

Fit and Comfort

While all of the changes made to the Moonlite have shaved off quite a bit of weight, placing it among the most lightweight chairs we’ve tested, those ounces come at a cost. This “skeletonizing” process removed unnecessary material but also made the Moonlite Elite significantly smaller than the original. Stability does not seem to have been sacrificed, but the Elite is not quite as comfortable as its predecessor. One contributor is that the original chair has a higher back than the Elite. The lower and slightly narrower back on the Elite results in some discomfort where the chair’s top corner “hubs” press into the scapula. Both Virginia and I agree on this. The slightly narrower seat also feels more constricting along the thighs than the original. The newer seat fabric is also less giving, so it lacks the comforting, ass-cradling feel that the open mesh fabric provides. All of that said, the Moonlite Elite is not uncomfortable. It’s just not as plush as the original.

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The reclining aspect seems more pronounced in the Elite. It’s easy to use with the belay-style interface and goes from a comfy relaxed position to one that’s more comfy for cooking or water filtering duties. I think it’s far more comfortable when reclined as it’s not as constricting on the thighs.

Fit is obviously subjective. No single chair can be perfectly designed for every body type. Taller folks with longer legs (like me) will feel pressure at different places along their backs and shoulders than shorter folks will. Virginia and I agree that the Elite’s shorter seat caused a little pinch or squeeze along the bottom edge of the seat, but smaller bodies might not have that sensation. Note that this was less of a sensation in the reclining position than when cinched upright. Ideally, prospective buyers will be able to test multiple models before purchasing. However, if that isn’t an option, one can feel pretty confident that whichever camping chair they choose will be a life-changing improvement over the stump or patch of dirt to which they’re currently accustomed. 

Nemo Moonlite Elite vs. Helinox Chair Zero

You can’t really come to a conclusion about fit and comfort without comparing the Nemo Moonlite Elite to the previous gold standard of camp chairs. Despite being a scant three grams lighter than the Elite (when weighed without the burrito wrapper), the Helinox has proven to be one of the most impressive ultralight camp chairs we’ve tested. It’s both comfortable and surprisingly durable. I sat in my old gray one countless times before passing it on to Cass Gilbert as an impromptu birthday gift.

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Virginia and I agreed on two significant points when comparing the Nemo Moonlite Elite and the Chair Zero: 1. The Chair Zero is more comfortable, at least for us. It has a higher back, a deeper seat, and generally feels larger with fewer pinch points. 2. The Nemo Moonlite Elite is more stable. The Helinox can feel a little wobbly. That’s not always a bad thing, as it kind of has a built-in rocking chair vibe, but you also have to be vigilant about keeping it on level ground for it to feel stable and comfortable. The Moonlite Elite moves less and generally feels more solid, which I would attribute to the lower-slung legs, squared-off tubing and junctions, and maybe the ball-in-socket connection points. Speaking of, the Moonlite Elite’s intricate design with minimized socket connectors might raise some concern about durability issues over the long haul, although Nemo offers a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship and materials, as long as you’re the original owner and have proof of purchase.

Other Features

Another feature to consider with the Moonlite Elite is its carrying case. Every other chair we’ve tested comes with some sort of nylon stuff sack, but Nemo tried to reinvent the wheel with a unique tool roll-style carrying case called the Platform Pack, which doubles as a stability platform on sandy surfaces. We haven’t used it in the sand, but I could see how it could come in handy at the beach or a river bottom by creating some floatation for the feet.

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However, neither of us was too enthused about it as a carrying case. It’s useful in the fact that you don’t have to perfectly align the camp chair poles and neatly roll it up to fit in a tiny bag. You simply put it under the elastic webbing and wrap the two sides like a burrito. Still, this carrying case goes a bit far in the opposite direction. Even when the G-hook is secured beyond the last daisy chain loop, the chair feels like it could be rolled tighter. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but an added loop on that daisy chain would be helpful for folks who like to pack as tightly as possible.

The wrap is also made from the same mesh material as the seat, so it won’t protect the chair from water or grit. I pretty much ditched the case from day one, used a hook and loop strap I borrowed from a Nemo sleeping pad, and on several occasions, just stuffed it in the dry bag that went on my rack platform.

• Model/Size Tested: Nemo Moonlite Elite, Citron
• Actual Weight: 620 grams (1 pound, 5.9 ounces)
• Actual Weight (without roll/case): 534 grams (1 pound, 2.8 ounces)
• Place of Manufacture: The Philippines
• Price: $179.95
• Manufacturer’s Details: Nemo Equipment

Nemo Moonlite Elite Review Video

Neil also tested the Moonlite Elite, which was his first experience with a camp chair. In this video, he explores whether camp chairs are worth the extra weight and bulk when bikepacking, their benefits, and their downsides. Watch below and hear his thoughts on the Nemo Moonlite Elite.

Further Reading

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