Helinox Chair One Review: Top Choice for Camping Chairs

Despite Helinox’s use of a 300-denier bluesign-certified recycled polyester, which is 50 percent lighter than the 600-denier fabric of the original Chair One, the weight has increased. This added weight seems to be due to larger mounting blocks and an additional tensioning line around the seat’s circumference. This feature effectively distributes weight across the frame, enhancing sturdiness while maintaining breathability.

Helinox has also incorporated lightweight aluminum poles crafted from reused raw materials. This proprietary aluminum alloy utilizes scraps typically discarded during the production of traditional DAC tent poles.

However, the chairs are not without drawbacks. Users may experience the feet sinking into softer ground, prompting Helinox to offer accessories such as a $35 ground sheet that attaches to the chair’s base to elevate its legs and $40 Vibram rubber feet to prevent sinking. These solutions, while effective, add cost, weight, and bulk. For those not engaging in long hiking trips, the $69 rocking feet, which convert the chair into a rocker, offer a unique, albeit heavier, alternative.

The market has seen numerous imitators, yet some stand out as comfortable camping chairs. Scott Gilbertson, a reviews operations manager at WIRED, appreciates the Nemo Moonlite camp chair, priced at $160. This chair is compact, weighing only 2 pounds and 2 ounces. Gilbertson also notes the surprising quality of REI’s 1-pound Flexlite Air Chair, available for $100. Additionally, the Quechua MH500 folding camping chair by Decathlon, priced at $60, offers excellent value. Nevertheless, it does not match the stability, comfort, or appeal of the higher-priced Helinox.

Helinox chairs’ compact design facilitates easy transportation in a car, backpack, or tote, providing a comfortable seating option for events like festivals, picnics, hikes, and sports. Although ultralight enthusiasts may jest about carrying a Chair Zero on bikepacking trips, the comfort provided after long rides offers substantial value. Those seeking a premium seating experience from the creators of the original suspended camp chair are unlikely to be disappointed.

Photo credit: Chris Haslam

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