Photo by: Evan Holt A camp chair is something that I've never camped with. I've viewed them as far too bulky, heavy and simply cumbersome. How could I rationalize another trip back and forth over a portage just to carry a chair when I could enjoy nature's true splendours when sitting around a campfire... namely on a stump. Ok, so a stump isn't the most enjoyable of seats, especially long term when gazing into the fire. Shifting your weight every so often to prevent numbness, and being envious of fellow campers who slogged the extra weight and are currently all nestled into their chairs, were commonplace. With today's technology, you would think there would be a better solution. I'd considered a camp stool. They seemed to be on the right track, small, light, but no back support. I had toyed with one a few times at my local outdoors store, pondering how the proper way to sit on a triangle shaped seat would work. Finally, years later something new entered the market. Photo by: Evan Holt
The Helinox Chair One from Big Agnes is 900 grams and when packed away, is smaller than a pineapple (35 x 10 x 12cm). Right away this means that for every camping trip, it's attached to the outside of my knapsack without a second thought. Small enough to stow away into a Kayak, pack into a pannier on a bicycle, or have with you when snowshoeing. The water resistant zippered carrying case keeps the chair nice and dry, and includes set-up instructions printed on the inside. Once you set the chair up once however, you won't need the instructions again. Enjoying the view at Park Canada: Flowerpot IslandPhoto by: Evan Holt Simply remove the cloth chair and the tent-like DAC Aluminum poles and you'll be set up within minutes. The poles pretty much pop into place by themselves around a hub as they are elasticized inside leaving you to slip the chair fabric itself over two long poles, then using your weight slip the cloth over the two shortest poles. Assembled dimensions are approximately 66cm tall, 53cm wide and 53cm deep and the load capacity is 145 kg (which is a fair bit of weight for such spindly little legs.
Photo by: Doug Logan Even 'tear down' is accomplished within seconds. You will have the poles wrapped up in the chair material and packed away before traditional camp chair owners have finished struggling trying to get their hefty chairs to stuff properly into their carrying bag.You will be sitting about 30 cm off the ground which was easy to get out of vs. some of the traditional chairs that have you sag deep inside them. You can still be mobile while in the chair such as leaning forward to roast a marshmallow without the worry of toppling forward into the fire. The mesh backing allows your back to breath on hot days (with vents along the side of your legs) while the material itself dries very quickly if you leave it out overnight and it rains.Going to an outdoor concert or lining up for an event? No more walking numerous blocks from the parking lot, switching shoulders while carrying your hefty chair.I can't really fault it for much. There are no cup holders, not that I ever use them while camping.
It does seat a little lower than traditional chairs, so if you were at an outdoor concert you will be a little lower than others. The Helinox Chair One doesn't come with armrests per-say. The material that runs along the edge can be flexed out with your arms to make an armrest, or in turn left as it is to cradle your body in the cool night's breeze. It did blow over once during some strong winds due to its lightness, so just keep that in mind when leaving it un-attended.The chair is just an all around winner in every regard and a must-have for camping. On the next trip, you can have my spot on the tree stump, I'll be taking the Helinox Chair One. The Helinox Chair One retails for around $100 Canadian.Update: June 1st, 2013 - We always love to update our reviews, well after they have been posted to our website so that readers know if we're still using the gear... and if we've changed our minds since we wrote the initial review. When it comes to the Helinox Chair One, we couldn't be happier.
It comes with us on all of our camping trips and has yet to falter. The small compact size has always made it worthwhile to include it on every one of our adventures in our canoe.Man isn’t meant to stay indoors — our weekly “Trekking” column can attest to that. It’s a column dedicated to the adventurer inside of all of us, the one pining to ditch the office humdrum for a quick surf session or seven-week jaunt in the Grand Tetons. One day we may highlight an ultra-light stove and the next a set of handmade canoe paddles. Life doesn’t just happen inside the workplace, so get outside and live it. There are few things in life that rival the satisfaction one finds when perched on the perfect rock or log after a long day on the trail. Even if nature often provides us with the ultimate La-Z-Boy, however, there’s much to be said about a quality camping chair. The right candidate should provide you with the utmost comfort at the end of the day, while simultaneously shining when it comes to durability, portability, and overall ease of use.
Related: Get the Gear: Outdoor Retailer Summer 2016 Everyone likes something different, though. Some prefer a metal-and-cloth contraption that’s more luxurious than lackluster, while others like to skimp on the extravagance in favor of an ultralight option they can tote on a multi-day excursion in the backcountry. Whatever your fancy might be, one of the nine best camping chairs below should fit the bill. REI is a known mainstay when it comes to outdoor gear and apparel — and the company’s Stowaway chair is one of its best. Heavy-duty steel tubes lining the sides add durability to the low-profile lounger, while foam padded armrests and a breathable mesh backing add comfort without soaking up water. The Hanging Lounger rethinks the common camping chair. The lofted design — which touts a basic cup holder, cushy headrest, and an adjustable footrest — comes together via a couple aluminum pipes and branch, allowing you to quickly get lifted in a bed of 210D Ripstop N nylon that also fits in a stuff sack.
The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong is more inline with a traditional camping chair, yet, it supports up to 800 pounds and comes outfitted with a padded back and seat. The sturdy, powder-coated steel frame and 600D polyester fabric just mean it can resist the elements as well as it can the extra bit of weight. The patent-pending Treo chair is a pride and joy of Cascade Designs, or at least it should be. The chair’s intuitive design allows the entire aluminum frame and nylon canvas to pack into the composite tripod base, providing you with a compact package and welcome 13 inches of height when assembled. The ergonomic Strongback Elite isn’t known for its compact framework, but it is known for its phenomenal comfort. The integrated lumbar support eases tension on the lower-back muscles and your overall skeletal structure, and with the built-in cup holder, you can ensure your drink is never far away. The three-legged, convertible seat that is the Alite Mayfly is basically lightweight lounger.
The low-profile frame means you need to fully squat to get in, but once you do, the breathable nylon sling ensures you’ll never want to get out. The simple, color-coded aluminum frame just makes assembly a breeze. Coleman’s Oversize Quad Chair capitalizes on both a household name and the universal need for a cold beverage. The armrest features a built-in soft cooler designed to hold up to four cans, while the rugged steel frame, padded seat, and accompanying pocket provide comfort and storage for stowing loose items. The Chair One is the epitome of what a camping chair should be. It’s as lightweight as it is sturdy, and features a synthetic mesh that dries quickly. The hub-and-pole design also makes the 1.9-pound chair quick to assemble, while the rubberized feet ensure you don’t go tumbling toff the rocks. Given the Campfire Rocker represents REI’s attempt at a more urban aesthetic, the chair is concerned more with comfort and looks than weight. Still, the portable rocker features 10-inch seat and a durable, fabric sling that comes that lined with a small stash pocket, one that’s perfect for housing deck of cards.