Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Camp chair
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HowardSprague |
Oldtown13: "andym: "lundojam: " " I wanted a couple of those for the beach last spring. Could not find one anywhere! |
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mjmkjun |
BnD: "I stepped up to a Helinox Sunset this year. The seated height and back height makes this chair simply awesome. We have chair 2 also. Their good but sit much lower and no where near as tall of back." Have a Sunset chair too and the back & head support is the reason I upgraded from an earlier model. The thing about those Helinox chair designs is they are so relaxing one wants to tilt the head back for a full 'chilling' experience. So, the higher the back, the better. |
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nctry |
WhiskeyCreek: "I'm 6'2" 220lbs and have had the Moonlence model for $30 off Amazon for 4 years now and constant use throughout the summers. It is perfectly comfortable for my lanky body and nothing has broken on it or sagged. Perfectly small sized and light weight. I know plenty of people who get the REI and Helinox models because they are "built with better materials" but break on their first weekend of use. Until my budget friendly equipment breaks down, I ain't shoveling out over $50 for a chair... " I have the flex lite chair and like it for lounging. But my camptime stool at 14oz is great for things like cooking and such. It straps in under my canoe seat with bdb's. |
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mirth |
I had both my Camp Time stool and a REI Flexlite along last week. The Flexlite, despite being a month over 12 months old and only being used once or twice in the previous year, suffered a failure in the material where it connects the back to one of the uprights. I let the kids use that chair as the tear was progressing more slowly for them when they were in it versus me. Hopefully REI takes care of me on it. The Camp Time stool continues to be just about bombproof and will continue to go on BWCA trips. Edit: oh yeah - the Camp Time stool is at least a decade old. |
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CanoeKev |
mirth: "killing the ongoing quote. The Camp Time stool continues to be just about bombproof and will continue to go on BWCA trips. Edit: oh yeah - the Camp Time stool is at least a decade old." There is simply no better chair than the Camp Time Roll-a-Chair. |
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Driftless |
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Goldenbadger |
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yellowcanoe |
Feet do not sink using a groundsheet. Its pricey but its in its third year of hard use. Nothing has broken or sagged. |
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KarlBAndersen1 |
I'm 64 and use the lightest chair I can find. My REI Flexlite is one of my favorite accessories. Flexlite |
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adibee |
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arm2008 |
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CNCBVMS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
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andym |
lundojam: " " -2 for packability, +10 for style points |
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LilyPond |
If you don't like the Helinox prices, there are lots of knockoffs on Amazon. It's very difficult to know what to believe in the reviews, making it hard to guess the comfort sight unseen. Many of them say, "I'm 6'4" and weigh 350 lbs and this chair feels great," which I think is impossible. |
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CanoeKev |
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HowardSprague |
As an alternative, when I don't mind getting low to the ground, I also use a CrazyCreek knockoff that can also strap onto a canoe seat. |
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walllee |
Wally13: "Picked up a Helionix SUNSET at Canoecopia this year. I had been using a Chair One for years. But I tried out the SUNSET and the wider seat and taller back sold me and I really like it.Mike, you convinced me on the Sunset.... order placed ! |
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Elgin |
Just ordered a couple TravelChair Wallaby models that I found for a decent price at Sierra Trading Post. They sit higher, so I'm hoping they'll be a little easier to rise from. I'll post a comparison shot once they arrive. |
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SteveF |
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LilyPond |
paddy3001: "For a budget option, I've found the Moon Lence Chair to be pretty solid so far. " The Moon Lence is a child-sized chair that might work for a small adult. I tested this chair for a competing manufacturer. My co-tester was 6'1" and 250 lbs. He refused to sit in the Moon Lence because it was clear that it would not support his weight. (Claimed weight capacity is 242 lbs.) It scored last out of 4 chairs we tested. We gave it an overall rating of "poor" for leg support, back support, depth of the seat bucket, stability, and ease of getting out of it. |
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mschi772 |
LilyPond: "paddy3001: "For a budget option, I've found the Moon Lence Chair to be pretty solid so far. " Doesn't the Moon Lence have nearly identical dimensions to the Helinox??? In any case, I bought two of them and had one rip at one of the frame pockets within the first two days. I will not be wasting money on knockoffs again. |
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browndog16 |
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Savage Voyageur |
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MisterKrabs |
HowardSprague: I wanted some to and looked for them. You can find cheap imported steel chairs like this at big box stores that are heavy and will rust away, but the one your parents had is still being made here in Georgia. My wife bought me a set of 4 for my birthday a few years ago, I love 'em. Find 4 pages of different colors and sizes here. https://www.lawnchairusa.com/ They're lightweight, built to last, and very comfortable, but cumbersome because they only fold in one dimension and are unwieldy to transport. Great for base camping, tailgating and lawn duties. /no business, just a happy owner. |
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Oldtown13 |
andym: "lundojam: " " I brought one just like this on my last trip and loved it! It strapped flat to my CCS Pioneer. Good fit and light weight. |
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johndku |
Elgin: "proepro: "The big discs on the feet on the Wallaby look nice if you are trying to sit on soft ground. The small ones can sink in." We've have 3 Helinox chairs, and in each carrying case we have 4 plastic golf balls with a hole drilled in each one so a leg of the chair fits in it,,,they weigh nothing, and if needed prevent the chair from sinking. |
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BAWaters |
Bought this one from Amazon a couple of years ago. Fairly lightweight and comfortable. |
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mirth |
CanoeKev: "There is simply no better chair than the Camp Time Roll-a-Chair." Agreed. I spent a few bucks on replacement tips earlier this summer as mine had finally worn through. Some day I wouldn't mind adding one of their tables to my equipment locker. |
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Savage Voyageur |
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proepro |
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WhiskeyCreek |
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Elgin |
Initial impression - Much easier to get in and out of. Sits you a little more upright than the chair one. The chair one was more comfortable initially, but the more I sit in the wallably, the more I like it. Packed up size isn't too much bigger than the chair one. The chair one definitely feels/looks like it has a better build quality (talking about the fabric part), but the wallably doesn't feel/look bad. Frame quality seems pretty even. I also love having the arms. A head rest would be nice to have, but I can live without. I haven't weighed it, but the tag says 3 lbs, and it packs a little bigger than the chair one. Probably would stick with the chair one for hiking, but these will be going up to the BWCA with me at the end of August. We'll be taking 4 chairs (the 2 wallabies, and 2 chair ones) and a small table, and the total weight for all will be just under 12 pounds. EDIT - I got mine for just under $50 (from Sierra Trading Post), and I think it's an excellent buy. Was just on their site, and the price is back up to just under $70. |
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BnD |
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Wally13 |
Yes, a tad heavier but oh so comfortable. |
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Paochow |
Definitely try before you buy as I tried the camp chair and it just didn’t fit me, but my buddy loves his and says my sunset is too narrow. |
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johndku |
I just got one, have no regrets. My kids have the Chair One, and Camp Chair sits about 6 inches higher. |
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mirth |
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SteveF |
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pamonster |
I'm an ultralight guy too, and I rationalize the expensive ultralight gear costs largely because it does not sacrifice comfort. IMO bring the big heavy chair if it's the comfortable chair, save the weight elsewhere. |
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Stimpy |
johndku: "Helinox make a slightly larger chair that sits higher, not the Chair One. I believe the actual name is "Camp Chair". +1 on the camp chair. At 6’5” the chair one is way too short for me. The camp chair is much more comfortable and easier to get out of |
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Tony |
TONY |
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bobbernumber3 |
mirth: "Camp Time makes a tripod stool that is about chair height, but no back support. They do have another tripod chair with an actual back, I recall it came up occasionally in conversation before the Helinox style chairs hit the scene." I use the Camptime tripod. As cook, I like the height and no arm's so I can move easily when tending the fire or stove. |
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alpinebrule |
Chair Alternative |
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andym |
Agree completely on what the camp time chair does well. For a tripping chair I bring the very light Alite Monarch with only two legs. Makes my back feel great after a lot of portaging. And most people hate it and so no one steals it from me. |
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AmarilloJim |
This is the Sunset model |
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andym |
Alite Designs has some full height chairs that look pretty comfy and only weigh a few pounds. I'd also try to go to an REI. Last time I looked they had quite a variety of camping furniture. |
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bfurlow |
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mastertangler |
andym: "I don't use the Camp Time chair for camping but do use it for outdoor music gigs. As a trombonist I need to sit up straight. It's pretty comfy but not really a lounging chair in my opinion. More a sit up and eat dinner at one of their tables sort of chair. Trombonist? How cool is that? Yes that is the key distinction between the camp time chair and many other chairs which include back support. I find the camp time chair very comfortable with good back support but it certainly isn't a dedicated reclinable kick back and chill sort of chair. Personally such a chair (recliner style) would not fit in with my style of tripping and I would see it as useless extra weight. The camp time chair is a better task option. I like sitting instead of squatting to do camp chores such as breaking camp and cooking. Stuffing tents and sleeping bags are best performed from seated position IMO. Add in that the reclinable chairs exaggerate poor posture and the potential for some back issues are set. I would be hard pressed to sit in some of the close to the ground back curving chairs regardless how good it might feel initially. Getting out of one might prove rather humorous as well for some of us with much grunting, groaning and grumbling. I'll take the camp time chair, excellent for tasks, better posture and comfortable enough. You can order camp time chairs directly from MT Enterprises with free shipping and $5 off with code TUFF LUCK. |
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campnfish |
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mastertangler |
bobbernumber3: "mirth: "Camp Time makes a tripod stool that is about chair height, but no back support. They do have another tripod chair with an actual back, I recall it came up occasionally in conversation before the Helinox style chairs hit the scene." I tripped with the ultra light camptime tripod stool for years and still like it. But for canoe trips I really like the version which has a back rest. Just google camp time chair.......excellent choice. |
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timatkn |
T |
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lundojam |
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mastertangler |
BnD: "I stepped up to a Helinox Sunset this year. The seated height and back height makes this chair simply awesome. We have chair 2 also. Their good but sit much lower and no where near as tall of back." After updating my reading list due to the suggestions of Tomt and Carmike I made my way to REI to update my sleeping pillow. I checked out the Helinox sunset chair. Outstanding comfort. An excellent choice if your looking for a chair which does one thing exceptionally well......that being kicking back after a day of paddling or fishing. I really liked it. That being said, it is not a task oreintated chair and I would be loathe to try and cook out of it or break camp with it. The camp time still reigns supreme in that respect IMHO. But if your looking for a chair which is designed for chillin in comfort and class the Helinox sunset would be tough to beat. |
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amhacker22 |
AmarilloJim: " Not a bad spot to be, there. |
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amhacker22 |
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mastertangler |
amhacker22: "I’m probably close to $500 deep into camp chairs, but I go back to the tripod I bought 15 years ago almost every time. " Yes I love the tripod as well. Camp time (I have stock in the company ;-) has a tripod which is under 1 lb (14 oz) and rolls up very small indeed. It's their backpacking model with shorter legs. I loved it and used it very effectively for many years. An excellent perch to cook from. But as I have aged I have found a back rest a requirement. If I hit the backpacking trail however the stool will again see use. |
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plainspaddler |
Mike |
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paddy3001 |
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Dilligaf0220 |
I've got an extra wide Kermit, weighs maybe 5lbs and packs into a portable stuff sack, has to be the sturdiest foldable chair around. I'm on the wrong side of 200lbs and the Helinox stuff like most of the aluminum folders just feels a wobbly and let's you know you're maxing out the upper weight range. You'd never guess The Kermit collapses by just sitting on them. Had mine for 10yrs and still as solid as Day 1. The downside, ofcourse, is price. Ouch. http://www.kermitchair.com/products/store/the-kermit-wide-chair |
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sns |
Dilligaf0220: "The Kermit collapses by just sitting on them." That's a heck of a Feature! :-) Sorry, couldn't resist... |
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Elgin |
proepro: "The big discs on the feet on the Wallaby look nice if you are trying to sit on soft ground. The small ones can sink in." I'm excited about those. I used the Helinox after a night of rain, and it just sunk everywhere. I was practically sitting on the ground when I used it that day. |
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oth |
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jcavenagh |
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HammerII |
jcavenagh: "This is my favorite camp chair. Beat me to it I was looking for my picture of mine Its amazing just how relaxing those can be These days a chair is becoming a must have on trips |
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jcavenagh |
I woke sometime during the night cold and confused. <:-o |
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sdebol |
Dilligaf0220: "Nobody mentioned the granddaddy of all high end packable chairs, the Kermit? +1 on the kermit chair—love mine! |
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Trapper7 |
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pswith5 |
Elgin: "The Wallaby (2 of them actually) came yesterday, and I just got a chance to set them up this evening. As you can see from the pic, it sits a lot higher than the Chair one. |