They look pretty similar. I can find the Chair One for about $75 on sale vs. Chair Zero at about $120. Anyone familiar with both options and what works best.

Helinox at REI

I bought a couple of these, instead of Helinox, and was very pleased. I found them on sale for Mid $40's. I just bought them last spring, but they went on a 9 day and 5 day already, and have held up well.

marchway

The ones I bought are about 3 lbs, so they are not light, but I like having the high back, and they pack up small enough that I can fit them in my pack.

I have 3 original REI Flexlite chairs that showed in the market at the same time as Helinox, very packable and at 1 pound of weight, your looking at weight as the cost difference between Chair 1 and 0 and age since marketed (reason for deal on Chair 1). Now the market has a variety of similar engineered chairs. My current favorite is Big Agnes with an arguably better frame. Also higher backed versions are available nearing 3 pounds but similar packed size. Big Agnes Big Six is what I use now the most.

butthead

I own several of the cheapo version at ~2lbs, but do have a Zero for fast/light trips. Think I found it for about $90 on sale. Like it a lot but like anything pushing the limits of lightweight, it does require some care.

I bought 2 cheaper no name brand off amazon - wife and I have used them the past two summers in the bwca - also used them at a couple of softball games - they have been awesome - you might get what you are looking for there and save some money

I have the chair zero it is as described. I found mine on sale for 70 a few years ago. I plan on taking it in June when we travel through a pma. My favorite is the swivel chair for comfort and cooking. Chair one is on sale here 46% off

We have 2 of each. I like the zero for the size and weight savings. The chair one is nice and is probably able to hold a little bigger body but we're not huge and we like to save pack weight and space and that upgrade was easy for the chairs.

I have the Helinox chair. Works great...wish it had a head rest, its easy to nap in with head propped against a tree!

Chair Zero sits 9" off the ground while the Chair One sits 11" off the ground. That two inches can be a real difference in comfort depending on the person. Personally, between the two I would go with Chair One, but you may prioritize weight over comfort.

I use the REI Flexlite and am happy with my choice.

520eek: "I have the Helinox chair. Works great...wish it had a head rest, its easy to nap in with head propped against a tree!"

Ya know eek, that's the advantage of being short and having no neck. My head doesn't bob much if any!

butthead

Moderators aren't doing their jobs.....

I love how you ask about the difference between Chair One and Chair Zero, and get a dozen replies suggesting something else...

I never imagined I'd be somebody who carries a chair - waste of weight and space! - but I really do love the Chair Zero because it takes up so little weight and space, and it's more comfortable than a log or rock. If you're willing to live with the weight and space that the Chair One takes up (and it's a surprisingly big difference!) you'll be much more comfortable - the Chair Zero is barely the minimum for a healthy adult. You're perpetually in a quasi-lounging position, with your legs basically out in front of you, as it's too low for me to sit with my legs below for more than just a few minutes. The Chair One is enough taller to make for a more natural sitting position.

But for me it was the Chair Zero or nothing, as the One is just too heavy and bulky.

TominMpls: "I love how you ask about the difference between Chair One and Chair Zero, and get a dozen replies suggesting something else...


I never imagined I'd be somebody who carries a chair - waste of weight and space! - but I really do love the Chair Zero because it takes up so little weight and space, and it's more comfortable than a log or rock. If you're willing to live with the weight and space that the Chair One takes up (and it's a surprisingly big difference!) you'll be much more comfortable - the Chair Zero is barely the minimum for a healthy adult. You're perpetually in a quasi-lounging position, with your legs basically out in front of you, as it's too low for me to sit with my legs below for more than just a few minutes. The Chair One is enough taller to make for a more natural sitting position.


But for me it was the Chair Zero or nothing, as the One is just too heavy and bulky."

I agree on the non-answers to the actual question.

Since we've gotten our zeros, the ones have been relegated to friend duty or car camping duty.

I pack my chair zero in my pack and lend my chair one for my friend to put in his/her pack. They're happy and I'm happier.

I did a rei comparison and included the sunset, my chair of choice.
The chair one is noted for backpacking and sits closer to the ground and while lighter I am less impressed with materials. The zero is only 2 1/2 inches higher off the ground, but has a shorter backrest.
After trying lots of chairs the ability to sit without spreading out or having my knees in my chest and to have a backrest up to my neck/head was worth the weight and cost of the sunset.

If you want light weight and are taking multiple chairs the zero is the way to go. You need to tie them down at night or when not in use. The REI flexlite air is similar, the flexlite is like the chair one. They are so light weight can blow away easily. For my family we bring 4 chairs so going zero or flexlite air saves 4#.

If you aren’t in a hurry you can get them a lot cheaper...$75-90.

T

Is there really that big of a difference in pack down size?
According to the REI website the fold down dimensions are as follows
Chair Zero 13.8 x 3.9 x 3.9
Chair One 13.8 x 3.9 x 4.7

Very little in packed size, about an inch shorter (shorter legs) and 1 pound lighter for the 0.
The website is a bit off and I compared in the store without their respective storage bags (I rarely use them).

butthead

Just to muddy the waters a bit. Third option, I love mine, Helinox Camp Chair>US 18" seat height 2.5 lbs. No longer made it looks like. Or if you go with the Chair One $54.00

The picture shows it a bit but the zero does pack smaller in their respective bags.

On our kitchen scale in the bags...chair one 958 grams vs the zero at 517. I'll take that savings all day

cyclones30: "The picture shows it a bit but the zero does pack smaller in their respective bags.


On our kitchen scale in the bags...chair one 958 grams vs the zero at 517. I'll take that savings all day



"

Yup, the REI measurements probably aren't wrong, but in the pack, the Zero is noticeably smaller - and of course dramatically lighter.

Both are good chairs as well a a lot of the competition's. As pointed to in my first reply the difference is size, weight and the amount of time in the market. Chair 1 has been around long enough to be discounted in price.

butthead

I think preference depends on body size. I'm 6'3 and 210. The One is a great fit for me. I tried to shave some weight by getting the Zero, but it was just too snug (and actually uncomfortable) for me. Ended up passing the Zero along to a smaller fellow paddler. YMMV
AdamX