Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

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LittleGreyCat
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Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by LittleGreyCat »

Xmas is coming up and I'm fancying a very lightweight camping chair.

Helinox seems to be the gold standard - probably because going by the price it is made from gold....

In times past I have seen similar offerings in Cotswold Outdoors and Go Outdoors.

Robens from Cotswold Outdoors
https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/robens-pathfinder-lite-chair-D3114081.html?colour=123
or
https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/roben ... olour=3580

Olex from Go Outdoors
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15901561/oex-ultra-lite-camping-chair-15901561

Unfortunately our local Cotswold Outdoors has closed so not much chance of going and sitting on one!

Any comments on the above, or decent alternatives?
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andrew_s
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by andrew_s »

If you google "ultralight camping chair", you'll get lots of options.
Most are copies of the Helinox, and are pretty much the same as far as use is concerned.
This is the cheapest I saw on a brief scan of the results:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coldshine-Port ... 082V6LP7Y/?

All the chairs with 4 legs will be prone to the legs sinking into soft ground, with a consequent risk of losing the feet when you pull the leg out.
Helinox sell ball feet or a groundsheet at £25 (ish) - I went to the hardware shop and got some walking stick rubber ferrules for not much. You'll want a size that's large enough to go over the normal feet.

An alternative that's worth considering is the Helinox Ground Chair. It doesn't have legs, so it's low enough to use inside a tent, without doing the groundsheet any damage, provided that the tent isn't on rocky ground. The low height makes it harder to get in/out of.
There's also the chair kits you can get for sleeping mats.

I use an Alite Mayfly, which is a low chair similar to the ground chair, but it's no longer available.
LittleGreyCat
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by LittleGreyCat »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/URPRO-Upgraded-Portable-Lightweight-Backpacking/dp/B07VJX2Z3Y/
and
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trekology-YIZI-Portable-Camping-Chair/dp/B07NT77GT8/

look to be similar to the ones I posted up top.
The problem is the build quality.
[I see mention of "sand mats" as well which could solve the sinking foot problems.]

Hopefully someone will come along who has one of these (or similar) and can vouch for them.
I note posts about the Aldi chair and bending the alloy frame.
Astrobike
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by Astrobike »

I purchased a Helionx copy chair from Amazon 5 or 6 years ago , it's the first thing I pack
can not do with siting on the floor or stool the back support is pricless after a day's riding .
I use milk bottle tops to stop the legs sinking in to the ground ' they are quite well made and
will take An adults weight as long as you don't drop in it from any height
leftpoole
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Location: Account closing 31st July '22

Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by leftpoole »

[quote="andrew_s"]If you google "ultralight camping chair", you'll get lots of options.
Most are copies of the Helinox, and are pretty much the same as far as use is concerned.
This is the cheapest I saw on a brief scan of the results:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coldshine-Port ... 082V6LP7Y/? "

The above is the one I have and use. Very good value and decent quality. Not at all heavy.
Well worth the (then) £19 I paid for it around 6 years ago.
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andrew_s
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by andrew_s »

The difference between genuine Helinox and the cheap copies is that the copies use generic aluminium tubing rather than DAC, so the weight limit tends to be around 100-110 kg, rather than the 130 kg that Helinox quote, and that, when cutting costs, quality control is one of the first things to be cut back on, so there's a higher chance of failure due to something like bad stitching on a corner pocket.
LittleGreyCat
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by LittleGreyCat »

I've decided on the lighter one from Cotswold Outdoor.
https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/robens-pathfinder-lite-chair-D3114081.html?colour=123

Firstly because I have more confidence in the build quality (I may be wrong) and more confidence in the warranty.
It also helps that I get a discount via the Caravan Club (other organisations also have discount arrangements).
Extra point for the slightly higher maximum weight rating.

I shall try to remember to report back once I have tried it.

Thanks for all the helpful comments.
Cyckelgalen
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by Cyckelgalen »

I got one from aliexpress for 20 quid, Outad brand, but they are all the same, just different brands stitched onto them. They are typically around 1 kilo, surprisingly strong and comfortable. But Helinox has a model that weighs about half a kilo.
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Sweep
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by Sweep »

leftpoole wrote:
andrew_s wrote:If you google "ultralight camping chair", you'll get lots of options.
Most are copies of the Helinox, and are pretty much the same as far as use is concerned.
This is the cheapest I saw on a brief scan of the results:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coldshine-Port ... 082V6LP7Y/? "

The above is the one I have and use. Very good value and decent quality. Not at all heavy.
Well worth the (then) £19 I paid for it around 6 years ago.

Intereresting - have been considering such a thing but resisting the idea as my loading is bulky enough as it is.
Have you subjected it to much use?
Is it tough?
If the worst should happen to any bit of it how repairable do you think it is?
Sweep
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Sweep
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by Sweep »

LittleGreyCat wrote:I've decided on the lighter one from Cotswold Outdoor.
https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/robens-pathfinder-lite-chair-D3114081.html?colour=123

Firstly because I have more confidence in the build quality (I may be wrong) and more confidence in the warranty.
It also helps that I get a discount via the Caravan Club (other organisations also have discount arrangements).
Extra point for the slightly higher maximum weight rating.

I shall try to remember to report back once I have tried it.

Thanks for all the helpful comments.

Looks interesting - Robens stuff tends to be well made I think.
For others considering, can also be had from here:
https://www.outdooraction.co.uk/camping ... -17426.php

They do free click and collect if you can get to their Blackburn store I think.
In truth I may have test-sat in at their great rambling store and decided that after all these chairs aren't for me.
Good luck with your chair, hope you like it, yes I would be interested in reports back.
Last edited by Sweep on 24 Dec 2020, 7:22am, edited 1 time in total.
Sweep
Richard D
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by Richard D »

The Helinox Ground Chair was discontinued a while back. I’m hoping that they will make a successor with the Ground Chair frame but the Chair Zero lightweight seat.
LittleGreyCat
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by LittleGreyCat »

Well, bought it before Xmas and finally go round to trying it.

Overall, very impressed.

Nice compact package.

The frame with the magic bungee cords just springs together without effort.

The bag it came in can be hung from the frame as a storage bag for small items.
They don't tell you that you have to unhook the front spars to get the bag on; the spars point outwards and the loops on the bag fit the narrowest part.
So you can't slide the bag onto the fully assembled frame.

The seat fits on in a straightforward manner, but you have to hoik a bit to get all four corners in.
Needs some courage to do it for the first time.

It fits my scrawny bum and supports me up to the shoulder blades.
Not sure I could fall asleep in it but for sitting up it feels pretty good.
I do wonder if someone of the maximum weight of 120 kg could get both cheeks in at the same time.
I weigh 76 kilos at the moment.

It does require care when you are getting up.
I tried to use the frame to lever myself out and the chair shot backwards and dumped me.
However this was on a shiny wooden floor.
In real life (mud, grass, concrete etc.) I don't think that this would be an issue.

It looks like something that would fit well on a carrier or in a pannier for a day out or a longer trip.

I may post photos as an update.
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Sweep
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by Sweep »

thanks for the update littlgreycat.
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Psamathe
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by Psamathe »

Richard D wrote:The Helinox Ground Chair was discontinued a while back. ....

Everywhere seems to still be listing it but just as "Out of Stock". I've seen a lot of outdoor gear all over the place as "Out of Stock" as manufacturers seem to be reducing stock maybe related to fewer people being able to travel, etc.

It would be a shame if it is discontinued as I find it great (but I've already got one so does not affect me).

That said, I've no idea how effective the Helinox Ground Sheet is and Chair Zero plus ground sheet is close to the weight of the Ground Chair.

Ian
Richard D
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Re: Helinox-alike chair? Current offers?

Post by Richard D »

Helinox themselves confirmed it to me I’m afraid. And that was 18 months ago (all the "out of stock" web pages have been showing the same info since then).

My ideal hair is a ground chair frame (the low height and lack of legs would allow it to be used with a tent's awning) with a chair zero cover (as it's half the weight of the cover of the chair one/ground chair).

Helinox said that the "have no plans" for such a chair, but you never know.
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