Camp chair for the lightweight-minded backpacker

[Macintosh]

So, for those of you soft-enough like me that really appreciate a camp chair, what are you carrying? I basically dont backpack without my crazy-creek chair, carried one with me since the early 1990’s and have no intention to go without. However, I made the mistake of weighing mine…a regular cc chair is 22ounces! I was honestly really surprised how heavy it was. I feel like this item should be 8-10 ounces, but cant find any options like that.

I did hear something that Exo was toying with making a lw option like this. Id love that, but imagine its a ways out, and they arent exactly beating down my door to have me use their test samples.

So what are you all using? Any mods you’ve done to lighten things up, and whats the weight? (Photos appreciated).

@ExoMtnGear Id love to hear if this is actually happening, and if so when, etc.

Also found this handy flowchart and article in backpacking light...

Backpacking Chairs: A Comprehensive Guide to the Science of Seated Recovery, Ultralight Chair Design, and Market Landscape - Backpacking Light

A data-driven guide to ultralight backpacking chairs. Explore seating systems by weight, performance, recovery science, and terrain adaptability. Field-tested and market-scoped.

backpackinglight.com

 

[GetWestern]

I’ve been using the Helinox chair zero, I think it sits right around a pound. Definitely worth it on those of glassing sessions or when you’re wanting to sit down at camp and be able to lean back. One of the few luxuries i will pack into the backcountry.

 

[BBob]

I basically dont backpack without my crazy-creek chair, carried one with me since the early 1990’s and have no intention to go without. However, I made the mistake of weighing mine…a regular cc chair is 22ounces! I was honestly really surprised how heavy it was. I feel like this item should be 8-10 ounces, but cant find any options like that.

I don't recall the weight but Osprey years ago made a lighter than Crazy Creek chair. I wore out two of them over the years using them here in the desert. I wish someone would make another lightweight option. If I do carry a chair these days it the Helinox zero.

 

[Macintosh]

Looks like the chair zero is 18-19 oz. So lighter, but still seems like a lot. I may experiment with cutting some of the foam out of the back of my cc chair, maybe do something with the zipper (what the heck is the zipper for, anyway?), etc. and see where it gets me.

Curious to hear what other folks who appreciate having a back on their chair are doing.

 

[BBob]

Looks like the chair zero is 18-19 oz. So lighter, but still seems like a lot.

Yep, not much savings at all over a CC Hex coming in at 20oz.

 

[Laramie]

Have always made chairs/seating at spike camps. Have chosen my location based on convenient natural seating on more than one occasion.

 

[bwidrick]

I picked up an REI Flexlite Air last year for my OV 100 Mile Hike Challenge...16 oz.; 100% worth it.

 

[mtnbound]

So, for those of you soft-enough like me that really appreciate a camp chair, what are you carrying? I basically dont backpack without my crazy-creek chair, carried one with me since the early 1990’s and have no intention to go without. However, I made the mistake of weighing mine…a regular cc chair is 22ounces! I was honestly really surprised how heavy it was. I feel like this item should be 8-10 ounces, but cant find any options like that.

I did hear something that Exo was toying with making a lw option like this. Id love that, but imagine its a ways out, and they arent exactly beating down my door to have me use their test samples.

So what are you all using? Any mods you’ve done to lighten things up, and whats the weight? (Photos appreciated).

@ExoMtnGear Id love to hear if this is actually happening, and if so when, etc.

Also found this handy flowchart and article in backpacking light...

Backpacking Chairs: A Comprehensive Guide to the Science of Seated Recovery, Ultralight Chair Design, and Market Landscape - Backpacking Light

A data-driven guide to ultralight backpacking chairs. Explore seating systems by weight, performance, recovery science, and terrain adaptability. Field-tested and market-scoped.

backpackinglight.com

View attachment 1035707

You might look at QwikBack UL Chair.

 

[JakeShmevans]

Helinox Chair Zero or a Helinox Ground Chair. Worth their weight in gold in my opinion; if I don’t bring it I regret it. Just a creature comfort.

 

[Wacko]

I have looked at a lot of options for this. There really is no ideal solution.

I have a lightweight stool. I have a lightweight chair. Ultimately a chair is a chair only. What I mean is: I now carry a Crazy Creek Power Lounger. It is a chair, I can put it under my sleeping mat adding protection and R value, I can use it as a shooting mat, I can put it around my stove as a wind break etc. So it has more than 1 use....so it can weigh more and I don't mind carrying it.

YMMV...

 

[Poser]

I have a Crazy Creek and a Helinox. I usually bring one or the other depending on circumstances. If I'm fishing, I usually bring the Helinox because its nice to have a chair to sit in to set up my fishing rig and I usually end up lounging around more on backcountry fishing trips. If I'm glassing, I usually go with the Crazy Creek, though I sometimes opt for the slightly lighter butt pad + backpack if I know I have natural back support at my glassing spot.

Helinox pro tip: add your inflatable pillow for a little extra lumber support. Since I only have one of each chair, when I go backpacking with my fiancee, we're usually low grade fighting over the Helinox. If the occupier stands up, its getting taken by the other party. That being said, I'm not the biggest fan of glassing out of the Helinox unless I'm generally glassing higher terrain than what I'm sitting on. If I'm looking down or need to cover a particularly wide area, its not my favorite. Also, on soft ground, the legs sink and it sucks. Oh, and if you intend to use the Crazy Creek as a bleacher seat, make sure you buy the one with the extended back or, it sucks.

 

[WyldGoose]

Camp Time Pack Stool. Mine weighs 13.3 oz.

CampTime® Pack Stool™

The Pack Stool™ is the Hiker's Dream: Only 14 ounces- Carries effortlessly with less weight than any other 17" tall stool and 14 ounces includes its own adjustable shoulder strap. 17" tall- Perfect height for tying boots, filtering water, preparing meals, and all other hiking/camping...

www.camptime.com

 

[JAshley73]

Very pleased Helinox user here. Chair Zero & Chair Zero L.

I found them to be very comfortable. Small enough that I throw them into packs for day-fishing trips with my son, and we find they WAY more convenient than the "folding camp chairs" that everyone has, for our kid's fall sports.

We get a lot of use out of them, which makes the price sting a lot less.

 

[Pilsner]

The only complaint I have about the Heliox chairs is how low they are to the ground. We use a dozen or so of them every trip that we take with our pack goats. We are nearly all combat veterans with bad knees, hips, and lower backs. The running joke is that it is easier to just fall over sideways and get up off of the ground than it is to get out of the damned chairs.

They are also not very durable - on our 3-day trip last weekend we broke 3.5 chairs (one was half broken and we forgot about it until it completely broke). Those legs + rocky ground is a perfect combo for shearing off the legs or "feet". Not so much a complaint as an observation. No getting away from rocky ground here in the Ozarks.

They are still way better than anything else that we have tried like the Walmart folding camp chairs (don't fit into goat pannier bags, tripod style stools (your legs and feet go to sleep about 0.128 seconds after you get seated on them), and other camp chairs that are either heavier and/or more flimsy than the Heliox versions.

 

[Macintosh]

Yeah, I have a hillsound stool and a helinox chair. They are both ok, but for backpcking I prefer my crazy-creek style chair…in part because its +\- unbreakable, and in part because it does double-duty as additional insulation/padding under my bony hips for a inflatable sleeping pad.

I just refuse to believe that it has to weigh more than a pound. I see no reason it cant weigh 8-10 ounces. I know the Exo folks were talking about making one, but no eta or even confirmation thats happening. I may need to just go full DIY on a crazy creek and see if I can make one a lot lighter.

 

[SloppyJ]

This is my favorite lightweight camp chair. About the only one that I don't feel like is going to break.

Made in the USA | Lightweight Backpacking, Hunting, Camping Chairs...

Outdoor & Tactical Adventure Equipment

www.mulibex.com

 

[BBob]

I just refuse to believe that it has to weigh more than a pound. I see no reason it cant weigh 8-10 ounces. I know the Exo folks were talking about making one, but no eta or even confirmation thats happening. I may need to just go full DIY on a crazy creek and see if I can make one a lot lighter.

If I can get a light crazy creek style chair I'll be back in that camp again for sure. I still have one of my worn out Osprey's as a pattern but I've never pursued getting one made. The Osprey has rounded corners and it's slightly smaller than a typical Crazy Creek. It had carbon support stays in it. I found it perfect but still a little heavier than it could be.