Ultralight chair to throw in your pack?

KRuss2110

FNG
Joined
Mar 27, 2023
Messages
2
I have some pretty bad lower back issues and was wondering if anyone carry’s a chair or something like it that had back support for sitting and glassing in the mountains? It’s not absolutely necessary but I’ve found if I sit for more than maybe 30 mins with nothing to lean against my back starts to lock up so I’m constantly having to get more comfortable. I’ve been leaning against my pack but it’s not really ideal this past season I broke a few things in my pack and just thought maybe there is a better option?


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Joined
Mar 7, 2024
Messages
54
Location
Colorado
I have the helinox chair zero. It comes with me on every backpack and scouting trip, and it's about 50/50 on hunts whether i take it. So far the biggest practical appeal outside of Comfort is for spring bear, gets me up off the ground and reduces the amount of ticks I have to deal with. That's worth every ounce!

The main downside I've noticed is its kindof a wierd angle to try and use a tripod and (angled eyepiece) spotter
 
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KRuss2110

FNG
Joined
Mar 27, 2023
Messages
2
I saw those and that may be what I go with! Thanks for the reply


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eamyrick

WKR
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Messages
1,374
Location
Central Texas
I like the big agnus mica basin. Not ultralight, but it’s really comfortable. It’s also the only one that I’ve used that doesn’t feel like I’m tipping over while sitting in it.
This is my favorite. If I’m fly fishing and camping it’s coming along but I like to be a bit more mobile hunting and usually just use a thermarest z pad and lean on my pack.
 

Idagnome

FNG
Joined
Mar 7, 2022
Messages
25
Second on the Helinox. Either chair zero or chair one have different applications. I believe the weights are similar.
 

NeedleCrook

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 24, 2018
Messages
295
Location
Southern California
I have a helinox zero but never take it. It takes too long to set up, it’s nice for around camp but never found it worked well for me glassing. This year I carried the crazy creek hex 2.0 and I loved it. It’s fast to set up/take, up just open it up. No fiddling with poles. And it’s insulated like a foam pad and it’s definitely noticeable keeping your back/butt warm. And it’s a lot more comfortable than just sitting on the old thermarest z seat like I used to. Have something to lean against is nice.
 
Joined
Feb 15, 2021
Messages
585
I made a couple of sling chairs like the old kifaru or Mountainsmith ones. Cross two trekking poles and lean back. Work great for glassing and supper /evenings in camp. Weighs 5 oz. and will be in my backpack on Sheep hunts from now on. Still sit on a piece of ccf on the bottom.
 
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Messages
384
I made a couple of sling chairs like the old kifaru or Mountainsmith ones. Cross two trekking poles and lean back. Work great for glassing and supper /evenings in camp. Weighs 5 oz. and will be in my backpack on Sheep hunts from now on. Still sit on a piece of ccf on the bottom.

Got some pictures?


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Maverick1

WKR
Joined
Jun 1, 2013
Messages
1,867
I have some pretty bad lower back issues and was wondering if anyone carry’s a chair or something like it that had back support for sitting and glassing in the mountains? It’s not absolutely necessary but I’ve found if I sit for more than maybe 30 mins with nothing to lean against my back starts to lock up so I’m constantly having to get more comfortable. I’ve been leaning against my pack but it’s not really ideal this past season I broke a few things in my pack and just thought maybe there is a better option?


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May not be what you are looking for - - - but I tried something different and brought a hammock with me this year. Used it in the middle of the day for taking naps. Laid in it lengthwise (like a mattress) and sat upright (like a chair). Very comfortable, and worth the 16-18 ounces or so of additional weight. Did a very nice job of keeping the pesky ants from crawling across my face when napping, and also made it much easier to tap a nap - no worries with finding a "flat spot" to lean up against. Sets up in a few minutes. Maybe something to consider. Not sure how well this would work for glassing, though. Probably not ideal.

A picture below from the web of how it works sitting upright in a hammock. You can also rotate your body 90 degrees from what is shown in the picture below, and straddle the hammock, with feet on the ground, and back supported. That is also comfortable.

1733807246719.png
 
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
5,231
Location
Colorado
I have one of the Helinox chairs as well and really tried to like it, but I always find myself sinking into the ground with those tiny feet. It’s been limited to camp and I either use my pack or a 1/2 of a foam mat to sit on. I like the hammock idea and have thought that would be pretty slick but I’d probably just end up taking a nap.
 

Poser

WKR
Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
5,645
Location
Durango CO
I carried a Helinox around for awhile hunting, but ultimately ditched it for the most part. I do still carry it on fly fishing trips as its great when tying flies. In some glassing situations where you're looking longer distances, its fine so long as your tripod legs can go wide. In other situations, its a PITA to turn left and right, requiring some repositioning, not to mention, the legs sink in the ground when sitting for a long time.
 

Speaks

FNG
Classified Approved
Joined
Jul 27, 2024
Messages
51
Location
MN
I have one of the Helinox chairs as well and really tried to like it, but I always find myself sinking into the ground with those tiny feet. It’s been limited to camp and I either use my pack or a 1/2 of a foam mat to sit on. I like the hammock idea and have thought that would be pretty slick but I’d probably just end up taking a nap.

The new nemo chair is very similar but solves for this. The Wrap it comes in has spots for the feet to attach making a footprint the size of the whole base and avoiding sinking.

Its still a pain for super quick set up though.
 
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