Ultralight chair to throw in your pack?

[WyldGoose]

Wanted to like the BTR, but it broke under me first trip out. Got it refunded.
Now I use the Walkstool, much better made, but heavier at 1 lb 13 oz so I don’t take it on long hikes. Still looking for an UL option…

 

[jonesn3]

I used to use the Helinox but this one is far superior. The adjustable angle in particular is nice for hunting and glassing.

I really like the Moonlite. Haven’t used the Helinox, but have the Nemo Moonlite for a few years now. Definitely liked using it in truck camping and for spring bear, usually have it stowed in the truck, but actually haven’t found myself packing it. It’s definitely spendy but I got it at REI a few years back when it happened to be on sale and had some dividends to spend, so it worked out. It feels more comfy and also like it won’t break (less flimsy) then others I tried in the store. It’s been solid so far

 

[ljalberta]

I recently ordered and lined up a Helinox Zero, Zero Highback, Big Agnes Sky UL and Helinox Sunset.

If you’re looking for back support the Highback or Sunset is going to be better. The Sunset is also significantly higher off the ground and heavier than the rest.

They all have slightly different positioning and a couple people all did a comparison when I had them setup here. Not everyone had the same opinion on each chair.

I really liked the Highback for sitting upright, but it is notably more of an upright position compared to the Zero and Sky UL and you can’t lean too far back.

I’ll be keeping the standard Zero as a super lightweight chair as it’s lighter and a little more versatile then the Highback for backpacking and maybe it’ll find its way on some bear hunt. I can lounge back a little easier in this compared to the others, but it’s not as supportive in an upright position. The weight is the lightest of all.

I’ll also be keeping the Sky UL. It’s heavier but also taller off the ground than the Zero and I used it when sitting for some whitetail hunts this fall. It’s a bigger chair as well for more layers to fit in the super cold days. I think the the Zero is a little too low for when the snow falls here.

The Sunset was even higher but I don’t see myself packing around a 3lbs+ chair when the Sky UL is almost as good for quite a bit lighter weight (not nearly the same back support though).

I found all chairs quite comfortable though.

 

[manitou1]

I am waiting to see how this goes.

I.HATE.SETTING.UP.Helinoix! The time to set up and break down and the instability in the terrain I hunt finds me leaving them at home or camp most days.

I will gladly carry and extra pound for a working glassing chair.

 

[taskswap]

I find a lot of the "ultralight camp chair" (Helinox and crowd) are way too low to be useful hunting. I landed on the Hillsound BTR 17". 14.7 oz which is lighter than most camp chairs, sturdy enough to glass and shoot off of, and it's half the price of an ultralight "chair." It also deploys in about 5 seconds. I keep it in one of the two water-bottle pouches in my pack.

I can't sit in it for hours but could probably manage 2. Only downside so far is if you're on a hill you'll need a rock or something under one foot if you want the stool to be level.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

The helinox seat angle for me sucks for long sits. Especially when on not flat or rocky terrain like where I normally glass from.

The Big Agnes Skyline UL has a way better seat and back angle for long glassing sits. The legs are also more than sturdy enough for flexing on uneven ground.

I’ve used multiple of these for 4 years now including yesterday and today on a mule deer hunt.

They don’t come on every hunt, but the vast majority of them these days, the chair makes the trip and it’s worth it!

 

[Speaks]

I am waiting to see how this goes.

I.HATE.SETTING.UP.Helinoix! The time to set up and break down and the instability in the terrain I hunt finds me leaving them at home or camp most days.

I will gladly carry and extra pound for a working glassing chair.

I actually ordered one of those back in July, they had said Sept delivery, then Oct, then Nov, now it does not even show a date. Little frustrating given how not cheap it was but at this point I guess it does not matter if it takes a bit longer as long as I get it by spring. Im ok with a long wait, I just wish there was some kind of update on them.

 

[manitou1]

I actually ordered one of those back in July, they had said Sept delivery, then Oct, then Nov, now it does not even show a date. Little frustrating given how not cheap it was but at this point I guess it does not matter if it takes a bit longer as long as I get it by spring. Im ok with a long wait, I just wish there was some kind of update on them.

Keep us posted please.

 

[Jebel]

I carry a crazy creek chair when I plan on long sits. Not the most comfortable but it does give back support.

Does it work reasonably well glassing off a tripod?

 

[Nicaburns]

Does it work reasonably well glassing off a tripod?

For me, the answer is yes. Because there are no legs, you control the back angle. You can sit up straight cross legged with the tripod straddling your lap and glass easily on flat ground or modify your stance easily on uneven ground or a hillside. It keeps a ground level profile, so it won’t get you up and over brush though so that can be a disadvantage in some situations.

 

[Wapiti1]

Been using this for the last 10 years. I go nowhere in the woods without it. Replaced the pad with a thicker one cut from a z-rest pad. The original got eaten by squirrels at camp. I also have sling chairs that take trekking poles, and they are good, but not as handy as this one.

QwikBack™ UL Chair

The QwikBack™ UL Chair allows you to relax in the backcountry without carrying all the weight.

www.litesmith.com

Jeremy

 

[Jbehredt]

Does it work reasonably well glassing off a tripod?

It does we enough. You end up intertwined with the tripod legs. Sitting under the glass since your butt is 1/8” off the ground.