REI has
Helinox Chair Zero Ultralight Backpacking Chair (White) for
$90.89.
Shipping is free.
REI also has
Helinox Chair Zero Highback Ultralight Backpacking Chair (Grey or Black) for
$123.39.
Shipping is free.
Thanks to community member
scholar26 for finding this deal.
About this item (standard back):
- Seat is 8.5 in. off the ground
- Thanks to anodized DAC aluminum poles, Chair Zero is strong enough to support up to 265 lbs.
- High-performance 100-denier aramid ripstop fabric is lightweight and abrasion-resistant
- This high-tenacity fabric is strong and durable, preventing tears and holes from ripping further
- Single shockcorded pole structure makes for easy setup
- Compact size makes it easy to pack and carry
- Stuff sack included
- To sit above snow, sand, or muddy ground, pair it with the small Helinox Chair Groundsheet (not included), which secures to the feet and distributes weight to a larger surface
Top Comments
If you're car camping, skip these entirely. If you're not hauling the chair on your back, there's no reason to sit on 4 pegs and a piece of fabric. If you're in the back country, these will feel like luxury, but compared to a legit chair, they're really not that great.
Community Reviews
The Chair Zero is a true ultralight backpacking chair, with its main appeal being a roughly 1 pound carry weight that matters on long hikes and multi day trips. It is praised for camp lounging, cooking, and eating, and the Helinox build is described as durable enough to last for years, with warranty support replacing a broken chair. The tradeoffs are its narrow seat, limited comfort for larger bodies, and a price that feels high next to cheaper Amazon lookalikes and other similar chairs. It makes the most sense when every ounce counts.
multi-day backpackers who want to cut carry weight because every ounce matters when you're hiking long stretches (and especially on 20+ mile or big elevation days).
people who already own or know Helinox and are shopping during REI sales because the community says it's a great deal specifically for Helinox users and the value is that it's a true ~1 lb backpacking chair.
campers on the John Muir Trail who want a comfortable spot for lounging, cooking, and eating because one commenter said it was very nice for camp use (even though it later broke and was replaced under warranty).
backcountry travelers who need a chair that can handle rough use because one user reported using the 1-lb chair with kids up to 225 lb adults and it never broke.
backpackers taking easier hikes with kids who want to elevate the experience because a commenter said having a set to sit on "completely elevated the experience."
car campers who don't carry gear far because commenters say to skip it entirely if you're not hauling the chair on your back (and that if you're car camping there's no reason to sit on 4 pegs and fabric).
buyers who are expecting a "worth $91" deal versus lookalikes because multiple commenters said the same chair (or very similar ones) can be found under different brands on Amazon for half or less.
larger people who need a wider seat because one commenter said these chairs are very narrow and not terribly comfortable for larger users (and that they and their spouse couldn't use theirs).
sporting-event users who need quick setup because one commenter said this type of chair is too complex and time-consuming to assemble for sporting events.
people who want a chair primarily for customer service support because one commenter argued the company's customer service is poor and that only good customer service would justify the price.
backpackers who don't actually need a super-light chair because commenters say if you don't need a super light chair, you should get another option instead of paying for the 1 lb model.
Common Questions (4)
AI-generated summary based on comments from the community. Updated ago
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31 Comments
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EDIT: Looks like someone else beat me to the recommendation.
I'll add a deal watch for the black one though. I love that color blue on the poles.
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I find the Chair Zero more comfortable for sitting with legs splayed out, while the Flexlite is more comfortable for sitting upright. YMMV. Both will tip if too weight is improperly distributed. Highly recommend going in store to try them for yourself.
How to say 'I'm a car camper and don't carry my gear very far' without saying it.
This chair deal is worth it if you actually are a backpacker who carries your pack more than a few miles.
Budget chairs that look the same almost always weigh 2lbs. There's a few that weight 1.5lbs, but they're not 'half the price' and who knows on quality. Hike alot of weight over 20+ miles or up a couple thousand feet of elevation and you'll learn even ounces/grams can count. Most people who who hike their gear over long or difficult trails end up trying to cut weight and either ditch the chair or spend more for 1lb ones.
There's a whole group of folks called ultralighters that aim to have their base load out (tent, backpack, sleeping bag+pad, etc) < 10 lbs. So a 1lb delta is 10% more carry-weight.
I spent close to $700 on a <2lb tent, saving maybe 1-2 lbs relative to a standard backpacking tent. So $50 or so to shave off 1lb here is in comparison a huge bargain.
If you're car camping, skip these entirely. If you're not hauling the chair on your back, there's no reason to sit on 4 pegs and a piece of fabric. If you're in the back country, these will feel like luxury, but compared to a legit chair, they're really not that great.
This chair deal is worth it if you actually are a backpacker who carries your pack more than a few miles.
Budget chairs that look the same almost always weigh 2lbs. There's a few that weight 1.5lbs, but they're not 'half the price' and who knows on quality. Hike alot of weight over 20+ miles or up a couple thousand feet of elevation and you'll learn even ounces/grams can count. Most people who who hike their gear over long or difficult trails end up trying to cut weight and either ditch the chair or spend more for 1lb ones.
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Or maybe still carry the chair but not use it to challenge yourself somehow?
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