Camp Chairs?

"Those of us in Oz will find the Alite Mantis = Helinox Chair One. We scored a couple from the first batch – for our upcoming 3 month trip by sea kayak. Comfort is sensational! Weight is around 900g"

The Alite Mantis is the Real Deal and totally worth the weight. Call them our guilty pleasure if you must, but my wife and I wouldn't consider going without them.

@ That Other Jack Elliott, ;-)

"As a guy who has one (1) fused ankle and (1) titanium knee…"

"I'll get a camera crew to follow me on my next backpack and see if I can't get enough data for analysis and embarrassment".

IMHO just the fact that you are out there backpacking and hiking precludes any possibility of embarrassment.

My hiking buddy also has issues with one of his ankles and an orthopedist told him, "Never stop hiking".

Party On,

Newton

That Helinox looks like it's taller than the Alite Mantis. A little heavier too but still reasonable. Might be a good option given Mr. Elliott's criteria.

The Alite Mantis is on sale thru Amazon. Heck..I might get one!

Hm, so the Alite Mantis is looking pretty interesting at this point.

Does anyone have a photo of the Alite Mantis' frame broken down and bundled for packing?

Only because while the Alite Monarch's aluminum framework–a bunch of nicely-machined tubes and fittings held together with shock cord–doesn't fold flat: there's this central cross fitting that prevents the cluster of tubes and bits from being collapsed into a nice neat bundle. Not a real problem of design or reliability, and not a hassle to pack, but it just looks aesthetically…stupid. To save weight I don't use the provided cordura-like stuff sack, but just bundle the collapsed frame with a couple hair bands.

Here….and read the comments as well.

LOL — at 1:18 you can see what a wonderfully angular mess of parts the broken-down frame looks like. Oh well, it's a minor matter.

Actually the Monarch looks the same unfolded, but I've had no problems with it.

FWIW, over on HammockForums.com there is a design for a MYOG chair composed of a long strip of fabric (+/- a pad)/ The top of the fabric strip is supported by two trekking poles, your butt sits on the lower part of the fabric on the ground, and you lean against the top section. I think I've got the directions saved as a word document – if you are interested, PM me your email, and I'll send it to you (or anyone else).

Looks like you still have to squat down to get into it. Is that going to work for you?

It's not the assembled shape of the chairs I'm commenting on, it's the remarkable tangle of tubes that make up the unassembled frame.

As a fellow with a metal knee and a fused ankle — I believe I've mentioned this before? — sitting flat on the ground is not very comfortable. First, those of us with these physical "features" can neither kneel, squat, nor sit cross-legged, meditation style. Sitting flat on the ground with one's legs stuck straight out in front becomes tired real fast. And don't even get me started on how much of a pain it is to get down on or up from the ground.

I have the Monarch and love it.

If you find a "once in a trip perfect spot" to set up the chair its great. A tree behind, to avoid the "fallback", a rock or stump to the side to avoid the "crash and burn", or the firm terra to prevent the "titanic", its the most camp comfort I have found for my old ankles, beat up knees, and post "under the knife" back.

Well worth the 1.3 lbs for my weekend to weeklong trips.

Thermarest also makes the trekker lounge

http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/seating/trek-and-travel-seating/trekker-lounge/product

and trekker chair

http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/seating/trek-and-travel-seating/trekker-chair/product

both use your mattress and are great for lounging.

Only 28 oz – less than the Alite, acts as a trekking cane (!), no sitting on the ground! Plus it's cheap – only $28 at Amazon! What more could you want????? ;-)

The Mantis can be set up or taken down in one minute. We rarely stop without taking the time to shake out ours. We store them in the side pockets of our backpacks so they are easy to access. The huge advantage of course is that you really can relax your back. My wife can scooch down in hers and have her head supported by the back. Everytime we sit in ours we think they are totally worth the carry weight.

First I wanted to point out that the weight with cover is 1 lb. 11 oz. Here are couple of pictures that may help the OP.

Looks like my Alite Monarch is going FS and I'm gonna get me a Mantis.

Not the cane seat? Aw, shucks!!!!

Aw, the cane seat is swell, don't get me wrong! And, as you rightly say, the price is right. But I use trekking poles, and sitting like a sack of potatoes on a stool isn't my idea of a good time.

I'd be disappointed in you if you went for it! ;-)

I can highly recommend the Walkstool Comfort Stool, mine's the 55/22 XL version, and it's well designed and constructed, using quality materials. The seat is a waterproof ventilated mesh and the whole thing's lightweight.

I bought this stool because I have disabilities which affect my spine and hip, and need seating which is secure, supportive and comfortable, I carry mine in a fabric, padded tripod case that fits like it was made for it.

Website:

http://walkstool.com/

Backpack Gear Test Owner's Reviews: (3)

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Camp%20Chairs%20and%20Seating/Chairs/Walkstool%20Comfort%2055/

Wex Photographic Owner's Reviews: (4)

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-walkstool-comfort-55/p1012871

It's certainly not cheap, but I consider it to be well worth every penny. I also use the Crazy Creek Cradle Lounger (a Sling-Light copy) which is also great.

New info to resurect this thread.

Like the OP I had a Alite Monarch chair but didn't find it the most comfortable, so I ended up getting the Alite Mantis and Helinox Chair One both of which I like better though at a weight penalty.

Stopped by REI for a look around today and spotted this:

http://www.rei.com/product/829239/rei-flex-lite-chair

It's a clone of the Helinox Chair One. The only difference I can see is the seat has more mesh in it and the stuff sack is more basic (and probably lighter). Cheaper than the Helinox as well at $64.50.
REI spec page says 28 oz.
For reference on my scale the Helinox is 29 oz plus 3 oz for the stuff sack, and the Alite Mantis is 27 oz plus 2 oz for the stuff sack.

Also of note the Alite Mantis chair is on sale on REI's site at $84.

I thought this one was cool at REI.

http://www.rei.com/product/830408/lafuma-micro-pop-up-chair

TWO AND A HALF POUNDS? And we quibble over taking TP? Nooooooo

If you use a CCF pad, or carry a sit pad, there is no more cost or weight to add. With Mother Earth under you and a rock or log at your back, you can sit comfortably. My Z-Seat pad is all of 2oz.

If you go to 16oz, you can sit in a nice hammock that takes about two minutes to hang. You can lie down and take a nap, or wonder of wonders, spend the night it one if you add some insulation and a tarp.

Then again, you do need several tons of vertical trees to tie it to :)

Kifaru field chair paired with a sit pad or kneel pad.

Or is there such an animal as a Cuben fabric "chair" envelope into which one can insert a Thermarest inflatable foam matress?

Maybe a cottage industry maker familiar with Cuben fabric could make some.

But WAIT, there's more!

Imagine, a Cuben fabric "chair" envelope for only $99.95. WHAT A BUY