A Place to Sit: A Perspective on Ultralight Camp Chairs

[Erik Norseman]

I read this article sitting in my Nemo Moonlite! I find the moonlite elite pales in comparison comfort wise to the regular moonlite, and is noticeably less comfortable than the helinox chair zero. YMMV, but the moonlite elite seems like too much comfort is sacrificed for it to make sense. They changed the size and shape of the mesh chair back so it is really a different shape than the regular moonlite. The elite has a very shallow and narrow shape, making the rigid tops dig into my scapula a little and the shallow seat feels like youre perched on it vs. Lounging in it. Curious if anyone else feels differently? Living in Canada, I haven’t tried the REI chair but it looks great!

[Richard N]

I made a puttock strap. I found that it’s very dependent on friction: wearing a slick nylon puffy makes the whole apparatus fail as the strap slides down. Choice of strap material also matters at the buckle: lightweight strapping can roll or twist and pull through a buckle.

[jscott]

To my eyes, the Puttock Strap just looks…(self censorship here.)  But I haven’t used one, so take my eyeball only critique for what it is.

It looks confining. I’ll leave it at that. Doubtless the designers are experts in ergonomics and can explain why it works. Perhaps the Gear Sceptic will have a revelatory review. I love its low weight.

[Stephen Seeber]

Come on, Nemo.  Change your approach to weighing your product!

I have the Helinox Zero, the REI Flexlite. I use the REI Flexlite with golf whiffle balls to prevent sinking. I placed it in the Helinox bag, which weighs less than the REI bag.  The Flexlite, as used, weighs 17.5 ounces, including the bag and balls.

I find it reasonably comfortable. However, getting in and out of the chair requires great care to avoid tipping it, and that care often continues while sitting in the chair, especially on uneven ground.

I read Ryan’s article revision this morning and decided, at a claimed weight of 18 ounces for the Nemo Moonline Elite, I’d give it a try.

I brought it home and weighed it:

Here are the weights:

23.3 ounces: as purchased with cardboard information card.

22.4 ounces: card removed, weight of chair and base.

18.6 ounces: chair only, without base.

3.35 ounces: support base.

So, using the chair, as advertised with the base, the weight is 22.4 ounces—24% more than advertised.

I am pretty sure Nemo knows this.  This is a big bump up in weight from my Flexlite implementation.

I removed the golf whiffle balls from the from the Flexlite and put them on the Nemo.  Total weight: 19.5 ounces.

The Nemo is e more stable than the Flexlite or Helinox.  The base of the Flexlite is 9.25″ x 11.25″.  The base of the Nemo is  9.5″ x 15.5″.  Importantly, the upright chair supports  for the Nemo attach with a 5.125″ offset from the center, while the upright chair supports for the Flexlite are 1.38″ offset from the center.  The Nemo is dramatically more stable for left/right movement.  The flexibility of the mesh seat also seems to distribute fore-aft weight shifts so that the chair also seems to have better stability in those directions.

The photograph makes the structural differences clear.

In terms of comfort, after just trying it at home, I find it offers a little less support for my legs than the Flexlite.  However, that isn’t a deal breaker.  The Nemo chair is also far easier to get in and out of, thanks to improved stability and the adjustment straps that can double as hand rests while entering or leaving the chair.

So, I will lose the carry bag, add 2 ounces to my pack weight (and a bit more for a strap to replace the bag), and take the chair on the 4 Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells this week.

[Jerry Adams]

yeah, it’s annoying when manufacturers list the weight less than actual

thermarest has done that for years on the prolite.  They’ve had several versions that were each 1 or 2 ounces heavier than spec’d

yet I like the prolite

I think my uberlite also weighs 1 ounce heavier than spec

[Chad Lorenz]

The High Back version of the Chair Zero is superior for me: provides far more back support for a nominal weight penalty. When I can’t swing it weight wise, I just use a GG Thinlight.

[jscott]

“When I can’t swing it weight wise, I just use a GG Thinlight.”

As a buttpad? that’s hardcore! Granted, it’s better than sitting on dirt. I mentioned earlier in this thread that the GG thinlight has a tendency to pick up Ponderosa pine needles, etc. when laid out on dirt. I use mine to protect my air mattress from punctures. I also used my thinlight for a while as part of a sit outdoors system. I decided the risk wasn’t worth it. Rolled up it does provide some comfort! find a rock or tree trunk to lean back on, and Bob’s your uncle, as the Brits say.

 

[Chris FormyDuval]

I really liked the new Nemo…..until I started feeling corners really digging into my back. I’m glad I gave it more than 30 sec test. The reclining feature was really nice….just wish they hadn’t cut the weight to such an extreme, another oz or some other way to fix the corners and I’d be strongly considering it.

[Eric Kammerer]

For those that don’t need the seat back, Hillsound has their BTR Stools on sale. Three different size variants that are defined by the height, but the seat size also increases with the height. 13.2 to 17.4 oz (373-492 g).

[Paul Hatfield]

Thanks. I did not know about the Hillsound BTR Stool.

The GrandTrunk Compass 360 Swivel Stools are on sale also. (The GrandTrunk is cheaper, but somewhat heavier.)

Does someone make a similar stool with carbon fiber tubes?

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