UL 1 lb.: REI Flexlite Air Chair vs. Helinox Chair Zero, side by side, photos

[Oleg Z]

I checked out new REI Flexlite Air Chair as an alternative to Helinox Chair Zero, which I have for a while and like.

[Oleg Z]

Compared REI Flexlite Air Chair (Orange/Orange) and H-x Chair Zero (Grey/Light Green), both 1 lb weight.  See photos below, including cheap standard generic 1.8 lb. chair (Black/Blue), copy of Helinox Chair One, in row:

REI: Bottom seat is 2 inches higher 8.5 vs. 6.5 (Zero), when sitting. – Pro.

REI: Back support – 1.5 inches lower – Con.

REI: Front legs base/width – 3.5 inches narrower – Main Con! – side-to-side is less stable.

Helinox

Generic

REI: Side legs base/depth – 1 inch longer – Pro.

Helinox

[Oleg Z]

REI: Ears for poles thinner and more flexible, better for folding, let’s see what’s life time.

REI: Folded size is about the same – length 14″, though REI Air Chair has a mesh bag.

REI: Alu poles/legs are thicker. – Pro.

REI: Less pressure/squeezing hips vs. seating in Zero – Pro.

Seat width about the same, though.

REI: My $10 ground sheet (13.5″x14.5″) is a bit big, but still usable. It’s fine on my Chair Zero and generic chair.

[Oleg Z]

REI: mesh bag, about the size as Helinox

Frames front REI (orange) vs  Helinox (light green)

and vs, generic blue:

REI Air Chair fabric skin can be placed on many standard generic chairs, Helinox Chair One, etc.  to make them lighter.

Swapped skins REI and generic:

 

[Oleg Z]

REI: Alu poles/legs are thicker. – Pro.
REI: Regular price tag is less than for Zero (100 vs. 120), though on sale prices for both are about the same, $80, 20% for REI item and more for Helinox, I got my for $80 from campsaver.
REI: Orange color is cool! :)

Overall, REI Flexlite Air Chair is a nice, comfortable for me (5’7″, 147 lb., male) and light chair for backpacking, if not leaning aside – be careful when seating.
And it’s good finally to see a competition between ultra light chairs, I was waiting for that. Prices could be less…

[Oleg Z]

P.S.

REI Air Chair made in Philippines, Helinox Chair Zero – in Korea, South, I guess :)

[Oleg Z]

And forgot one photo – frames face-to-face: REI (left) – Helinox (right)

 

[John Mc]

Nice comparison…  I own the Helonix and enjoy it around camp.  Much better then sitting on the ground.

[Paul McLaughlin]

Did you feel there was any difference in fore and aft stability?

[Jenny A]

I have both of the chairs and feel like the Flexlite has more fore-aft stability.  It feels like you’d be less likely to tip over backwards in it after a beer or three.  Long-term durability still unknown, but it is comfortable.  And lighter and cheaper.  Such choices!

[Oleg Z]

Fore and aft stability feels about the same to me, though in Helinox Zero my butt and center of gravity are at least one inch lower, it’s more stable. My REI Air frame/poles start squeaking when I move too much.

Side to side stability on REI Flexlite chairs, with such a unique leg/frame design, is the lowest in comparison to other chairs, from my experience, too narrow, folded 0.5 inch shorter than Helinox Zero frame.  I may need to get used to it.

It’s more comfortable to straighten my legs in Helinox Zero – there is no pressure on hamstrings, but in REI Air there is, for me, by fabric front edge.

REI Air feels a little lighter in the bag, I will borrow a precise scale and give you the numbers.

[Sam Farrington]

First, one has to try the chairs on, as body shapes vary and what will be comfy for one, may not be for another. I tried one of this type once, and it had no stability at all – felt like I was balancing on the head of a pin.

Having done that, if comfort is more or less equal, consider that rocking back and forth is usually more likely than sideways. For this reason, the REI chair is more stable, and the joints less likely to fail, as there are two of them placed front to back, or in the line of stress. With the others, any rocking (inevitable when trying to cook and eat a meal) will put great stress on the side-to-side joints and make them more likely to fail.  If someone built a chair like this for home use, doubt that many would expect the joints to hold up.

There is a much better design, based on the old La Fuma canoe chair, but it folds up and does not disassemble, and must be strapped to the back of the pack. This is fine, because the front leg of the chair makes a nice shelf for holding up rolled up pads, folded tent poles, and such. And the opening above the back band allows access to the top of a panel loading pack without having to remove the chair:

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/81152/

There was an attempt to make this type of chair with separating tubes, but it was not stable and wobbled all over the place.  The fold-up withstands rocking, tilting, and puts one close to the ground for easy access to stove, pot, food bags, etc.  Much more comfortable to stretch out the legs and feet.  And all that elevation is not necessary – it only takes elevation of the body a few inches off the ground to keep butt-freeze at bay.  The MYOG one also has carbon fiber reinforcement tube inside the alloy ones to prevent the alloy tube from bending over time as happened with the LaFuma chair, even though the tubing was steel.  Heavy, but OK for canoeing without a lot of portages.

[BlackHatGuy]

I’m a fan of the Helinox Ground chair, which they don’t seem to carry in the US anymore. More stable, to me, than the Zero or One.

[Oleg Z]

Thanks, Sam!

Interesting chair!

REI 1 lb. Air chair is 1.6 oz lighter than Helinox Zero, when both in bags.

 

[Ken Thompson]

I at 6’3” found the Helinox too small. But the Alite chairs fit fine. The Helinox hits me right in the shoulder blades.

[BH]

Our first trip with the Chair Zero is coming up in 9 days.  Camp comfort is a big deal for us so the weight is well worth it.  We’ve used heavier camp chairs in the past on short, flat hikes – and I can’t imagine sitting on the ground all the time.

[Doug G]

Anyone try the new Big Agnes chairs (now that they are no longer representing Helinox)?  Particularly the Skyline UL.   Wonder how much higher it sits, comfort level, etc etc.   It’s  not really in the same category as the new Air Flexlite or Zero as it is 12 ounces more.   More in the One category.  So many options now.   For heavier folks it is rated at 275 lbs and is cheaper and lighter than the One.

[John Papini]

Can you please give the weight of the REI skin vs. the Helinox skin? I’m currently using a Chair Zero skin (I weigh it in at 5.05 oz) over the Ground Chair poles and I’m wondering whether I should instead be using the REI skin.

Thanks!

[Oleg Z]

Sorry for delay.

REI skin is almost twice lighter. Frames have the same weight.

Below is data from my Taylor scales:

REI Air (scales data)

Whole = 16.8 Oz / 1.052 Lb / 477 G
Skin = 2.7 Oz / 77 G
Frame = 12.8 Oz. / 364 G
Bag (w/ Price label) = 1.1 Oz / 31 G

Helinox Zero (scales data)
Whole = 18.5 Oz / 1.157 Lb / 525 G
Skin = 5.0 Oz / 144 G
Frame = 12.8 Oz / 363 G
Bag = 0.6 Oz / 17 G

 

[K2 Travels]

Recently got a chance to try both of these out.  The Helinox is much better for my size (6’1″, 195lbs).  REI chair was not very comfortable at all.  Helinox won out for back comfort, REI was not very comfortable on the back when slightly leaning into the chair.

K2

[John Papini]

@K2 and @Oleg, can you try putting the REI skin on the Helinox frame (I understand it will fit) and comment on whether it reduces (or increases) the comfort?

Thanks!

[Oleg Z]

John,

In a week, I will try to put REI Air skin on Helinox Zero and make photos, I don’t have access to REI Air chair now. I placed REI Air skin on generic chair only, as I recall.

K2,

I prefer Helinox Zero back support too (and a little more vertical back position than other light chairs) and stay with that one for my solo backpacking trips.

[Lowell Mills]

Excellent info here; thanks!

[Oleg Z]

John,

I placed REI skin on Helinox frame, see photo below:

1) In comparison to original REI frame, it’s more comfortable to straighten my legs – much less pressure on hamstrings, mostly because of lower seating height and less edge horizontal tension,  Helinox front poles are an inch shorter than REI front poles.

2) Original Helinox assembly is more comfortable for me (than RE skin on Helinox frame), it’s deeper, more vertical back and no sliding forward when straighten my legs.

Combined chair is the lightest, last scale data:

REI skin with Helinox frame and bag:

16.2 Oz / 1.012 Lb / 459 G

REI Air in the own bag:

16.9 Oz / 1.058 Lb / 480 G

Helinox Zero in the own bag:

18.4 Oz / 1.153 Lb / 523 G

[Alexander L]

What about a comparison with generic chair? I wonder why no one has made a skin out of DCF?

[Author]

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