Best camping chair?
 

Hi all,
I haven't been able to find much discussion in the HUBB about camping chairs that are the best compromise between volume, weight and comfort.
In other sites there is some about the Kermit or the Monarch chair, do you have any experience/suggestions?
I have to say that I ride 2up, so that makes it even more a difficult choice, but since I have back problems I really need a chair to rest after a long ride.
Cheers!
?c?

Chair

Kermit 100% for sure. Very sturdy. Sara


worldwideride.ca

Therm-a-Rest Chair Kit Lite 20

If you have a Thermarest, these take up no room and weigh little. Very comfy for laying back in but you are on the ground.

I carried a little tripod seat but ended up giving it away as most camp sites we used had decent seating areas, if not, we just used the panniers.

..tried lots.
 

Simon and I have tried loads of different ones...
from persevering initially to 'no way are we carrying chairs!' ...
to, after a couple of years using the thermarest 'chairs' - found these to be great. although at the end of a day we got very lazy about shoving the matresses in and then getting them back out again to sleep on. found also that often they were damp - even though using a tarp on the ground when sitting.
the damp patch is never nice to sleep on LOL.

so then had a 3 legged tiny stool. simple, easy, small, but boy! with a bad back, as we often have, not a good 'restful' way to sit. mine broke when someone slightly overweight sat on mine :-)

then we went to the USA and saw and tried the Kermit chair. All of our problems solved. absolutely amazing. not the lightest or the cheapest, but for what you get the best. sturdy, comfortable, for all sizes and heights (im 5'3" and Simon is 6'4") great to sit and rest back after a hard days riding off -road. a real luxury. small pack size...but not sure about carrying 2 on one bike plus pillion and all the other stuff.
we have 2 bikes to spread the load - so we are lucky.

have a look at this video that we put together on how the kermit goes up. 2RTW Extras - The Kermit Chair Video - YouTube

http://www.rei.com/skuimage/765270/220


I use one of these. It's a stowaway chair from Rei in America. I think it's more or less the same size as the Kermit chair. Maybe the quality's not quite as good, but it's cheaper and FAR quicker to put up (pull the arms outward and you're there). VERY comfortable.

It's a luxury, though. It's not the smallest length-wise (details are at Rei.com); then again, I have a 10cm deep air bed, so a few creature comforts are ok!

I don't know where you're from, but I had it shipped to the UK. It is cheap in the USA, but the shipping and import tax increased the price a little too much. I paid as much for these than I did for the chair! :oops2:

We have used kermits and while without doubt very comfy and amazingly well designed they necessarily suffer from size and weight issues. We could not find a spot on the bikes to secure them that I was comfortable with from a security point of view without significant engineering.

So this year we have gone to the other extreme and are going to try the Alite Monarch for a month of travel in New Zealand.

monarch-camp-chair

I use a fold flat chair. it packs either horizontally across the pannier tops or vertically against the top box so uses virtually no space at all. deploys in 2-3 seconds.

see here packed vertically in Austria


http://www.our-site.me.uk/bike/larry...reenwidth=1152

Kermit!
 

A bit bulky and maybe a bit porky (and certainly a bit pricey!), but a Kermit is the cat's ass!!!!

Decathlon do a 'low' version- perfect for not getting back ache when cooking.
solid to max 100kg load

The rivets in these types of chairs fail after a while. I would replace the factory rivets and replace them with semi decent bolts / Nylock nuts. Or just throw it away a get another for $5
Cheers Ben.

You are correct they are not at all expensive, but the chair is over ten years old and used a lot. Both on bike trips and car trips. The good thing about inexpensive gear is it does not matter when they deteriorate as they are cheap to replace. But you can't equate usefulness with price. My tent cost £9.99 8 years ago :) I still prefer to use my £10 gaz stove rather than my expensive omnifuel, even when journeying by car. My frame bed was £12 and my Coleman hudson 450 sleeping bag about £30 keeps me warm even in below freezing temps. (after two miserable cold years with a hi tech expensive mummy type bag).

stick with what works irrespective of price or fashion.

this one?
 

Hi Bertrand,

Is this the one you mean?
Chairs & Tables Camping Low chair

Thanks,
Emiliano

My wife and I use Kermits and they are our bit of luxury, anyone who has tried them never swaps back !!!!
Paul

Yes Emiliano - it is exactly that one although mine is looking a little more worn!!:thumbup1:
I looked at the Kermit but decided it was not for me- too heavy too. I will be replacing my old Quetchua with the same one.

Pico chair
 

I've been looking for a chair as well. Kermit was my preference but too fiddly perhaps.

I found this, maybe not as robust as the Kermit but a lot easier and quicker. Slightly larger when folded.
I've ordered one from US and will let you know how it goes in a couple of weeks.

See here GCI Outdoor's PICO Chair - YouTube
Cheers
Steven

I have had a Pico for about 5 years now.. wouldnt change it for another chair !
I have even added a little ali shelve for my bits on the side :-)

Yes it was expensive but worth it

Cheers
Geordie aka Will

Camping Chairs
 

We are always looking for lighter,better, stronger and now comfort. Our current light weight aluminium stools do not have backs so we are also looking for replacements or even getting backs manufactured and attached. Kermits are just to big and heavy for two up riding and research has led us to the Coleman Woodsman Chair. Has anyone carried/used these for an extended period?

Alite Monarch post trip opinion.

Well Sal and I have just spent 4 weeks travelling the North Island of New Zealand with 2 bikes, and for the first time two Allite Monarch chairs.

We have never packed chairs before and just sat on the ground, but some creature comforts are appreciated and so we thought we'd try them out.

Although we both had our doubts about them pre-trip given that our lounge room testing ended in much over balancing and hilarity, they have proven to be a good addition to our kit. They are for us a good compromise between comfort / usability and weight / packed size and they both fitted neatly into one corner of one pannier.

Our biggest concern about larger chairs (we have 2 Kermits) that inevitably end up strapped to the seat, was security for example while we left the bikes and went bush walking for several hours. There is also the hassle of having to unstrap and bring inside a larger chair when overnighting in a accomodation and the Monarchs obviously eliminated that issue completely. When staying in lodgings our camping kit stays on the bike locked in the panniers and so being able to lock the chairs in with it was a must.

Construction quality is first class and we experienced nor foresee any problems at all with their service life.

I would not like to sit in one for hours lounging around as they tend to put your neck at an odd angle if you sit back into them - a bit like lying in bed trying to read a book perched on your chest. You can sit upright in them but it is not as comfortable as sitting back and is quite low to the ground so cooking is necessarily done at ground level.

So all in all, as a camp chair for cooking, eating, general sitting around etc they proved quite serviceable and surprisingly comfortable - just don't get pissed and try to sit in one.

picco
 

I bought two picco chairs a bit to big to fit in on or around my panniers.But they can be put up in 10 seconds even when slightly drunk.
and they are very comftable.

Camping Chairs
 

Just checked out the Pico chairs.. Pure luxury... but way to heavy and bulky for us. 12 lbs (5.5kg) Our current stools (no back) are aluminium and weigh 500 grms each. May look at getting a fabricator to make a "U" shaped aluminium loop with material a back rest to turn these into the items we need. Thanks for the info.. K & C

I saw someone camping with one like this Alite Monarch Butterfly Ultralight Travel and Camping Chair - YouTube It was a different make but just the same, (just found this one now while looking to post on here) I tried it out and it felt really comfy, just what you need at the end of the day. I was sold on it straight away until he said it cost him 90 euros in Holland :( but now i've found these i'll look at getting one.

Best Camping Chair
 

This looks quite trick. It appears to use leg pressure to create a semblance of balance. Could this be tiring over say an hour or more? The vision of a backrest with legs and feet up on a stump is more appealing. Size and weight are perfect but would need to "taste and see" I think. The "Kermit" was really comfortable and the "Pico" looks so luxurious but their size and weight are the issue. Cannot locate the Pico or the Coleman Woodsman in Australia so will check them on our return to the USA.
Thanks... K & C

Pico great chair but...
 

I've received the Pico chair. Its great quality and for the money I reckon good value.

Im just not convinced though. The size and weight still bothers me. If I was using it everyday then it would make lots of sense. If Im carrying it around on my bike for weeks on end and "might" need a chair then it is too heavy and bulky I reckon.

Kept looking at the Kermit but it looks a bit .... well dated, fiddly and fiddly. If I got one for free I wouldn't complain I suppose.

I've ordered an Alite Monarch. Its a lot lighter than the Kermit by a long shot, and lighter too. OK two legs missing but I reckon a pannier box jammed under the back for occasional support may do the trick. I'll let you know when I receive it.
Cheapest to Australia was amazon.com. total of $64. Other websites wanted around $100 total.

As far as the Pico. I will keep it in the car for those moments when you need a chair ... might even buy another for my wife.

Cheers
Steven

my kingdom for a chair
 

Having recently spent nearly a month in the desert with a guy with an Alite Monarch chair (recom'd by Mike C), I too can give it the thumbs up.
I was sure it would break but it managed fine (guy was the same weight as me, about 95kg) and it was light (600g) enough to carry by day and fast enough to whip out for lunch. I think the secret may be that there is little or not torsion on two legs on uneven ground compared to 4 or even 3 legs.
Rrp $70 I read, but goes for $50 in the US.
Monarch Chair - Spring 2012 Collection | Alite Designs

I myself used the Exped frame thing to convert my Exped Synmat into a lean back - lovely and cushy but not so good for day use or working on the bike - a hard pannier or stool is better for that.
Next time I think I'd take an Alite and spare the mat.

Chris S

Best Chair..?
 

Hi

I have to agree - the Kermit is the dog's. I stopped looking when I got one.

The only drawback as has already been mentioned is being able to safely pack it - it goes in my ortleib tail roll bag OK and is well worth the extra size/weight to some of the cheaper options out there - but Horses for Courses as they say! Good Luck in your hunt!:thumbup1:

I love my exped chair conversion its a bed ,a chair and a sun lounger all in one its works perfectly for me as I dont like to carry to much stuff but each to their own

Same here.

As a bonus, your butt stays warm while sitting down even in freezing temps and with a howling wind :freezing:

The ultimate camping chair!
 

OK - you've seen the rest, the absolute best by miles IMHO is the Helinox Chair One. i just bought one for myself & 2 for my 2 German friends doing the Australian leg of their world trip. It was designed for hikers, is amazingly light & folds down to a small package you can hold in your palm. It essentially assembles itself with small flexible alloy poles that a cord pulls them into place like tent poles. I've been looking for something like this for ages. It's really comfortable & you can lean back & relax in it. It's very high quality & comes in a great little carrying bag (approx. 12 inches long). Check it out :thumbup1:

Nick

this does look the best solution - ordered one
 

Hi

This one looks a great solution, the lightness of the Alite with 4 legs. I was finding the Alite a bit precarious at times and it causes my knees to grumble a bit in my old age.

I've ordered one, lets see how it goes.

Wish I'd seen this before, and its in my own back yard too, :)

Camping chairs are reviewed in this months (issue 10) Adventure Bike Rider magazine.

Top marks go to the £32 Sunncamp super deluxe comfly low chair.

others recommended include
£30 Regatta Delux Folding camping chair
£22 Vango Venice chair

Light and comfortable!
 

940 grams of the Helinox vs. 595 grams of the Monarch....
Everybody else is defeated!

The problem with ABR mag is that it's too pro-big bike and the gear they test is mainly for the road

Sorry for :offtopic:

What about this:

http://www.miljogarden.se/wp-content...fredericia.jpg

http://www.fotoagent.dk/single_pictu...mog%289%29.jpg
http://www.fotoagent.dk/single_pictu...og%2810%29.jpg



Okay, fair enough, you need a sidecar to bring it as it doesn't fold. And it's expensive as hell. But man, I like it. Yours for around £2500. :eek3:

I got mine from Bever at €79 a bit pricy (to say the least), but when space is a premium then there aren't too many options available.


Casper

Kermit
Hands down the best. Takes a bit to assemble but well worth it.

What I didn't like about my Pico is the fabric stretches and you get no lower back support. I'll sell mine if anyone is interested, PM me.

Another vote for the Helinox. I jsut used one for a week long ride down the greta divide of Australia. Super comfy, light, compact and strong.

I just ordered another one for my wife.

For me the best camping chair is Trekker Lounge from Therm-A-Rest.
 

The Trekker Lounge is light, very comfortable and it protects my mattress when not used as a chair.

I leave it on my mattress at all times and it only takes a moment to convert the mattress into a comfortable chair.

Over the years I've used all kind of camping chairs, and this is first one that I still love after several years of use.

Somewhere in the mountains of Romania after a long day in the sadle:

http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps1dc72914.jpg

Don T, In the photo I really like the guy in the foregrounds chair......beer

you dont have to pack it away in the morning.........:cool4:

One of my main criteria was being able to use a chair sitting inside the porch area of my Khyam Biker tent. There is nothing as uncomfortable as trying to read a mag or a book scrunched up on the deck or in the sack. Over the years I have found nothing either adaptable enough or long lasting, ..........until I discovered the Kermit with leg extensions. What a great bit of kit! easy to roll up and transport, beautifully hand made in proper timber and stainless steel. Without the extensions I can sit comfortably inside the tent, with the extensions it's exactly the right height to prevent leg cramps after a long day in the saddle, and damn comfortable. Worth every cent ( including the import duty).

Best Camping Chair
 

Most accolades for the best Camp Chair are for the Kermit or similar which we agree are great... for solo riders... The weight is way (weigh) too much for two up riders. For the light weight seats close to the ground, these are difficult for us old folk to dig ourselves out of after a good feed and a bottle of wine. Somewhere on our travels we will locate the ultimate seat...reasonable height, with a back-rest weighing under 1 kg.. Surely with the alloys available today this would not be too hard to do. Our current alloy stools weigh less than 1 kg for the two... a back rest would make these perfect...Maybe we need to find a fabricator to bend some alloy pipe and attache with some suitable material.

A little while back on this post we mentioned Coleman Woodsman Chairs. Folds down like a stool but with a back and weighs 1.78 pounds. Has anyone had any experience with these!!??? Cheers and thanks for all the feed back.. K & C

Hmmm

I just use my pannier to sit on and a tree to lean at.
No need for packing away when riding.
Triple function.
And I even have one for my wife as well.
bier

Link - they also do an umbrella ... look at the video of a car running over it, and rocks falling on it .. might standup to my abuse? :oops2::offtopic:

Australia's Leading Ultra light Camping Chairs | Sitting is Believing

$aud97 free postage Aus + NZ.

No affiliation.

in the photo in romania, the empty chair top left, thats the sort of thing i take everywhere with me.
yes they are big packed up (but light)
yes they dont last very long (although you should expect a couple of seasons out of one)

but a kermit is something crazy like £130 to get to UK, this is £5 and replaceable in any supermarket or petrol station.
its light and waterproof so it can strap anywhere on the bike.
its a comfy, full sized seat that doesnt need a balancing act, a sober pilot, or einstein to put up/take down

The Helinox Chair.
Light and comfy. Awesome. My back thanked me :0)

The Helinox Chair.
Light and comfy. Awesome. My back thanked me :0)

Nice looking chair that..


However....

That takes up the same space as a 1l box of supermarket wine.


Both help me relax in comfort, but one does that in a more fun way ;)

beach chairs
 

http://www.kampeergoed.nl/images/calea_strandstoel.jpg
Brunner CALEA, sold as beach chair, detacheable into a small package 50 x 12 x 8 cm, supplied with bag, Euro 29,-,
1.4 kg :Beach:

Cheers, Noel

The guy sitting next to the empty chair in photo above looks to be sitting in a Kermit chair. You can really get a sense of the difference in sitting heights from that photo. Knees above hips is not really an ergonomically comfortable position. The leg extensions are a "must have" addition to every Kermit purchase. Another consideration for 3-4 legged chairs vice the "rockers" like Alite Mayfly is that when setting up camp I use the chair(s) to set items on when unpacking the paniers/luggage vice the ground, especially on wet/damp days. Can't do that on a 2-legged version.
bier

Another vote for the helinox.
I have had 2 for the past 6 months and can't fault them

Australia's Leading Ultra light Camping Chairs | Sitting is Believing

http://dingbatter.com/i/RedNeckWheelChair.jpg

Assuming space and cost is no issue, of course :oops2:

Kermits are for old men and boys.

Only one works in the tent when you are in your bag on your matress.
You want to read and write in your journal.

Wet road tire change, kneel on it.
Stretch it flat and sleep on it.
Elevate your head in the tent.

Packs flat under your back bag.

Cant be broken, always there.

Maybe not for the overweight/pregnant.

Accept no substitutes, they will not last.

https://www.crazycreek.com/products-...riginal-chair/

bill

I have the Alite Monarch Chair - I can sit in for hours. I tried the Helinox - but it wasn't as stable as the Alite, dug into my back at the top and just wasn't as comfortable. I think someone of lesser girth wouldn't have these problems (i am 110kg)

The Alite is also slightly lighter and packs down a little smaller (but this is marginal), it also is quicker/easier to setup (again marginal).

For someone smaller than me the Helinox would probably be better as it is a little easier to get in and out of.

Balancing a on Monarch is natural, you don't even notice that you are doing it.

my verdict
 

I have to plump for the Helinox.

Alite is great, small and will use for more local off road trips where space is premium. The two leg thing can be a pain though.

The Pico is simply to big and heavy although great design.

So the four legged Australian Helinox wins as it mixes comfort, weight and packed size. Beautifully made and fits my arse.

Good choice Haggis - I love my Helinox!!!

Cool how it uses DAC tubes. Now if only someone would make adapters to use DAC tent poles like a tripod seat. Then we're talking bestest.

REI hylite, 1lb 2 oz 4"x14" folded

Hi There,

the Helinox works for me, it's a great piece of kit, small packdown size, lightweight and very comfy. I even put it in the rear pouch of my photographic waistcoat when at Waddington air show at the weekend and surprised my mates when we stopped for breakfast and I just 'whipped it out', so to speak!

Regards

Reggie

Nothing changes eh Reggie.. :rolleyes2: