small but big camping chair
 

My bike is a 250 so I can't carry a standard sized chair as it takes up far too much space and is usually heavy.
I've been searching for a sturdy camping chair that offers reasonable back support & isn't at ground level.
Does it exist?

Have a look at the Helinox range of products, not cheap but do what you want.

I've also been looking for a decent chair that packs down to a size that's commensurate with its place in my camping equipment hierarchy - so no huge beach style chairs that are bigger than the tent.

Those little tripod chairs or their fold up fishing stool first cousins pack down small enough but just give me backache when you use them for more than five or ten minutes. They're better than nothing but only just.

Helinox chairs (or more likely one of the Chinese clones on eBay) seem to tick many of the boxes so that's probably where I'll go next. There's been a discussion about them here recently - click this link:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...chairs-72658-3

Thanks, the Helinox chairs are the ones I couldn't remember the name of but ideally would like to avoid. Too pricey, plus, I've known buyers to modify them because they sink on wet campsites. Seems a bit useless to me if you have to fix something so pricey.
Maybe the Chinese copy is the alternative, I have a tiny tripod chair, doesn't work too well for me.

There's no way I'd pay full price for a Helinox chair as I've no experience of them - never handled one, sat in one, used it on a campsite or anywhere else and neither do I know anyone who has so it would be an expensive shot in the dark.

The Chinese clones may be cheap and cheerful but at least I'd get an idea of how they work and whether they work for me. Usually the adage "buy cheap, buy twice" has some validity but there are some exceptions (GoPro cameras vs SJ4000 clones for example) and I think this may be another one. Ebay UK has the clone chairs for around £17 and my local camping shop wants half of that for another tripod stool.

Hi. I bought one of the cheap copies of a Helinox, just on that basis, to see if its any good.
I used it indoors sitting for quite a while, getting up sitting down, over a week and I really can't see it breaking easily. How much stronger the genuine article is I don't know. I found it comfortable and it didn't seem to aggravate my slightly dodgy back!
I agree the legs do look as if they would sink into soft ground. I'll be looking to see if I can find some better plastic inserts to overcome that.

Aldi OZ sold a clone of a Helinox chair. It lacks the finish of the genuine chair .. but it works. I think the ebay sellers would be similar. Note than the ebay sellers don't sell into Australia.. don't known about NZ

Aldies latest offing was a clone of something else.

Mine was bought on Uk Ebay. and having examined a real Helinox in a camping store, its difficult to see any difference apart from colour and brand labels.

Helinox makes balls for the chair feet. They will also be releasing a new model with a "groundsheet" preventing it from sinking or you could do as many others and use four tennis balls.

https://www.globetrotter.de/shop/hel...l-feet-244743/

Millets were selling yellow Helinox chairs for £45. I see they are now £63 which is still quite a saving on the full price. I have one and think they are great as they give the back support I now need!

You want a good supportive chair that doesn't give you back ache and will last a lifetime? I've tried a lot of these lightweight metal things that you throw away after a year or so, and splashed out on something a bit heavier, but hand made in wood and stainless steel. Expensive , initially, but will last forever.
The Kermit chair. Kermit Chair Company | The Original Touring Chair | Motorcycle Camping Chair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R1JIEJ7ecM

I was at one of the HUBB mini meets a few years ago and someone there (I've forgotten who :blushing:) had one of the Kermit chairs. I was very impressed - solid, well made and exactly what a camping chair should be. All you'd need for a perfect evening would be that, a log fire and a bottle of Jack Daniels. :rofl:

I then promptly forgot the name, so in the back of my mind it's been a case of looking at the Helinox / clones and those wooden ones, whatever they're called :confused2:

I'll probably still splash out on a Helinox clone but it doesn't "shape up" I'll be seriously looking at the Kermit ones.

I think the Kermit chair may be a bit bulky and heavy for the "250 minimalist". Note it's marketed as THE chair for BMW riders! I bought a "Helinockoff" from ebay uk and used it in Mauritania for a month. Very pleased with it. Yes it sank in the sand, but there are ways of mitigating this, as mentioned on the other thread. Ordinary "soft ground" was not a problem. It's comfy, and never ceases to amuse when you pull the frame from the bag and just wave it about 'till it self-assembles!
Ride safe,
Simon.

Have a look at thermarest trio.. they are a few grams heaver then helinox (only a few) but 150 short when packed (similar diameter). Nice wide feet so they dont sink.. and well made by thermarest so ..

Check em out on google images.

I have 2 kermit chairs(his and Hers). They sit well on the top of the panniers. Wouldn't go bush without them. Put them in the same category as a good bed and coffee, highly recommended. Incidentally make your own 100mm leg extensions out of aluminium sq tube.