So here is my solution to the Helinox chair feet digging into soft ground.  (Assuming I find level ground, which is a big assumption.) 

Now the chair looks like a cross between a lunar rover and a new line of Mickey Mouse furniture.  Best thing, if it ever falls in the water, Puck my golden retriever will get it!

prouboy

Quote:


I look forward to your review of it. I downloaded the pfd manual for it, and from what I could see, I think you could drop some weight by drilling out the adjustable legs ( honey-combing) between and at 90 degree angle to the push-button holes.
I bet you could do the same for the upper arms as well. Say 1/4 holes every inch side/top but not next to each other if you know what I mean.
Maybe get under 3# or lower with a little MacGivering.

I'm doing that to a aluminum Coleman director type chair and if I can get around 3#, I'd be more than happy.

3.5# is heavier than my tent.

mastertangler wrote on Dec 16^th, 2013 at 11:29pm:


You think 3.5 lbs is a ton?  I carry a 5-pound GCi Quik-E-Seat and have loved it   - so far.  I just ordered the Shappell chair you linked above - thankyouverymuch - and look forward to using it.

I picked up a Mayfly at an REI garagae sale for $33 or something like that.  Haven't used it except to assemble at home.  I think the design of the legs is better than the Helios - instead of 4 skinny feet, you have a bar across the corners that should sink less in soft soils.

I won this mayfly chair as part of a first prize pack for my project "Building a Cedar Strip Canoe" on instructables.com.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

I'm anxious to give it a try on my next trip. Seems like a nice chair, lightweight and compact.

I think camp chairs are kinda like cars, everyone has their favorite, for different reasons.

My canoe partner is 6'5" and loves the slinglight (Kerry's favorite) because it provides support for his neck.  I find it unstable and I don't like how it folds up (or doesn't). 

Camp chairs is one of those wonderful camping topics with endless room for debate, and one that we don't even have to get angry over. 

Of course my chair is better than your chair.  Right#*?!

prouboy

Over the years I've tried them all out and this is still the most comfortable and, at 18 oz, the lightest.  The one drawback is replacing the nylon when it finally wears out.  That being said, I have a pair of them and it is only this year, after 7 seasons, that I've had to replace the nylon on one of them.
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Several people I've tripped with use these and like them.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

I agree that at 3.5 lbs it's no lightweight, but that's with those nice padded legs for soft ground, individual adjustable legs and the ability to swivel which might be nice if your setting around on a lookout looking for photo-ops.

That Helinox is nice and light, but as prouboy said, the feet sink into soft ground and I'm guessing you better set it up on fairly level ground or you could have problems ?

I checked, a tennis ball weighs between 2-2.5 oz.
The chair weighs 2 lbs, add say 4 x 2.oz tennis balls, and your pushing 3 lbs.
Don't know enough about either, but by just looking at pictures and what there made of, I would say the Shappell chair would probably take 
abuse better than the Helinox?

So I guess like everything involved in tripping you have to decide what's worth lugging and what's not.