So I finally busted up my old faithful camp chair.  It served me well for many years but, ultimately, an aluminum leg cracked... and that was that.  Seat and seat back material held up just fine.  I'm not sure which "brand"  it was (I tossed the remains into the dumpster at French Lake before checking) but it looked a lot like the Coleman Woodsman II (see:   (You need to Login or Register ) except it was equipped with a storage bag underneath, much like Cliff Jacobsen's Camp Chair (see:   (You need to Login or Register ) which I like a lot except it only has seating capacity for lard butts up to 225 pounds.  I'm a bit heavier AND have "back issues" which means I can put considerable strain on a chair because I lean at different angles and I'm shifting around a lot to achieve temporary comfort. 

I DO like the leg construction of the Cliff Chair better than the 4 leg post concept.  Due to variations in the duff/sand/gravel, one leg can get to sinking deeper than others and, pretty soon, you're lopsided.

I've done a fair amount of research on chair types and looked at a number of reviews.  Often the reviews are done by backpackers who are working with different constraints and goals.  For instance, while I really don't want to be carrying around a 12 pound chair, I don't an 18 ounce one, either.  I want durability that comes with solid construction.  I need something that can endure the weight and abuse I give a chair in camp.

Some of the chairs that keep floating to the surface when I plug in the variables include:
*  Big Agnes Helinox Chair One (see:   (You need to Login or Register )
*  Any number of "other" Helinox chairs, built with similar construction to the one above
*  The Timber Ridge Aluminum Portable Director's Chair (see:   (You need to Login or Register )
*  Any number of cheapo knock-offs of Cliff's Chair that can't handle the weight.

While the Helinox chairs feature innovative construction and are touted as being "able to handle 300 lbs", I've read some concerns about durability and about the vulnerability where some of the joints come together.  They ARE very light but, again, weight is less my concern than longevity.  What good does it do me to invest in an expensive chair that lasts but one or two seasons?

I like the construction of the Timber Ridge chair and I've seen others out there much like it.  It's a little heavy but I'm willing to give some on that factor... unless I can find something that does the same job (it claims "durability" AND the capability of supporting 300+ pounds) that weighs less.  Also, most reports say the fabric holds up well.  I've seen a recommendation to put WD-40 or vaseline on screws and bolts to prevent rusting which can be a problem if left wet.  It even has a little side table (look it looks a bit flimsy) that could prove useful.  It gets mostly 5 star reviews and, so far, is probably my top choice.

So, I'm inviting recommendations from others and continuing my research before I make my choice.  If you happen to have a favorite camp chair that you think might serve my purpose, I'd love to hear about it.  Thanks!

Jimbo   8-)

I bought a Helinox chair one this spring and am very satisfied. Light, sturdy and comfortable. Bought two more used from and outfitter ($60) for a trip with my brothers and they were also enthusiastic. My older brother is well north of 200# and the chair accommodated him without trouble.

Jimbo,

I don't know if this would suit your needs, but since your already a 'hanger' and need trees for your set-up, THIS item might be something you could use?

Most hunters are not little guys so I don't think weight would be an issue and the ability to easily adjust for heights might be great for a sore back?

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I'm also looking for a good chair. Not a hanger, because I want to use it anywhere, by the fire, by the swimming hole, by the tent, anywhere.

Thanks for posting, Jim. 8-)

Solus, thanks for the Helinox endorsement.  I was pretty high on those chairs until I started seeing a few discrepant reviews (on Amazon, I think). 

ST, that chair would work REALLY well for me about 1/2 the time.  Along the lines of what OS is saying, I kind of need to be able to move the chair where I need... and trees, while all over the place, are sometimes not strategically situated.  Still, I hadn't thought about that approach and I'm always open for a new way of looking at & doing things (though the whole "canoe sail" idea has been pretty much a bust; anybody want a great deal on a PINK canoe sail???).

Keep the ideas flowing, guys.  Thanks!

Jimbo   8-)

Jimbo,

I have that Coleman Woodsman chair and have McGyvered it to fit my needs and weight. I'm 200 lbs plus and think that chair is rated as is for 225#.

The first thing I did when I got the chair was to look at it potential weak spots?

The pivot point seems very strong and so far I've left that alone. Next was the issue of the aluminum legs/frame bending under constant weight and "shifting" in place.

I bought some of that household foam you use to seal around windows/door-frames. The kind that expands. I drilled a couple of small access holes around the frame and filled the whole frame with foam. That increased it's strength significantly, plus it now floats.

I bought these to help pad my canoe seat and use them in camp on the Coleman. Between the chair and pads, and foam your looking at less than $50 dollars.

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It's hard to beat the weight and the fact if folds flat and can be carried on pack using straps to hold in place.

You liked the old chair, maybe this would make you love a new tricked-out chair as well.

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This is too small for what you're looking for, but I'll post it anyway. Just bought this Monarch Alite and took it to Quetico for the first time two weeks ago. I loved it. Super light (like barely over a pound) and small, and only two legs -- which means you can use it on a slope. And it was only $53 brand new at Backcountry Edge. You sit somewhat low to the ground, which means you can't lean over a fire to cook, for example, but I had no problem eating in it, drinking some bourbon or reading.

Sitting in it requires a slight balancing act (but only slight) and you can't "plop" down in it, but to me it was comfortable. I'm about 205, and 6-foot-2, btw.

Rest of the crew had Heliox, but those may have been slightly more comfortable, but carrying 6 of those is a lot of weight and bulk.

- kypaddler

Solus wrote on Oct 4^th, 2016 at 3:37pm:

I bought a Helinox chair one this spring and am very satisfied. Light, sturdy and comfortable. Bought two more used from and outfitter ($60) for a trip with my brothers and they were also enthusiastic. My older brother is well north of 200# and the chair accommodated him without trouble.

I bought four of these over last winter. Lowest price was 48 and at least two of the others were in the low 50s. I probably paid the most for the first one I bought at copia (85). They are sturdy, lightweight and we use them everywhere. Chairs are a fairly personal taste so there will be varying opinions on preference depending on folks' individual likes and dislikes.

One of the members of our crew took one on these in early September and he thought it was great.  Priced at about half of a Helinox and as I remember had a few pounds higher capacity.

OUTAD Portable Ultralight Heavy Duty Folding Chair for Outdoor Activities/Camping/Hiking

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I have taken a Helinox on 2 trips and generally please with it, except in very soft ground.  They make a soft earth accessory that is just some mesh fabric the legs fit into, but it is fairly heavy and nearly as ridiculous in price as my MSR Frying pan.

MossBack

we used birch bark to hold the legs on soft ground when it was a problem. Others have suggested golf practice balls (like small wiffle balls) to prevent unwanted ground penetration.


The Outad Helinox clone has a lower carrying capacity than the Helinox by some 75#.

Jim
I have one of the aluminum directors chairs (from Costco I think) and it is very comfortable.  It has a good back rest and the seat is flat so I can lean forward and work.  I just weighed mine and it was 5.3 Lbs. That is out of my acceptable weight range for tripping but you have been known to take more weight than I do.

I have an Alite Monarch that I got at an REI garage sale - twice now, one of the inside pipe nipples that fits into the round ball has slipped all the way inside the outer pipe, making it useless since that leg won't stay in the ball-foot.  I managed to whittle a wood plug that worked temporarily.  which reminds me, i still need to fix that or send it back to Alite for repair.   

I love my Helinox! No problems and we use them all the time.

All,

Several of the recommendations that have been made in this thread are included in this review:   (You need to Login or Register .

I meant to refer to it in my original post.  Better late than never.  Others in the same boat that I'm in might benefit some from the analysis and find it useful.

A lot of the chairs they (the Outdoor Gear Lab) like seem to be a bit on the heavy side.  On the other hand, those who have traveled with me are well-aware that those-type items seem to stick to me like a magnet.

Carry on... (which is something I do a lot of).

Jimbo   8-)

Jimbo,

Picked up a Helionix Chair One  on sale at Copia a couple of years ago. It is well made, light @2 lbs.  and can handle my 215 lbs. There is a higher back Helinox Sunset Chair that comes in at 3 lbs. that looks appealing.

I put 4 whiffle golf balls on the feet bottoms of the Chair One to help minimize the chair feet sinking in the ground.

Wally13,

I think Helinox is rated for over 300 lbs.  I really DO like that it is so light to carry.  Nevertheless, with the Helinox & the Alite I'm mostly concerned about durability where those moving parts come into play.  Most of the time I'm squirming like a toad (didn't Jim Morrison sing that line?) in my chair and lean on it at all angles to get comfortable due to my back issues.

They sell "footies" that you can put on such chairs to keep them from sinking into the ground.  Your idea with the golf whiffle balls ought to do the trick at 10% of the cost.

Partly I need to decide if I am going to be doing mostly "base-camp trips" from now on OR if I will be up for more adventurous trips as in the good old days.  If the former, what the heck do I care about weight!?  If the latter, I REALLY care about weight!  May have to wait a few more months to see how my rehab progresses to make that call.

Still, if I could find a super-solid chair in the 5-6 pound range, I'd probably jump on it (figuratively speaking, not literally... until I got to know my chair better).

215, eh?  Hmmm... well, I guess some of us ARE known for telling whoppers here on QJ!  ;)

Later,

Jimbo   8-) 

For myself, I'm thinking more basecamping. As the classic gear head, just go with two, one for each style.

Who else has a pink sail for sale? Trade it for two chairs  8-)

Mr. Jimbo,

You are correct.

The Lizard King did indeed sing those lyrics.

I'm also the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind pink-flamingo-colored Helinox. There's no way I won't be able to find my campsite at night with that chair setting out.

Nanda,

Likewise, with my pink sail, folks at campsites all over any given lake I sail have been entertained by me: 1) trying to stay afloat, and 2) attempting to get the danged boat to go in the general direction I'm headed in (seldom possible).

Oft times I simply punt & leave the asinine thing hanging in a tree at camp so I can find my way back in the evening.

Live & learn....

Jimbo   8-)

P.S.  Years ago I used a "rowing kit" with pontoons in the park, which I actually DID like except for the fact that I was always facing where I had been versus where I was going.  OK, so, admittedly, it didn't portage exceptionally well but, when I finally did manage to get it to water, I sure could generate some speed in that baby!  Too bad it wasn't pink.

That description paints an excellent mental image but you are on to something.  I think a more Thor Heyerdahl-approach with a sail and outrigger system might be more effective. However, I too am "directionally-challenged" when out there on the water. If I get where I intended to go by the end of the day, it's a win. A pink chair is a bonus. A pink flamingo would be icing on the cake. ;D