How to Choose a Camp Chair

With a taller back for added support and comfort, the Helinox Chair Zero Highback has the same DNA as Chair Zero, making it a light, compact choice for camping, paddling trips, backpacking and more.
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Imported.
View the Helinox Chair Zero Product LineView all Helinox Camp ChairsBest Use | Camping |
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Camp Chair Style | Scoop |
Unfolded Dimensions | 32.5 x 21.5 x 20.5 inches |
Folded Dimensions | 5 x 16 inches |
Seat Height | 8.5 inches |
Weight Capacity (lbs) | 265 pounds |
Seat Material(s) | Ripstop polyester |
Frame Construction | DAC aluminum |
Weight | 1 lb. 8 oz. |
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I bought this, the regular Helinox Zero, the REI Flexlite Air, and the REI Flexlite Dreamer. This chair just doesn’t improve on any of the other chairs for me. The back does come high enough to support my head and there is an internal pole right at the top of the back. It seems like that wouldn’t be comfortable even if I was shorter (I’m 6’ 170lbs). By comparison the REI Flexlite Air doesn’t have a high back but it’s about 9oz lighter on my scale and just as comfortable. Maybe more comfortable as it feels wider. The REI Flexlite Dreamer is much heavier but even without the pillow it’s 10000 times more comfortable. We use two of them for car camping they are so comfortable.
I really love how lightweight this chair is. I find it super comfortable and personally better than the non-highback chairs. DO NOTE that this is not a large chair. It is about 33 inches tall and you are still pretty close to the ground. Also, I am 5'1" and the chair is not tall enough to rest my head comfortably on the head rest. When I lean back, the top of the chair probably hits the hairline on my neck. So if you are a taller person looking to have a comfortable place to rest your head, maybe go with another, taller chair. Also, I purchased the "chair zero" groundsheet and found that it DOES NOT fit this model. After emailing Helinox, I learned that there is not a ground sheet that fits this chair zero highback model yet.
I bought the chair zero highback for an upcoming motorcycle rally in Robbinsville, NC. I needed a lightweight, portable camping chair that was both comfortable yet small enough to fit in my motorcycle’s panniers. The chair zero highback fit my needs exactly. The chair comes in rip-stop bag containing the chair’s collapsed frame wrapped in the seat fabric. The frame’s legs are tether with internal bungies for quick and mistake-proof assembly. The ultra lightweight frame made me curious if it would actually support me (240 lbs). Thankfully, it did not disappoint. Looking forward to using this out on the campground!
The head rest is nice-- when used with supporting pillow. However, I found this chair to be a bit narrow through the sides. I'm not overweight or large-hipped, but this chair is definitely "tighter" than the regular Chair Zero. I decided to return for regular chair. I still give it good marks, but *larger-sized* buyers might feel squeezed in this chair.
I have the original Helinox Zero chair. love it. Thought I'd get this to share with whomever's hiking with me, but it's just not enough upgrade in comfort to make it worth the price, additional packed volume. I'm 6'1" and it doesn't come close to offering a useful headrest. Comes up to my shoulders. Can't recommend this over the standard zero chair.
For the weight this is great but it is fairly delicate. I would save this for backpack trips only and be careful sitting down in it and leaning. It likes to flex. I weigh 185 and already figured I needed to be careful, but I managed to crack the hub right where a pole goes in. It seemed like this was caused by uneven ground. It remained useable if I was VERY careful and I’ve done a couple trips with it while waiting for a replacement hub from Helinox. (They were great to deal with by the way) So, sit gently, try to find even ground, and don’t lean too hard and you should be fine. I do really like the highback on this. It’s not a headrest but it does give added shoulder support. One complaint is the fabric is not very breathable. So if you’re sweaty it gets kind of clammy. All told I would recommend this. Alternatives are either way too fragile or too heavy. This thing at 1.5 pounds hits the sweet spot.
I already own the original chair zero and absolutely love them. Received 2 zero highbacks today and I'll be returning them tomorrow. I own lots of Helinox product and this was a huge disappointment. I found them no more supportive and the hard bar across the top digs into my neck if I try reclining. It's a fail. Save 40.00 bucks and get the original zero.
Bought this mainly to use backpacking. Obviously, with it being an ultralight chair, it’s not incredibly sturdy, but certainly sturdy enough. Worth the extra half lb for the high back. I’m a petite female 5’2 and it’s tall enough for me to rest my head. It’s narrow, but that works for me.
I have both the zero and the high back zero and love them both! I tend to use the regular zero for backpacking as it is shorter in length and fits better in my backpack but this one is great when I can afford the additional inches. It also fits and I have the ZPack arc haul 60 liter pack. Can’t even tell a chair is in my pack !!!! Hard to believe a comfortable chair could be this light and sturdy but it is!!! I backpack and every ounce matters. This is totally worth the carry! I keep my camping gear in the seat and off the wet ground when I’m not using it as well! So many uses for just a pound of weight! I find that it will blow away easily because it’s so light so having so many uses other than sitting in it works out perfectly ! Always keep it right outside my tent for either sitting or using it to expand my tent space for gear. I also use it as a sun shade sometimes! So much value and with so many uses …. Makes this a must have now and I’ve never looked back!
The chair is light-weight, has pleasing appearance, appears well-constructed and stable, and has the high back which is the reason I selected this chair over others. The downside is that the seat and back are quite narrow even for a slim person like me. I think it will be uncomfortable for someone with some girth. Try it and you will see. That being so makes it less than comfortable especially after a vigorous hike. I’ll probably keep it knowing full well its limitation.