REI Flex Lite http://www.rei.com/product/829239/rei-flex-lite-chair Big Agnes Helionx Chair One http://www.amazon.com/Helinox-Chair-One-Camp/dp/B00BAZ7LP6/ref=pd_sim_sg_54/179-4284326-1508664 Anyone have any input? I realize that there are other favorite lightweight camp chairs that could be used for bike camping (as opposed to camp chairs more suitable for car camping). I've thought about 2 legged chairs, but would prefer 4 legs for a number of reasons.
I have a helinox. Looks nice sitting in the bag, but I have yet to actually use it beyond putting it together and sitting in it when it arrived a few weeks ago. I bought it for bike camping as well but I haven't finished setting up the bike for it yet. I went for the helinox over the rei as I'm a bigger guy and some reviews said that the helinox was a better fit. Plus I snagged it off amazon with free prime shipping (some one as your link)
Valid point. The only difference I see in the chairs is more solid material in the Helinox and more mesh material in the Flex lite. So a bigger guy or gal may prefer the Helinox. One advantage of the mesh other than light weight is that the rain doesn't puddle in it. On our last trip this helped a lot. REI also carries a lifetime satisfaction guarantee on everything they sell. I bought my Nemo Morpho1 tent from them and talked with them about returning it just yesterday. They said no problem and helped me pick a tent I would be happier with as well.....all with a smile. I agree with Coffee on four legged chairs. I tried a two legged chair before my purchase and couldn't relax as I was trying to find the sweet spot for balancing and relaxing. I instantly knew me and that chair would not get along after getting back to camp after a hard day of riding.
I did notice the Helinox has a loop at booth ends of the carrying sack which might be useful for holding some personal items off the ground - reasonably sure there is a zipper across the top of the carrying bag in this picture. Not sure about the REI one yet.
I bought one of these for bike trips. http://www.rei.com/product/846402/alite-monarch-butterfly-chair. It's pretty comfortable and packs small. The only issue I have is that it is a little low to the ground and takes a little practice to get into and out of gracefully.
Interesting. For the record, I rarely buy anything like either of these chairs, and typically buy what suits me best... sort of how I ended up with a Husqvarna in the first place. View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aeZ_pIpgEY
I have the Flex Lite, I've never seen the Helinox, my REI chair did its job well for our western TAT trip, small, light and comfy. Being 6'1" I bet the Helinox would be a bit more comfy though.
This may be another option: http://alitedesigns.com/ I have had the Alite monarch (two legged design) for a couple of years now, but now they well a couple of different four legged versions. Personally I like the two legged design as it is more versatile. If you shuffle forward and move your feet back you can site more upright which helps if you are cooking on a stove and for relaxing put your feet forward and lean back. The only real problem for me is when you fall asleep in it, you tend to end up falling off it! They also come with lifetime guarantee, are lighter than the Helinox and pack up fairly small.
Yep! Love my Alite Monarch. Took a little getting used to, but I love it now. I like the versatility, too. I can sit on it upright like a stool or lounge back and relax. We use them a lot in hot springs and rivers and stuff. I lost one of the little rubber balls on the bottom when it mored in the silty bottom of a hot springs. I called up Alite to order another one. They sent me 2 of them for free! Didn't even have to pay for shipping.
I went with the Big Agnes Helinox, it should arrive next week. Next time we are camping together we could 'test ride' each others chairs.
As long as you don't buy your chair from the Sierra Club (anti OHV) supporting REI... get whatever you want.
You know, I enjoy trail riding, and I also enjoy hiking. I've seen some pretty bad behavior from dirt bikers and other ATV riders while I was hiking. I was riding my bicycle the other day and some idiot in a Dodge Ram diesel pulled along side and floored it leaving a cloud of black soot for me to pedal through. My point is, its the assholes among us that we are tolerating that are ruining it for the rest of us. Perhaps if we organized (like the Sierra Club) and policed our own, we could take away their argument?
A good friend of mine works at the local REI....and she is a rider. There is a lot of overlap between riders, cyclists, campers, canoeists, hikers.... Go Pro, Garmin, MSR.....sell across these communities...
I don't have anything against hikers and cyclists. Except for those that think they're the only ones that should be allowed to use public lands. And the Sierra Club has that attitude. I doubt REI is anti OHV. Especially if any OHV people buy their stuff. But they should be more discerning in the groups they support. You fund my enemy, YOU'RE my enemy. Every group has it's angels and its devils. Moto, equestrian, hikers, everyone. The Sierra Club is not anti devil moto, they're anti moto.
This is definitely accurate. I looked at the REI chair in the store, and my Helinox finally showed up - Helinox is the winner as far as I am concerned. Almost at comfy as my recliner, though obviously not as stable.
