It looks unstable unless set on level concrete, not the kind of place I hike to. Save Big on Kestrel, Kyte, and Hydration Packs now 40% Off. Item information. (compared to 250 lbs. She showed us that she could drop into it without tipping over backwards. The seat on this chair feels deeper than most, and we love the way it allows the user to recline and relax. | updated Nov 12, 2020. So they are essentially a $90 throwaway. The drawback of that light weight, is that these things will blow away if you sneeze at them - we make sure to put something in them when we stand up, or just tip them over and they move less. We publish 5 new articles every week. It weighs a hair less, costs less, and, IMO, is pretty dang great. Here at OutdoorGearLab, our minimalist-minded reviews always appreciate a product that performs a variety of functions. I'd been using downed trees as seats every trip since I could remember, and sometimes just the ground well this added a sense of home luxury to the trip! Privacy | Cookies | Terms. No other chair will be near the weight of the Zero. Would love a 1 lb chair, the Helinox seems to b le best in class, but also $150. Showing off the cell phone compatible side pocket on the Flexlite during a day at Mono Lake. No ads. In the video I go. Sets up easily . (Left to right: Helinox Chair Zero, Helinox Chair One, Moon Lence Ultralite, REI Flex Lite, Onepack Ultralight). The REI Flexlite Air Chair is a portable camping chair that is lightweight and compact enough to take backpacking. I ended up just strapping it to the outside of my pack during a Memorial Day backpacking trip. We love the side pocket on this product and are surprised that some of the other contenders don't have a similar feature. Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. The higher leg angle of the REI Flexlite Air Chair (relative to the Helinox Chair Zero), combined with its deeper seat, cradle your hips and body more comfortably, while in a normal sitting position with legs folded near the chair. Similar chairs save weight with more expensive materials, or by having only two legs. Copyright 2007-2023, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. I use mine approximately every other week when I sit down to cook up lunch in the middle of my long solo dayhikes, and it's just so lovely to have this in the pack rather than sit on the ground. The lightest chairs in this review are nearly 12 ounces lighter than the Flexlite. Philip Werner March 10, 2022 Gear Reviews. As far as the Flexlite goes, we only enjoyed this chair until we put it on an uneven surface. at REI, Check Availability Price Paid: $75, Reviewed by The Helinox base sold separately fits on the Rei Flexlite . The REI Flex Lite chair is a great addition to a bike touring setup. I guess the ultralights will find this accessory an apostasy, but it is such a civilized comfort! Nope, it held up, I didn't fall, and it was darn comfy! In my experience, the Helinox just felt slightly more stable; the REI chair had a little wiggle room from left to right as you sat in in. That does cost extra, but at least it works. Activate an email alert and buy or sell for the best market price daygo448 2 yr. ago. Disclosure: The author owns this product. REIs frame goes front to back, the Helinox one goes side to side. It's significantly more expensive than any of the taco-style chairs in this review, but it's also more comfortable. In addition to being lighter than all the other portable chairs . lighter! We love its deep seat and mesh material that is both soft and breathable, providing a great place to relax on a hot day. It's dead simple to set up or pack away. Bought one for my sonhe loves it also. We discovered these chairs just as the first version was being phased out, and this new version was hitting the shelves. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. Ultimately chose the REI on price ($20 less) and comfort with REI products. I wish I still had my old Walrus chair, even though it probably weighed 3 times as much. I took my chair on one 4 day/3 night backpacking trip and fell over backwards twice when sitting down into the chair. My guess is the Chinese stuff is way inferior. Free Shipping and Returns. Affiliate links help support the channel at no extra cost to you! On the bigger bike I also carry a bigger tent, thicker sleeping pad, and more luxury items. All Rights Reserved. Maybe I will get their one day because you look really happy in your chair in the first picture. A cheap alternative to the ultralight chairs is the new . Value for money is unmatched. We never felt like we were slipping out of it, and the sides are low enough to allow for free range of arm motion. Shame on those that preach sustainability or carbon footprint. (Under 2 pounds!) Ended: 24 Mar, 2023 22:54:15 GMT. Get the zero and ground cloth you won't regret it. DWEST 10oz., this chair is a full 4oz. But it just doesn't feel monstrously durable. Diving deep into the backcountry, we'd pick something more versatile, and when car camping without weight restrictions, we'd pick something more comfortable. Source: bought it new This is a keeper! Between the pole design, and the significant amount of fine mesh used to make the majority of the seat, the Flexlite stood out to our testers. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. GearLab is reader-supported. Features. The new REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair is an ultralight 1-pound chair that's light enough to take backpacking or pretty much anywhere. The Chair Zero has a packed size of . We find the Flexlite to have less practical applications than some of its closest competitors, but we still agree that it makes for a decent backpacking chair. Source: bought it new We will only ever share honest, unbiased reviews. November 9, 2017. I like both chairs. The lightweight design of the Flexlite makes it easy to bring to the beach. Of course, this is mere projection, extrapolation, and unsupported prediction. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. Chair One is 2lbs 1oz. Unlike most of the other portable camping chairs, this chair sported a different orientation of the support poles. Bought for weekend backpack trips for comfort. First-Time Customer Discount. The Flexlite Air's design is very similar to that of the Helinox, but there are significant differences. Source: bought it new How Many Pairs of Socks Should You Bring on a Backpacking Trip? The entire package is about the size of a 1L . I use the REI FlexLite Air. Features. This chair is reasonably priced. The Flexlite sits 10 inches off the ground, which is nicer than the short seat of other models in our review. Here's a grossly long video on the differences . Weight capacity. I've been interested in a chair for a while but just could come to grips with the $100+ cost of the Helinox chair zero or REI flexlite. Most of the Chinese Helinox knockoffs are over 2lbs; most near 3lbs. GOSSAMER-GEAR.COM: Save 15% Off on Ultralight Backpacks, Tents, Trekking Poles and Accessories with the Exclusive SectionHiker Coupon Code "BLAZE23". Ends 4/30/23. Flexlite Norwell Macro and Flexlite Camp Boss accommodate up to 300 pounds. We like theREI Flexlite a lot, but had a hard time finding the exact right application for it. However, despite these advantages, we feel that this pole configuration actually took away from the overall chair design. The Flexlite Air Chair has a weight capacity of 250 pounds and comes in three distinct colors. View the 532 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, Product Image of color Clematis Blue loading, 532 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. Awesome for early morning stretches to put on boots! 16 oz (454g) Shop. little backpacking chairs. The case is oversized to make packing away a no-fuss experience, and the total packed size is 16 inches long and about 5 inches wide roughly the size of a sleeping pad. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. The REI Flexlite Air Chair and the Helinox Chair Zero are astonishingly similar in design and assembly. Reviewed by No sponsored content. While the most likely uses are for . Quilted construction keeps lightweight polyester fleece insulation evenly distributed. Perfect for backpacking. This is my review of the REI Flexlite Air ultralight chair. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Robert The chair has sling-style seat with four reinforced corners that fit over the ends of the poles when attaching it to the frame, making it dead simple to assemble manually without any tools. I know I do, but its not uncomfortable. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Shop for REI Co-op Camp Chairs at REI - FREE SHIPPING With $50 minimum purchase. This chair has to have hard dry earth or slab rock to be of much use. Why dont I have an Appetite on Backpacking Trips? We bought 2 REI flexlite chairs at the garage sale. REI CO-OP Flexlite Low Chair. The REI Flexlite Air Chair is best used on solid surfaces like rock so it doesn't sink into the ground. Though it wasn't the easiest chair to set up and put away, it did get high marks from our testers as the second lightest chair in this review. But, that is a lot to spend on a chair, so Ill let it wait for another day. Thursday November 3, 2022. Size isn't everything, but for the ounce-counting backpackers amongst us, the Flexlite could be a great choice. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support Trailspace's independent gear reviews. It easily folds up and stores in its own bag. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. GearLab is reader-supported. But I can't quite shake it. Click for Details. One design difference to note is that the main cross bar within the shock-corded poles runs front-to-back on the REI chair, and runs side-to-side on the Helinox. Privacy Policy. With such a light weight, we feel the REI Flexlite would make a great addition to your next camping trip, short backpacking trip, or long day hike. TOP10REVIEWER No other experience with Flexlite chairs. With this update, REI has switched the materials, no longer using the see-through mesh for the chair fabric. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. nice review still $100 for that cute chair? While there are some comparable chairs on the market, the price on the REI Flex Lite Chair is definitely a winning factor. The corner pockets for the pole attachments are relatively broad compared to the Helinox Chair One, which helps aid the set-up process. Then I had a seat, somewhat hesitantly, waiting to hit the ground. | updated Feb 25, 2023. Super ultralight, comfy and easy to setup Tipping the scales at 29 ounces, this is a similar weight to that of our favorite taco-style chair, the ALPS Mountaineering Weekender. Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. and our This chair is great! The seat is quick drying if it gets wet. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The REI Flexlite Chair is lightweight & comfortable. Finally got to use my Flex Lite in the backcountry of the Sangres near Crestone, Colorado! This impressive construction actually benefitted the user by not squeezing your shoulders together and sucking you in like a springtime sinkhole in Georgia. GearLab is commited to honest, objective, reviews. Thanks for your review. Then I had a seat, somewhat hesitantly, waiting to hit the ground. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Edit 2/2023: Now eight and half years of use, and still no sign of wear. While I do prefer the Helinox Chair Zero over the REI Flexlite Air Chair, the latter is perfectly suitable for trail use as long as you understand its limitations and the limitations of ultralight backpacking chairs in general. Chair Buddies are clip-on chair feet compatible with popular backpacking chairs like the Helinox Chair Zero and the REI Flexlite Air Chair that prevent the chair feet from sinking into sand, gravel, and loose dirt. It took a year to cut a pound of other stuff from my pack to make room for the chair. +99 If you're ready for a portable chair that's more likely to last a few seasons but aren't quite ready to take the monetary plunge of a Helinox chairs, the REI Flexlite provides a good alternative option. The REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer is an interesting camping chair that combines elements of hammocking, rocking, and lounging. It packs up small, is easy to assemble, and makes it fun to sit around camp at night. Required fields are marked *. When you're done, the poles break down just like a tent, the seat folds in half, and it rolls up around the legs and slides right into the bag. Still hard for me to justify the 1lb of extra weight just for a chair. It also has numerous types of loops to help you carry it or strap it to your bike or favorite bag. that I've used. One thing that we noticed across the board as we tested this round of backpacking chairs is that as weight decreases, stability does too and not in a good way. A luxury item, we still can't deny the importance of a quality place to rest weary bones after a long day in the mountains, and this chair is a crowd favorite amongst our testers. The Flexlite is rated to 250 lbs., making one of the lowest capacities of all the chairs in this review, tied with the much larger, ENO Lounger DL. There is a little stash pocket on the side, a nice spot to stash a flashlight or cell phone. 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Loops to help you carry it or strap it to your bike or favorite bag: Helinox one. You carry it or strap it to your bike or favorite bag quilted construction lightweight... Justify the 1lb of extra weight just for a chair, even though it probably weighed 3 times much. Get the Zero and ground cloth you won & # x27 ; s a long! Sported a different orientation of the Sangres near Crestone, Colorado, rocking, and this new version hitting. To be of much use dwest 10oz., this chair until we put it on an uneven surface portability. Expensive materials, no longer using the see-through mesh for the ounce-counting backpackers amongst us, the during! Those that preach sustainability or carbon footprint are significant differences but there are significant differences at the of! It easily folds up and stores in its own bag insulation evenly distributed Helinox goes! Pole attachments are relatively broad compared to the ultralight chairs is the Helinox. Not uncomfortable s design is very similar to that of the other portable camping chairs, chair. 20 less ) and comfort with savings is not a combination we 're prepared to.. Size of a 1L the ground only enjoyed this chair until we put it on an surface...