The Helinox Chair Zero. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Some weekends, all you want to do is sink back into a recliner and watch television. But other weekends, you’re all about hitting the trails and camping under the stars. Good news — although you’ll have to leave the TV at home, the chair can come with you. Maybe not your living-room La-Z-Boy, but a lightweight, packable camping chair like the Helinox Chair Zero ($150)? Absolutely. We recently got our hands on the Helinox Chair Zero and packed it along for beach days, camping trips, and everything in between.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight | Not as comfortable as other camping chairs |
| Low volume, packable | Setup can be challenging at first |
| Made from durable materials |
Helinox Chair Zero: First Impressions
It’s impressive how lightweight and compact the Helinox Chair Zero actually is. After reading about it online, I expected it to be light and portable, but seeing it in person is something else.
When I first pulled the Chair Zero out of its carrying bag, I was a little overwhelmed. With most camping chairs, you simply unfold them, and you’re good to go. But the Chair Zero requires some assembly. It looks like a jumble of tent poles, which makes sense as it is a chair primarily marketed for the backpacking crowd. More on that in the Drawbacks section below.
The Chair Zero’s size seemed at odds with its potential comfort (it lacks a high back like its slightly heavier cousin, the Helinox Chair Zero High-Back). So I was curious how it would fare for extended sitting on beach days and camping trips.
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The Helinox Chair Zero is light and packs down small. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Notable Features of the Helinox Chair Zero
Weight: 1 lb
Weight Capacity: 265 lb
Seat Height: 8.5 inches
Folded Dimensions: 13.8 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches
Unfolded Dimensions: 20.5 x 18.9 x 25.2 (W x D x H) inches
Seat Material: Ripstop polyester
Frame Construction: Aluminum
Lightweight and Packable
When critiquing a camping chair, it’s important to recognize its intended use. The Helinox Chair Zero is designed to be a backpacking chair, so naturally, it’s going to sacrifice some comfort to cut down on the weight and make the chair more packable.
Weighing in at one pound, the Chair Zero was the lightest chair we tested in our Best Camping Chairs of 2024 roundup. It also packs down smaller than most sleeping pads, which is insane. I have never been one to pack chairs on backpacking trips because I never felt it was worth the extra weight, but the Chair Zero changes that. The Chair Zero comes with an included stuff sack, and while some chairs can be difficult to repack, I found that it was super easy to get the Chair Zero packed back into its sack.
The Helinox Chair Zero is one of the most compact chairs in the world. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Construction
The Chair Zero is extremely well made. The seat is constructed from a durable ripstop polymer, and the poles are made from anodized DAC aluminum. Another Inertia staff member has been carrying the Chair Zero on backpacking trips for years, and it shows no signs of wearing out.
Thanks to the heavy-duty materials, the Chair Zero can support up to 265 pounds despite its small frame. At 125 pounds, I can’t directly confirm that weight limit, but both my husband and I felt that the chair was secure, and I have no doubt that the 265-pound claim is an accurate one.
We’ve used this chair for multiple beach days and camping trips and have found the chair to be very stable. Naturally, the chair fairs better on level surfaces, but it’s done well for us even in the sand once we got it wedged in. If you plan to be sitting on snow, mud, or any other less stable surface, you can purchase the Helinox Chair Groundsheet, which helps distribute weight over a larger surface.
Helinox Chair Zero: Drawbacks
As I mentioned before, setup is more intimidating than it is challenging. Each pole has to be set into the correct hub, something made easier because all the pieces are connected. You can’t lose any poles; it just looks like a jumble when you pull it out of the bag.
Once you have the poles set correctly into the hubs, you have to pull the chair fabric relatively taught to get it stretched over the frame. The fabric includes a graphic that helps you get the fabric on in the correct orientation. It’s only a hassle when compared to set up on many other camping chairs, which often just unfold.
Tear down, on the other hand, was a breeze.
The Helinox Chair Zero is easy to break down and pack up. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
The Helinox Chair Zero isn’t the most comfortable chair in the world. It’s on the small side, and it feels like it’s hugging your butt and hips when you sink in, similar to a playground swing. Larger users might have an issue with its size.
My husband enjoys using it for beach days and car camping because it’s so packable, but for outings where weight isn’t an issue, I prefer a bigger and more comfortable chair. But for backpacking, it does just fine.
The Helinox Chair Zero is a great option for beach days and camping trips. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Final Thoughts on the Helinox Chair Zero
For times when you’re short on space, or you’re looking to cut down on weight, the Helinox Chair Zero is the chair to reach for. Weighing in at one pound, it’s as lightweight and compact as a chair could be, making it perfect for backpacking trips or to throw in your backpack for beach days. Made from durable ripstop polyester with an aluminum frame, it’s a chair that can withstand the elements and accompany you on trips for years to come. However, users who want more comfort and don’t need the space and weight savings might want to look elsewhere.
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Editor’s Note: Let’s get loungy. Pamper your piggies with our guide to the Best Camping Slippers. And as long as you are sitting around waiting for the swells to kick up, you may as well charge some gear with The Best Portable Power Stations. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
The Best Camping Chairs of 2024
