Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Camping Equipment and all Clothing
small but big camping chair small but big camping chair
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia




Like Tree5Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Jan 2016
pheonix's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Dunedin, NZ
Posts: 308
small but big camping chair
My bike is a 250 so I can't carry a standard sized chair as it takes up far too much space and is usually heavy.
I've been searching for a sturdy camping chair that offers reasonable back support & isn't at ground level.
Does it exist?
__________________
Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Jan 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Walsall, UK
Posts: 251
Have a look at the Helinox range of products, not cheap but do what you want.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 Jan 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,121
I've also been looking for a decent chair that packs down to a size that's commensurate with its place in my camping equipment hierarchy - so no huge beach style chairs that are bigger than the tent.

Those little tripod chairs or their fold up fishing stool first cousins pack down small enough but just give me backache when you use them for more than five or ten minutes. They're better than nothing but only just.

Helinox chairs (or more likely one of the Chinese clones on eBay) seem to tick many of the boxes so that's probably where I'll go next. There's been a discussion about them here recently - click this link:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...chairs-72658-3
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Jan 2016
pheonix's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Dunedin, NZ
Posts: 308
Thanks, the Helinox chairs are the ones I couldn't remember the name of but ideally would like to avoid. Too pricey, plus, I've known buyers to modify them because they sink on wet campsites. Seems a bit useless to me if you have to fix something so pricey.
Maybe the Chinese copy is the alternative, I have a tiny tripod chair, doesn't work too well for me.
__________________
Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Jan 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,121
Quote:
Originally Posted by pheonix View Post
Thanks, the Helinox chairs are the ones I couldn't remember the name of but ideally would like to avoid. Too pricey, plus, I've known buyers to modify them because they sink on wet campsites. Seems a bit useless to me if you have to fix something so pricey.
Maybe the Chinese copy is the alternative, I have a tiny tripod chair, doesn't work too well for me.
There's no way I'd pay full price for a Helinox chair as I've no experience of them - never handled one, sat in one, used it on a campsite or anywhere else and neither do I know anyone who has so it would be an expensive shot in the dark.

The Chinese clones may be cheap and cheerful but at least I'd get an idea of how they work and whether they work for me. Usually the adage "buy cheap, buy twice" has some validity but there are some exceptions (GoPro cameras vs SJ4000 clones for example) and I think this may be another one. Ebay UK has the clone chairs for around £17 and my local camping shop wants half of that for another tripod stool.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Jan 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 74
Hi. I bought one of the cheap copies of a Helinox, just on that basis, to see if its any good.
I used it indoors sitting for quite a while, getting up sitting down, over a week and I really can't see it breaking easily. How much stronger the genuine article is I don't know. I found it comfortable and it didn't seem to aggravate my slightly dodgy back!
I agree the legs do look as if they would sink into soft ground. I'll be looking to see if I can find some better plastic inserts to overcome that.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Jan 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourider View Post
Have a look at the Helinox range of products, not cheap but do what you want.
I have 2 kermit chairs(his and Hers). They sit well on the top of the panniers. Wouldn't go bush without them. Put them in the same category as a good bed and coffee, highly recommended. Incidentally make your own 100mm leg extensions out of aluminium sq tube.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21 Jan 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
Helinox copies are good.
The Chinese copies of the Helinox chairs are good. Also the table.
Check out the Thermarest Bed. There is a copy of that on Ebay. £50 ish which is much better than £200.

I have all of the above, well tested and used, no issues at all. The bed is very comfy.

I now prefer the bed to an airbed. It only weighs 1.5kg. and packs down small.

Search camp bed on ebay. it the one with the lime green legs.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23 Jan 2016
pheonix's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Dunedin, NZ
Posts: 308
I like the Kermit chair but shipping to NZ is almost the same price as the chair!

Don't need an air bed, I have an exped down one
__________________
Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 8 Mar 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 4
My first post I think!
I have a clone bought from banggood an eBay seller/store bloody brilliant and cheap as chips!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12 Mar 2016
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: South East Queensland, Australia
Posts: 30
I have the Helinox bed (cot) and chair. I have used them on a trip around Australia and recently took them to for a trip around the North Island of New Zealand. The gear is well made and the quality and strength of the frames (T6061 Al?) and the webbing is excellent. The cot while expensive, is paid for by not staying a few nights in a cabin or motel. It sits off the ground, high enough to get my boots and other gear under the bed so only need a small tent. Great night rest!

Bed too heavy? I do not think so as the marginal difference between the bed and a thermorest (or equivalent) is about 0.8kg.

The chair gives good back support.

Hope this helps
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 14 Jan 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 2
Millets were selling yellow Helinox chairs for £45. I see they are now £63 which is still quite a saving on the full price. I have one and think they are great as they give the back support I now need!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 15 Jan 2016
Pongo's Avatar
R.I.P. - 2020
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cotes d'Armor, France.
Posts: 377
You want a good supportive chair that doesn't give you back ache and will last a lifetime? I've tried a lot of these lightweight metal things that you throw away after a year or so, and splashed out on something a bit heavier, but hand made in wood and stainless steel. Expensive , initially, but will last forever.
The Kermit chair. Kermit Chair Company | The Original Touring Chair | Motorcycle Camping Chair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R1JIEJ7ecM
__________________
-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' (www.lltgl.org.uk)
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 15 Jan 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,121
I was at one of the HUBB mini meets a few years ago and someone there (I've forgotten who ) had one of the Kermit chairs. I was very impressed - solid, well made and exactly what a camping chair should be. All you'd need for a perfect evening would be that, a log fire and a bottle of Jack Daniels.

I then promptly forgot the name, so in the back of my mind it's been a case of looking at the Helinox / clones and those wooden ones, whatever they're called

I'll probably still splash out on a Helinox clone but it doesn't "shape up" I'll be seriously looking at the Kermit ones.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 15 Jan 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 278
I think the Kermit chair may be a bit bulky and heavy for the "250 minimalist". Note it's marketed as THE chair for BMW riders! I bought a "Helinockoff" from ebay uk and used it in Mauritania for a month. Very pleased with it. Yes it sank in the sand, but there are ways of mitigating this, as mentioned on the other thread. Ordinary "soft ground" was not a problem. It's comfy, and never ceases to amuse when you pull the frame from the bag and just wave it about 'till it self-assembles!
Ride safe,
Simon.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Morocco: Where to stay - please contribute Chris Scott Sleep and Eat, Morocco 134 3 Weeks Ago 11:18
Bolivia, Sucre - Camping Jessica_LifeRemotely Sleep and Eat, South America 3 7 Jun 2014 22:24
South African Hilux with camping gear for sale desertfrox Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 23 Feb 2013 10:34
Egyptian around 30 states Heeso North America 6 13 Nov 2011 01:06
Mereenie loop - camping, bikeshops, tire detonation Fredontour Sleep and Eat, Aus - NZ 0 3 Sep 2009 10:56

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:27.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top