Helinox Chair Two Review

Some of the best parts of camping are relaxing around a fire, drinking coffee with friends, and telling stories. But what if you have nothing to sit on and are forced to huddle around on a rocky ground? Now that doesn’t sound relaxing. That is why bringing a comfortable camping chair is so crucial to the experience.

Although many sites have picnic tables, wood benches don’t make for the most comfortable seats and they can be limited, so it’s better to opt for something portable and comfortable, such as the Helinox Chair Two.

As an avid camper and hiker, I was excited to put this chair to the test. I currently use the REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair, which lacks some stability. The Helinox Chair Two is bigger and more stable, yet still fits in my backpack perfectly and doesn’t feel too heavy while hiking.

After hands-on testing, here’s my full review of the Helinox Chair Two.

About Helinox

Established in 2009, Helinox is an outdoor gear and apparel brand that focuses on providing comfort for those outdoorsy types so they can always feel at home. Its strong, sturdy, and portable products are made to support every outdoor adventure. Helinox not only sells camping chairs, but also tables, cots, and accessories.

Made of both an aluminum alloy frame and nylon seat, the lightweight Helinox Chair Two is known for its durability, packability, and stability. It also has solid back and shoulder support, two pockets on one side, and a headrest flap to hold your jacket or other larger items. It can collapse and fit easily into a 25- or 30-liter pack.

What we like

This chair is easy to set up

My favorite part of this chair is how easy it is to set up. It includes a self-assembly feature where the shock-corded frame legs put themselves into the hubs. Then, the seat can simply be attached to the four corners.

It’s easier to assemble the top of the chair first and then flex the lower poles into the bottom pockets last. This may feel difficult at first, but it gets easier over time. When you’re done using the chair, simply undo the frames from the hubs and roll them into the seat before putting the chair back into the bag it comes in—it really is that easy.

The Helinox Chair Two is travel friendly

To put the Helinox Chair Two’s portability to the test, I took it on a five-mile hike. With just an 18-inch pack length, the chair slid perfectly into my REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack for women and still left enough room for my puffy, first aid kit, sunglasses, and other hiking essentials.

Weighing in at only 2 pounds and 12 ounces, I didn’t really notice the weight of the chair on my back while I was hiking. Light weight and portability are crucial considerations when it comes to hiking gear, and this chair definitely passes the test for both.

It's comfortable and supportive

Although my REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair is also ultralight and packable, it sits pretty low to the ground and, as mentioned before, isn’t the most stable. It’s a great chair for ultralight backpacking, but if you’re looking for something a little more supportive and comfortable, the Helinox Chair Two is perfect. It offers both back and neck support and has a 320-pound capacity. I give it a solid 10 when it comes to comfort.

This chair is a one-size-fits-all model

At 33.5 inches tall, 21.5 inches wide, and 24 inches long, this camping chair is the perfect size for just about anyone. When you’re sitting in it, it really feels like you’re sitting in an actual chair at home, which is ideal when you’re spending hours or days outdoors.

This chair makes it easy to eat, drink, and chat without the need to readjust in order to maintain comfort.

What we don't like

It may take up too much room in your pack

Since I took this camping chair on an easy, five-mile hike, I had plenty of space for the other few items I needed for the day. If I took this chair in a day pack on a bigger hike when more supplies are needed, space might become a concern.

If you just plan to bring this chair to a drive-in campsite or have a larger backpacking pack, then it should fit perfectly fine. You should consider how you plan to use this chair and how big of a pack you have before purchasing it. For reference, my 25-liter day pack fits this chair’s 18-inch pack length perfectly.

The Helinox chair is light, but not in the ultralight category

At two pounds and twelve ounces, this chair is light overall, but it isn’t ultralight, which is what a lot of hikers and campers prefer since carrying extra weight makes hiking more challenging.

If ultralight is what you’re going for (some ultralight camping chairs weigh as little as 1.2 pounds), then you won’t get that from this chair. I didn’t find the weight of the chair to be an issue for my hike, but like I said, I didn’t have a ton of gear in my pack.

Should you buy the Helinox Chair Two?

Yes, it’s the perfect chair for campers and backpackers

If you’re looking for a sturdy, supportive, and comfortable chair that feels like your favorite chair at home, then you should definitely consider buying the Helinox Chair Two.

Plus, its easy set-up makes it great for stopping at the summit to eat a quick snack and sitting around the campfire for hours. Best of all, it has a decent price tag for all it offers, so we highly recommend you snag this chair for your outdoor adventures.