Camping chairs

ACTCapo

ACTCapo

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I made the mistake of Googling “motorcycle camping chairs” and my Facebook feed has been in undated with ads for, you guessed it, camping chairs! There’s so many different ones out there, I can’t make a decision, not to mention knowing what’s real or a scam.

So folks, can anyone recommend a bike-suitable camping chair? Something that is light and folds up small enough to fit 2 in a pannier or small backpack, but still sizeable enough to be comfortable for a day at Phillip Island?

Thanks in advance.
 
Shane try the Helinox range they have a high back version now...they are pricey though. But they pack up small enough to fit in a pannier.

There are a few other similar style from other brands Naturehike for example. I have their camp dual height stretcher which is pretty good quality.

Happy shopping
 
I've got an 'Explore Planet Earth Pegasus' which packs up small and are light. Bit of a workout to get it set up and its something akin to wrangling a recalcitrant set of bagpipes, but very comfy. Mine has been great but my partners has come apart at the seams. They are a cheaper copy of the Helinox range. If your pockets are deeper, go for the Helinox.
 
No recommendation, but I can tell you to stay away from the tripod small seat ones. They pack smallish and are easy to set up, but a full grown human won’t be comfortable on the small seat for very long. Good enough for a meal, but not sitting around the campfire and relaxing. BTDT and had the sore butt to prove it. Still have two I need to move on to someone with a small butt or that has kids.
 
Aluminium panniers can be a useful backup. Not as comfortable though. Especially on those cold nights. It can pile on a bit.

Good hunting. Let us know which way you go.

As for FB, I’ve deleted it from my homescreen. Seen too much irrelevant rubbish recently.
 
DUSC.
Karl got me one as he was so satified with his.
I have a OUTRAK which is same principle and Quality side by side. DUSC is 50mm shorter as packed item but similar width but 10/15mm higher packed.

Two options I can come up with Shane.

Important part is all day comfort. I like both very much and I don't personally unfold so well these days.

Lots of rubbish out there so it pays to test the waters.
 
And the answer is: "It depends." What eggzakly are you going to use it for?

Maybe you don't really need a chair iffn all ya wanna do is put your boots on without falling over? (Foam Kneeler Pad?)
Maybe you need to sit in it for 4-6hrs daily at a rally/camp scenario telling stories in a courtly manner?
Maybe you need something work-able for a cuppla hours of bike polishing at a rally?
Maybe you need something that you can fall asleep/pass-out in and/or shoot from?
Maybe the hot set-up is to buy a cheap lawn chair for the day/night and abandon it after the use time?

Iffn I am going to pack a chair, I want something that will be long term comfy. And the thing should last several lifetimes. There is some amazing stuff out there. Chairs with sun shades big enough to shed rain too. Paired with skeeter netting makes'em amazing. Chairs with rockers are fabulous.

My answer is 2 parts.
1- pack a bit of foam like a garden kneeler. Allows extended sitting at a picnic table. Mine is marked 'up' and 'down' in a vain attempt to keep one side cleaner than the other. Ideally, I found a sheet of suitable foam and cut the largest piece possible for me to pack easily. Multi-use. Wurx gud.
2- Kermit Chair is the only answer. Bulky, heavy, obnoxious in so many ways. Butt sits so good compared to ever'thin else. Sure, spend the big bux for the -not nearly tall enough- leg extensions. Or, like me, heat-to-fit some PVC pipe to make it sit as high as you like. Start at 18" and whittle 'em down to get to where you like it. My pipe has 2 different lengths allowing for more upright or laid-back position and works on some side slopes too. I have yet to figure out how to make a headrest for it so that I can sleep in it. (Pro Hint #1: put a locating light on it or some reflecting tape. It is possible to lose it in the dark so well that only daylight will allow its retrieval.)(Pro Hint #2: Do not leave it in the dark on a direct path to the port-a-potty.)
fran
 
ibafran said:
And the answer is: "It depends." What eggzakly are you going to use it for?

Maybe you don't really need a chair iffn all ya wanna do is put your boots on without falling over? (Foam Kneeler Pad?)
Maybe you need to sit in it for 4-6hrs daily at a rally/camp scenario telling stories in a courtly manner?
Maybe you need something work-able for a cuppla hours of bike polishing at a rally?
Maybe you need something that you can fall asleep/pass-out in and/or shoot from?
Maybe the hot set-up is to buy a cheap lawn chair for the day/night and abandon it after the use time?

Iffn I am going to pack a chair, I want something that will be long term comfy. And the thing should last several lifetimes. There is some amazing stuff out there. Chairs with sun shades big enough to shed rain too. Paired with skeeter netting makes'em amazing. Chairs with rockers are fabulous.

My answer is 2 parts.
1- pack a bit of foam like a garden kneeler. Allows extended sitting at a picnic table. Mine is marked 'up' and 'down' in a vain attempt to keep one side cleaner than the other. Ideally, I found a sheet of suitable foam and cut the largest piece possible for me to pack easily. Multi-use. Wurx gud.
2- Kermit Chair is the only answer. Bulky, heavy, obnoxious in so many ways. Butt sits so good compared to ever'thin else. Sure, spend the big bux for the -not nearly tall enough- leg extensions. Or, like me, heat-to-fit some PVC pipe to make it sit as high as you like. Start at 18" and whittle 'em down to get to where you like it. My pipe has 2 different lengths allowing for more upright or laid-back position and works on some side slopes too. I have yet to figure out how to make a headrest for it so that I can sleep in it. (Pro Hint #1: put a locating light on it or some reflecting tape. It is possible to lose it in the dark so well that only daylight will allow its retrieval.)(Pro Hint #2: Do not leave it in the dark on a direct path to the port-a-potty.)
fran
Click to expand...
I never thought there was so much to consider about a camp-chair. A very thoughtful contribution. Food for thought. I like the foam idea especially.
 
ACTCapo said:
Thanks for the tips everyone. I grabbed 2 x Helinox chairs on special at Anaconda.
Click to expand...

A popular choice. Let us know how well you like them after some serious time in them. After I get my kermit set up, I let it be known that anyone can use it whenever I do not need it. Sitting in someone else's camp chair is like sitting on someone else's bike. I have sat in a lot of different chairs and have often wondered what the hell the owner was thinking? I swear to dog that some are so low that getting up from them is impossible and that a roll-out to the side and standing up from there is the only answer? One biker's technique involved sliding out forward onto his knees and getting up from there. The humor of it all only increases with the inebriation. (Pro Hint #3: I pack a folding cane to help me get up from my kermit at its lowest setting.) Why there are no "America's Funniest Videos" of people trying to get out of camp chairs escapes me?
fran

edit: I am always amazed to find my chair occupied when I need it while other chairs remain vacant.
 
Last edited:
Kimmie said:
Shane try the Helinox range they have a high back version now...they are pricey though. But they pack up small enough to fit in a pannier.
Click to expand...
Had an opportunity to see one of those yesterday at a highly regarded retailer here, based on reading this thread. Nice chair for $180(us) each.

I was able to get out of it as easy as I could get into it.
 
Last edited:
Ok... so I did a price check. Wow!
My Kermit bought so long ago at a (then) very pricy $90 is now $310, wtf. My price-point is now 'heirloom' status.

My chair-feel on Helinox was 'spindly hammock'. Good chair and never let me down. I can see the attraction. If the ground is soft, it will sink like all the rest. I have large rubber feet like found on crutch tips to make Kermit sink slower than the pointy legs on some chairs. After looking at a chair, I wonder how it might be modified/accessorized to make it sit higher/lower for various needs.

Side note: My Kermit canvas has been sprayed with a tarp/awning sealer. Thus, when soaked in a rain, the wet sheets right off and wiped dry for immediate dry seating.

Extra special chair foolishness: Many moons ago when I had to go to kids' sporting events at the local parks, the simple folding ($9, now $20?) lawn chair from the big box store was inadequate to my needs. So... not giving a rat's ass how embarrassing it might be, I modified one to my heart's content, amusement, and curiosity. Some half-inch EMT and a pipe bender allowed me to bend 2 'u' sections to extend the height. Sheetmetal screws held my leg extensions at various heights, The soccer Dad standing next to me is now eye level with me for easy conversation and I am far removed from standing in the mud. Tall enough to put a tot in for easy feeding. I was younger (cue song lyric:" I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.") and getting in/out of it was a no-brainer. Two clips held my golf umbrella for rainy moments. Other clips held my cooler, radio, flashlight, mini-binocs, book, et al. E-Z to move to better sightlines. Light enough to be an easy carry anywhere in large parks and it still folded like new.
No. Nobody ever asked me about it. Nor asked to try it out, Nor asked me to build one for them. Lots of curious stares. Nobody took pix that I ever noticed. Nobody copied it.
Yes, I was mostly delighted with it and kinda surprised myself that it worked so well and it was reliable fun to me. And it was so CHEAP.
fran

ps, of course there is usually a ps on my posts, whatsamatteru?
One of my biker budds remarked that I seem to have near zero hesitancy to modify nearly anything. His remark was brought on by our trying to remove an odd screw on his bike. Not one of 2 drawers and a cardboard box of assorted screwdrivers would give a good fit. So, I immediately picked out a 'sacrificial special' and ground it to the desired fit. He was amazed at my laisse faire 'elan to carve up my equipment. When we were done, I gave him the now special tool as a soo-ven-eer of the fun in case he ever needed to fool with that screw again.

pps: As one might surmise, no AI was used in the above post. I apologize for any NI that does not meet the Dear Readers' standards.
 
Last edited:
Oxford products are pretty good in my experience but haven't tried their chairs. I have a mate who bought a Helinox copy online. First time he takes it on a bike trip he gets it out and proudly shows off his bargain buy. The aluminium legs just bent like they were made of solder the moment he sat in it. It went in the bin immediately. :D
 
We have a pair of Helonix chairs. They are compact, very light. They are expensive, but well built, easy to setup/take down. They didn't offer a high back option when we bought ours - I would recommend that.
 
ZigZag said:
Oxford products are pretty good in my experience but haven't tried their chairs. I have a mate who bought a Helinox copy online. First time he takes it on a bike trip he gets it out and proudly shows off his bargain buy. The aluminium legs just bent like they were made of solder the moment he sat in it. It went in the bin immediately. :D
Click to expand...

ALL: I bought an Oxford tank bag because it had a 'guaranteed for life' claim. As posted above, it was a really good product and served my needs to an amazing degree. After about 10yrs and 100+k miles, the main zip failed. The company did not honor the claim and soon after removed the marketing claim from their website. The price to replace the zipper at the local luggage repair shoppe was too high for me.

After suffering thru a subsequent series of 'not quite good enough' tank bags bought at flea markets/bike jumbles/etc, I very much now wish that I had paid the price for the repair. The very next time (as I tell myself so frequently) I buy something that I really like; I will buy several more as 'back-up'.
fran
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top