Good stuff comes in small packages, this is true for these ultra-lightweight camping travel chairs. We have been using both these chairs for the last 4 years. Helinox Chair One is a famous brand and renowned for its excellent quality. Nigor is a Dutch brand and not as know but after all time we can vouch for their quality.
We use both chairs extensively over the last 4 years on all sorts of terrain and even in the sea in Central America and they still look as good as new. The one pole on the Helinox got bend as you will see in the video not an issue and it took incredible force to bend it back. These chairs are perfect for camping, Vanlife, or 4×4 safaris and we will never use those old bulky heavy camping chairs again. Assembling the chairs takes only a few minutes.
Take note! When you settle for a cheapy of this design you will probably buy another one. The key is in the poles and these poles by their material characteristics and design are what give these chairs their strength. With this type of chairs, there are no short cuts and cheap stuff. There are loads of cheapies on offer on Amazon and through big retailers. I am not going to waste time to even mention them. Walkstool and TravelChair as below are as solid alternatives and well worth the money than Helinox and Nigor which will allow years of use.
Both Nigor, TravelChair and Nigor cost about the same at the time of writing.
Helinox Chair One
The Helinox Chair one makes use of hubs and components are molded using a high-strength nylon resin. The entire chair is very well manufactured with quality materials that will allow use for many years. This chair is more suited to people with a smaller figure. Chair One frame is built with exceptionally strong 7001 series DAC aluminum alloy poles. Poles are connected with shock cord for easy assembly and to keep the poles for going awol.
Both the chairs use 600Denier polyester fabric with reinforced corners to stop the poles from pushing through and wearing out the fabric. The Daisy chain on the carry pocket of the Helinox is a very nice touch and something useful when needing to carry the chair on a backpack or such.
People weighing from about 120kg upwards are just getting too big to sit comfortably in the Chair One.
Nigor Sparrow
Nigor Sparrow makes use of alloy poles throughout the design. The design of the chair is a bit wider and allows for people with bigger heavier figures to sit more comfortably for longer than in the ChairOne. Nigor chairs are exceptionally well-made and even with my +110kg frame on soft sand and uneven terrain the chair has to date showed no damage.
They use their own 7000 series TRX Eco-Duraluminium poles. The poles are connected with shock cord for easy assembly and to keep the poles for going awol.
People with big frames even over 120kg bodies can still use this chair. The Sparrow is wider and sits a bit higher than the Chair one. The Nigor is in the Medium seat height. class. Most lightweight compact travel chairs have you sitting pretty close to the ground.
When your knees and back are young and supple, this isn’t much of an issue. However, if you’re looking for an easy up and down, this chair is as close to an average chair height as you will find out of all of the competitors. For taller people, the Sparrow is a more comfortable chair.
Vital stats:
Helinox Chair One
- Pack length: 35cm
- Pack weight: 900gram
- Carry: 145kg
- Seatback width: 45cm
- Seat front hight: 35cm
- Ass hight: 28cm
- Material Frame: DAC aluminum alloy
poles - The Chair One’s uses600-denier polyester
weave - 5-year warranty
Nigor Sparrow
- Pack size: 45cm x10cm x 12cm
- Pack weight: 1070gram
- Carry: 145kg
- Seat back Width: 55cm
- Seat font hight: 32cm
- Ass hight: 32cm
- Seat Back Height: 52cm
- Material Frame; TRX Eco-Duraluminium
- Heavy-duty 600D two-tone fabric
- 3 years warranty
Alternative travel camp chairs:
Walkstool has been around for many years and they are bloody strong and reliable chairs. We used them for two years travelling.
The chairs can carry up to 225kg and pack smaller than the others. But for long durations sitting around a fire, they are not that comfortable.
Parts are available and the only other rear drawback is that weighs about the same as the others mentioned in this article.
They offer a 24month guarantee but I guess you will really go out of your way to destroy the chair.
TravelChair is an all American brand that started the whole folding furniture genre in 1984. They took a bit longer to introduce their compact travel camp chair to the market but in the end, it is a good solid chair.
As they say their Joey chair packs about the same size as a California burrito and a weight of 1kg (2.30lbs) The seat height is also roughly 40cm which is closer to the Nigor and will be better for taller people.
ANTI SINK FEET: Rubber disk feet enhance chair performance and stability on sand, mud, and other soft surfaces.
TravelChair stands by its products and says they have a return rate of .02% .
For another very lightweight compact alternative check out their 3-in-1 Adjustable Slacker – Stools
