Helinox Chair One High-Back (re) Review

Bottom Line

The Helinox Chair One High-Back (re) adeptly balances the two, making it a chair versatile enough for relaxing on both car camping and backpacking trips. We tested the Helinox in the high-desert foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada, using it in conditions ranging from hot, sunny days to chilly evenings, and in places as varied as backyard hangs to secluded BLM camping areas. 

For those with limited mobility or who need extra cushioning, the minimalist design and low seat height of the Chair One might not be ideal. However, with a total weight just under 3 pounds, which keeps the load light, the Helinox features a high back design that makes it comfier than the average ultralight chair. Fully collapsible, packable, and easy to carry, it’s a comfortable seat that’s easy to take anywhere. 

Comfort

The Helinox Chair One High-Back may be light enough to take into the backcountry, but it doesn’t sacrifice comfort in the name of shedding ounces. The defining aspect of the Chair One is its high-backed design, which gives it an edge in relaxation over other minimalist chair options. We loved that we could fully relax in the chair and have our backs supported, unlike with low-backed chairs, where we had to sit up straight or worry about tipping over if we leaned too far back. Our 5’ 7” tester found the chair extended to an awkward spot on the back of her neck, which, when leaned back, felt somewhat uncomfortable. But overall, the high back was an added luxury for an ultralight chair. 

The Chair One High-Back also has an extra flap of fabric at the top of the seat back that opens and closes with Velcro, allowing a pillow or jacket to be secured in place and serve as a neck cushion. Helinox suggests stuffing a jacket into the chair’s carry pouch to create a makeshift pillow, and we appreciate gear that has multiple uses. The DIY cushion heightens the One’s comfort, with the added bonus of adding no weight to the chair’s build. 

Since Helinox trends towards lightweight minimalism, the chair’s body is unpadded, and there are no armrests. However, we found the seat on the Chair One quite comfortable. Neither too loose nor too tight, it’s roomy enough for someone with a larger frame, and we liked the wiggle room, which this style of chair sometimes lacks. 

There are cutouts and mesh vents on both sides of the chair, which allow for breathability and airflow. We used this chair on sunny days in the high desert of California, and in sweaty temperatures, and we never found ourselves melting into the Helinox.

Durability

The Helinox Chair One High-Back (re) focuses on lightweight comfort, but Helinox’s attention to materials and design make it a durable option as well. 

Made with aluminum alloy, the frame is sturdy and strong. In testing, we slammed ourselves into the chair, and it absorbed the sudden drop in weight without issue or distress. Additionally, we manually twisted the chair and tried torquing the frame, but it did not bend or warp. The Helinox has a 320-pound weight capacity, which, although in the midrange among the chairs we tested, still speaks to its ability to withstand rough use and wear. 

The points on the seat cover where the frame posts connect are the most vulnerable aspect of the chair’s design, due to the high tension exerted there to keep the chair taut and maintain its shape. To combat the potential weakness of these points, Helinox uses reinforced stitching for the top corner sleeves and extends the sleeve length to more deeply encase the frame posts. At the bottom of the chair, plastic hubs connect the seat cover and frame, creating a reinforced attachment point designed to withstand cracks or degradation. 

The main body of the chair features recycled 300D polyester, a burly, water-resistant fabric that’s tough enough to withstand tears and abrasions while still remaining smooth and flexible. 

Made with hardy materials and a design equipped to handle both weight and rough usage, the Helinox Chair One is tough enough for any rough conditions you might encounter on your adventures and showcases how lightweight doesn’t mean short-lived. 

Portability

Chairs are made to be sat in, and the Helinox Chair One High-Back (re) — built for maximum portability — ensures you can bring a seat to any destination. At 2 pounds, 8.8 ounces, it’s one of the lightest chairs we tested, thanks to its collapsible aluminum alloy frame and flexible fabric seat cover. As described above, the Chair One’s material components are designed to withstand rough conditions and heavy use, while maintaining a lighter weight and high packability. 

We experienced some strong mountain winds while using the Chair One and discovered it’s a bit too portable when picked up by a strong breeze! When not in use, we recommend stowing the chair away or placing a heavy object on it in these conditions to avoid unwanted chair movement. 

The chair itself is light and effortless to move around, but what sets it apart from other options is how easy it is to bring to your destination. Whether traveling by car or on foot, Helinox makes transport simple. The Chair One’s pieces bundle into a compact zippered pouch. Its slim rectangular shape makes it endlessly packable, able to squeeze into the tight corners of a pack or a loaded car trunk. Unlike a stuff sack, the pouch forces the chair pieces into a tighter, neater pack and keeps its profile as minimal as possible. The pouch has handles on both ends, but we’d like a longer strap for an over-the-shoulder carry option.

Ease of Use

Like other lightweight camping chairs, the Helinox Chair One High-Back (re) consists of a frame whose pieces are shock-corded together (like tent poles) and a seat cover that stretches over the frame. Setting up the chair is a fairly simple two-step process. Thanks to the shock cord, the frame pieces snap together with very little assistance, but we found it took a bit of muscle to slide the frame posts into the seat cover pockets. 

Perched on four narrow legs, the Helinox feels somewhat wobbly, and we actually preferred using it on uneven terrain, where the feet can be dug into the ground for greater stability. When assembled, though, the Chair One is sturdy, and it never felt like the pieces were in danger of coming apart or disconnecting. 

The chair sits slightly lower than other options, and we found getting out of it to be slightly awkward, due to scrunched knees and our butt being sunk deeper into the chair. For those with mobility issues, having someone’s hand to get up might prove necessary. 

The Chair One doesn’t have any cupholders, but it does have a stretchy mesh pocket on one side with room for stowing smaller items, like a phone or sunglasses. Unfortunately, the pocket doesn’t have space for anything too big, and unless the container is sealable, it can’t be used as a cupholder because of its diagonal orientation.

It may not have all the features of other camping chairs, but as a backpacking option with a more minimalist design, the streamlined setup and its ability to handle rougher terrain make the Helinox Cahir One better suited for the backcountry.

Should You Buy The Helinox Chair One High-Back (re)?

For those looking for extra comfort in the backcountry, the Helinox Chair One High-Back (re) is a lightweight chair that provides a relaxing place to sit. Its compact and portable design makes it incredibly easy to take along in a car or on foot, while its high back — a unique feature among lightweight chairs — makes the experience of sitting in the Chair One even more enjoyable. 

In an effort to minimize weight, the Chair One favors a stripped-down style and lacks features like cupholders or armrests. For the adventures where it’s not necessary to keep ounces to a minimum, it might be preferable to opt for a chair with more cushioning or accessories. However, we find it an excellent option for keeping things fast and light, all while retaining a comfort that’s worth the extra ounces in your pack.

What Other Camping Chairs Should You Consider?

Not sure about the Helinox Chair One High-Back (re)? Head over to our guide to the best camping chairs for more options and to see how it compares to the others. And consider these other chairs:

REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Dreamer Review: Another scoop-seat camping chair, the Flexlite looks very similar to the Helinox, but with an even higher back and detachable neck cushion. The Flexlite is almost a whole pound heavier than the Chair One, but with a slightly lower price tag, it’s a great option for those looking for lightweight comfort. 

Helinox Chair Zero Review: Another offering from Helinox, the Zero is lighter than the One and packs down to the size of a water bottle, making it even easier to bring along on backcountry adventures. In shedding pounds, though, its design is more minimalist than the One and not quite as comfortable. 

ENO Lounger DL Review: If maximum comfort is the objective, then the hammock-style ENO Lounger is a perfect pick. Equipped with a cushioned headrest and a floaty bucket seat, the ENO features an extended seat back with two adjustment points for deep relaxation. At several pounds heavier than the Helinox, it’s not the lightest option for longer days on the trail, but its ability to provide laid-back seating makes it the ultimate comfort choice.