The Helinox Chair Zero is our best lightest hiking chair pick, and it scored 84 out of 100 in our testing.
The chair to buy when every gram counts, packing near a soda can weight, as long as you accept a lower seat and thinner poles you must treat gently.
At about 1 pound it is the lightest credible chair Helinox makes.
Now:
We tested it head to head against the other top backpacking chairs, and below we break down how it did on Value for Money, Comfort, Pack Size, Durability, Versatility, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Best Lightest Hiking Chair
Helinox Chair Zero
- Weight: about 1 lb 1 oz to 18 oz with sack
- Packed size: about 14 by 4.5 by 4 in
- Seat height: about 10 to 11 in
- Capacity: 265 lb
- Frame: DAC aluminium, thinner poles
- Fabric: 100 denier ripstop
- Warranty: 5 years against defects
- Price: about 140 to 150 dollars
Bottom Line : The chair to buy when every gram counts, packing near a soda can weight, as long as you accept a lower seat and thinner poles you must treat gently.
Pros
- The lightest credible chair here at about 1 pound
- Packs to near the size of a tall drink can
- Same 5 year warranty and spare parts
- Ideal for ultralight base weight goals
Cons
- Thinner poles flex and are less forgiving of rough handling
- Lower seat is harder to stand up from
- Lower 265 pound capacity than the Chair One
Our Verdict: Helinox Chair Zero
The chair to buy when every gram counts, packing near a soda can weight, as long as you accept a lower seat and thinner poles you must treat gently.
At about 1 pound it is the lightest credible chair Helinox makes.
What's the bottom line?
This is its standout, packing to roughly 14 by 4.5 by 4 inches and weighing about 1 pound 1 ounce to 18 ounces on a scale with the sack.
It stuffs down to near the size of half a litre of water, the smallest here, and fits a pack side pocket.
I carry this on trips where I weigh everything, and it disappears in the pack at just over a pound. The poles feel delicate compared to the Chair One though, so I am careful assembling it, and the low seat is a bit of a heave to get out of.
Emma, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- The lightest credible chair here at about 1 pound
- Packs to near the size of a tall drink can
- Same 5 year warranty and spare parts
- Ideal for ultralight base weight goals
Reasons to avoid:
- Thinner poles flex and are less forgiving of rough handling
- Lower seat is harder to stand up from
- Lower 265 pound capacity than the Chair One
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The Helinox Chair Zero scored 84 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on pack size and weakest on value for money.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Value for Money
It lists around 140 to 150 dollars, the priciest of the packable Helinox chairs.
You pay a premium purely to shed weight over the Chair One, not to gain comfort or durability.
It shares the same 5 year warranty against manufacturing defects as the rest of the range.
A deep accessory ecosystem adds value, with a ground sheet around 40 dollars, Vibram ball feet, and replacement seats and feet all sold separately.
| Value for Money | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Helinox Chair Zero | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.8/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Comfort
The seat sits low at around 10 to 11 inches, and the back reaches above the shoulder blades for average height users.
The 100 denier fabric has enough give to feel supportive without sagging, and the shaped seat pocket gives some lower back support.
But here is the catch:
The low friction sling means you slide forward on uneven ground, and wider users report shoulder pressure from the side rails.
OutdoorGearLab rates comfort around 6.5 out of 10 and suggests it suits users under 6 feet best.
| Comfort | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Helinox Chair Zero | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.8/10 |
| Worst in test | 7/10 |
Pack Size
This is its standout, packing to roughly 14 by 4.5 by 4 inches and weighing about 1 pound 1 ounce to 18 ounces on a scale with the sack.
It stuffs down to near the size of half a litre of water, the smallest here, and fits a pack side pocket.
The thinner DAC poles mean it takes a touch more care to assemble without flexing them.
Setup and teardown average just over a minute once you learn the frame orientation.
| Pack Size | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Helinox Chair Zero | 10/10 |
| Category average | 7.6/10 |
| Worst in test | 4/10 |
Durability
The poles are DAC aluminium with riveted plastic hubs, and testers call the frame rock solid with no squeak.
The known failure is a support arm breaking at the hub, reported by owners on backpacking forums.
The seat is a 100 denier ripstop with reinforced corners that survives dirt and repeated packing without fraying.
Warranty is real but claims can be a hassle, with one owner asked to ship the whole frame in for a hub repair.
| Durability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Helinox Chair Zero | 7/10 |
| Category average | 8/10 |
| Worst in test | 7/10 |
Versatility
The small feet sink into sand and soft ground, especially near the 265 pound limit, so it wants a firm flat surface.
Side to side stability on slopes is good, but leaning back lifts the front legs and risks tipping.
Being so light it sways and can shift on loose surfaces or blow over empty in wind.
The accessory ground sheet gives full stability on sand and mud, and ball feet or an anchor help on grass and rock.
| Versatility | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Helinox Chair Zero | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.3/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Should You Buy the Helinox Chair Zero?
The chair to buy when every gram counts, packing near a soda can weight, as long as you accept a lower seat and thinner poles you must treat gently.
It is best suited to ultralight backpackers counting every gram.
Want to know the best part?
The big win: The lightest credible chair here at about 1 pound.
The main compromise: Thinner poles flex and are less forgiving of rough handling.
We scored it 84 out of 100.
What Other Backpacking Chairs Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The Helinox Chair One is our best backpacking chair overall. The best balanced packable chair, light enough to backpack and tough enough to last years, if you accept a low back and feet that sink in soft ground.
The Naturehike YL08 Ultralight Chair is our best smallest camp chair. A well made ultralight chair that packs tiny and costs far less than the premium brands, making it a smart middle ground for weight conscious campers.
The Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair is our best most versatile backpacking chair. The comfort and durability pick, with a taller supportive back that beats the Helinox for long sits, at the cost of extra weight and pack bulk.
Specifications
| Weight | about 1 lb 1 oz to 18 oz with sack |
| Packed size | about 14 by 4.5 by 4 in |
| Seat height | about 10 to 11 in |
| Capacity | 265 lb |
| Frame | DAC aluminium, thinner poles |
| Fabric | 100 denier ripstop |
| Warranty | 5 years against defects |
| Price | about 140 to 150 dollars |
Conclusion: Helinox Chair Zero
After testing it against the other top backpacking chairs, the Helinox Chair Zero earns its place as our best lightest hiking chair pick.
Its standout strength: The lightest credible chair here at about 1 pound.
So:
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Thinner poles flex and are less forgiving of rough handling.
If you want ultralight backpackers counting every gram, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the Helinox Chair Zero ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Backpacking Chairs guide.
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