Not exactly barebones, but it might be nice to have somewhere to sit of an evening. Does anyone use an ultralight chair? If so, how do you find it? Do you recommend any particular one?

I got one at the end of last year, but have only used it for backpacking trips, never when out on the bike. I got the Helinox Chair One, think it's about 900g in weight. I've taken it on a few trips this year and used it a couple of times on each trip and it was nice to have after a long day's walk. I like the idea of sitting in comfort with a drink watching the sun go down, but in reality for a large part of the year it's either pissing down with rain or the midgies are out in force, so I retreat to my tent. I'll probably persevere with it for this year and decide if it's worth holding on to or not!

John Climber did a review of a small number - https://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/take-a-seat/

I have similar to the aliexpress one (but fro Amazon), works well enough Can’t say much more than that as I don’t have anything to compare it to

Edit - not carried on the bike mind, so no comments on that but plenty of sitting down on it trackside and it’s comfortable.

To be honest, I will most likely only take it when I go with my son. He's only 3.5, so there is a lot of stuff and a lot of weight anyway, so what's another kilo or so. I found one on sport pursuit for £30, so giving it a punt.

I bought a Helinox Ground Chair late last year. It’s been with me on all my BaMs since then. It cost a fortune - over £100 - but I was in a “what the hell, it’s only money and I may as well spend it before the council take it for care home fees” mood and I’d fancied getting one for ages, so…. I chose it over the ordinary chair because on the four legged version the legs are prone to sinking into the ground and tilting back. The Ground Chair seemed the better option for varied ground conditions and no, the legs don’t dig in, but it’s still not particularly stable. The footprint is rather too small and it’s easy to get tipped out sideways or backwards when you’re trying to sit down. There’s a technique that you have to master.

Having said all that, I’ll still be taking it on my bikepacking trips. Being able to sit by my stove to cook, or read or look at the view makes it worth taking it. £120? Maybe not so much.

Was it worth it? From a comfort-in-camp point of view I’d say yes.

whitestone wrote: ↑Mon May 26, 2025 2:44 pm John Climber did a review of a small number - https://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/take-a-seat/

Cheers mate

I've got the Ali Express one as reviewed by John. My main use is sea kayaking where weight (and size) is less of a problem. Used more often when lightweight tours where I can strap it to the top of the rack. Bikepacking (a few times) it sits under the top tube where a half frame bag would sit, (packed size is 36cm x 12cm x 10cm) only catches the knees occasionally. To stop the feet sinking I made up a small groundsheet (from an old tent groundsheet) with a pocket in each corner for the legs, worked OK even on firmly packed sand. It is nice to have something to sit on of an evening!

And thanks John, I only knew of the Helinox ones but I wasn't willing to fork out that much for something that would only get infrequent use.

We have the helinox chairs, we printed these to stop legs sinking into soft ground.
https://www.printables.com/model/447573 ... chair-feet
Chairs are quite old but no issues so far.

https://tokyobike.co.uk/products/chair-zero

Saw this while looking for something else. Just over 500g. £130 though.

I ordered this one: https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/pr ... id/3990615
It arrived today, and have to say I'm pretty happy with it so far. It's comfortable, light, and easy to put together. The first test is next week.

Sajama wrote: ↑Wed May 28, 2025 9:45 am We have the helinox chairs, we printed these to stop legs sinking into soft ground.
https://www.printables.com/model/447573 ... chair-feet
Chairs are quite old but no issues so far.

Cheers for this! I've got a helinox chair zero, and this will prove very useful. I may be in the minority, but I use mine every week, on a Sunday I go for a ride and read somewhere local and this comes out every trip. It'll be going with me when I'm in the trans Cambrian way this summer. I find it a comfy chair, it seems to cradle me, I've not really experienced the toppling over some people have. I know it's expensive, but I saved up here and there and really appreciate it every time I plonk myself down.

Well said robmuddygloved
I think he shows the value in things that are overpriced to some etc or not worth it ....too him it's a lot of money well spent partly financed on a lot of money well saved from other not so often used items/purchases
Makes a good statement compared to some others who lambast people for paying £xx for something just because they didn't want it or couldn't afford it

Obviously having a considerable effect on cost but what difference would it make to the weight by changing the bars to carbon.

Assuming tubes of the same diameter can be sorced.

Saw this in a camping shop - very nice!

https://www.nemoequipment.com/collectio ... king-chair

Alpkit have a good one of these 1kg in weight and very comfortable in my opinion. Mines about 3 years old and gets regular use All I've replaced are the rubber feet as they split after use on rough ground.