If you are looking for a fully collapsible and nicely packable lightweight camping chair, then this Helinox Beach Chair review is a text for you. Please keep reading.
Key features
- Collapsible design.
- Tall back with headrest.
- Very lightweight chair.
- 5 Year warranty.
What type of chair is this
Here you have a fully collapsible chair with a single shock-corded frame structure. So you have nothing to guess when you make the chair ready, all is done in seconds, without tools, and you can never lose any part of the chair.
The term collapsible implies that it needs the mentioned simple assembly, but it also means that the chair is very small when packed. The dimensions in its carry bag (shown below) are only 18.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 inches (46.5 x 14 x 11 cm).
The backrest is high so the chair offers a headrest as well. This is why I have included it in my list of camping chairs with headrest. See the chair from the side to realize how high and supportive the backrest is:
Observe also how bent the legs are so the chair will not sink easily regardless of where you use it. The feet are with caps and they are wide so you can use it also in a floored family camping tent, or in tents with screen rooms.
Note that it looks similar to their Playa Chair, but there are big differences in the weight and in some other features.
The Beach Chair is with a breathable mesh on the back and on the sides, and the rest is a strong 600 weave polyester. You can see how it looks from the back:
As you realize from the pictures, this is a hubbed design with durable nylon elements where the poles connect to the structure. This is the tent poles technology, but the poles here are much stronger. You might want to know that this is an advanced DAC aluminum poles system, so this is from the world’s leading manufacturer.
When you set up the frame, put the fabric by attaching it on the top poles first. This allows you to bend the structure when you attach the fabric to the front poles on the seat.
Note also that the carry bag doubles as a pillow, you can attach it on the top filled with some clothes and have a padded headrest.
Great warranty
For a chair that looks so thin, the 5-year warranty which comes with it looks really incredible. I am impressed.
Who is it for
Capacity-wise, the declared weight capacity is 320 lb (145 kg), so this is good enough for most of the users. But if you need something considerably stronger, please check my list of camping chairs for heavy people.
Weight-wise, this is a very light chair with its 3 lb 4 oz (1500 g). Though, this is not an item to carry in the pack, check my list of ultralight backpacking chairs if you need something of that type. But I have included it in my list of best collapsible chairs.
As mentioned above, the packed size is very good and you can transport this chair on a bicycle or in a kayak.
Size-wise, the dimensions of this chair are good, but you will notice that it is smaller than the mentioned Playa Chair from the same brand.
The seat is low as you would expect from a chair with such a name, so it may not be the best option for elderly users.
My rating, pros & cons
Please see how I rate this chair against my standard set of criteria used for all the chairs here in the site, this allows for easy comparison:
My rating of the Helinox Beach Chair:
-
Weight - 8.6/10
8.6/10
-
Dimensions - 7.9/10
7.9/10
-
Packed size - 8.4/10
8.4/10
-
Capacity - 8/10
8/10
-
Comfort - 9.4/10
9.4/10
-
Craftsmanship - 9.7/10
9.7/10
Summary
My overall rating is – Excellent:
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Easy to use.
- Great quality.
- Great comfort.
- Great warranty.
Cons
Expensive.
User Review
( votes)Specifications
- Weight: 3 lb 4 oz (1500 g).
- Capacity: 320 lb (145 kg).
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 23 x 28.5 x 31.5 in (58 x 73 x 80 cm).
- Seat height: 11 in (28 cm).
- Packed size: 18.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 in (46.5 x 14 x 11 cm).
Helinox Beach Chair vs Competitors
It may be useful to see how this chair stands when compared with some other top brands’ chairs built in a similar style. So here you have two of them both with headrest and collapsible.
Although it is slightly lighter and with better capacity, they look like a close match to me. But note that the price of the Marchway Chair is only 1/3 of the Helinox chair price. The Kelty Linger Chair is also a bit less expensive.
Weight,
lb (kg)
Dimensions
(W x D x H), in (cm)
Packed size,
in (cm)
Capacity,
lb (kg)
Price
Helinox Beach Chair
3.3 (1.5)
23 x 28.5 x 31.5 (58 x 73 x 80)
18.5 x 5.5 x 4.5
(46.5 x 14 x 11)
320 (145)
$$
Marchway Camp Chair
3.7 (1.68)
22.8 x 26 x 39.2 (58 x 66 x 100)
17 x 6.6 x 5.5
(43 x 17 x 14)
300 (136)
$
Kelty Linger High Back
3.37 (1.5)
21 x 27.5 x 39 (53 x 70 x 99)
20 x 6.5 x 4
(51 x 17 x 10)
300 (136)
$$
Final thoughts
So I hope this Helinox Beach Chair review has been useful and you have a clear idea about the features of this chair. This is a quality product but the price is high, nothing unusual for the Helinox brand. But you have seen the warranty which they give, this has a price.
There are many chairs of this type here in the site, you might want to check also this Eagles Nest Outfitters Lounger SL Camp Chair with its unique design.
Note that this is not a sponsored text, and I am not paid by the brand. Please use the comment box below in case of questions or comments.