This Folding Chair Is So Lightweight, I Can Lift It With My Pinky Finger

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My brother ended up watching an entire NBA game in it when we set it up in our living room to test it out, if that’s any indication of its comfort.

Head of Life and Commerce, HuffPost

If you’re carrying one of those chairs, it’s awkward enough. If you’re carrying four of them from the parking lot to the ball field or across the sand to the beach, you may as well lie prostrate on the shoreline and give up.

I recently decided my family needed an upgrade, so I asked the HuffPost Shopping team if they knew of any lightweight folding chairs. Our managing editor immediately tossed out one brand and one brand only, “Helinox,” saying they “weighed one pound.” I assumed this was a gross exaggeration, but upon searching the brand I was shocked to find out she was only slightly hyperbolic — the chairs weigh two pounds each.

Let me just say that my mind was blown before I even unpackaged the first chair I ordered.

When the package arrived on my front porch I was in total disbelief that this could be a chair — it comes in a canvas zipper pouch that’s not much bigger than one of today’s giant Stanley tumblers, and it was featherweight. I had snagged the most affordable model that Helinox offers, the “original lightweight camping chair.”

Spending around $100 on an outdoor folding chair would have been unthinkable before experiencing how comfortable and convenient these Helinox chairs are, and now I’m afraid my family and I will never be able to go back.

After confirming the chair was indeed as lightweight as I hoped, the next test was assembly. I somehow inherited my dad’s “I don’t believe in instruction manuals, I can do it myself” mentality, which never works — but it did this time. The chair is essentially a bunch of metal poles connected by bungees. If you twist and turn them randomly, the chair basically assembles itself in about 15 seconds. Then, all you have to do is slide the canvas seat (which is machine washable!) on the poles, and voila.

The final test: Comfort. The chair looks a little low to the ground, but once you’re in it, you may find yourself taking a nap. It reclines at just the right angle, and there are no poles digging into your body — it’s a little canvas cocoon that feels stable. My brother ended up watching an entire NBA game in it when we set it up in our living room to test it out, if that’s any indication.

If you want a taller version that offers more neck support, try the “high-back” model, which has a mesh pocket on the side to hold your belongings, comes in nine colors and costs $139.95. I ordered one of these, too, for the exceedingly tall people in my family who need neck support.

Again, I can’t believe I now own such an expensive outdoor folding chair. But for me (and my older mom, and my brother with kids), it’s worth it to save space in the car, to save our literal backs while carrying them, and to have a comfortable place to rest.

Check out what some Amazon reviewers had to say.

“Just go ahead and spend the money on the Helinox brand if you want this style of chair and you weigh more than 100 pounds. The material and weave of the fabric is more sturdy.” —UniquePerspective

“This chair is awesome!! Super compact when packed. Very sturdy and lightweight. I am a 6’ 2” 195-pound male, and it works for me. I have used it for over three years and have not had a single issue. If you’re second-guessing and looking for a lightweight chair, get it!” —Tom

“I take this chair to every music festival. It’s easy to set up and break down (even when you enjoy the festival adult options a little too much). Chair is super portable. I attach it to my hydropack by carabiners.” —Katrina Smith

“Purchased two of these chairs because our family does a lot of beach traveling with flights involved — these chairs are very compact and can easily fit into a regular-sized backpack without taking up too much space. Setup is super quick and easy, and chairs are actually comfortable on the beach! Highly recommended for travel.” —Kristen R.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.