This simple little chair goes a long way when you can't find a log to park your rear on. Save Big on Kestrel, Kyte, and Hydration Packs now 40% Off. We jokingly call each of them the $100 chair. They are both light and comfy, and Ive been happy to bring it along on a backpack. A Hiking Camera Pack: MindShift BackLight 18L. Last year I didn't have this when we did the same trip and I spent 6 days sinking, tipping, and generally just struggling with my chair in the sand. I just used it in the Eastern Sierras. I like both chairs. They are great, comfortable and heavy, huge. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Unlike most of the other portable camping chairs, this chair sported a different orientation of the support poles. I'm 6'4" and I was able to stretch my feet out and lounge. View the 532 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, Product Image of color Clematis Blue loading, 532 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. We find the Flexlite to have less practical applications than some of its closest competitors, but we still agree that it makes for a decent backpacking chair. We love its deep seat and mesh material that is both soft and breathable, providing a great place to relax on a hot day. This contender was bested only by the Helinox Chair Zero and Helinox Chair One. Best Seller in Camping Chairs. However, despite these advantages, we feel that this pole configuration actually took away from the overall chair design. Then I had a seat, somewhat hesitantly, waiting to hit the ground. | updated Feb 25, 2023. We have always used those big "bag chairs" that were a hit in the 2000's for camping seating. Thursday November 3, 2022. I had to prop it up against a tree or a log in order to sit in it. While we really liked the comfort of certain features of this chair, the overall pole design made this the most unbalanced chair on regular surfaces, and the chair that sank the most on soft surfaces. With how much this chair sinks in the sand, it might not make the best beach chair (check out the Helinox Beach Chair for that), but on sturdier ground, sitting in this chair isn't a bad experience. Our experts test thousands of products each year. Let us know! Source: bought it new 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Free shipping for many products! The difference is the bottom support bar runs side to side on the old version, and front to back on the new version. Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. Its ripstop seat and tentlike frame surpass our durability te. Between the pole design, and the significant amount of fine mesh used to make the majority of the seat, the Flexlite stood out to our testers. The newsletter sign-up system is currently down for maintenance. A helpful community that aims to help users make informed decisions about camping gear including sleeping systems, clothing, cooksets, and packs. and to show off our stuff! Ignite Portable 2-Burner Propane Camping Stove (#256025531721), REI Co-Op Trail Hut 4 Person Tent with Footprint (#255997615014). Add to cart$69.95. But it just doesn't feel monstrously durable. Since we haven't tested the redesigned chair yet, we can't vouch for any of the updates, and the review to follow pertains only to the previous model. I dont think its as good a product as the slightly heavier Helinox Chair Zero (see our full review) but it is a very close second and less expensive. The REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Boss Chair is a lightweight camp chair that delivers excellent comfort in a small, portable package. Sitting in the Flexlite was a much more upright experience, rather than the typical lounge effect we'd come to expect from portable camping chairs. To make up for this slight increase in packed size, this competitor is lighter than the Helinox Chair One. nice review still $100 for that cute chair? The REI Flex Lite chair is a great addition to a bike touring setup. If you're ready for a portable chair that's more likely to last a few seasons but aren't quite ready to take the monetary plunge of a Helinox chairs, the REI Flexlite provides a good alternative option. There were several aspects of this chair that we felt made it decently comfortable to lounge in. This was a little tough to do at first, but our chairs have relaxed with use and it's easier now. The incredibly low weight of the REI Flexlite Air is impressive, and we consider it reasonably comfortable for its weight. Nice review Philip. +179 The Flexlite is a worthy option for people who like the idea of a backpacking chair but can't justify spending hundreds of dollars on something that has such limited application. Price: $30.00. The legs and feet are amongst the smallest of any of the tent-style chairs we tested, leaving us to question our sitting security. Another Orange County Pelagic Birding Trip! Outdoor Research Helium Wind Hoodie Review, Backpacking the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway A Trip Plan, Zpacks Zip-Around Sleeping Bag (10 Degree) Review, 10 Backpacking Gear Maintenance Tasks for April, 10 Best Freestanding Backpacking Tents of 2023, Nitecore 10000 mAh USB Power Bank (5.9 oz), Feathered Friends Flicker 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag. This chair is reasonably priced. Lucky for us, we found a rock to hang out on until it was time to crawl into the tent. The only actual alternative is the REI Flexlite Air. Works well in car camping too, useful if space is at a premium such as in a smaller vehicle. Weekly reviews, exclusive deals, giveaways, and more: Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Boss Chair at the best online prices at eBay! Copyright 2007-2023, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. Cookie Notice It's a little bulky/heavy, especially as a non-necessity, but a nice reward after lugging a pack all day. The avg price is $81. All Rights Reserved. The Flex Lite chair is excellent for bike touring, backpacking, anything where you want a comfortable chair, but not a lot of weight. REI return policy. Cookie Notice Earn a $100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening. Shame on those that preach sustainability or carbon footprint. On the bigger bike I also carry a bigger tent, thicker sleeping pad, and more luxury items. The Flexlite Air Chair has a seat height of 11 which can be difficult to stand up from if youre not limber. No other chair will be near the weight of the Zero. Ad id: 906220997105979. It packs up small, is easy to assemble, and makes it fun to sit around camp at night. Awesome for early morning stretches to put on boots! At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. While the Flexlite doesn't pack down quite as small as some of the competition, due to its extra long back poles, it isn't much larger! In addition to being lighter than all the other portable chairs, with the exception of the Helinox Chair Zero, and cheaper than the rest of the big outdoor brand portable chairs, right off the bat, the Flexlite had a lot going for it. Privacy Policy. In the video I go over construction, weight on my scale, and construction.Check it out @ REI - http://bit.ly/2P04x4V------------------------------------------------------------------------- MY FAVORITE GEAR - Garmin InReach Mini: https://geni.us/inreachTrekology 2.0 Pillow: https://geni.us/TrekologyPillowREI Flash 55 Pack: https://geni.us/Flash55Enlightened Equipment Enigma Quilt: https://geni.us/enigmadownGarmin Fenix Watch: https://geni.us/FenixWatchLanshan 1 Tent: https://geni.us/Lanshan1Pro------------------------------------------------------------------------CONNECT WITH ME!Website: https://justinoutdoors.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinoutdoorsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinoutdoors------------------------------------------------------------------------This video description includes affiliate links. A luxury item, we still can't deny the importance of a quality place to rest weary bones after a long day in the mountains, and this chair is a crowd favorite amongst our testers. The pull tabs on the upper holsters make the Flexlite easy to disassemble, but in the end, the feet prohibited us from using this chair in many situations. This chair has to have hard dry earth or slab rock to be of much use. Enjoy! The drawback of that light weight, is that these things will blow away if you sneeze at them - we make sure to put something in them when we stand up, or just tip them over and they move less. It also appears the stash pocket has been eliminated. The frame makes the REI chair more tippy side to side and the Heliox chair more stable that way but less so front to back. I bought the Helinox ChairZero with my REI 20% off coupon but returned it and plan to buy the REI chair the next time I have 20% off. Perhaps the most resounding commendation I can give REI's Flexlite is it's the only chair that I've tested in the lightweight category that I'd bring to a BBQ. . June 7, 2013. First-Time Customer Discount. Philip Werner March 10, 2022 Gear Reviews. Edit 2/2023: Now eight and half years of use, and still no sign of wear. that I've used. We buy all the products ourselves. Reviewed by Folds down easily to store in the included stuff sack. Caveat! Let us know! The Flexlite Air Chair includes a storage sack, a single collapsible shock-corded aluminum pole like a tent, and a sling-like seat. The model we tested is pictured last. Because its lower to the ground, its also harder to tip over, especially on uneven or rocky ground. and our I cook, eat, and drink my well earned glass of wine after a long day of hiking seated in this chair. 300 lb rated. lighter! Chair One is 2lbs 1oz. Dimensionally, the Flexlite Air is chair is 19 inches wide, 22 inches high in the rear, and has a depth of 22 inches measured from the front of the seat to the farthest most point of the backrest. OSPREY-PACKS: Backpacking Pack Sale! We've used these on solid ground, desert grit, and even at the beach - clearly the legs will sink into the ground when it's beach sand, but not so deep that you can't still sit in the chair. Though it wasn't the easiest chair to set up and put away, it did get high marks from our testers as the second lightest chair in this review. Rain Jackets: How to Make your DWR Last Longer. And the same caveat holds for the fabric portions of the chair. It's about the right size to fit a smartphone without falling out, which our reviewers thought was convenient. How Many Pairs of Socks Should You Bring on a Backpacking Trip? Browse REI's top-rated camp furniture and more. Additionally, because of the pole design, your weight is concentrated on the back two poles rather than being more evenly spread between all four poles. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. Spring Bike Sale: Save up to 30% through 4/24. We are grateful for your support of our site in this way. While ideal for cooking or packing in the parking lot, this chair wobbles on grass and sinks quickly in the sand. Price Paid: $70, Reviewed by Comfort. While there are some comparable chairs on the market, the price on the REI Flex Lite Chair is definitely a winning factor. The Flexlite Air Chair has a weight capacity of 250 pounds and comes in three distinct colors. Activate an email alert and buy or sell for the best market price Our testing team added "stability" as a category as there were truly some chairs we were afraid to sit in for fear of tipping over! our favorite taco-style chair, the ALPS Mountaineering Weekender, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews. Why do Waterproof/Breathable Rain Jackets Wet Out? Strong and lightweight. The aluminum poles slip into chunky plastic hubs which will in all likelihood last a good long timefor us little folk. This is my review of the REI Flexlite Air ultralight chair. The lightweight chairs in the Flexlite family provide you lots of options for leg angle to make every day a good one. Trailspace's community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top camp chairs. You're a bit bigger than me, but you can try them out at REI and see how you feel. Bought for weekend backpack trips for comfort. With this update, REI has switched the materials, no longer using the see-through mesh for the chair fabric. in From left to right: TravelChair Joey, Helinox Swivel, REI Flexlite. Chair .5 is 1lb 8oz and this one is 1lb 5oz. INSECT-SHIELD: Use coupon code "SECTIONHIKER" for a 15% discount at InsectShield.com, GARAGE-GROWN-GEAR: Take 30% Off the Gossamer Gear Silverback 65 backpack at Garage Grown Gear. for the original Flexlite) Sets up easily using an aluminum frame that's similar to the frame on a lightweight tent; 4-leg design provides stability. The Flexlite's wobbly construction and lack of versatility left it falling short from coming away as our favorite car camping chair. For what I've spent on camp chairs I don't like I could have had a Kermit. 10oz., it's unlikely to make the cut for an ultralight backpacker or PCT thru hiker, it is the second lightest portable camping chair we tested and has a decently high level of comfort. Underquilts perform brilliantly for hammocks. The Flexlite sits 10 inches off the ground, which is nicer than the short seat of other models in our review. I looked at one in the store and laughed - no way is that comfy or sturdy. Price Paid: $60, Reviewed by Left to right: Helinox Chair Zero, Helinox Chair One, Moon Lence Ultralight, REI Flex Lite, Onepack Ultralight. For more information, please see our Although I prefer the Helinox chair, I think the design of the REI one will fill better my needs. It may not be as light as some chairs and stools out there, but the ability to lean back after a long day of hiking is luscious. Privacy Policy. Coleman Camping Chair with Built-in 4 Can Cooler. Though it's a little heavier than the Chair Zero or ultralight sit pads, people unconcerned with a couple of extra pounds should look to the Flexlite as an affordable alternative that holds its own in comparison . If large pockets that can hold pokey objects without bothering you is what you seek, check out the flanks on the ENO Lounger DL! 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