We had never previously considered carrying a chair on a bikepacking trip before which, by its very nature, needs every gram and litre of volume shaved to the minimum for best enjoyment. It's certainly a luxury item but one which we have warmed to over the last few adventures.
Consisting of lightweight DAC poles, shock-corded together so they quickly snap into the chair format, and a tough nylon seat cover which uses pockets to retain the poles, it takes a matter of seconds to put up or take down.
So far so good, but it's the weight and packed size that are the ace up this particular chair's sleeve. Packed into its stuff sack it weighs in at a feathery 520g and measures a tad over a 1 litre Nalgene bottle in size.
Once we discovered the need for firm ground (the thin legs sink easily into soft) we were surprised how quickly we took to this unfamiliar extravagance. Low enough to sit under a tarp it is comfortably supportive once you recline, and with a mug of tea in hand and sunset burning away in front of you, the extra weight suddenly feels very worthwhile.
Update: Helinox have just released a Vibram Ball Feet set to help with soft ground.
Would we take it on regular trips? For the joy of keeping weary backsides off the cold ground in comfort, yes, but as a luxury item it would be last in the pack, and only if there was room.
