The Leki Chiller chair sneaks into the lightweight camping chair category at 1340g, light enough to take on day hikes, static camps and even on multi-day backpacking trips.
The pack size is small enough to fit down one side of our 32l daypack, with enough space the other side for winter gear and food. The pack itself is made of a reassuringly thick and durable fabric that has some shape to it, more on that later.
Set-up is an absolute breeze thanks to the shock-corded aluminium poles which you can pretty much just shake into place. The poles fit into the tough fabric locating pockets of the seat just as easily, don't forget to thread the bottom support of the all-important integrated drinks holder over the pole before you do this though!
Once the seat is set up, rather than discarding the stuff sack into 'stuff sack mountain', connect it to the underside of the seat using the attached hook and loop Velcro fastenings. This is a touch of genius that we haven't seen before. It gives you a great place to stash those annoying little 'easily lost at dark campsite' items, with immediate easy access to them. Leki have also been thoughtful enough to include cover flaps for the Velcro on the stuff sack so that when it goes back in your pack it doesn't snag on everything else on the way down.
When testing a new lightweight camping chair, we always approach the 'first sit' with great caution, gingerly lowering ourselves onto the seat on as square a tangent as possible so as not to upset the delicate balance, or sink one of the legs into the ground, but the Leki Chiller needs no such treatment. The extra weight you've just carried up the hill translates into a very comfortable and stable seat at a good sitting height - phew.
The Chiller is stable in all directions, so you can go about your camp tasks without fear of toppling over one way or the other. We also found that on a wet Brecon Beacons hilltop the leg ends sat firmly on top of the ground rather than a few inches under it, but hey this is to be expected from a brand that specialises in walking and skiing poles, right?
The broad, curved seat base and relatively high back make for a lounge like feeling, allowing you to while away the hours at camp without getting a numb bum or sore legs.
Overall, we're impressed with the Leki Chiller and although it's heavier than some, it's a small price to pay for such high levels of comfort, convenience and stability.
