Review: Helinox Zero LT Seat and Universal Helinox Ground Strap

By
Spchlang
-
0
SectionHiker.com

The Helinox Chair Zero LT is a new chair in the Chair Zero product line. It weighs slightly less than the original Chair Zero and includes the new Helinox Ground Strap, which is compatible with all Helinox chairs and tables. The Helinox Ground Strap tackles one of the biggest problems with lightweight packable chairs: legs sinking into sand, mud, or grass. If you already own a Helinox saddle, regardless of model, the $25 (0.7 oz) Ground-strap is a great upgrade. It’s not perfect, but as long as you keep your seat level, it limits the amount of sag.

Helinox Chair Zero LT Specs

  • Weight: 17.7 oz (1 lb 1.7 oz)
  • Seat Height: 7 inches
  • Capacity Weight: 265 lbs
  • Frame: Aluminum
  • Sling Fabric: Monofilament grid ripstop
  • Helinox Ground Strap: 0.7 included, and sold separately
The seat belt is an included accessory, but is also available for sale separately on older seat models.
The Chair Zero LT has two main components – the fabric sling that makes up the seat and the aluminum poles with shock cables. The seat belt is an additional included part, but is also available to be sold separately for use with older seat models.

I never thought a backpack was important, and I don’t think I still am. But if you’re backpacking a trail that doesn’t have wooden lean-tos, picnic benches, trees, or rocks to sit on, it’s nice to have a chair to sit on in the evening instead of sitting on dirt or tick-infested grass. And, with the lighter gear weights we all carry, adding a chair to your luggage is easier than ever.

The Ground Strap consists of two pieces of webbing sewn together to form an X with the boots grip.
The Ground Strap consists of two pieces of webbing sewn together to form an X with the boots grip.

There are a few important variables to consider when choosing a lightweight backpacking chair:

  • Gear weight – the minimum weight of the seat and its components
  • Weight capacity – how much load you can carry
  • Seat height – how difficult it is to stand up

Seat Height Lowered

The Helinox Chair Zero LT has a light trail weight of 17.7 oz (minus carrying bag or bottom strap), which is just over half an ounce more than the original Chair Zero. It is strong enough to hold people weighing up to 265 lbs and has a seat height of 7″, which is 2″ less than the original Chair Zero.

I think the height reduction is a big deal, because the original seat needed a certain amount of quickness to stand up. If you have balance issues or find it difficult to get up off your feet, I’d recommend sticking with the original Chair Zero or considering one of the Chair Zero LT’s biggest competitors: the NEMO Moonlight Elite and the REI Flexlite Airwith very high seats.

While the LT Chair comes with a stuff sack, you can save weight by simply folding the shock cord poles up into the seat for transport.While the LT Chair comes with a stuff sack, you can save weight by simply folding the shock cord poles up into the seat for transport.
While the LT Chair comes with a stuff sack, you can save weight by simply folding the shock cord poles up into the seat for transport.

New Cloth

Besides the different chair heights, the main difference between the Helinox Chair LT and the original Chair Zero is the fabric you sit on. The Chair LT uses a monofilament grid ripstop that is extremely durable and abrasion resistant which Helinox claims is stronger than the aramid polyester ripstop fabric used in the original Chair Zero. It’s hard to verify claims like these, or determine if they make any difference to most users. Although monofilament fabrics tend to be stronger than multi-filament fabrics and can be recycled (which Helinox doesn’t want), this strikes me as a feature that Helinox product engineers care about more than end users.

The Last Word

I’m quick, but I still prefer the original Chair Zero because of its higher seat height. In my opinion, the only advantage of the Helinox Chair Zero LT over the original Chair Zero is that it comes bundled with a $25 Ground Strap, whereas you need to purchase one separately from the original Chair Zero. Since Helinox intends to continue selling the original Chair Zero, I would recommend buying it along with the new Ground Strap, instead of the Chair Zero LT. The original Chair Zero and Group Strap cost up to $165, compared to the Chair Zero LT ($160), which includes the Group Strap. If you ask me, those two extra inches of seat height are definitely worth the extra $5.

Disclosure: Helinox provided the chair for review.

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