I just received my REI Flex-Lite camping chair and decided to do a review of the FOUR! chairs I now have - can you say obsessive compulsive?
This review will compare the following 4 Chairs:
1 - GCI Outdoor PICO Arm Chair ~ $100
- Capacity: 350 lbs
- Weight: 10 lbs
- Packed size: 21.1" x 13" x 4.3"
2 - Kermit Chair ~ $140
- Capacity: 350 lbs
- Weight: 5.3 lbs
- Packed size: 4" x 6" x 22"
3 - REI Flex-Lite Chair ~ $70
- Capacity: 250 lbs
- Weight: under 2 lbs
- Packed size: 4" x 14"
4 - GCI Outdoor Packseat ~ $20
- Capacity: 250 lbs
- Weight: under 2 lbs
- Packed size: 4" x 14"
Note: The prices above do not include shipping or any discounts or additional options available for these chairs.
Here's a pic of the 4 chairs in order from top-to-bottom - Pico/Kermit/Flex-Lite/Packseat:
Here are all the chairs outside of their bags:
Let's start by talking about pack size. The Pico is the one with the big disadvantage here being the
largest and heaviest of the chairs. Your only real options for packing this chair will be on your
passenger seat or luggage rack.
The Kermit offers some more flexibility here, you can even put it in your saddlebag but it's a tight fit.
Most folks are going to pack this on top of or with their camping gear.
Here is the Flex-Lite chair, as you can see, both it and the packseat offer endless packing options
and both are under 2 lbs so there is not much bulk or weight to deal with with these two chairs.
Here are the chairs setup, 1st the Pico and Kermit. As you can see, the Pico is taller than
the Kermit and so you don't need the leg extensions that many Kermit owners tend to buy to
get that extra height. The Pico is also a wider chair and the legs are such that they are
less likely to sink into soft soil. The other 3 chairs may have a tendency to sink a little if
the ground is less than firm.
Here is the Flex-Lite chair next to the Kermit.
And finally, the Packseat next to the Flex-Lite.
Some more comparing the 1st 3 chairs.
The Flex-Lite is relatively new so here are some pics of that offering. The bottom two pockets are
connected to the bottom poles 1st then the loop is used to pull the top pocket up and connect to
the top poles.
Conlusion
Comfort:
1 - Pico
2 - Kermit
3 - Flex-Lite
4 - Packseat
I don't think this was much of a surprise. The Pico is the tallest and widest option reviewed and for that
reason gets the comfort win. It's also more of an upright chair vs the Kermit which makes you sit back
at more of an angle. This is a personal preference so some may prefer the Kermit's angle and Kermit
also offer a wide-chair version and optional leg extensions.
The Flex-Lite is not as comfortable as the Pico or Kermit mainly because you are sitting in a 'pocket',
similar to a hammock, so it feels a little unstable at first but after sitting in it a while you adjust. It's
just not the stable feeling you get from the 1st two options given the way the frame holds the material.
The Packseat - well, it's more comfortable that you would thing actually but you aren't going to fall
asleep in it. LOL
Ease of Use (setup/break down):
1 - Packseat
2 - Pico
3 - Flex-Lite
4 - Kermit
The Packseat is simply a set of 3 short shock-corded poles so it is the easiest set up and repacking of the
bunch.
The Pico has no 'parts' to it, you simply move it around and lift up then spread the seat and back
and you have an almost full sized chair. It takes a few tries to get used to it but once you do it's
a very fast setup and repacking procedure.
The Flex-Lite is constructed of Cordura fabric, mesh and DAC poles and thick plastic hubs and while the
association to a tent setup may scare some, it's actually a pretty fast setup.
The Kermit, simply due to it's number of loose parts and more involved setup is last in this category. I
will say it's not complicated, it's just a tad slower of a setup due to the parts involved. Also, repacking
is not very fast as the fit in the bag is tight and it sometimes takes a few tries to get it right. Again,
not complicated or a deal-killer, just more involved than the rest in this group.
Winner?:
Well, it's a close race... LOL
Between the Kermit and the Flex-Lite with the Flex-Lite just edging out.
My personal preferences with regards to camping chairs are comfort and pack size. If you throw in cost
then the Flex-Lite wins.
The Kermit is compact enough to be packed with your other typical camping gear however it is
much heavier and expensive than the Flex-Lite.
The Flex-Lite is quite comfortable - more so than the Packseat for obvious reasons and very
close to the Kermit and Pico.
I think if you did not already have any chair the Flex-Lite would be a nice option. Light, easy to pack,
easy to setup and comfortable. If you have a Kermit then you probably love it and won't like the
Flex-Lite.
That's all I got... obviously, this is all just MY opinions and MY observations. I hope this information
is helpful in case you're looking for a chair and these are some you're considering.
This review will compare the following 4 Chairs:
1 - GCI Outdoor PICO Arm Chair ~ $100
- Capacity: 350 lbs
- Weight: 10 lbs
- Packed size: 21.1" x 13" x 4.3"
2 - Kermit Chair ~ $140
- Capacity: 350 lbs
- Weight: 5.3 lbs
- Packed size: 4" x 6" x 22"
3 - REI Flex-Lite Chair ~ $70
- Capacity: 250 lbs
- Weight: under 2 lbs
- Packed size: 4" x 14"
4 - GCI Outdoor Packseat ~ $20
- Capacity: 250 lbs
- Weight: under 2 lbs
- Packed size: 4" x 14"
Note: The prices above do not include shipping or any discounts or additional options available for these chairs.
Here's a pic of the 4 chairs in order from top-to-bottom - Pico/Kermit/Flex-Lite/Packseat:
Here are all the chairs outside of their bags:
Let's start by talking about pack size. The Pico is the one with the big disadvantage here being the
largest and heaviest of the chairs. Your only real options for packing this chair will be on your
passenger seat or luggage rack.
The Kermit offers some more flexibility here, you can even put it in your saddlebag but it's a tight fit.
Most folks are going to pack this on top of or with their camping gear.
Here is the Flex-Lite chair, as you can see, both it and the packseat offer endless packing options
and both are under 2 lbs so there is not much bulk or weight to deal with with these two chairs.
Here are the chairs setup, 1st the Pico and Kermit. As you can see, the Pico is taller than
the Kermit and so you don't need the leg extensions that many Kermit owners tend to buy to
get that extra height. The Pico is also a wider chair and the legs are such that they are
less likely to sink into soft soil. The other 3 chairs may have a tendency to sink a little if
the ground is less than firm.
Here is the Flex-Lite chair next to the Kermit.
And finally, the Packseat next to the Flex-Lite.
Some more comparing the 1st 3 chairs.
The Flex-Lite is relatively new so here are some pics of that offering. The bottom two pockets are
connected to the bottom poles 1st then the loop is used to pull the top pocket up and connect to
the top poles.
Conlusion
Comfort:
1 - Pico
2 - Kermit
3 - Flex-Lite
4 - Packseat
I don't think this was much of a surprise. The Pico is the tallest and widest option reviewed and for that
reason gets the comfort win. It's also more of an upright chair vs the Kermit which makes you sit back
at more of an angle. This is a personal preference so some may prefer the Kermit's angle and Kermit
also offer a wide-chair version and optional leg extensions.
The Flex-Lite is not as comfortable as the Pico or Kermit mainly because you are sitting in a 'pocket',
similar to a hammock, so it feels a little unstable at first but after sitting in it a while you adjust. It's
just not the stable feeling you get from the 1st two options given the way the frame holds the material.
The Packseat - well, it's more comfortable that you would thing actually but you aren't going to fall
asleep in it. LOL
Ease of Use (setup/break down):
1 - Packseat
2 - Pico
3 - Flex-Lite
4 - Kermit
The Packseat is simply a set of 3 short shock-corded poles so it is the easiest set up and repacking of the
bunch.
The Pico has no 'parts' to it, you simply move it around and lift up then spread the seat and back
and you have an almost full sized chair. It takes a few tries to get used to it but once you do it's
a very fast setup and repacking procedure.
The Flex-Lite is constructed of Cordura fabric, mesh and DAC poles and thick plastic hubs and while the
association to a tent setup may scare some, it's actually a pretty fast setup.
The Kermit, simply due to it's number of loose parts and more involved setup is last in this category. I
will say it's not complicated, it's just a tad slower of a setup due to the parts involved. Also, repacking
is not very fast as the fit in the bag is tight and it sometimes takes a few tries to get it right. Again,
not complicated or a deal-killer, just more involved than the rest in this group.
Winner?:
Well, it's a close race... LOL
Between the Kermit and the Flex-Lite with the Flex-Lite just edging out.
My personal preferences with regards to camping chairs are comfort and pack size. If you throw in cost
then the Flex-Lite wins.
The Kermit is compact enough to be packed with your other typical camping gear however it is
much heavier and expensive than the Flex-Lite.
The Flex-Lite is quite comfortable - more so than the Packseat for obvious reasons and very
close to the Kermit and Pico.
I think if you did not already have any chair the Flex-Lite would be a nice option. Light, easy to pack,
easy to setup and comfortable. If you have a Kermit then you probably love it and won't like the
Flex-Lite.
That's all I got... obviously, this is all just MY opinions and MY observations. I hope this information
is helpful in case you're looking for a chair and these are some you're considering.
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