Helinox Sunset Chair Review (Bought & Tested!)

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This page contains affiliate links, and that means that I may earn a commission if you buy something, at no extra cost to you. You can find my full disclosure policy here.

Summary: If you’re looking for a lightweight camp chair with a tall backrest and adjustable pillow so you can rest your head and neck, the Helinox Sunset is definitely the best one I’ve tested in that category.

RELATED: The 21 Best Camping Chairs

I’ll link to my YouTube review here when it’s done (TBA)

Check out the Helinox Sunset:

1. Set Up

To set up this chair, follow these steps:

1. Locate the poles and shock-cording.
2. Lay out the 4 leg poles on the ground, plus 2 short front poles and 2 long back poles.
3. Grab the fabric, locate the headrest flap, and secure it to the 2 long poles.
4. Lay the chair on its back to secure the bottom ends onto the 2 short poles.

Setup time: ~45 seconds

Tip: Guide zipper with finger when packing away (mesh can catch).

2. Pack Away

To pack away the chair, follow these steps:

1. Remove the chair fabric and lay it flat on the ground.
2. Fold the fabric in half, folding the edges to prevent sticking out.
3. Break down all poles and place them on top of the fabric.
4. Roll everything tightly into the carry bag.

Pack away time: ~1 minute

3. Unfolded Dimensions

As for the unfolded dimensions, here’s what I measured:

• Width: 22.5in (57.2cm) from corner to corner
• Length: 28in (71.1cm) from back of chair to front of seat
• Height: 38.9in (98.9cm) from ground to top

4. Seat Size

Now, if you want more detailed seat measurements, here’s the info for the seat size:

• Total seat length: 22.5in (57.2cm)
• Seat depth: 12in (30.5cm)

5. Seat Height

Now, for seat height, the marketed specs come in at about 14 inches.

• Front seat height: 18.2in (46.2cm)
• Actual seat height: 13in (33cm)

6. Backrest

For the backrest, here are the details:

• Backrest height: 29.25in (74.3cm)
• Backrest width: 17.2in (43.6cm)
• Recline angle:  32 degrees

7. Breathability

For breathability, I first looked at the amount of mesh on this chair.

• Mesh Percentage: ~31% total coverage
• Seat Mesh: 2 small panels (9in x 2.75in each)
• Backrest Mesh: 11in of mesh width

Temp Test Results

• Fabric Starting: 82°F → After 1 hour: 87.4°F (+6.6%)
• Mesh Starting: 82°F → After 1 hour: 83.7°F (+2.1%)

8. Pockets

As for storage options, this chair has specific pockets:

• Right Armrest: 2 pockets on the right side
  • Top Pocket: 11in x 4.5in
  • Bottom Pocket: 7in x 4.5in
• Cupholder: None specific, but drinks fit stably if not completely full

9. Materials & Quality

As for materials, the build quality uses specific components:

• Fabric: 600D Polyester
• Mesh: Polyester monomesh
• Poles: Green-anodised DAC TH72M aluminium alloy
• Hubs: DAC nylon resin
• Stitching: Good all around, reinforced corners
• Origin: Made in Vietnam

10. Portability

As for portability, here are the info:

• Chair weight: 3.2lbs (1.45kg)
• Bag weight: 0.2lbs (3.28oz / 0.1kg)
• Total weight: 3.4lbs (Marketed: 3 lbs 7 oz / 3.44lbs)
• Packed size: 19in x 5.5in x 4.75in (48.26cm x 13.97cm x 12.07cm)

11. Warranty

Helinox provides standard warranty coverage on this chair:

• Warranty Type: 5-year warranty
• Coverage: Covers manufacturing defects and frame integrity over time (better than REI’s 1 year, shorter than Big Agnes’ Lifetime).

12. Which is the Best Lightweight Camping Chair?

To determine the best lightweight high-back chair, I compared three top contenders that balance weight and comfort: Helinox Sunset, Big Agnes Big Six, and REI Camp Dreamer. These are not ultra-light backpacking chairs; they prioritize head support and seating comfort.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Helinox Sunset	Big Agnes Big Six	REI Camp Dreamer
Setup	45 seconds	110 seconds	72 seconds
Pack Away	60 seconds	80 seconds	70 seconds
Seat Size	22.5 x 12.0in	23.3 x 12.5in	23.8 x 13.5in
Backrest Height	29.3in	30.5in	28.5in
Seat Height	13.0in	11.4in	9.8in
Angle of Recline	32°	25°	29°
Amount of Mesh	31%	0%	3%
Armrests	No	Yes	No
Storage	Pockets x 2	Pocket x 1 Cupholder x 2	Pockets x 2
Pillow	Yes (Adjustable)	No	Yes (Non-Adjustable)
Pole Material	DAC Aluminum	Aircraft Aluminum	Aircraft Aluminum Aluminum
Pole Hubs	DAC Nylon Resin	N.A.	Non-branded
Fabric Material	600D Polyester	Robic nylon and polyester ripstop	300D Ripstop Polyester
Waterproof Coating	None	UTS + PU	DWR
Weight Capacity	320lbs.	300lbs.	300lbs.
Warranty Length	5 years	Lifetime	1 year
Packed Length	19.0in	24.0in	21.0in
Total Weight	3.4lbs.	4.0lbs.	3.4lbs.
MSRP	$170	$280	$100

• Setup Speed: The Helinox is the clear winner at 45 seconds, compared to Big Agnes’ complex setup (110s) and REI’s tight corners.
• Breathability: With 31% mesh coverage, the Sunset stays cooler than the fabric-only Big Agnes or minimal-mesh REI.
• Value: While the REI is cheaper ($100), the Helinox offers better durability (DAC poles) and a higher weight capacity for $70 more. The Big Agnes is significantly pricier at $280.

The Verdict

After tallying all tests, here are the winners:

• REI: Won 4 categories (mostly Price & Seat Size).
• Big Agnes: Won 6 categories (Warranty, Armrests, Fabric Quality).
• Helinox Sunset: Won 11 categories.

Despite not winning every category, the Helinox Sunset offers the best overall balance. It is the lightest high-back chair with DAC poles, the fastest setup, and superior breathability for summer use.

Recommendation: Compared to what I’ve tested so far, yes, it is the best lightweight camp chair in this category, and I would definitely recommend it

Overall Recommendation

Compared to the lightweight high-back chairs I’ve tested (Big Agnes Big Six, REI Camp Dreamer), the Helinox Sunset is the best lightweight camp chair.

13. Bonus – MUST Read!

I know this because I tested the Helinox Sunset against 20 other camping chairs. Check out my Best Camping Chairs article to find out.

Or, check out the Helinox Sunset: