The Chair Buddies are super wide clip-on camping chair feet and prevent the small feat of camping chairs sinking in the ground. The proof is in the pudding. Watch the review!
- Weight: 152.2 grams (Claimed 149 gr)
- Pack size: 3 x 8 x 38 cm
- Price: € 22.00
Concept
Ever since I owned a few Helinox Chair Ones – click here for the full review – I have had one problem with the chairs: the feet are quite narrow and sink into soft ground. Take a wet field, a soft pasture or – the best example – the beach. This was exactly the same problem that Juris Magone encountered and – different then me – decided to solve. The Chair Buddies Removable Camping Chair Feet are a fact now.
Materials
The Chair Buddies are made of polypropylene, are 70 mm wide and have an internal rib structure to make them stronger. They distribute the weight of the smaller, original chair feet into 6-8times wider area.. The polypropylene is made of a mix of polypropylene granulate and an UV-resistant granulate is added for extended life span out in the sun. UV optimised Polypropylene is used to manufacture objects for outdoor use, such as signs, and animal feeders. Integrated in the feet is a TPE-rubber (Thermoplastic Elastomers) part that extends through the bottom that both seals the inside space and provides an anti-slip surface.
Nice to know is that the feet come in two colours: black and red. Because of its higher carbon content the black Polypropylene has slightly better UV-resistance than other colours. The red colour is actually Poppy Red. In the UK poppies have symbolic meaning honouring the victims from the First and Second World War.
Chair Buddies Carry case
All four Buddies come with a 70D Polyester carry case with an easy to use zipper. Each chair foot is separated in the slim profile carry case that easily fits inside most chair’s fabric cases. There are two sets of poppers to make cleaning the inside easier. The inside part of the fabric is PU-coated. Handy because this keeps the chair Buddies from the rest of my gear after sitting in a muddy place. When I’m home I can easily clean them with warm water and a sponge.
The carry case has a hook. This enables me to attach it to my backpack or to the stuff bag of my Helinox chair. In fact… the case of my Helinox Chair One has exactly the same length as the one from Chair Buddies. Or should it be the other way around? Next to that: The Chair Buddies carry case also fits inside the Helinox bag.
Sustainability
I applaud when companies take care of sustainability issues. With the Chair Buddies there is not a lot to tell about sustainability. The materials used are not from a recycled background but can be recycled. The reason why they are not made from recycled ‘plastics’ has to do with the high peak load on a very small surface from a person sitting on the chair. Juris explained to me that virgin plastic’s impact strength is 30 to 40% stronger than recycled material.
What I do like is the fact that they are made locally in the United Kingdom. The result is an easier production control and shorter distribution lines. As well as reduced the carbon footprint of the feet. This is true for sure since the main selling region is Europe, but the clip-on feet will sell worldwide of course.
Practice
The Chair Buddies are designed to fit around legs with a diameter ranging from 10-14 mm. The cup in the clip-on feet is suitable for feet that are 20-25 mm wide.
Attaching the Buddies to my Helinox legs is easy. Just place it under the foot of the Helinox and clip the S-curved connector to the leg of the chair. Repeat this by four times, done!
I have used the Chair Buddies on wet swampy meadows, on a sandy beach and I can imagine they would work on soft snow too. The Buddies prevent the chair from sinking in the soil or sand and make the chair more stable too. Everybody who owns a Helinox or Helinox look-a-like, knows the feeling of sliding sideways when leaning over and with one leg sinking in the ground. It does not happen with the Buddies attached. What is important to know: I only weigh 63 kg but Chair Buddies are recommended for 110 kg (240 lbs) maximum.
One feature that also might be handy is that if you use a chair in a tent, the Buddies will spread the load more even if you use a footprint or groundsheet in your tent. This is something I could not test because at the moment of reviewing, I am only testing small tents and a chair would not fit in them.
I have tested the Chair Buddies with my Helinox Chair One. They work with many but not all similar chairs. Below you will find a list provided by Chair Buddies so you can check if they will work for you.
Chairs that will work with Chair Buddies
Alite Mantis chair, Helinox Chair One and Chair Zero, Nigor Sparrow and Morningbird chairs, Robens Pilgrim, Big Agnes Mica chair, Sportneer Camping chair, Vango Micro Steel Camping Chair
Chairs that will NOT work with Chair Buddies
Helinox Sunset chair, Helinox Savanna Chair, Helinox Chair Two, Big Agnes Big Six Camp Chair, Nigor Kingfisher Chair, Robens Observer Chair or any other chair with leg diameter 15mm or wider
Verdict
The Chair Buddies are a nice little gadget that has proven its purpose. I like the design and the well thought execution of the idea to solve a ‘problem’ that many experience with Helinox and Helinox like chairs on soft grounds. With the Chair Buddies you multiply the feet surface roughly by 7 times and sinking in the ground is prevented. I will put them in my Helinox Chair One carry bag for sure. Also, the carry case is nicely done. I like that they are produced in the UK and close to the main target countries; this saves transport hence reduces the carbon footprint. The price of € 22.00 is worth every penny and therefore I rate the Chair Buddies at 9 points out of 10 total.
Information: www.chairbuddies.com
