Anyone have the Monarch Butterfly camp chair to be used with your new ST?

[TreeMuncher]

I've got the Alite Monarch with the 2 knobs on the bottom. I like it. It packs small, it's light weight and it is comfortable enough for a few hours if needed. The minimal packing space was the main reason that I purchased it. I've had it well over a year and I plan to keep it.

Kermits are great but take more space to pack. The Kermit's price is what really kept me away from one of those.

Once you learn the easy way to get out of the Monarch, it is more enjoyable. (cross your legs, roll forward and extend your knees to stand). The built in beer timer is a nice feature - one too many and you WILL fall over. A level spot for the two knobs is required but that is usually just a matter of turning the chair one way or another the find the comfort zone. Soft ground or mud will require a better base.

Bottom line is it works well enough for me. Much of the time there are other seating options available at camp but when I need one, the Monarch works well for me.

 

[platty]

Hmmm that Alite Monarch folding chair looks interesting but unfortunately the technical specs are a bit challenging for me - maximum loading capacity ::015::

I use a thing called a Walkstool. These are a Swedish designed telescoping three-legged stool. Although they are a trifle on the expensive side they are relatively compact, reasonably light (under 1 Kg - 2 1/4 lbs), extremely well made and can hangle up to 250 kgs (550 lbs). The nice thing is that spare parts are also available.

I've been extremely pleased with mine and can certainly recommend it as a somewhat stable but portable option that isn't likely to collapse underneath you ::008::

 

[toompine]

Mantis is the beer proof chair. Seriously it is much more stable that the Monarch, packs about the same and is easier to get in and out of. I thought the Monarch was cute but not practical for me. The Mantis is a chair i love. Took it to Prudhoe Bay and back on a 20 day motorcycle camping trip. Small easy to pack, sets up quick and is a dream to sit in . Highly recommended

 

[cbat]

This one looks a little better. Smaller pack size and not quite as low to the ground.

http://www.rei.com/product/829239/rei-flex-lite-chair

 

[KingChicken]

I bought the Alite Monarch for my summer trip and it was... ok. This chair here looks miles better. I flinched at paying for a Kermit, but I could spend the 65 bucks plus shipping to get that one.

This one looks a little better. Smaller pack size and not quite as low to the ground.

http://www.rei.com/product/829239/rei-flex-lite-chair

 

[hANNAbONE]

Gotta Kermit chair too. What's not to like - quality constructed and top drawer materials. Snappy to pack too.

 

[True Grip]

I like my alite mostly for the light weight but is it comfortable to me. It does require a certain level of mobility to get in and out of. If i had bad knees i'd go with a Kermit with leg extensions especially for motocycle travel. We use ours hiking also and 1.2 lbs. in a day pack is not much to sit off the wet ground. I"m fond of the leaning back also.

 

[tomatocity]

I recieved my Alite Mantis chair yesterday from REI. Yes, it is $$$. I used a discount, dividend, and gift card to get my cost to less than $40. I don't know if I'd spend the full retail amount for this chair. The Kermit is almost the same price, and is a proven chair for motocycle use.

But, this is about the Mantis.

It packs small. About 16x5x4, but will roll alittle smaller if forced. The bulk of the chair is the aluminum support rods. it is also light, and the 2 pounds listed seems correct.
Comfortable? Yes. It is a "Butterfly" chair. The supports suspend each corner of the chair. Sitting in the chair feels similar to being in a hammock. The suspended design allows movement or rocking and side to side movement. The aluminum support rods are not felt at all.
Is it strong? I'm about 230 lbs. The chair was weight tested and passed fine. The fabric covering is the stressed part of the chair, more so than the support rods. It seems strong enough, and the seams and assembly looks very good. The support rods are much thicker than normal tent polls. Since I purchased my chair from REI, if I have any issues I know I have REI behind me.
Cons? Yep. This chair is low to the ground. It is almost the same as the Alite monarch chair in that regard. For me, it is still hard to get into and out of. I need to use one hand to support myself.

Is it a beer spiller? Not if you start with an unopened beer, sit, then open.

::026::

 

[JTWY]

I dunno, guys. This looks like a beer spiller for sure to me. R

::008::

 

[offcamber]

I have been thinking about this chair

Spendy though

 

[Icecold Dan]

I have that helinox chair and really like it. It is very light weigh and packs very small. I'm a bigger guy, about 240 and find it very comfortable. It will tend to sink into softer ground though. 4 crushed beer cans under the legs takes care of that problem. ::008::

Only picture I have of it opened. See my post under big agnes to see it closed. It's the blue and black bag on the right of the picture.

 

[tomatocity]

Originally bought the Alite Monarch Butterfly from REI. Did not like it so I returned it and bought the Alite Mantis and I do like it.

As mentioned before, if you are an current REI member you can buy either of these chairs with a 20% discount.

 

[offcamber]

I ended up buying this chair from REI The REI Flex Lite Chair. It appears to be a clone of the helinox chair but $20 cheaper and if your an REI member its 20% off for about another week. http://www.rei.com/product/829239/rei-flex-lite-chair

Its not super comfortable but it packs small and lite should do the job for the amount of camping I do. Its small enough I'll probably keep it in the pannier all the time so I always have a chair if needed.

 

[Icecold Dan]

You're right, that does look exactly like the Helinox. The only difference I notice is that the compacity of the Helinox is listed as 320 lbs and the REI is listed at 250. The locking hub and the aluminum legs both appear to be identical. I wonder why the difference in compacity? Maybe just lawyer stuff...

 

[offcamber]

You're right, that does look exactly like the Helinox. The only difference I notice is that the compacity of the Helinox is listed as 320 lbs and the REI is listed at 250. The locking hub and the aluminum legs both appear to be identical. I wonder why the difference in compacity? Maybe just lawyer stuff...

Yeah who knows....It may have to do with the fact the REI seat is mesh and the Helinox is solid fabric.....I guess I'll find out as I'm at 230lbs...

 

[rem]

Re: Anyone have the Monarch Butterfly camp chair to be used with your new ST?


Well, you boys do what you want ..... but 1) we don't really have Monarch butterflies up here and 2) I damn sure ain't gonna buy a chair just so one of them can sit in it.


I dunno ...... R ::021::

 

[tomatocity]

Pismo Beach is a good place to sit in your Monarch Chair and watch http://www.monarchbutterfly.org/ . And on the actual beach you can find hundreds of Monarch chairs. Either design is seating and travel just depends if you want to save a few ounces and not be bothered with the legs sinking into the soft surface. Obviously the longer four legs sits you higher, more stable, and keeps you butt of the deck. Cost? save your recyclables.