Helinox Savanna Chair Review
Rating
Durability: 6
Comfort: 5
Portability: 10
Features: 5
Setup/Packdown: 6
OVERALL: 6.4
A high-quality featherweight chair.
Helinox has built a strong reputation for producing top-tier ultralight camping gear and the Helinox Savanna Chair lives up to that name. Weighing in at under 4.03lbs, it folds down into a compact, tidy bundle that’s easy to take to the beach, campsite, or wherever your adventure leads. Because the curved armrests are integrated into the seat design, it may not be the roomiest option for larger individuals, but we still found it comfortably supportive.
Comparison
Rank: #6
Open Size: Comfortably high, a bit narrow
Packed Size: Small and light
Weight: Light
Capacity: High
Pros: Incredibly lightweight and compact, breathable mesh and a tall back for added head support.
Cons: No recline function, slightly narrow seat, on the pricier side.
Verdict: A fantastic option if keeping weight down is your main priority.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Transportability, Sitting, or the Final Verdict, or check out how the Helinox Savanna Chair compares to others in our list of the Top Ten Beach Chairs.
Specs:
Open Size: 31x25x44in
Packed Size: 6.5x20x6.5in
Weight: 4.03lbs
Capacity: 320lbs
Approx Price: $219.95
First Impressions
Here’s the deal: the Helinox Savanna Chair might look a bit flimsy when you first pull it out of its impressively small carry case. The metal frame pieces scatter like tent poles, but they come together quickly and smoothly, revealing a surprisingly sturdy seat.
Once assembled, it feels impressively solid. The craftsmanship is top-notch, with premium materials and thoughtful construction. We were especially impressed by the padded headrest, which is a luxury feature you don’t often see in a chair designed with weight savings in mind.
Transportability
Let’s be honest, portability is the main reason you’re picking this chair. You could easily pack 6 to 8 of these into a single daypack, enough seating for the whole crew and then some. They collapse down incredibly small and lightweight for a chair with a rigid frame and in this category, they’re hard to beat.
Sitting
The tall backrest and bucket-style seat offer a comfortable place to relax and we enjoyed spending quite a bit of time reading in it. That said, there are some clear drawbacks.
For starters, although the chair has a mesh panel in the back to help with ventilation, the black fabric tends to absorb quite a bit of heat, which is great on cooler days, but not so pleasant on warmer ones like during our testing.
This chair is designed more with camping and hiking in mind than beach use. It doesn’t recline (similar to a few others we reviewed) and the narrow feet aren’t ideal for sandy terrain. On sand, the feet tended to sink unevenly, making it harder to feel stable, whereas it performed much better on grassy surfaces.
Finally, the seat is narrow and enclosed by built-in armrests, so larger individuals might find it less comfortable.
Final Verdict
If you’re searching for an ultralight, ultra-compact chair, the Helinox Savanna is tough to beat. It delivers well on durability, comfort and portability. While it’s on the pricier side, we think it’s worth the investment, though it’s notably expensive in Canada.
Looking for something different? Have a look through our list of Top Ten Beach Chairs of 2025.
Water & Outdoors reviews are written by our staff writers, who combined have over fifty years of experience on the water and outdoors. We may earn commissions if you choose to buy through a link you’ve clicked on our website, however this does not influence our reviews. For more information, please see our Editorial Policies.