Choose well. Get out there.
Our Expander chairs have years of use behind them. Campster II is an untested alternative with a lower listed weight and a low seat. Here is what the available evidence lets you compare.
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Consider the Expander if you want the compact-folding steel design we have lived with. Consider Campster II if reducing carried weight matters and a 12-inch seat works for you. We cannot compare their comfort or durability head to head.
Manufacturer figures, not our measurements. The full table is below.
The chairs we own
Consider it when: You want a compact-folding steel chair for a vehicle setup.
Keep in mind: The current CHAI007 lists a 4 kg net weight. We repaired a rivet on our older pair; confirm the folded size and version you are buying.
Lightweight chair alternative
Consider it when: You are comparing a lighter aluminum chair and a low seat for your next setup.
Keep in mind: The listed seat height is 12 inches. Check whether low seating suits you; we have not tried its comfort, stability or durability.
Manufacturer figures and buying constraints, not our measurements. On small screens, scroll the table sideways.
| What to compare | Front Runner Expander | Sitpack Campster II |
|---|---|---|
| Listed weight | Current CHAI007 listed net weight: 4 kg | Current listed weight: 3.23 lb / 1.46 kg |
| Size / seating information | Current product dimensions: 521 mm deep × 444.5 mm wide × 787 mm high | Listed seat height: 12 in / 30 cm |
| Construction | Steel frame, telescoping fold, cup holder, utility pocket and carry handle | Aircraft-grade aluminum frame and Oxford 600D ripstop nylon seat |
| Our evidence | Our field notes; current versions may differ. Checked 2026-09-29. | Manufacturer specifications. Checked 2026-09-29. |
| Main constraint | The current CHAI007 lists a 4 kg net weight. We repaired a rivet on our older pair; confirm the folded size and version you are buying. | The listed seat height is 12 inches. Check whether low seating suits you; we have not tried its comfort, stability or durability. |
The field notes behind the choice
Keep a working chair: If your chair fits the car and is comfortable for you, a lower published weight alone is a weak reason to replace it. Our two Expanders now live in the cab-over camper. A rivet needed repairing a few years after purchase; that repair has held up.
Compare Campster II: It may suit a search for a lighter chair if low seating works for you. Sitpack lists a 12-inch seat height. Check sitting down, standing up and reaching your table before making low weight the deciding factor. We have not tried its comfort, stability or durability.
We need two more chairs for our family. That does not establish that either current model is suitable for children. Check the maker’s suitability and load guidance for the person who will use it.
Our older chairs folded small enough for the cargo space we had. We bought both at the Front Runner store in Ventura during the holidays; the purchase year and exact generation are not recorded.
Read our chair ownership and repair notes for the purchase, use and repair history of our older pair.
Use the three buying checks below to compare packed space, seating height and the repair route.
We haven’t compared these chairs side by side. Our Expander comfort comments describe our own use; they are not a recommendation based on testing Campster II.
Current specifications checked September 29, 2026: Dometic’s CHAI007 listing (New Zealand) and Sitpack’s Campster II listing. These ordinary manufacturer links earn us no commission. The Dometic reference is not a US purchase or stock check; confirm the version sold in your region.
For tents, chairs and an awning in one loaded setup, return to our camp comfort guide. For the tent bag alongside them, use our exact-variant Gazelle cargo check. Need to find room for the chairs? Use the family car-camping packing list.
Campster II lists a 12-inch seat. Check sitting down, standing up, reaching your table and the maker’s load guidance for the person who will use it. Our catalog does not establish a comparable Expander seat measurement.
Include the carry bag and the rest of your loaded camping gear. Shipping parcel dimensions are not verified folded dimensions; confirm the actual folded package with the seller.
Our older pair supports the ownership account, not proof that a newly ordered CHAI007 is identical. Confirm the current warranty, replacement parts and repair route with the seller. Our rivet repair is an ownership observation, not a promise that the current chair can be repaired the same way.