View Full Version : Camp Chair?
Rockman1
07-30-2006, 14:28
Due to an inability to sit very long without back support, I am seriously considering bringing along a camp chair, despite the weight sacrifice. The best I have found thus far are the GCI Outdoor Trail-Sling Ultralight (weighs 30 oz.) and the Coleman Woodsman Chair (29 oz). Has anyone used these or have a better suggestion? I don't like the Therma-rest prop-up types or the Crazy Creek combination chair / sleeping pad. Thanks! Rockman
SGT Rock
07-30-2006, 14:42
Get a Luxury Lite backpack, it is also a chair.
Touch of Grey
07-30-2006, 14:53
Depending on what you determine to be proper support you might consider a Hammock. The Hennessey Hammocks and most of the others can be set up easily in a few minutes with two trees and provides a chair or a lounge for mid-day rest stops. In this way as many will tell you find severeal uses for everything you take with you on your back and thus youo can keep you total weight down. See the Hennessey website: http://www.hennessyhammock.com/use-as-a-chair.htm
:-? Touch of Grey
mweinstone
07-30-2006, 18:29
the most under concidered use for hammocks and hiking poles is for injured human hikers. bad back ,panic knee,manic elbo, deppressed wrists,...whatever the prob. hammocks do so feel great and are so easy to use that if you refute our advice you will be killed by a swarm of newly engeneered spine terrmites.
Rockman1
07-31-2006, 11:55
Thanks for the reply. I had heard that extra-terrestrials were a problem on the trail, but now it's body-penetrating termites? This keeps sounding worse! Paranoids unite! They're after us!
As for the chair, the hammock sounds practical, but I have never liked the way they arch my feet up into the air for more than a short amount of time. I am going to start the trail without chair or hammock and just see how it goes. I can always get something mailed to me.
As a minor gear review, I was able to test the GCI chair and didn't like it. The upper bar pressed uncomfortably into my back, and it was a bit hard to get into and out of. I think they are best for people a lot smaller than me.:D
Rockman
http://www.slinglight.com/
Spossed to be the best.
I can't for the life of me find it, but if you don't want to go "full hammock" I saw a "hammock chair" somewhere on the net. I'm tired, so may have zipped right past it this time & I did only see it in passing. Looked very light, but as I was surfing & already have a hammock, I didn't linger or bookmark it.
If I finds it, I'll post it.
Doctari.
buckhead
07-31-2006, 13:55
I am not sure you can find one, but I found an aluminum legged foulding camp chair at Kmart several years back. I took the back off and it weighs only 19 ozs.
Amigi'sLastStand
07-31-2006, 14:17
I like this one, thought it may be hard to strap to your backpack:
http://www.portlandfiremuseum.com/images/Wooden_Chair.jpg
Just kidding, I have had this one ( similar one ), though I usually only day hiked with it:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=8560702&memberId=12500226
Or try this one. I might buy this one when I get some dough, not bad at 30oz:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39192811&memberId=12500226
Hey Doc, probably an ad in BP mag
Amigi'sLastStand
07-31-2006, 18:27
Hey Doc, probably an ad in BP mag
Now that's funny, I don't care who ya are.....
I used to swear by my Mountain Hardwear Superlight 72 Chairpad. Great pad, great chair, around 15 ounces.
Then I got a hammock.
mrc237
Hey Doc, probably an ad in BP mag.
Now that's funny, I don't care who ya are.....
ROTFLMAO. :D
After all the nice things I say about them too. :eek:
That is TOO funny.
Doctari.
alalskaman
08-01-2006, 05:18
So far as I know, the Kifaru Field Chair at about 9 oz is a lot lighter than any of the alternatives you-alls have mentioned. Very comfy, too. I use mine for camp seating, also inside a tarptent as a reading backrest. Don't have the url, just google "kifaru field chair" and that will get you there. Plus, it is so small when folded/rolled it fits about anywhere. I bet ultralight fanatics could replace the aluminum stays with carbon tubes from a model airplane shop and save another ounce or 2.
Bill
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-01-2006, 06:51
We discussed several options for camp seating a while back in this thread. (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14939) Maybe some of the ideas would work for you.
MedicineMan
08-01-2006, 07:09
http://www.byerofmaine.com/amazonas-mtn-swinger.htm
just picked one up yesterday, intended for paddle camping, too heavy for my back at just under 30oz....but it should be nice. I've got the larger model at the cabin hanging off a beam and it is the most comfortable chair i've ever reclined in. ever.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-01-2006, 07:18
BTW - here is a view of the Kifaru Field Chair from the back (http://www.kifaru.net/MGoptions.htm) - sweet suspension system. If I were able to get up and down from sitting on the ground, I'd be order one right now.
MedicineMan
08-01-2006, 07:19
http://www.backcountry.com/store/CRZ0009/Crazy-Creek-Cradle-Lounger-Camping-Chair.html?CP=Sitematch&CMP=KAC-Inktomi&mv_pc=r141&ATT=072706&GCID=C2000x060&keyword=crazy+creek+lounger
if you study this chair can you see a reason why cylinders much like the luxurylite pack uses can not be used on its frame?
i've used this chair a lot and for me the headrest is not needed and basically an annoyance, best left at home and that gets the chair down to 1.4 pounds.....
http://community.webshots.com/photo/548798178/2652412940059664855RSwVnK
This is the hammock I used to relax in on my Georgia AT hike in March. It is a Byer traveller with the original strings removed and replaced with 6mm perlon accessory cord for climbing. It weighs 15 oz. and holds me (212 lbs.) fine. As long as you have two trees spaced correctly that are strong enough, you can lay down, which is much more comfortable than sitting in a chair (of course, you can always sit up, too. I've found that if you tie one end off as high up one tree as you can, and tie the other one low down on the other tree, leaving some slack, the hammock becomes a very comfortable sling chair.
http://www.backcountry.com/store/CRZ0009/Crazy-Creek-Cradle-Lounger-Camping-Chair.html?CP=Sitematch&CMP=KAC-Inktomi&mv_pc=r141&ATT=072706&GCID=C2000x060&keyword=crazy+creek+lounger
if you study this chair can you see a reason why cylinders much like the luxurylite pack uses can not be used on its frame?
i've used this chair a lot and for me the headrest is not needed and basically an annoyance, best left at home and that gets the chair down to 1.4 pounds.....
looks a lot like the original design:
http://www.slinglight.com/
Their design patent must've run out.
I have a stool from Acadamy very similar to the one in Cabelashttp://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=catfeatcamp&id=0024878516332a&navCount=4&podId=0024878&parentId=cat430015&navAction=push&catalogCode=IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat430015&hasJS=true
HikerHobo
08-04-2006, 10:25
http://www.slinglight.com/
This one works for me !
18 oz. - plus 4 oz. if you want the headrest
I don't bother with a chair so this idea is just off the top of my pointy head. Instead of hauling a standalone chair could one use their existing pack (since it should already fit your back perfectly) as the chair itself? I'm envisioning a piece of material sewn into the bottom of the pack which can be flipped down under your butt for the seat and then suspend the whole deal from well positioned ropes either permanently sewn in or run thru strategically sewn loops at the corners.
It would emulate a sling chair in concept, but just use gear you currently haul and are comfortable with.
Anyone try this? I'm sure soemone has and would love to hear about your efforts/results.
I don't bother with a chair so this idea is just off the top of my pointy head. Instead of hauling a standalone chair could one use their existing pack (since it should already fit your back perfectly) as the chair itself? I'm envisioning a piece of material sewn into the bottom of the pack which can be flipped down under your butt for the seat and then suspend the whole deal from well positioned ropes either permanently sewn in or run thru strategically sewn loops at the corners.
It would emulate a sling chair in concept, but just use gear you currently haul and are comfortable with.
Anyone try this? I'm sure soemone has and would love to hear about your efforts/results.
Hmmm, after actually bothering to view Rock's advice of the Luxury Lite I see why reading IS fundamental. Nice concept but looks like a ground chair. Me thinks a rope suspension system would make this perfect.
Rock, ever tried to swing that thing?
The crazy creek chair is the best i have found. I bought mine back in 1989 or 1990 and it has been on all but one trip since. I tried another one where you use your mat with it and went back to the crazy creek one. Its the one piece of equipment that nevers stayes home on a trip. I think its worth its weight. Its the most comfort you can get for a lb.
Some years ago Thermarest (I believe) sold a very lightweight webbing & nylon arrangement to convert their Thermarest mats into a lounger with back support. As I recall, you doubled over part of the mat, slipped the webbing over it, bent mat into a 90 degree angle, slipped the seat portion over it and seat & back were joined with webbing that kept the two at 90 degrees. Eureka, you sat upon it and it gave you a cushiony back support that you could lean back against, as well as cushiony seat support for the butt & legs.
Some years ago I bought one in a weak moment and it is now part of a bunch of unused gear in my gear closet. I'll sell it for a pittance. Send PM or email. If you want I'll send it first then you send the pittance later if you decide you want it. If not, just pay shipping both ways. I have not weighed it but it should be less than 1/2 pound. I will drag it out and weigh it accurately if you have an interest. Pls advise
Paul Bunyan
10-20-2006, 12:16
Personally, for camp chairs, i just put my sleeping pad up against a tree, or build one out of rocks.
It takes a little work, but saves me from having to carry a chair.