View Full Version : Backpacking Camp chairs/stools .. no rocks allowed!
Alright, so i've lighted my pack up enough i'm now willing to add another luxary camp item ... i'm tired of the rock chairs and the like ...
So options are ...
Chair Shell for my prolite4 -
TR makes a prolite butt pad ....
i've been looking at GCI outdoor chairs ...
http://www.gcichairs.com/packseat_features.html for example .. They used to make a GCI slingchair ... i seen it in a campmor book at 30 oz, prolly discontined ... i often use some cloth items under my butt and find a tree to lean against ... wouldn't mind getting some comfort while in camp besides in my tent. ideal item would be under 2lbs. Any suggestions ?
take-a-knee
12-05-2008, 19:55
The ultimate camp chair is a hammock.
Big Agnes makes a 6oz chair sleeve for your pad.
mountain squid
12-05-2008, 20:09
I would discourage the purchase of a 'camp chair' for a long distance hike. A long distance hike is just that - hiking. Hiking - all day, every day. At the end of a day of hiking, you set-up camp, make dinner and then go to sleep. The amount of actual 'camp time' may not justify carrying 30 oz of luxury. Every extra ounce on your back has to be carried all the time.
If you end up for the night at a shelter, many of them have picnic tables or benches.
If you have lightened your pack, carry extra snickers instead...
See you on the trail,
mt squid
Gotcha, but i shouldn't have to explain myself on a simple question ... you could of easily not replied ... its not for long distances ... its for weekends ... and carrying 30 oz is my problem ... not yours ...
Big agnes 6 oz chair sleeve for my prolite 4 ... now there's a reply worth my time ...
i'll check it out vs TR's sleeve which is 10 oz's ... ty KG
Blissful
12-05-2008, 20:35
I carried my Thermarest seat cushion all the way. Course it isn't a chair per say, but it sure felt better than the hard ground, rocks, etc. I also used it for my knees when needing to kneel on the hard ground to set up my tent.
Gotcha, but i shouldn't have to explain myself on a simple question ... you could of easily not replied ... its not for long distances ...
Chill my friend. You have an avatar that mentions you are going hiking in 2010 on the AT. Logically, people would think you are asking about an upcoming thru-hike. :)
Now, if you said "For my weekend hikes..."
Simple mistake on everyone's part. The advice was meant in a friendly way.
Chill ,relax and enjoy (maybe in your camp chair?) :sun
Get a hiking partner and sit on them, it's self carrying. Maybe eat their food to further lighten the load
The ultimate camp chair is a hammock.
Got THAT right!
NCYankee
12-05-2008, 23:55
For weekend trips (up to 3 nights, 10 mile days) my wife and I both carry a Thermarest Trekker Chair (http://www.rei.com/product/719820) for our prolight 4's.
It is 10.5ozs, so it normally means 21ozs for me (it is easiest to just wrap two together) but at the end of a day when we're sitting around camp and relaxing, reading, talking, or making a fire and just chatting there is nothing more comfortable
The thing I like about it is that it is $30, really durable (my original model lasted 10 years until it was lost in a move, so maybe it is still working), and comfortable. With the regular length pads you get a ton of cushion for your butt and back and it keeps you off the rocks and such.
For my wife, she likes having a comfy place to sit and rest... Not that she is carrying it, but she LOVES sitting in it and it is really a reward for her at the end of a day.
I don't have experience with the BA version, but I have been really happy with this chair...
That being said, for long distance stuff, I don't bring it with me :)
Alligator
12-06-2008, 00:07
I've been using the TR chair for many years now, very comfortable. One of the first things out of my pack when I hit camp. There isn't always a picnic table, especially if you don't stay at a shelter. Even when there is a picnic table, it's extra comfy:sun. I bring it on weekends and week trips, it doesn't matter.
I have a P4 now. It's a very good pad, but I had considered getting a BA chair and insulated pad for the winter.
If you don't go the chair route, a trick my buddy figured out is to roll your sleeping bag halfway up into a foam pad. (The sleeping bag is in it's stuff sack. That works ok on a synthetic bag, a down bag might be a bit small:-?.
I carry 6 sections of z-rest. Perfect for softening a tree for a sit down, and it protects my big agnes, and should agnes go flat on me, provides at least enough padding to sleep with for a few days.
This is great new information. I never before knew that rocks could be damaged by people sitting on them.
A stool I have is from roll a time products thru campmor. I used it on a two week trip in new mexico. 3 legger, 16 ounces. I cut a piece of Ridge rest pad to the size of the seat. Worked great, was worth the weight. But(t) the seat is pretty small, if your butt is "big" you may not like three leg stools, as they can poke into your flesh if they dont fit right. My legs get tired sitting in the TR/BA chairs for long periods, but they are nice as well.
have you seen a Sling light? Ran into someone with one of these... pretty comfy.
http://www.slinglight.com/
have you seen a Sling light? Ran into someone with one of these... pretty comfy.
http://www.slinglight.com/
nice option, i'm looking into maybe making a homeade hammock "chair" or something of that nature ... like a hammock but smaller like a sling ..
Prolly could come up with something that compressed to a the size of my fist ...
Alright, so i've lighted my pack up enough i'm now willing to add another luxary camp item ... i'm tired of the rock chairs and the like ...
i've been looking at GCI outdoor chairs ...
http://www.gcichairs.com/packseat_features.html for example .. They used to make a GCI slingchair ... i seen it in a campmor book at 30 oz, prolly discontined ... i often use some cloth items under my butt and find a tree to lean against ... wouldn't mind getting some comfort while in camp besides in my tent. ideal item would be under 2lbs. Any suggestions ?
link to the GCI slingback chair, I have one, great for weekend hikes
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___64550
I bought one like this from REI
http://www.rei.com/product/765283
Works great but it is an extra pound for the weight conscious.
Sits pretty good though....
River Runner
12-08-2008, 14:11
link to the GCI slingback chair, I have one, great for weekend hikes
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___64550
Just be careful when you sit down. I have a friend that really hurt her tailbone when she sat in the chair. It's real easy to bump the bar underneath.
taildragger
12-08-2008, 14:13
Are logs still fair game?
Yes, logs are still fair game ... they tend to form to ones butt nicely ... and that bark's natural ridge's allow maximum air flow for great heat distribution ... also, if later on in the day you find yourself low on kindling ... i'm sure you could pluck a few splinter's out your cheeks and get yourself a fire rolling to keep ya warm cause you were too worried about that 5 oz fleece ya didn't wanna "lug" with ya. =P
tomsawyer222
12-08-2008, 23:01
What aout crazy creek chairs? they are about the same weight but could double as part of your sleep pads