Chair - yes a hiking chair

[Bow]

Hi all,

I'm just starting to get into the longer hikes and doing overnighters. I've had a few people insist that one of the things I must find room for in my kit is a chair!
Sounded a bit silly at the start, but now I think about it - after walking 5 hours or so, it would be nice to relax on a seat. Am I on a hiding to nothing here? Or does someone have a suggestion for a lightweight hiking chair.

[forgie]

Closed cell foam mat+ground+tree=chair

I don't see why anyone would lug a chair around. You could just sit on a rock or something. I'd rather save the weight.

[simonm]

I tend to agree with forgie, that is what the ground, rocks etc are for. I have known some people to take a small hammock as a chair.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Closed cell foam mat+ground+tree=chair

I don't see why anyone would lug a chair around. You could just sit on a rock or something. I'd rather save the weight.

Agreed. I'd carry my double bed around with me before a chair. Ludicrous idea!

[simonm]

A few sea kayakers use this one but I wouldn't want to be lugging it around on a walk http://www.helinox.com.au/helinox-chair-one.php

[Bow]

A few sea kayakers use this one but I wouldn't want to be lugging it around on a walk http://www.helinox.com.au/helinox-chair-one.php

Had a quick look and I'm interested. Less than a kilo and very transportable.

Agree with the above (condesending) quote from Forgie, that we can also sit on a rock/ground. We can also rub two sticks together to make fire - but it's more comfortable to use a lighter......

For someone like myself who has a bad back and is getting back into excercise after surgery, the idea of having some comfortable back support after a long walk is enticing and it's at least worth exploring as a possibility. I can always find room for a bottle of red, maybe I can do the same for the chair.....

[Bow]

http://trailswag.ca/helinox-chair-one
Very positive review. Looks like you can keep your stump/rock and I'll be taking my chair. Thanks for the help Simonm. ILUVSWTAS - not so much.........

[MickyB]

A good person to ask in Victoria is ryantmalone. I know he takes one and he is a very experienced hiker.

Thre is a photo with his chair in it here: viewtopic.php?f=46&t=12509

I am happy to sit on a rock, log or even the ground but a chair would be more comfy.

[bernieq]

Ludicrous idea!

Actually, it’s not !

At 191g, a thermarest Compack chair is great – yes, you can sit on a rock but you can’t lead back - and a rock at the base of a tree is OK if the tree is where you want to sit (ie near the fire).

With bad weather, it also gets some use in the tent - sitting in the sleeping bag, cooking, eating, reading etc - very relaxing.

note : it works with any mat that it around 50cm wide (including closed-cell foam). There is also a wider version (254g 63cm)

Don't rubbish it until you've tried it.

[perfectlydark]

I think its a good idea but wasnt aware of anything that would be practical...that link is changing my mind. Not a dumb idea at all, a lot of campsites have pretty sparse offerings in terms of rocks/logs too

[gayet]

I can thoroughly recommend the Helinox . I have had one for a few years now I think. I take it because I have a dodgy spine and a rock, log or the ground just makes matters worse. Surprising how often other peopple in the group use it if I am not actually sitting in it. Light weight, easy to get ready for use, and a strong carry bag that I do attach to the outside of the pack (quick access) and can tuck some small useful articles around it in the bag.

[simonm]

Well there you go - I didn't think they would be that popular.

[Bow]

Ludicrous idea!

Actually, it’s not !

At 191g, a thermarest Compack chair is great – yes, you can sit on a rock but you can’t lead back - and a rock at the base of a tree is OK if the tree is where you want to sit (ie near the fire).

With bad weather, it also gets some use in the tent - sitting in the sleeping bag, cooking, eating, reading etc - very relaxing.

note : it works with any mat that it around 50cm wide (including closed-cell foam). There is also a wider version (254g 63cm)

Don't rubbish it until you've tried it.

Fantastic - I'll be buying mine for sure.

[Tortoise]

At 191g, a thermarest Compack chair is great – yes, you can sit on a rock but you can’t lead back - and a rock at the base of a tree is OK if the tree is where you want to sit (ie near the fire).

With bad weather, it also gets some use in the tent - sitting in the sleeping bag, cooking, eating, reading etc - very relaxing.

I still have my original thermarest chair. I don't often take it these days, as reducing the weight I carry is becoming more important to me. I sometimes take it if I'm doing a walk-in basecamping kind of thing - ie not too many kms carrying the full pack, and anticipating a fair bit of time at camp. It's brilliant when tent-bound for a day or two. My back is happier.

The downside is that I'm restricted to using my old thermarest mat, but obviously they're made to fit other mats now.

[Travis22]

I took one of them 3 legged stools on a few hikes years ago but cut it out of my 'kit' pretty quickly.

These days im happy with whatever out there, ground, rock, tree etc...

Having said that, Ive never seen the likes of these 'modern' hiking chairs, they do look great. Thanks for the links.

Travis.

[David M]

Exped have a chair / sofa kit for their mats - 520g - 595g depending on S, M, L size mat.

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_ho ... endocument

[DonQx]

http://shop.alitedesigns.com/mayfly-chair.html

[dplanet]

At 191g, a thermarest Compack chair is great – yes, you can sit on a rock but you can’t lead back - and a rock at the base of a tree is OK if the tree is where you want to sit (ie near the fire).

With bad weather, it also gets some use in the tent - sitting in the sleeping bag, cooking, eating, reading etc - very relaxing.

I still have my original thermarest chair. I don't often take it these days, as reducing the weight I carry is becoming more important to me. I sometimes take it if I'm doing a walk-in basecamping kind of thing - ie not too many kms carrying the full pack, and anticipating a fair bit of time at camp. It's brilliant when tent-bound for a day or two. My back is happier.

Same here.

[andrewa]

I reckon the helinox chair is great, but it is 800g plus. It's quite low, but v comfy. I've tended to use ccf on a rock, but more recently found an inflatable cushion by Exped that is about 5 cm thick which is more comfy. Also used ccf circular paiint palates that came from Ikea, which are about 15 mm thick. A light hammock also makes a good chair. As kids at school we used to take those folding stools. They were pretty good.

A

[ninjapuppet]

At 191g, a thermarest Compack chair is great .....
Don't rubbish it until you've tried it.

Yeh i thought it was a rubbish idea till i tried it myself. Maybe I'm lucky, but mine weighs 181g, not that it matters when sherpas carry it for you.
Good when you get stuck in a tent for a few days due to a snow storm.... (as is an ipad with a weeks worth of battery to go with it)

Next time i'll be bringing an Alite Mantis chair or a helios after trying out a mates. They're more versatile and you can sit outside with it when you're reluctant to place an xtherm neoair out on some sharp rocks.
might have abit of trouble fitting inside some tents, but my tents have plenty of head room
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Camping-Chair-Reviews/Alite-Mantis-Chair

[Scottyk]

what happened to your face? Too much time in the tent!

[neilmny]

Helinox Chair One - perfecto!

[Spartan]

I can thoroughly recommend the Helinox . I have had one for a few years now I think. I take it because I have a dodgy spine and a rock, log or the ground just makes matters worse. Surprising how often other peopple in the group use it if I am not actually sitting in it. Light weight, easy to get ready for use, and a strong carry bag that I do attach to the outside of the pack (quick access) and can tuck some small useful articles around it in the bag.

+1

I got a couple of these for my wife and I a year or two back, and it was a great move. There's an old chestnut that goes something like, "any fool can be uncomfortable in the field". When I don't need to be uncomfortable, I choose not to be. Consequently, I happen to believe the minimal weight penalty is a small price to pay for the benefits this piece of kit provides.

All the best.

[andrewa]

Spartan, that's a great concept, choosing your level of comfort according to the situation, and i think it gets forgotten a bit, because people get stuck on other issues- eg basic weight, UL, SUL etc, and forget that they can chop and choose according to the situation. Whilst it might be "nice" to think there is one piece of gear for all situations, my personal experience is that having a variety of gear types allows you the facility of choosing your comfort level eg I have a variety of sleeping mats, which I use depending on where, and what temp they will be used in.

My backcountry 10 day NZ trips where I need to hike, and want to fly fish and packraft as well, result in sitting on a piece of ccf on a rock at night, coz I don't want an extra kg of chair. Last weekend skiing on Bogong, I took my chair, as we were "relatively light" for a skiing trip anyway (as in no ice axe, shovel, snow pegs, snow shoes, bivy boots etc ) which I would normally carry in mid winter.

But I'll be taking my helinox chair to Bogong this weekend!!

A

[Onestepmore]

A hint. If you're trying to convince a bushwalking trip is a good idea for a female partner and you'd like her to come out more often with you, let her be comfortable and bring something to sit on. Like a Thermarest eggshell sit mat or one if these helinox butterfly chairs. I like both of them. I hate having to sit in the dirt after a long day walking, especially if there are no handy logs or rocks around. Most of my gear is lightweight stuff, so that I can bring some so called luxuries with me. I'm out there to enjoy myself, not to be a martre. If there's space I'd choose the chair lol.

[Spartan]

andrewa et Onestepmore,

"Amen and amen".

All the best.

[Joomy]

Agree with the above (condesending) quote from Forgie, that we can also sit on a rock/ground. We can also rub two sticks together to make fire - but it's more comfortable to use a lighter......

Yes but a lighter doesn't weigh 1kg!

[Happy Pirate]

Hi all,

I'm just starting to get into the longer hikes and doing overnighters. I've had a few people insist that one of the things I must find room for in my kit is a chair!
Sounded a bit silly at the start, but now I think about it - after walking 5 hours or so, it would be nice to relax on a seat. Am I on a hiding to nothing here? Or does someone have a suggestion for a lightweight hiking chair.

Considering there are days when I make decisions about standing or sitting depending on the pain in my joints; I'd say chair considerations are highly worthwhile.
I'm looking at one of those walking stick - fold-out chair combo's. (But don't tell any one).
Don't be silenced be anti-chairists!
Let me know how you go
chairs
Steve

[Supertramp]

You don't have a backrest, but if you have a neoair mattress you will get a good light package:
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-r ... at/product

[waggy]

I'm a solo hiker and love to save weight, but I won't go anywhere without my thermarest chair. It's maybe 200g possibly a bit more but it's worth it's weight. After a long day hikin I fold my sleeping mat into the chair and find a comfortable spit to eat dinner and watch the sun set or read a book or sit comfortably in my tent when it's wet. Theirs a few on the market, test em out and get the one you like. So freakin worth carrying.