I'm having a love-hate relationship with the chair kit that turns my NeoAir (previously Prolite Plus) into a chair. It's comfortable in camp, and does give me a good rest. But, it also has a high fiddle factor (especially the NeoAir), which makes me often decide "the H... with it" at lunch. Carrying half a pound around to use for a couple of hours in the evening then starts to feel like more trouble than it's worth, and I start wondering whether it might be easier (and half a pound lighter) just to carry a small closed-cell sit pad.
Anybody else had (or having) this argument with themselves? Any final resolutions?
To me having back support after a day on the trail is worth every ounce. I'm considering getting the butterfly so I don't have to mess with my sleeping pad.
Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
I bring a bubble foil sit pad. It doesn't offer much padding, but it keeps me warm and does offer a little padding. I cut it long enough so I can sit and lean against a tree.
Lately, I've been picking a spot where a good tree to lean on is available. It's becoming a requirement. It's tougher when your with others though. There isn't always enough good sitting against trees.
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6800
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
A log at the right height to lean against can be good, too. The perfect log, of course, just fits into the hollow at the small of my back! During the day, I use my pack. However, even with my arthritic joints I have no problem just sitting on the ground without back support, although not for long periods.
Edited by OregonMouse (11/16/1108:21 PM)
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
I'm with OM I've found I can use my pack as adequate backrest and either use a small sitpad in cool temps and just a ground cloth in warm temps. Truth be told though I used to have a really small hammock that was entirely to small to sleep in but made like a camp lazyboy so comfortable that I often had to kick my camp mates out of it. I beleave it weighed like 5 oz so it might be of some interest to old bones forgive my expressions
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Some peopole live life day by day. Try step by step.
Registered: 10/30/03
Posts: 4963
Loc: Marina del Rey,CA
I winter, I dig out a kitchen in front of my tent and dig out a "chair" into the side of it. I lay a blue foam pad in it and voila! a comfy place to sit.
Edited by TomD (11/16/1108:53 PM)
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Don't get me started, you know how I get.
Some of us freaks sleep in them on the occasion, but trust me, it makes an excellent chair, and that one weighs about 7 ounces - less if you delete the biners it comes with and put in some spectra dogbones in place of them.
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