Howie
member
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 481
Loc: Canora, SK, Canada
One thing that bugs me on my overnight hikes is the fact that there is nowhere to sit comfortably at these wilderness camps, unless one considers a log to be comfortable. I know they make an accessory for a Thermarest that converts it into a chair of sorts, but I want something along the lines of a confessional folding chair. I don’t want to sit on the ground. I would like to be able to sit on the chair in my tent and read a book free from the numerous mosquitos and black flies we have in our country. Do they make such a chair that is comfortable and still light enough? Us older guys need a little comfort Thanks.
I am finally starting to lighten my load and now I am finding new ways to add weight back on
I'm also old, and have used one of the Thermarest chairs for years. I really like them - they're a good balance of light weight, function, comfort, and durability. If you don't want your legs on the ground, and if you use a full-length Thermarest, they make a "lounger" that covers the whole pad and never needs to be removed; it puts length out under your legs.
Try Campmor if you want an actual chair - they tend to carry stuff like that. I'm a little curious: what kind of tent are you carrying that would be tall enough and wide enough to sit in a chair? (One other consideration: will the chair legs abrade the tent floor?)
Howie
member
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 481
Loc: Canora, SK, Canada
Thanks Glenn. I actually have not been using a tent but rather a syl nylon tarp set up as a lean-to. I rig up mosquito netting from the ridge line. I like not having a floor. It has its advantages. That said, I am considering buying a Scarp 2. It looks like that one has lots of room in it and I can order it with an all mesh interior. Its interior height is 45". I don't need a really tall chair. Perhaps a smaller children's version might work.
OregonMouse
member
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6794
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Interestingly, I am perfectly comfortable and relaxed (even at my relatively advanced age) sitting on the ground with a thin sit pad under me and with my back against a log, rock, tree or (during the day) my pack. I have never felt the need for a chair. In fact, I've tried a few camp chairs and didn't find them at all comfortable. YMMV, obviously!
Edited by OregonMouse (08/21/1012:19 PM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
Howie
member
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 481
Loc: Canora, SK, Canada
I have done that, but then I have to fight the bugs. I want a chair that will work either inside a tent or outside when conditions are such. As kids we used to sit cross legged on the floor for hours but for me at least I just cannot do that anymore either. Too hard on my back.
My wife reads every night while laying in bed. Me, I cannot seem to do that comfortably for some reason.
I'm with you, OM. We use two little sheets of close-cell foam to sit on. They go on the outside of our packs (good use of those tiny bungee cords there!) and we pull them out all the time, both on the trail and in camp. We sit on them to eat, to pull on our boots, we use them for shielding the stove if it's really blowing, kneel on them to get into the tent, and I even use them as part of my pillow at night.
If the bugs are fierce, we'll put on our headnets...but the idea of a chair...inside a tent....
Wow. That's luxury. I'm not sure we would want to carry the extra weight, or find the actual chair comfortable. But I appreciate the investigative research! Tell us what you find out, Howie!
One thing that bugs me on my overnight hikes is the fact that there is nowhere to sit comfortably at these wilderness camps, unless one considers a log to be comfortable. I know they make an accessory for a Thermarest that converts it into a chair of sorts, but I want something along the lines of a confessional folding chair. I don’t want to sit on the ground. I would like to be able to sit on the chair in my tent and read a book free from the numerous mosquitos and black flies we have in our country. Do they make such a chair that is comfortable and still light enough? Us older guys need a little comfort Thanks.
I am finally starting to lighten my load and now I am finding new ways to add weight back on
hikerduane
member
Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
I have a Slinglight chair with the headrest, weighs about what the stool weighs or an oz less. I can't sit on the ground on a pad with my back. I either need to lean against a tree or rock, but then my butt starts going numb. In the chair I'm just a little better and have a clean place to sit.
http://www.slinglight.com/ I carried this for years until I decided any chair was too heavy. Now I carry two sections of a z-rest and fold them the wrong direction for my tail end--and then lean back on my pack. This is nice year round for insulation and padding. At night the z-rest goes under my legs and feet as I have a very short pad. When cooking it is nice for my knees on rocky ground. It also makes an acceptable cozy for zip bags.
_________________________
Shikekeh hozhoogo naasha. I walk in beauty.
Friend has the Monarch. Its neat, little too expensive though. Light and packs small, however does bad in soft ground (loose gravel/rocks, mud) since all the weight is pretty much on 2 little ball-points. And yes getting out of them requires an art.
Registered: 11/30/02
Posts: 123
Loc: San Francisco
I do not always take it but I do have a slinglite----it is a real chair and weighs something like 22OZ----I have been finding myself taking on most trips-----once you are in it it is really nice----but it is pretty low so getting in and out takes effort especially if you are good and worn out
OregonMouse
member
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6794
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
If you have to carry a bear canister (which I don't do unless I absolutely have to!), you do have a nice stool to sit on as well. I sure wouldn't carry a canister just to have something to sit on, though! But if you have to carry one, at least there's a second use for it.
Edited by OregonMouse (08/24/1006:07 PM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
DJ2
member
Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 1348
Loc: Seattle, WA
Same with the 5 gallon buckets that are allowed on the ocean beaches of Olympic National Park in Washington, instead of a bear cannister.
I considered converting a 5 gallow bucket to a pack so I would always have a stool to sit on. One would still be carrying extra weight, however. Hate to mess with anything that affects my base weight.
got REI's labor day sale ad in the mail. just a headsup . has 30% off camp furniture. Makes the monarch and others a little more reasonable. sale starts friday
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