Hello all,

I own a GCI Sitbacker, but have read good things about the Crazy Creek III. Thinking of getting a second canoe chair. Any thoughts on the pros and cons of each, or another option that has performed well? Thank you!

I much prefer the crazy creek because it allows for easy torso rotation, key for getting a good paddling stroke. The seat sort of moves with you. The lumbar support is my primary interest however and I seldom use the backrest for upper back comfort.

I also like that it is lighter and stores closed with a simple Velcro patch.

I have two of both. The GCI is much preferred. Crazy Creek was too flimsy for me. My initial concern with the GCI was the weight, but not a problem. GCI is the way to go.

Sitbacker for me and it’s not close. Much better support.

Also if you have two on the same boat you’ll want the weights to be as close as possible for balance portaging.

Sitbacker for me .

Anyone use the alps seat?

I bought a sitbacker and found it too wide for my SR stern. I do prefer it for comfort and wish it fit better.

Crazy acreek for me. I found the metal frame of the Sitbacker to be kind of clunky and it makes the chair more bulky. My friend’s Sitbacker ripped out on its first trip. The Crazy Creek is very comfortable for me and it cinches down nicely when portaging. It also attaches nicely to logs for a good seat in camp. AND it works great as a stadium chair at Packer games!

Thanks for all the great feedback! Both seats are clearly popular. I have fished with the Sitbacker, and really like it, but will know more about how it works for me after I get back from a five day trip starting from Mudro on Friday. I may have to get a Crazy Creek afterward just to try it out. My dad has one and he loves it!

+1 GCI Sitbacker.

I have both...

GCI places #1 in my book... I have it in the stern of my SR Q18..5 with room to spare... It gives me plenty of waist room (40" waist), even with everything I have on my "Bat Belt" and trust me my belt is full! I like how you can have it cinched tight on the canoe seat and still be able to fold the seat back down-unlike the crazy creek.. Also you can velcro the seat back down in place while its still on your canoe, thus not having it flop around in your vision while portaging..

firemedic5586: "I have both...


GCI places #1 in my book... I have it in the stern of my SR Q18..5 with room to spare... It gives me plenty of waist room (40" waist), even with everything I have on my "Bat Belt" and trust me my belt is full! I like how you can have it cinched tight on the canoe seat and still be able to fold the seat back down-unlike the crazy creek.. Also you can velcro the seat back down in place while its still on your canoe, thus not having it flop around in your vision while portaging.. "

I’m not sure what you mean. I can clinch my crazy creek down as tight as it needs to be. Then clinch the side straps down and it’s out of the way of your vision for portaging.

I would probably like the GSI chair better for base camping and fishing. But it is a rather heavy seat to be sure and is not in the same category as the crazy creek in that regard. I do not find the crazy creek to offer much in the way of upper back support as everything tends to flex.

But that flex is what makes it a superior chair for serious paddling. Much easier to insure proper torso rotation as the seat goes with you. A word of warning with the crazy creek however. If you wear anything on your belt, knife, bear spray, water bottle etc. it can get caught in the side straps without realizing it and in a capsize might entrap a person. I always make certain I am free and clear when I sit. Be aware.