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.

Well, it looks like the Crazy Creek III is being discontinued or is sold out everywhere. I just bought the last one on the planet.

I have used regular crazy creek chairs, GCI seatbackers, and the Crazy Creek III. Here are my thoughts:

I have several GCI seatbackers and they are fine. I don't consider weight a problem; I bring heavier things that I use for minutes while I use seat backers for hours. My dad never used seatbackers when I was growing up...I have paid my dues and will not go without a back rest.

The first trip I took my kids on, we used regular crazy creek chairs. I thought they were light, simple etc. and had used them for short paddles. What I didn't like is that we were always chasing them. The seat was wider than canoe seat so as I paddle, it pushes farther back. Then the back sinks below the level of the seat and your leverage on the back causes the straps to try and wrap around the canoe seat. You end up in a weird reclined position. I didn't like those so we bought:

GCI seatbackers. Super comfortable and really only 2 minor problems. In the rear, the tubes on the back will make contact with the gunwales and wear through and sometimes make noise. The root cause is the buckles loosen a little over time. The second problem is user specific. I noticed that the thick bottom elevated me and my beer enhanced center of gravity a little higher than i liked. It still isn't a problem for me but when my son brought along an offensive lineman, that extra inch made a big difference in their canoe.

Last year, I forgot my CGI seatbackers so I rented us the Crazy Creek IIIs from Piragis with our canoes. The only negative was I didn't notice one of the straps was pulled out until we were at the EP. It had to be a big boy to tear out that strap but it did pull out. I got out my little sewing kit, fixed it up, and never thought about the things again. Never.

For me, if I have a piece of gear that I am using and never think about what is doing and how it is working...I just do my thing without considering it, that is a great product.

I noticed that availability was a problem so I ordered the one I could find. I will reinforce the strap locations on the sewing machine but...I just loved these.

I have both. I agree the GCI is sturdier and more comfortable. However, I prefer the Crazy Creek because I can turn and swivel in it better when I need to, especially when fishing. Also, it I lean back I can get my back feeling good for a short while and then sit more forward. As I age a backrest really helps.

I don’t think the crazy creek canoe chair is discontinued. Just the Canoe Chair III, for the newer version Canoe chair IV.

T

I have used a GCI Sitbacker for a number of years. Last year I picked up a Crane stadium seat from my local Aldi and found it to be very very similar the GSI. The Crane seat does not have a way to keep the seat closed on portages, but it is not too hard to rig a solution for that. I found the Crane seat to be much less expensive than the GCI, however it is part of Aldi's seasonal aisle items, so they get some items in stock, sell out and then you likely wont see these items again until next year. These seats usually arrive with the rest of their limited camping items, which I have not seen yet, so maybe sometime in April or May we will see stock. Aldi also sells a really nice and lightweight hammock amongst their camping items.

Not a fan of the GCI. At almost 3 pounds it is heavy as a brick and not very comfortable for me when paddling, as it does not allow you to twist as well for proper paddling technique. CC is just over 1# and gives great support if adjusted properly.

arnesr: "I have used a GCI Sitbacker for a number of years. Last year I picked up a Crane stadium seat from my local Aldi and found it to be very very similar the GSI. The Crane seat does not have a way to keep the seat closed on portages, but it is not too hard to rig a solution for that. I found the Crane seat to be much less expensive than the GCI, however it is part of Aldi's seasonal aisle items, so they get some items in stock, sell out and then you likely wont see these items again until next year. These seats usually arrive with the rest of their limited camping items, which I have not seen yet, so maybe sometime in April or May we will see stock. Aldi also sells a really nice and lightweight hammock amongst their camping items.


"

Is this Aldi chair any narrower than the GCI? I have a GCI and generally like it but, as mentioned in this same thread a few years ago, it does not fit well on the stern seat. I can get it to work on my Alumacract 17QTC but the sides of the chair rub on the gunnels and the cloth sleeve of the chair that the frame fits in is now worn through from that rubbing. Just a fraction of an inch narrower would be just fine.

Regarding closing the seat for portages, I'm thinking that this is yet another place where a Bungee Dealee Bob would come in handy!

The Aldi chair is the same width as the GCI. I too have had issues with the frame rubbing when fully reclined. I have had issues with the GCI straps not cinching tight enough to pull the backrest angle forward to an upright position. I think the straps stretch a bit when they get wet. On mine I have taken them to the sewing machine and folded the strap over (about 1 1/2" x 2 = 3" shorter) and stitched them up to effectively shorten the strap. Now I have a more upright backrest that is less likely to rub.

arnesr: "The Aldi chair is the same width as the GCI. I too have had issues with the frame rubbing when fully reclined. I have had issues with the GCI straps not cinching tight enough to pull the backrest angle forward to an upright position. I think the straps stretch a bit when they get wet. On mine I have taken them to the sewing machine and folded the strap over (about 1 1/2" x 2 = 3" shorter) and stitched them up to effectively shorten the strap. Now I have a more upright backrest that is less likely to rub.


"

Sewing machine = "official gear of BWCA". I am right there with ya!

The other piece I forgot to mention is that I 3D printed a "C" shaped tube clip that attaches to the backrest tubing where metal on metal contact was being made with my gunnels. Now the plastic piece rubs the metal gunnel for less abrasion when contact is made. You can see the plastic clip on the near side of the picture.

I have used the Crazy Creek style for years and am honestly not a fan. It hasn't provided the support that I have been looking for. I recently was at a goodwill and found a Sitbacker for $6. I'll be trying it this year

arnesr: "The other piece I forgot to mention is that I 3D printed a "C" shaped tube clip that attaches to the backrest tubing where metal on metal contact was being made with my gunnels. Now the plastic piece rubs the metal gunnel for less abrasion when contact is made. You can see the plastic clip on the near side of the picture."

I like your idea of the C-clip and I think I could easily do that with the right diameter of poly pipe by splitting it lengthwise and cutting the right length, which only needs to be an inch or two. I'm wondering, though, if those clips make the frame of the chair just ever-so-much wider and therefore reduce the proper fit even a bit more?

Any suggestions on how to get the CGI chair to sit better on a tractor style seat?

tazzeroo2002: "Any suggestions on how to get the CGI chair to sit better on a tractor style seat?"

I believe that is unpossible.

I prefer the crazy creek. I dint have the III, though. Mine might be a II. Anyway, I like not having a metal frame. My friends use the GCI, and it hangs down further while portaging than my crazy creek. Plus, it's bulkier and doesn't flex with you as others have said. It's going to be personal preference. Outfitters usually rent crazy creeks. You could rent one and try it out.

CushGear has some seats that we like. Not too heavy. Great for the support when needed. We paddle with life jackets on 99% of the time and the life jacket serves as additional cushion.

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CushGear BackSaver Bucket

CushGear BackSaver Bench