Looking to buy a canoe seat that I could strap onto a canoe we are renting with bench seats. Back support is a need to stay out fishing as long as possible.. Everything on the internet has pretty terrible reviews. Any recommendations for canoe seats that have straps not hooks?

We use the Crazy Creek Canoe Chairs on some of our trips and really like them. We actually picked them up used from one of the outfitters just to give it a try. It happened to be a trip with my son that was primarily just fishing.

I find I don't like them as much when paddling long distances but I can really enjoy the back rest for a relaxing day of fishing.


Crazy Creek Canoe Chair

I prefer the "super seat" from Wenonah Canoe. Built a little tougher than the crazy creek styles and is not as tall in the back. Still enough for lower back support but cooler and doesn't hit the back of your triceps when paddling or fishing.

I've used Crazy Creek but they have changed the way it attaches to the bench seat. Instead of going around front to back, the connection strap on the latest model goes side to side. The super seat from Wenonah looks very appealing.

Just got two GCI Sitbackers. They are excellent. Well worth the extra weight.

This is what I use.
They seem to have doubled in price since I bought mine.
It is pretty light. Straps on easily. Folds flat for paddling. Mini biner keeps it from obstructing vision when portaging.

cowdoc: "I prefer the "super seat" from Wenonah Canoe. "

I have one of these and it works just fine.

I have Gsi sitbacker and Crazy Creek. The GSI is very supportive but can be hard on your canoe: It wore some metal off the stern gunwales on my Grumman 17. The Crazy Creek is pretty nice but it’s plastic and doesn’t breath. I use GSI in the bow and Crazy in the stern. Both are worth the money.

After laying bricks for 50 years I have to have back support and those flimzy ones with the cloth straps don't cut it for me. A buddy suggested one and I'll never git in a canoe again with out it. It's a folding stadium seat from Academy sports and it has an arm that folds down and slips under the seat to hold it, it just slides on. Fits the seats on the old town perfect and it is sturdy. It doesn't weigh very much like you would think, and your back will thank you. I can be in a canoe all day with no back pain, it's not much fun when your back is killing you and you have 6 days to go on your trip.

Here's a not so cheap option I recently came across.https://www.cushgear.com/ I didn't go with this option myself, it was $100+, light AF, but $100+. This time I moved the front seat back a couple of inches and using the crazy creek canoe seat 3. We'll see how this works after next week.

Went with a GSI Sitbacker this year for the first time and my back loved it. Attaches very easily and weighs hardly anything on the portages. Much better support than any of the other canoe seats that we have used. Picked mine up at Piragis. When we got to Anderson's for our tow found out that they had them for about $10 cheaper so we picked up another one there.

GCI Sitbacker, not GSI.

GCI Sitbacker all day.

I recently got a Wenonah Super Seat (bench model). I took it out for an 8hr day of fishing, and I like it. It's very light, but has just enough padding to make a difference. The back did not interfere with my PFD, or my movements. The back support was adequate, enough to make a difference. It did not get in the way when I dropped to a kneeling position. Overall I'm pleased with it. I'm going to take it on a week long BW trip in August.

I paid $40, and it weighs 1.3lb. For comparison, the GCI SitBacker is $50 and weighs 3lb.

My perspective is that of someone who has had back surgery years ago, and I now have hip issues (the doc said the right hip will have to be replaced in a few years, if not sooner).

GCI is the way to go. Trashing my crazy creeks.

I found a replica model at Costco last week, which like the GCI is designed for stadium seating, but seems thicker. Trying that out shortly. Doubtful that it will be better, but money is no object when it comes to canoe seats. https://costcofan.com/costco-stadium-seat/ Cascade Mountain

jhb8426: "

cowdoc: "I prefer the "super seat" from Wenonah Canoe. "

I have one of these and it works just fine."

I have the bucket seat version. I placed a closed-cell foam padding underneath for more comfort.

fourkeelers: "Here's a not so cheap option I recently came across.https://www.cushgear.com/ I didn't go with this option myself, it was $100+, light AF, but $100+. This time I moved the front seat back a couple of inches and using the crazy creek canoe seat 3. We'll see how this works after next week."

When they first came out I think they were about half that? Anyway I installed 2 of them in my Quetico 18.5 probably 15 years ago and up until sold the canoe last year they worked perfectly. Don’t know what the new owner thinks but a good option if ya want something permanent on your canoe.

Locally designed and made.

T

I have the GCIs and used to really like them, but I'm finding as I learn better paddling technique that they tend to get in the way. Also in my experience they feel nice at first but on a long day they tend to encourage slouching and actually make my back MORE tired...

They're also just a bit too wide and tend to rub the gunwales in the back of a more narrow canoe like my MNII.

Did you pick out a seat yet?
I'm using the GCI Sitbacker in my OT Pack. Plus side is I adjust it very upright when paddling, and relax back a bit when just lounging or fishing. I don't like the weight, but price and functionality is right. (for now)

Next canoe will have very light weight option, maybe like the Cushgear Backsaver.

I have been very happy with the Wenonah CushGear BackSaver . I think it provides much better support than the various soft versions.

fourkeelers: "Here's a not so cheap option I recently came across.https://www.cushgear.com/ I didn't go with this option myself, it was $100+, light AF, but $100+. This time I moved the front seat back a couple of inches and using the crazy creek canoe seat 3. We'll see how this works after next week."

I highly recommend this one. I picked mine up several years ago for about half theprice but they are very comfortable and light.