I am currently using the metal framed GCI Canoe Seatbacker in my canoe. They are sturdy, stay in place, very comfortable, and fold down for portaging, but they are heavy at 2.9 pounds a piece. I love them, but I need to shed weight. I tried using the Alps Mountaineering Weekender seats, but they never stayed in place. Maybe because the seat bottom is too long for a webbed canoe seat?

I am looking at the Crazy Creek Canoe Chair III. For those of you who use them, do they stay in place for you? Are they supportive enough for leaning back into when taking a break?

Alps

GCI

Crazy Creek

I've had two of the Crazy Creek seats. I gave them both away.

I have worn out a few. Great back support and easy to loosen the straps and lean back for a rest. Sometimes on a long paddle I will stuff a shirt behind my lower back so my upper torso can freely pivot and still have the support. Really like to put them against a slanted rock when ashore. I did prefer the lower back height models as the high backs restricted paddling movement.

Mine works well. I bought the wide version. My son wants to switch from his GCI at Canoecopia this year.

They work fine. The high back rubbed under my arms.

My son has used the Crazy Creek chair for several years and I've never understood why he likes it. I just use a seat pad in the stern and if I need to stretch or rest my back when out fishing, I just lay back onto the back deck of the canoe for a minute.

For paddling locally, my wife and I both have the GCI Seatbackers which are certainly comfy, but I agree that they're not ideal for canoe tripping due to the weight. But, like anything else one can choose to bring (or leave at home), there is a give and take with gear. Want a little luxury with the Seatbacker? You can always leave another item at home.

I wish there was a bench seat model more like the Bucket Comfy Foam Seat from Piragis where it has the rounded top. The GCI ones are clunky and get in the way more than anything. They need to design these more as a lumbar support not a mediocre backrest...

I used one for the first time last year and I loved it. Not overly useful while you are paddling but great to lean back against while fishing. I also used it as a camp chair.

I own and have used both the GCI and Crazy Creek canoe seats. I have never taken one of the GCI seats on a trip due to weight. Its also a bit awkward for me when pivoting in the canoe. I think the Crazy Creek is more versatile, and the one I have is over 20 years old. I have tried to avoid using them but in my older years my vote would go the the Crazy Creek seat.

I used the bench seat version of Crazy Creek on a couple trips last year. Overall, I liked it. You can adjust the angle and definitely lean back into it with a perfect flex to it. I'd say my only complaint is that the back comes up about 4-6" too high and the corners are squared. While fishing I often control the canoe with one hand low on the paddle shaft to back troll or hold in place without anchoring. While doing this, the top corner of the back rest digs into the underside of my arm. They could really improve this by simply rounding off the corners or taking a few inches off the back. I'm 5'7"; maybe not an issue if you're taller.