Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Camping Chair
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overthehill |
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mjmkjun |
Camp chair not necessary when you're young and flexible and/or don't have a history of a bad back. It is surely a comfort to have sitting support in camp after a long day of portaging & paddling. I do not like sitting on logs to 'hang' around the firegrate as that area is dusty with ash and sometimes greasy from previous camp cooks. I rarely use the 'grate' area. I splurged for a Helinox Sunset Chair and I absolutely love it. It's lightweight, portable and offers head support. I could do without one but I'd categorize my chair under 'extras' yet important as my tarp. I have found that when I lean against a tree (in camp) for the support I tend to collect sap because I don't pay attention. :-/ Yes, a Crazy Creek chair works fine for many. Ounce-counters usually don't bring one. Your call. |
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straighthairedcurly |
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bwcadan |
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KarlBAndersen1 |
Logs and rocks are hard regardless of your age. The few extra ounces are worth a light weight camp chair. It's always pretty easy to discover something of the same weight you really don't need if you just can't handle that extra few ounces. I use the REI Flexlite. |
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dicecupmaker |
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Sconniepaddler |
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timatkn |
As chairs have lightened and their are more options I now bring a chair more often. It gives more options for seating around the fire or under the tarp or along the lake. I think it is one of those things for me is when I have it—-it is really nice, but when I don’t I don’t miss it either. If you really like a chair and different seating options are very important to you then bring it. If it isn’t a big deal then leave it at home. Whatever decision you make you will know after the trip and you will just have to go back again. T |
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minnmike |
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butthead |
Karl, I think it's more about "I'm tough and can take it" attitude that converts to the "no sense ignoring potential comfort" common sense with age and development. Yes I went thru that but rather quickly. Now I have a variety depending on use, a Crazy Creek roll up I like backpacking/hunting/hiking, REI Flexlite for distance canoe travel, the new BA Big Six for more laid back trips and general camping. I can include a chair and keep pack weight below 35 pounds. butthead |
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Othello |
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OCDave |
kriley76: "Hello y'all, When I backpack, I do not carry anything superfluous. When I canoe, I carry better food, a small backpacking table and a chair. My chair is a Helinox Chair One. It packs small, taking nearly no pack space. If forced to reduce weight, I would lighten my food pack before I left the chair behind. Good Luck |
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schweady |
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Oldtown13 |
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Basspro69 |
Bannock: "For me a chair is a necessity. For you it may not be."+1 |
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NoFishNoDinner |
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deerfoot |
kriley76: "Hello y'all, Do you want/like/need back support? If so, you’ll want a lt wt compact chair. |
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Bannock |
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johndku |
I especially enjoy when I"m sitting in one, and the kids are doing something else, so I can put my feet up in their chair. That, my friends, is heaven. |
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AdamXChicago |
Stay thirsty my friends... |
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LilyPond |
RetiredDave: "I am 68 years old. I waited and waited on pulling the chair-purchase trigger. I finally bought one (on sale, REI Flexlite) two years ago. The first night out I prepped my fire and set me chair up. Then I sat. The clouds parted, angels sang, and I was transported! I have a new religion. Dave" I really agree with this! I heard those angels too! If you're young and flexible and have natural rear end padding, you'll probably be happy sitting on a log or a rock. With age, things like that start to bug you. At some point you start thinking about giving up camping. Several huge technology improvements in the last decade have been game changers: incredibly comfortable mattresses, Helinox cots, lightweight chairs, and small tables (Helinox style; doubles as a footrest). Put those four things together and that will extend your camping another 20 years. Incredibly, all of those things fit in my kayak hatch. This was unthinkable 10 years ago. Since it's now possible to get a sturdy (not ultralight) 2P tent around 5 or 6 lbs, you can afford to carry the extra weight of these new items: Helinox cot: 5 lbs Helinox Sunset chair: 3.2 lbs Helinox table: 1.5 lbs Exped MegaMat 12: 2.5 lbs Tent: 5 lbs TOTAL WEIGHT: 17 lbs Cost $650 or over 10 years: $65/yr. A bargain. |
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LilyPond |
KarlBAndersen1: "I can not, for the life of me, figure out what age has to do with comfort. Apparently the padding thins on certain areas of the body with age. Very hard to get out of low chairs and up from the ground with arthritis. I used to take naps on rocks and slept on a 3/8" foam pad. |
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mutz |
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bhouse46 |
I will guess you are in early forty's and your backside is getting more sensitive. Logs, the ground, rocks and all other options just do not cut it anymore. Welcome to those willing to carry a few more ounces to gain comfort. I have been using the Helinox Sunsetter for about three years and will carry it in when backpacking in the mountains. Others have their favorites. And yes, take a chair. |
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Bumstead |
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Nozzelnut |
MidwestFirecraft: "Tomcat: "I have seen how quickly a person without a chair will occupy an empty chair when available." Me: "You don't want to bring a chair on the trip?" My buddy: "Nah; I don't need them when I'm camping." Me: "Hey, can you get out of my chair I want to sit down." Him: "Oh yeah; sorry..." *repeat next trip |
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Tomcat |
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RetiredDave |
The first night out I prepped my fire and set me chair up. Then I sat. The clouds parted, angels sang, and I was transported! I have a new religion. Dave |
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A1t2o |
Just don't spend too much on your first chair, it's not like a sleeping bag or a tent where even the cheap ones are expensive. If you were dead set on getting one and knew what you wanted then I would say to buy the good one the first time, but since you are asking if you should have one at all, I'd say to pick up a knock off from Ebay or a used model that you can try out and see if you like it or what you like about it. Then you can make a more informed decision after a few trips or more on a more expensive and long term chair. $20 for a cheap one is not too much to just try it out. |
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Littleheavycanoe |
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NoFishNoDinner |
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Basspro69 |
dicecupmaker: "Never go without one!!!"+1 |
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paddler1953 |
That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well. snapper |
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Scout64 |
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kriley76 |
I am just wondering what your thoughts on camp chairs are. Are they necessary? I am debating on bringing a Crazy Creek or not Thank you, K |
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TomT |
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ForestDuff |
It's a decent chunk of overall gear weight these days. I could probably do without, or try one of those newer lightweight chairs. But it's nice having a beast of a chair that I don't have to worry about busting. (GCI folding director chair 10lbs?) My outdoor mantra has always been about being comfortable, from clothes to footwear From a chair to sleeping pads........yes, I bring two. :) When you are comfortable, everything else seems to fall in place. And as has been eluded to before, it sure seems to be really popular with those that do not bring one. |
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MidwestFirecraft |
Tomcat: "I have seen how quickly a person without a chair will occupy an empty chair when available." Well said. |