Camping chairs

M

Molly Brown

Member
There's an awful lot of sitting around at various times and I'm looking for comments on camping chairs. Obviously they need to be collapsable. The ones we used are just regular folding chairs for land camping. Besides the fact that they are just about worn out, I never found them to be all that comfortable, with the curved back posture one needs to sit in it. They are fairly heavy and bulky. So in that vein I'm interested in the chair you use and what you like most about it. Attributes would be light, small, comfortable. Obviously, like everything else, compromises have to be made. What brands / styles do you like??
 
We just replaced a set of heavy rusting hulks with these and are quite please with them.

http://www.hayneedle.com/product/thetra ... fgod5o0AbQ

We found them locally for about 50 bucks each and I thought they might be too fussy to assemble but all the tube sections are shock corded together so it snaps right into and back out of shape. The little zipper case can also be repurposed as the chairs stay bundled well enough when collapsed to be fine on their own. This is our fourth set of boat chairs but I think we finally got it right.

Greg
 
You might want to Google Compact Folding Pico Arm Chair. Amazon has them. They are a little pricey but the fold up small and flat. They have a deal on two for 179 dollars. I really like the fact they are sturdy and fold up pretty small and flat no less. My wife loves hers and these seem to be a favorite of the Tugnuts.
D.D.
 
About 2 years ago we replaced our old heavy chairs with wonderful lightweight aluminum chairs made in France. We kept delaying this purchase because of the price but finally came around. We have absolutely no regrets with the purchase as the new chairs are incredibly comfortable and I can easily store them in the V-berth area with one hand. They also open with absolutely no trick or effort necessary.

The chairs are made by a company named Lafuma. Our particular chair style is the Elips, but they make many different styles. Several folks have tried our chairs and everyone has had the same positive reaction to the level of comfort provided, and the lightweight nature.

Here is a link to the chairs we bought and from there you can navigate the site to see other styles/models. I caution you, they are ridiculously expensive, but with that said they have honestly been one of the best purchases we've made and I would definitely buy them again. We use them a ton when we are on the boat so they paid for themselves rather quickly.

http://www.shoplafuma.com/product/loung ... ir-ficelle

Good luck with your search!

Rob
 
Will-C":obhiy4uk said:
You might want to Google Compact Folding Pico Arm Chair. Amazon has them. They are a little pricey but the fold up small and flat. They have a deal on two for 179 dollars. I really like the fact they are sturdy and fold up pretty small and flat no less. My wife loves hers and these seem to be a favorite of the Tugnuts.
D.D.
Click to expand...

Just beware of the steel version. That is the model we replaced due to rust and weight. It looks like they have one that is mostly aluminum and I am sure that would be a better unit.

Greg
 
I have a pair of these:

m.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=Folding+chair

They fold flat(carry them bungeed to side of cockpit), have attached " end table" and "catch-all" side pocket, made of aluminum--they've lasted two seasons so far and appear they'll last at least two more. Fairly comfortable and inexpensive!!
 
We have one very similar to the one linked to by "oldsurfdog":

image_16291.png

My wife prefers a plain old plastic folding chair, like used for card tables. An extra cushion (inflatable type) often can make these far more comfortable. I really do like the folding arm, and storage areas, if you going to be on the beach for more than a few hours--makes for a great place for the beer, water etc.
 
I'm impressed by all the chairs mentioned above.

However, our problem is that there's not much room in the cockpit of a C-Dory 25. Especially when you're looking for shade at the end of the day. So we buy the smallest chairs that we can use. And since the small ones are also cheap, we replace them every couple of years, at about $8 ea. Our source is Sports Authority, but any cut rate sporting goods/mass marketer should have a representative sample.

Boris

PS. Judy's lasts longer than mine. Surprise!
 
I have been eyeing the Kermit chairs for motorcycle touring and boat camping. The price has prevented me from pulling the trigger, but they appear to be the bomb. Made in USA too.
 
I'm going to throw in one more consideration besides weight, cost, and storability, etc. :

We have two chairs very similar (same mechanical workings, shape, etc.) as those shown by Bob:

image_16291.png

They are very easy to get up and out of for us older folks.
Some of the other chairs, particularly those that are softer, those that sit you down in a canvas sack, and/or have weak, poorly designed, or non existent arm rests, trap the person in a nearly non escapable gravity well!

They don't make those assisted lift for older folks for nothing! :lol:

(Don't laugh too hard, you'll be there yourself, some day!) :wink

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
chieftele":346iwyni said:
I have been eyeing the Kermit chairs for motorcycle touring and boat camping. The price has prevented me from pulling the trigger, but they appear to be the bomb. Made in USA too.
Click to expand...

We bought a couple of the Kermit chairs years ago at a motorcycle rally. They are comfortable, but low to the ground. Definitely built to last, but it does take a couple minutes to set them up. They DO pack up small. Sitting in one in the cockpit of a C-Dory, I'm not sure you'd be able to see over the coaming (especially in the 22).

We currently use those Harbor Freight chairs that SeaWolf Joe showed, previously had the Pico chairs, but the ones that were the most comfortable (on the boat, with the RV, on the beach) were a couple bag chairs that we bought in 2002. They were aluminum, with heavy duty fabric... after 10 years of service, the grommets rusted and the fabric finally gave out. We have looked for a decent replacement since we tossed those, but it seems that the bag chairs that we have seen have been cheapened or are beastly heavy.

Jim B.
 
JamesTXSD":33maho6q said:
We bought a couple of the Kermit chairs years ago at a motorcycle rally. They are comfortable, but low to the ground.
Click to expand...

Good to hear they are comfortable, as I have been considering one for the C-Dory.

JamesTXSD":33maho6q said:
Sitting in one in the cockpit of a C-Dory, I'm not sure you'd be able to see over the coaming (especially in the 22).
Click to expand...

This may have been changed since you ordered yours, but they now make leg extensions that you can order to make the chairs "normal chair height." (You order the same low chair, but then can put the extensions on or off when you want to - so you can still use it as a low chair.) The extension legs appeal to me as I still like a lower chair when on the beach, so it'd be the best of both worlds that way.

The "can't see over the cockpit coaming" part is what has kept my Helinox chair from being the boat chair - hence considering the Kermit (and others). Right now I have a steel/older LaFuma, but it's not ideal (albeit comfortable). The Elips in aluminum looks interesting... and comfortable... I'd be interested to see what size it is folded down.
 
Here is a side-by-side review of Pico & Kermit chairs and a couple of other brands:

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthr ... s-Packseat

Several years ago I bought a folding chair called a "Strongback" chair. (http://www.strongbackchair.com). I assembled it, sat in it (very comfortable
), but for some reason I never used it. I suppose we were still happy with our ZipDee folding chairs left-over from the Airstream many (Many...) years ago.

We are currently in Lake Montezuma (AZ) throwing out stuff, getting ready for several garage sales, and then finally listing the house for sale. I found the Strongback chair yesterday while going through stuff in the shop. Interesting...I'd forgotten about it until yesterday.

Best,
C&M
 
We use these little tripod stools from cabelas. They are cheeeeap (~$eight), extremely compact, and you can still lean your back up against part of the boat if you want. and having two in use in the cockpit doesn't take up a ton of space, You can walk by, open the cabin door, etc etc.

For us, it's an excellent solution, albeit a bit low for optimal views, given the space limitations on the CD22 Cruiser.
 
Thanks for all the replies, glad I asked. Turns out I already have a Kermit chair that I used for years on motorcycle trips and rallies. Don't know why it never occurred to me to use it. It is not a shorty, nor does it have those extenders. Maybe a different builder. Sure looks like the same chair and goes together exactly same way. Betty tells me she requires a high back (didn't know that!) and I like Rob's LaFuma chair BUT she also says she'll need a drink holder as well. So, she can sit in the same ragged out chair for now and those attending the St.John's event can expect to be checked out closely. :-)
 
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