Do you take a chair

[Gee]

I’m just wondering?

Should I take a helinox or something?

I can certainly see it adding to camp comfort - but it’s another kg and one more thing!

[Paulatic]

Something only you can decide.
You’ve correctly summed up the pro and con argument.
I often think of it but the thought of carrying extra weight wins, so far, every time I visit it.

[tatanab]

Never have done. Quite happy sitting on the floor even though I am an OAP. I have seen people using the web framework that you can fold some sleeping mats into to make a chair. The advantage to that is probably that you can lean back a little.

[pjclinch]

We use T-Rest Trekker chairs which are quite a bit lighter and less bulky (and cheaper!) than a Helinox and don't need any extra headroom to use in a tent.
Downside is they're not so comfy and require a bit of faffing with a blow up/self inflating mat to use.

Though I can do without, I find sitting on the ground a lot more comfortable after the first few minutes if I have some sort of back support, so I envy tatanab who can get by without with no great problems. If you're like that too then quite possibly not worth it, but I definitely benefit.

I've got a Helinox knock-off and it is a better chair but the extra weight, bulk and seated height mean I don't actually use it much.

Pete.

[al_yrpal]

I used to, but as folk say, the weight!

Al

[Jdsk]

I have seen people using the web framework that you can fold some sleeping mats into to make a chair. The advantage to that is probably that you can lean back a little.

Yes, our Therm-a-Rests clip up to make chairs. It works well and we find them comfortable. The additional mass is tiny.

Jonathan

PS: Lots of chairs:
viewtopic.php?t=62173

[Sweep]

I have seen people using the web framework that you can fold some sleeping mats into to make a chair. The advantage to that is probably that you can lean back a little.

Yes, our Therm-a-Rests clip up to make chairs. It works well and we find them comfortable. The additional mass is tiny.

Jonathan

PS: Lots of chairs:
viewtopic.php?t=62173

You mean the strap kit you use with a traditional thermarest mats?
If so, a question.
Some folk have suggested that they damage the mats - any views on this?

(Like some above have now and again considered a chair but always ditch the idea on the basis of even more weight and clutter. And would be concerned that once sat up there the next wish would be for a damn table. So the ideal for me would be something light and compact I could just lean back into when sitting on the ground. Surely a gap in the market for a range of solutions providing this?)

[Jdsk]

I have seen people using the web framework that you can fold some sleeping mats into to make a chair. The advantage to that is probably that you can lean back a little.

Yes, our Therm-a-Rests clip up to make chairs. It works well and we find them comfortable. The additional mass is tiny.

You mean the strap kit you use with a traditional thermarest mats?
If so, a question.
Some folk have suggested that they damage the mats - any views on this?

Yes. The standard factory straps on the traditional mats.

No damage on ours after many years.

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

(Like some above have now and again considered a chair but always ditch the idea on the basis of even more weight and clutter. And would be concerned that once sat up there the next wish would be for a damn table. So the ideal for me would be something light and compact I could just lean back into when sitting on the ground. Surely a gap in the market for a range of solutions providing this?)

Anything suitable in here:
viewtopic.php?t=62173
?

Shirley

[Sweep]

Yes, our Therm-a-Rests clip up to make chairs. It works well and we find them comfortable. The additional mass is tiny.

You mean the strap kit you use with a traditional thermarest mats?
If so, a question.
Some folk have suggested that they damage the mats - any views on this?

Yes. The standard factory straps on the traditional mats.

No damage on ours after many years.

Jonathan

Thanks for reply jdsk.
Sounds like i am sorted then.
As i do have the strap kit bought so long ago and never used out of concerns that am not altogether sure where it is. Will go hunting.
My thermarest is the traditional long square cornered thinnish thing.
Anyone ever used that strap kit with another self inflator?

[mjr]

Has anyone got a good folding beach lounger? I've had a search but shops love showing heavy folding chairs obviously aimed at the RV crowd.

[Sweep]

I did find this, currently under a tenner at various places.
https://www.millets.co.uk/15984367/euro ... r-15984367
Looks convincing and tough.
Still seems heavy at 700g for what it is though.
Off to find those thermarest straps when a mo.

[simonineaston]

One of the standard tests is: Put everything you are going to take on the bed. Then halve the items and double the money.
I doubt the chair would survive that test.

[PH]

I don't. Once in a while I think it would be nice to have one, but that isn't often enough to do anything about it.
I might for a different sort of camping, I imagine it's great to sit while cooking full meals, or in a group around a campfire, but for what I do there's little advantage. If I'm in the tent I may as well be laying down as sitting and if I'm relaxing outside I can usually find somewhere comfortable to sit.

[Psamathe]

1st tour I took one of those ThermaRest sleeping map things to use air bed as a chain and it worked OK except one strap started to come unstitched fairly quickly. Then one campsite where lost of small spiky woody shoots and it struck me how easily damaged the airbed was. One strap failure means I needed something else anyway so mid-tour purchased a Helinox Ground Chair.

Helinox is brilliant and well worth the weight (which is not a big deal). I'd recommend one every time (no experience of the non-Helinox versions).

Buying again I would not go for airbed seat.

On bent (trike) I didn't bother with chair as bent has chair and happy to sit on that.

Sitting on the ground is fine on nice grassy sites but some can be bare soil, dusty (unless it rains ...), some have rubbish or people have had fires and the ash blown around. So some sites I'd not want to be sitting directly on the ground.

Ian