Sitting Pretty: Survey Results in Search of the Perfect Trail Chair
The ARS Sojourner
ARS member and avid QRPer Mike Summers, KA4ZJY, says he “stumbled across” Leibowitz quote recently and “thought it appropriate for your efforts to find the great field chair.”
We can't think of a more appropriate entree to presenting the results of The ARS Sojourner's rather unscientific but most interesting survey: SITTING PRETTY: YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PERFECT TRAIL CHAIR.
In January's edition of The ARS Sojourner we invited your comments and recommendations for back and seat supports that will help make QRP operation from the field more comfortable and enjoyable.
The usual requisites were applied to strike a balance of ruggedness, portability, ruggedness and light in weight.
Here are your recommendations:
From Bob Armstrong, N7XJ
For me, the perfect field chair must be light and easily carried. I looked at many nice chairs in sporting goods stores, but they all seemed awkward to carry for long distances.
While shopping for a new backpack, I discovered an Osprey (TM) backpack with a variety of replaceable units intended to hook directly to the pack. One of these is a chair.
It is similar to other commercial chairs, but quickly attaches to a special place on the pack. It weighs 18 ounces and is fairly comfortable. I think it costs about $35.
My backpack is the Highlander model, which is a somewhat pricey internal frame pack with lost os custom features. It was about $300.
It replaced the much-used and badly worn JanSport pack I've had for more than 10 years. With a carrying volume of 5,000 cubic inches, my new pack easily holds enough radio and camping gear, food, water, water purification equipment and tentage for a weeklong long adventure away from civilization.
(Bob Armstrong, N7XJ, is an avid QRPer and expert outdoorsman living in Manti, UT.)
* * * * * * * * * *
From Mike Heitmann, N0SO
I vote for the one shown in the ARS Sojourner Home Page, the Therm-A-Rest LiteFoam XL Long Self Inflating Mattress with the Chair Conversion kit. It's a great sleeping pad and a great chair for sitting/operating. And it's fairly light weight to carry.
It's served this old Scoutmaster very well on numerous extended backpacking trips, including a 12-day Philmont expedition. Wouldn't go without it!
(Mike Heitmann, N0SO, is an avid QRPer and outdoorsman who also serves as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 975 in St. Charles, MO.)
* * * * * * * * * *
From Derek Brown, WF4I
After the past year's ARS Flight of the Bumblebees I learned a few lessons: I don't enjoy sitting on the ground for a prolonged period and it's not very pleasant lugging even a collapsible chair up a mountain top.
Thus began my search for “the perfect field chair/seat.” Several folks on QRP-L recommended the Crazy Creek Backpacker's Chair.
It comes in at least three styles: standard, extended back and canoe/stadium seat.
The latter has straps which allow it to be anchored to a canoe or stadium seat. I went to a local outdoors store and tried them out.
I found the extended back version to be the most comfortable for me. I put this on my Christmas “wish list” and was quite pleased to unwrap one on Christmas morning.
The seat is a heavy duty foam material with a nylon covering. It is a one-piece unit which “hinges” in the middle.
The seat supports the back aided by a couple of adjustable straps. The unit is very lightweight and folds flat. It will also make a nice addition to the padding in my rucksack.
The Crazy Creek Backpacker's Chairs are available through many outdoors/camping stores but the lowest prices I've found were through Campmoor (mail order) and are about $50.
(Derek Brown, WF4I, is a QRP operator and outdoorsman living in Greensboro, NC.)
* * * * * * * * * *
From John-Paul Keon, AB4PP
I recently decided to replace my director's chair I have used for years at Field Day and DXpeditions with something easily toted.
I found two different versions of a camping chair I have seen in several stores.
I finally got one of each, one has no arm rests and the other has arm rests. I bought them at Sam's wholesale.
They are $8.95 and $12.95 and they are very comfortable.
They also come with a carry case that has handles on it for carrying or if needs be they can be slung over both shoulders.
I (took) them to the Core Banks, Outer Banks, NC (last) month on our DXpedition there on March 25-29.
I was amazed at how lightweight and compact they were, too.
(John-Paul Keon, AB4PP, of Raleigh, NC, is an avid outdoorsman and radio operator.)
* * * * * * * * * *
From Cam Hartford, N6GA
If you are familiar with the Therma-Rest self-inflating backpacking pads, you'll recognize this Slumberjack Comfort Seat. This manufacturer has a line of pads and seats designed to improve your comfort in seating whether it be on the ground, at a picnic bench, in a stadium seat or in a canoe.
I purchased this model with an eye toward civilizing my outdoor radio adventures. Sitting on the ground or on a log for any length of time can be a painful experience. This portable seat does two things to improve your seating comfort -- it provides needed padding between you and the hard thing you're sitting on, and it gives your back something to lean against.
The beauty of it is that you can deflate the chair, roll it up and stuff it in a small net bag. The compressed chair forms a cylinder 5” by 22” long and weighs 1 pound 14 ounces. This might be a bit much for the micro-backpacker, but for a day-hike to your favorite radio spot it's a snap to tie it onto the top or side of your pack.
I especially like it for use in campgrounds where picnic tables are available. The picnic table seat can get very hard after a few hours. This chair provides a much-needed layer of padding while giving your back something to lean back and relax against when needed.
(Cam Hartford, N6GA, is a longtime QRPer, builder and outdoors operator living in Claremont, CA)
**********
Richard Fisher, KI6SN, executive editor of The ARS Sojourner, is an avid QRPer, builder and writer living in Riverside, CA.