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Post by dustin on Apr 16, 2024 13:44:42 GMT -8
Hi all. First post here. My luxury item recently is a chair kit to use with my sleeping pad. Not sure why they're not popular.
It's nice to have a high-backed, insulated seat for cooking and lounging before bed. The one I use covers the whole pad, so I just fold it flat and sleep on it for extra protection. If I wake up at night, it's easy to sit up to read inside my shelter.
Do I need it? No. But I keep finding other uses for it to justify hauling the extra weight (pack pocket, picnic blanket, emergency bivy...).
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,998
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Post by driftwoody on Apr 16, 2024 15:45:28 GMT -8
Comfort around camp can aid recovery from the day's exertions, and make the experience more enjoyable. Definielty worth some extra carry weight, providing it doesn't affect the hike.
I used a chair kit like that for decades, but now I mostly hang. My hammock is also comfy to sit in, though no back support in that position.
I prefer to be off the ground, partly because it's easier to get up and also due to the prevalence of ticks where I often camp.
For the occasions I backpack with a tent my new luxury item is a Big Agnes Skyline UL chair, which provides some back support and is higher off the ground than most such chairs. 28 ounces is a bit much, but I'm at an age where I take it slow and don't aim for long miles.
YMMV
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Post by trinity on Apr 16, 2024 16:47:53 GMT -8
My luxury item recently is a chair kit to use with my sleeping pad. Not sure why they're not popular. I used chair kits for years, and liked them quite well. They are lighter and less bulky than a chair, which is nice. But I find a regular chair more comfortable (I use an old Alite Mayfly), plus I always worried a bit about popping my pad, especially after switching to an X-lite. Probably not very likely, but it always made me a bit nervous. driftwoody , that chair looks pretty sweet. Some things are definitely worth a little extra weight.
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Post by trinity on Apr 16, 2024 17:21:38 GMT -8
Also, dustin , welcome to the forum. If you feel so inclined, stop by the Trailhead Register and introduce yourself (where you're from, where you backpack, your feelings about beer, brussels sprouts, that kind of thing).
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Post by dustin on Apr 17, 2024 6:08:15 GMT -8
I do worry about popping the pad, but the chair kit I use is basically a pad-shaped zippered bag, so if needed I can stuff it with clothes, pine needles, my hiking cohort's pad if he's not looking...
Oh, and I love brussels sprouts. Might try frying some on-trail with honey.
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Apr 17, 2024 8:42:19 GMT -8
Guy gotta be able to make Crêpes Suzette!!!!
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Post by dustin on Apr 17, 2024 9:53:38 GMT -8
Crêpes Suzette?!?! I think I need to hike with you!
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,998
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Post by driftwoody on Apr 17, 2024 16:13:33 GMT -8
Crêpes Suzette?!?! I think I need to hike with you! gabby will want you to carry the skillet.
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on Apr 18, 2024 2:49:20 GMT -8
Not sure why they're not popular. I used to use one with my 3/4 Thermarest self inflating pads but I lost two pads because of it. I think my big butt rubbing in the same spot tore the foam so they both became "pregnant". Also, although comfy sitting, it was hard to get back up after a long trail day. I hammock mostly these days. It makes a really good place to sit.
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Post by dustin on Apr 18, 2024 7:01:37 GMT -8
Well yeah, ErnieW not much beats a hammock for comfort, sitting or sleeping. That's kind of my other luxury item, I guess, since my hammock setup is bulkier and heavier than my ground setup. I have a very nice hammock system, but I go to the ground when I'm not positive there will be trees at the designated site [in RMNP]. And now you've got me worried about my chair kit. Not sure if the extra padding on my sit bones will outweigh the extra weight.
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on Apr 18, 2024 8:07:07 GMT -8
And now you've got me worried about my chair kit. Not sure if the extra padding on my sit bones will outweigh the extra weight. I don't know if non-self inflating pads have this issue. The baffles in them probably can handle more movement. I have this Nemo chair on my wish list. I was influenced by Dan Becker's video.
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Post by bluefish on Apr 19, 2024 1:03:55 GMT -8
I am very skeptical of the Nemo after seeing the snapped pole and the plastic buckle. I've used my Helinox Zero A TON, and it's held up. My weight has been between 200 and 220 in the years I've had it. We use them on the bikes alot, as we stop and have lunch anywhere we darn well please. We've ate Thanksgiving dinner in them twice, too. As I hate ground dwelling (and getting old), except to sleep, carrying the extra weight has become moot. My wife doesn't count for test purposes, she's one of those non-fat people that can turn down that third piece of chocolate cake. I'm in the camp of the wary using the chair kit. Have one, used it, got paranoid about use with the x-lite just like Trinity. I had a cheaper Thermarest, long gone, that was employed. The x-lite gets treated like it's made of thin paper. However, never have had a problem and I sleep great. My wife is a poor tester of pads, too, she can sleep on a wood floor with no pillow. The Nemo chair may be a great first in line purchase, but I won't look at them until the Helinox breaks.
To show an example of my observational abilities, a year or more ago, I read about the ground pad you can get for the Helinox. Never knew, it was a post by Ernie that got me looking. Absolute game changer for the surf fly fishing I do. I just sat in the sand after trudging miles of beach, now I sit in comfort.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,998
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Post by driftwoody on Apr 19, 2024 5:27:34 GMT -8
The first UL chair I bought was the REI Flexlite, and the first time I used it I toppled sideways when one of the legs sunk into dirt which wasn't especially soft. All such chairs should have design elements to prevent that.
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Apr 19, 2024 7:55:31 GMT -8
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reuben
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Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Apr 19, 2024 8:32:25 GMT -8
Whaddya do with that, balance on two wheels?
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