Luxurious Simplicity
Written: Jun 11 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Folds flat, transports easily, move from sitting to lying with a push of the feet
Cons: Could be lighter, somewhat unwieldy when folded
The Bottom Line: Difficult to imagine anyone finding this to be anything less than an exquisite, comfortable outdoor recliner. Not as easily portable or light as others, but folds flat and expands easily.
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| gregfokker's Full Review: ORIGINAL RECLINER CHAIR |
This foldable, collapsible recliner hearkens back to the backyard days of wood-soled sandals, big hair and Coppertone. But unlike those old 1970's vinyl-tube-meshed steel lawn beds and chairs, this is a thoroughly comfortable, simple design that beckons and soothes.
Design
The Original Recliner is a favorite in trailer parks and backyards alike because it folds nearly flat and fits easily in any trunk. Unlike the collapsible aluminum-tube furniture, however, the Original Recliner doesn't sling easily over the shoulder, and you'll find yourself doing the beach-parking-lot shuffle as you move your recliner from trunk to site. It's not particularly light and is somewhat unwieldy, but even my parents are able to carry theirs without too much fuss.
Setup is a breeze- just pull it open and the Recliner is ready for use. Sitting down, you find it firm but yielding, supporting you from the top of your head, with a small pillow included for your neck or lower back, down to your heels, as the foam support pad extends the length of the chair.
Use
Press your feet against the frame and lean back into the chair- this is where the magic begins. The Recliner gives way smoothly beneath you as your feet rise smoothly and your head and back settle down. The Recliner does not click into its reclining positions, but rather traverses the full range smoothly until your head and back are horizontal in a full astronaut-launch position. At any point along this range, edge the levers conveniently positioned at your fingers beneath the armrest outward to lock the Recliner in place.
Comfort
The Original Recliner bridges the gap between sitting and lying, much like a Lazyboy, but the support is firmer and kinder to your posture. Because you control the angle of recline-decline by pressing your feet and leaning, there's no strain or contortion required and you can tweak easily until the chair feels just right. Also, being able to cover such a wide range of posture, from sitting upright to lying vertically with your feet elevated, permits you to max out your time in the chair without growing fatigued or restless. I've had some great snoozes in it as well.
Wishlist
I wish that the Original Recliner came with an integrated tray to support a laptop computer, as the positioning is so comfortable and relaxing. Typing in a horizontal astronaut position with the laptop supported above by the arms would be great, as I often grow tired of sitting upright but finding typing in bed insufficiently supported. Perhaps in version 2.0 of the Original Recliner?
Material and Maintenance
The surface on which you sit is canvas covered foam, and appears well treated to resist spills or stains. By covering it with a beach towel on hot and humid days, I see no reason why the fabric wouldn't last forever. The steel frame is painted steel tubing, and can be wiped down with a soapy cloth. The canvas covered foam pad is connected to the frame by robust canvas-covered elastic chord, and overall, the unit is clearly intended to be maintenance free. I haven't yet tried it at the beach (keeping fingers crossed for this summer), but as the hinges are elevated from the ground at arm level, the unit should be relatively sand-resistant as well.
The Bottom Line
It's difficult to convey the sensation, but this is a unique and very comfortable outdoor seating solution. I recommend trying it out in the store or in a neighbour's backyard- I fell in love with the Original Recliner on the first try.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
gregfokker
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Location: Montreal
Reviews written: 40
Trusted by: 2 members
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