Keep your butt warm and dry in this backcountry recliner
Written: Apr 12 '04
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Cheap, easy to use, wonderful to have especially in cold or wet weather
Cons: A little heavy
The Bottom Line: Relaxing in camp is an essential for me. Nothing will help you relax more than this backcountry recliner.
|
|
|
| wvabackpacker's Full Review: Therm-a-Rest® Lite 20 Chair |
Therm-a-Rest Lite 20 Camp Chair Kit
~Introduction-
Finding a good place to sit in the backcountry can be a challenge, especially if it is raining or snowing. Fallen logs are great but a recent study indicated that they were the number one source of nasty blood sucking deer tics. And as fun as it is sitting on the ground and leaning against a tree—a tree just doesn't feel nice on the back. So what can backcountry travelers do? Well, if a Therm-a-Rest is in your inventory you're in luck…you can now use it for something other than sleeping—sitting.
~Price-
You can find the Lite 20 Camp Chair Kit at your favorite outdoor store or you favorite online retailer for about $30. I bought mine at REI, the store that pays you to shop. Get 10% back on all of your purchases each year. REI also supports the outdoors with over $2 million in donations each year.
~Weight-
10oz – Why so much for a chair? Well, to make the chair work it has four composite rods sewn inside the nylon that holds the chair together. The rods ensure the chair has a "chair" form and keeps it from bending. Plus the chair is made out of some very thick abrasion resistant nylon. Of all the luxury gear I carry when I backpack, the 10oz chair is worth its weight in gold when I get into camp.
The bigger brother of this chair is called the Ultimate and it weighs 1lb 2oz. Make sure you get the correct model when you make your purchase.
~Field Test-
-Setup
First loosen the two straps on the side of the chair. Then fold your Therm-a-Rest mattress in half (deflated) and insert the creased side into the bottom of the chair (no exit hole for the mattress valve). Then bend the mattress and insert the rest of it in the top, make sure the valve on the mattress lines up with the hole in the top made especially for it. If you don't line it up right, you won't be able to inflate your chair.
Once the mattress is inserted, open the air valve on the mattress and let it self-inflate. Since the mattress is bent in half you will need to give it a few breaths to make it firm—the firmer the mattress the less likely it is to crunch or move inside the chair—so firm it up.
Once the mattress is firm give the two straps on the side of the chair a good pull until the chair forms a right angle. The easy-slide sliders on the straps makes this easy enough to do with one hand. The entire setup takes less than a minute.
-Sit down
After setting the chair up take a seat. Lean back and relax and watch your friends get jealous. The nylon in the chair is extremely strong so you don't have to move rocks or sticks out from under it before you sit down. If you're sitting on snow or a wet ground don't worry…no water will soak through.
When I first reviewed the Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest Luxury LE Self-inflating Mattress I swore I'd never buy something that weighed 10oz and was only good for one thing. Then I was in a wet backcountry with a friend who had a chair. He was sitting comfortably and leaning back near the fire. I was sitting way back on top of a raincoat leaning against a wet tree. When he got up I plopped down in the chair and was immediately sold. I compare it to having a recliner in the backcountry—a very nice luxury. However, in colder weather it'll keep your bottom warm and away from the snow. If you don't want to carry an extra 10oz in 3 season weather, I highly recommend one for winter use.
If you visit my website check out the "Hoosier" trip and you can see a picture of me leaning back in this chair. This chair is also a good place to store your deflated mattress.
~Contents-
1 Therm-a-Rest Lite 20 Chair
~Extras-
None, but a 20" wide Therm-a-Rest Rest Mattress is required to use this chair. It doesn't matter if the mattress is ¾ or full length, but it must be 20" wide. If you have a 25" wide mattress buy the Lite 25 Chair.
~Storage-
This item can be used as a storage item, so no special storage is required. After using my chair for breakfast I open the valve on my self-inflating mattress to let it deflate slightly. Then I fold the chair in half, mattress till inside, pull the straps tight, then roll it up forcing the mattress to deflate (thanks to the rods it will only roll one way). Once deflated tighten the valve on the mattress and then use the chairs straps to keep everything rolled up—storing the mattress safely inside. The tough nylon from the chair will keep your delicate Therm-a-Rest safe from abrasions and tears. I simply store this bundle on the outside of my pack for easy access which is great for quick stops such as lunch.
~Customer Service-
Cascade Designs has excellent customer service. I own many of their products and they handle repairs and replacements in a timely manner. They can be reached by calling 1-800-531-9531. On a side note, a dedicated Cascade Designs employee hangs around several of the popular backpacking and hiking forums on the internet. If you post a complaint on one of their products often this individual will offer you any assistance you need over the internet without waiting—to me that is A+ service.
~Conclusion-
Obviously you don't "need" one of these and if you are an ultra-lighter you'll probably turn your nose up at the suggestion. However, for those of you who like some comfort in camp this chair is an essential. If I accidentally leave mine at home I feel lost without it in camp. Plus sitting on this chair on a snowy or wet campground keeps your bottom dry and warm. There's not a feeling better than to lean back in a comfortable chair by a campfire after a long hard day of hiking, especially when your ultra-light friends are sitting in the dirt.
~Related Reviews-
Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest Luxury LE Self-inflating Mattress
Therm-a-Rest Prolite 4
© 2004 WVaBackpacker (Jeremy W. Hays)
Written for http://jeremy.qn.net/ 11 April 2004
~Outdoor Reviews by WVaBackpacker-
--Backpacks-
Gregory Shasta Backpack | Dana Design Glacier | Osprey Aether 60
--Tents-
REI Half Dome Plus 2 | Mountain Hardware Trinity | Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD | Sierra Designs Ultra Light Year CD Solo Tent - NEW
--Sleeping Gear-
The North Face Thunderhead 3D | The North Face Kilo Down 32F | Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest Luxury LE Self-inflating Mattress | Down Sleeping Bag Buying Guide | Therm-a-Rest Prolite 4 - NEW
--Hydration-
MSR Dromedary Bag | Platypus Big Zip | SweetWater Walkabout Microfilter | SweetWater Walkabout Replacement Filter | SweetWater SiltStopper
--Misc Gear-
Black Diamond LED Hybrid Headlamp | Petzl Tikka Plus (+) - NEW
--Destinations-
Heart Lake, Yellowstone National Park | Keyhole State Park, Wyoming
--Books-
The Backpackers Handbook
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
wvabackpacker
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Member: Jeremy Hays
Location: Columbus, OH, USA
Reviews written: 40
Trusted by: 46 members
About Me:
Maybe I'll write another review someday...lots of new gear...
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.