Are portable chairs practical for backpacking?
In one of your long-ago columns, you gave the scoop on the well-known Cascade Designs Chair Kit and the Therm-a-Rest Chair Lounger. But in the spirit of "discovering" unknown, neglected products, does the Gear Guy have a take on the Sling-light chair (naturally, at slinglight.com)? Does this alternative, lightweight product deserve our consideration? Marshall Atlanta, Georgia
The Sling-light ($100) takes a slightly different approach. It's a metal-frame chair with a nylon seat. One advantage: Your butt is off the ground. At 18 ounces, it's competitive weightwise with most chair kits.
Still, I'll stick with my chair kit, simply because I like to read in the tent while sitting up. With a chair kit, it's a simple matter to set up your pad for reading, then unbuckle the side straps so it lies flat for sleeping. The Sling-light is more of a single-purpose device, and really isn't practical for hauling into a tent. Still, for car-camping or even some backpack trips, it would get the nod for comfort without adding too much weight.
Keep sittin' easy!
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