Originally Posted by
BobG
I've been using a Therm-a-Rest chair as linked to in seeker's post above for many years. I have an older one that is even lighter than the 7 oz "Compak" in the current catalog. Just a nylon bag to fit the pad with a few plastic rod stiffeners plus two web straps with buckles. It adds absolutely no bulk to the baggage as it rolls up right with the pad.
I was stranded in Tropical Storm Andrea for 24 hours two summers ago. Was able to sit up comfortably in the tent and read. It's useful at campgrounds in Europe where picnic tables are often not supplied. Also handy for lawn seating at outdoor concerts. It utilizes the pad you're already carrying. You don't need a tree for support as in Machka's photo.
We both have that Therm-a-Rest chair too ... and it works all right with our Thermarest mattresses. And while the Thermarest was more comfortable than sleeping on the ground with no mattress, like I did on one tour, and sleeping on a piece of blue foam like I did on another tour ... we opted to upgrade to the mattresses in the photo ... almost like sleeping in a bed.
