Camp Chair or Stump: The Case for Carrying Comfort

After a full day on the trail, sitting on a rock gets old fast. A camp chair is one of the first things gram-counters cut, and one of the first things car campers swear by.

Weigh the trade honestly.

• A two pound chair earns its place on short miles and long evenings
• Foam sit pads cost a few ounces and beat cold ground
• Legged chairs keep you off damp dirt but add bulk
• For thru-hikes, a folded pad is the sane choice

Match the seat to the trip length. Comfort is weight well spent when the campfire talk runs past midnight.

The best chair is the one you will actually carry. If it sits in the garage, it is just weight you left behind, and a rock is free.