Monarch Butterfly Chair
This chair caught my eye immediately because it looked like a clever solution to a problem I've wrestled with for a long time — how to carry comfortable seating that takes up minimal weight and space. As a motorcycle rider, meeting friends for "car camping" means I'm much more limited than they are in the luxuries I can bring along.
One way this chair saves weight is by eliminating the two front legs; you lean back in it as you would when tipping a chair back on its hind legs, using your own legs for control and balance. At first I thought this would be tiring, but it really isn't. Nearly all of my weight rests comfortably in the seat, with the kind of lumbar support I need. When collapsed, the Monarch fits into not much more space than a water bottle, and it weighs only 18 oz. At least as importantly, it's simple to set up and it seems very solidly constructed.
I've had problems with foam seats such as the Crazy Creek chairs because the stress points don't hold up well to repeated use. And another chair I've used, the GCI Trail-Sling (no longer made, though still available through some online stores) is a light, comfortable chair, but it can be a little tricky to set up and doesn't seem likely to hold up to too much wear and tear. I still have a couple Trail-Slings, but I believe they'll get left behind in favor of the Monarch going forward.
The Monarch's legs are sturdy milled aluminum poles, connected with shock cords like tent poles, and seem designed for years of use. Similarly, the seat appears thoughtfully shaped to minimize possible points of failure, and the pockets into which the poles fit are thick and reinforced beyond what I've come to expect from most consumer outdoor gear. Really, the whole chair has a feeling of quality and craftsmanship. It's not inexpensive at $60, but I find it's worth it.
[Chair setup video here. --es]
Available from REI
Manufactured by Alite Designs
Favorite (15)
Diggity Dog
Boy that video is a huge mistake for them. What attracts me to this chair is it's tiny in storage and has back support which makes it nice for tossing in the van, taking to a concert or deer hunting. But the video makes it look much more complex to assemble than I think it probably is.
Just one guys opinion.
Athios
Hahah, I agree. They really could have made the video last about 5 seconds and it would work better than it does now.
I'm just wondering, how difficult is it to maintain to the correct balance (to minimize fatigue on your legs) such that you don't need to worry about falling backwards? And about how large is the angle you can tilt by without getting tired?
Liv.
These chairs are awesome!!!! We take them with us anytime we spend time outdoors (camping, festivals, hiking etc). The chairs are really light, and fold up and fit into a small bag that you can fit into just about any bag/backpack that you are carrying. As for assembling them---so easy and takes no time at all! I love these chairs and would definitely recommend them!
Graham
Good eye - I use these chair every weekend. This is something that doesn't stay in my back back, it get's used too often, beach, park, camp, back yard, hill country, and the back portch of my favorite bar. Don't let the video deter you, even people who can't set up a chair can set it up. Russian judges are scoring this chair a 10.
Pete
hmm, this looks like exactly what I need in a portable chair!
now to find somewhere selling it here in .au :D
CegAbq
Just wondering how you get out of the chair; do you just roll forward on to your knees & have to get up that way?
Chuck
This chair looks interesting and would be good to take on a bike tour. I will check it out.
Still, it's another pound to the pack if you are hiking. I'd like to see someone design a chair which could use hiking poles as two of the three supports. Some fabric which would fasten to the crossed poles, a third leg to make a tripod , and a separate back. Gotta be a way.
Duncan
Like Chuck, I'm looking for something to take on a bike tour and use in camp. I got excited seeing this but when I started looking at stools (like http://www.campspecialties.com/PackStool.htm) I realised they serve quite different functions! Without having tried it, this chair looks comfy around the fire, relaxing with a beer, but I can't see it being used like a stool to tie shoe laces, sitting over the stove to cook, or doubling as a makeshift table. Perhaps one of each between two could work?
ET
Another camp chair concept:
http://www.howda.com
Anyone tried one?
Duncan
Can't seem to find it anyway, but wasn't a previous cool tool a kind of "sling" made of non-stretch strapping, you step and sit into which held you up in something like an isometric sitting position? If anyone knows what I'm on about, please share a link!
Joel
I guess this isn't a chair that you could take a nap in.
elon
@ Duncan: Are you thinking of the Nada Chair?
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001715.php
-es
Gordon Haff
Kermit Chair is another good compact option. Takes a little learning to get used to putting it together quickly but very compact and well-made.
Zwack
@Duncan, or the older "SlouchBuster"
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001041.php
Z
PaulD
@Gordon: That Kermit chair (http://www.kermitchair.com/) has a lot going for it, it looks like: Durable, Made in USA, attractive. On the negative side, it is on the heavy side for some uses (5.3 lbs) and is expensive ($129). Their site says it is a traditional favorite of BMW motorcycle riders, which seems fitting.
David
A coworker of mine designed a seat that attaches to a tree that has to be the most comfortable and lightest one I've seen.
http://fanaticoutdoors.com/
Laral
The chair looks awkward to use. It looks like leaning back just a tad too much could result in a broken neck when it topples backward. It looks difficult to get up from too. Having to balance all the time is great exercise if that's what you want. I sit on an exercise ball for that purpose. But it is fatiguing as I suspect is this chair.
Duncan
@elon and @zwack : I found the link from there to the ActiVest http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002623.php which is what I remember looking at previously. Thanks for the help, and good to see all the other suggestions too!
Duncan
Forgot to mention: all three (Nada Chair, Slouchbuster and ActiVest) all appear to work using the same mechanism.
Gordon Haff
@PaulD I should probably have mentioned that I own a Kermit chair. The workmanship is great (very nice wood and fittings) but I agree it's expensive.My interest was mostly in kayak camping (where space is at a premium but weight doesn't matter so much--as with motorcycles) although I've ended up using it more locally. I also bought the extension legs but find myself rarely using them. Bottom line: I like it but, as you say not cheap; I could buy a good half-dozen folding chairs at Walmart for the price.