Camp Chair Mulling

[Rocinante]

Sounds like a terrific collection, Bruce!

Can't wait to hear about the tables.

[Roadtech]

Originally Posted by AstroBruce

I'm still working on the perfect tables.
Bruce

Try the Kermit table. We have enjoyed ours.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

We got ours.

They look fantastic.

We'll have to see how they pan out. They are plenty comfortable to sit in. But I wonder how long they'll last to be honest. It might be because they're meant to be so portable that their use as an actual chair is perhaps compromised. Lots of flexibility in the frame and seating material which doesn't instill a lot of confidence first couple times testing them out.

But we'll see. It looks like you can permanently mount the leg extensions as they have a pre-drilled hole in them and in that hole aligns with a pre-tapped starter hole on the wooden frame where the extension meets the leg. That may provide just a skosh more stability.

By the way - I don't know if it's because they're new but putting these together was NOT easy! The curved braces at the top and front of the seat required significant pressure to get them together. To be honest - since we're not rolling them up for motorcycle driving (the crowd who is their most vocal enthusiast), we'll probably leave them fully assembled all the time. You can fold them in half and that's portable enough for me.

More to come - wish us luck! 😃

Attachment 245147

Well - we spent a week with them. I'm still ambivalent. They are definitely comfortable - I love how they look, especially with the custom embroidering. I just don't trust them yet. I'm large (not as large as a few other Kermit users who have posted here) and I'm sort of waiting for them to collapse under me.

Has anyone had problems with the Kermits? If they hold up for many years (as others have reported) they will be a good investment.

[Royce]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

...Has anyone had problems with the Kermits? If they hold up for many years (as others have reported) they will be a good investment.

I cannot imagine you or your decendents ever breaking one and if you did manage to break one parts are replaceable. Even if Kermit went out of business there is nothing on it that cannot be repaired or replaced. Unlike the many chairs now on the market that have plastic parts attached.

[djarrett]

Over the years, I've had a dozen or so different chair brands and styles. Space and comfort are paramount with us since it is 4 of us in the airstream.

These GCI (Pico style) chairs really fit the need for us. They (like the PICO) collapse down to a (smaller than) briefcase size with a carrying strap. We fit all 4 chairs in the bottom of the hall closet in the EB 25' with room to spare.
They are comfortable, stable and sturdy and the mesh keeps your "parts" from getting hot and sweaty.

The engineering is great.

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[urnmor]

I am looking to purchase a new chair and it is between the Strongback
chair which is now sold by LL Bean and the Kermit chair. I have the Strongback and clearly like the lumbar support however it has not held up as well as I thought it would. I have read lot about the Kermit chair and it gets great reviews, however it is quite expensive when you add the leg extensions and shipping costs.
My question is for those who have had one or the other or both which one would you choose and why.

Thanks

[SteveSueMac]

Urnmor - I've had both. Strongback is out - just not well thought out in terms of components. Rivets pop out etc.

Kermit - we have. Very good but honestly - I want to see them hold me up for a while 😄

Good so far but let's see how they do over time.

[urnmor]

Thank you I am leaning towards the Kermit however I am trying to justify the price. Can u tell me hoe the back support is on the Kermit
Thanks

[urnmor]

I did order the Kermit chair and it came today. It is IMO very well constructed to include the crrying cases for the chair and the extension legs. It was not hard to assemble, however I did put the extension legs on wrong the first time.

[SteveSueMac]

Hey Urnmor - I'm just seeing you asked about back support. Sorry I missed that! You've seen by now they feel completely different. I'd love it if the frame of the Kermit had that lumbar bump but it's been pretty comfortable so far.

[urnmor]

I agree it would be gret if it had the lumbar support however it is comfortable now that I have the feet on correctly.

[PurdueMom]

Not to derail this discussion, but has anyone heard from PharmGeek? 💊 I can't think of camp chairs without thinking of his diligent study of the subject.

Allyson


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[PharmGeek]

Sorry - I'm around and going camping to elkmont cg in smokey mountains

I have hopefully temporarily misplaced my helinox chair and am just annoyed as hell right now!!!


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[PharmGeek]

I just want to circle back and give an updated report on my stools/side tables I bought - they are faaaaantastic

Holding up well so far with various uses both camping and general use

I'll have to try the kermits - but the helinox style ones for me appear superior - lighter - strong - and more compact - but I cannot truly yet compare Kermit as i have not done side by side

Loving the lafumas still

The tommy Bahamas chairs are still holding up after now years of use - they look shabby these days but still ok and I now prefer helinox for beach as it is much more compact and light and that helps with kids and all that

I will likely buy another helinox chair in a year if this one holds up and be done until something breaks


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[djarrett]

When you pull your airstream to Elkmont, are you coming in from the East side off of I-40 or through Cosby on the Gatlinburg side? That East entrance can be pretty gnarly.

Just wondering.

Thanks
D

[PharmGeek]

Oh. My. God.

Let me say this - everyone is fine and no damages at all


But


I took the wrong way!! I went up this back road - it was tight but doable - missed apparently a sign not to go that way with a trailer - got to a small bridge near elkmont and it was clearly marked not for trailers etc max 10 tons

Long story short - park ranger came and gave me the go ahead

12 feet wide - near 90 degree turn - I took it as wide as possible and fit with little room to spare

Worst anxiety of my 2 years of towing yet - it was like a bad dream come true

Hard lesson learned - could have been worse


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[PharmGeek]

On the flip side - it was an amazing weekend - hiked Charlie's bunion and leconte lidge via alum cave

Best hikes of my life (not done much though overall)

Chairs were all enjoyed and my beloved helinox turned up


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[BAB]

Hey Pharm, we've ALL been there on the road we didn't want to be on. Similar experience up in Vermont this summer. In order to park at one of my buddy's campsites I elected to take SilverLeaf II where it really shouldn't have been. Once I got it to the campsite I found that the turf that LOOKED firm was a bog instead....and I backed out -- about 1/4 mile, up a steep hill, around an S curve with trees on either side, then down a hill to sanity. The last downhill required some timber to boost the height of the rear wheels so I wouldn't bottom. Would I do it again? Probably. It was an AWESOME lakeside spot and we had heat and electric in the A/S. He has no running water or electric in this 100 year old house!

[rodsterinfl]

I was on a bad road this summer in West Virginia. Horrible. In a few spots about a third of the lane gone. The travel was steep and the curves were challenging.

Glad you did not have issues on your bridge run Pharmgeek.
You get the Silver Certificate Backing Award Babs!

[rodsterinfl]

I am love love loving the helinox

Yes Yes, on the helinox sunset. At least the model I saw. I am all for high back chairs for camping. I am convinced that for me, high back is a must.