Backpacker Magazine – Online Exclusive

Gear Review: Four Summer Camping Steals

Bonus: They are all lightweight and former Editors' Choice winners.

by: Will Rochfort

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Big Agnes Cyclone SL Chair – EC Winner 2008
If you’re like I am, you get outdoors for the scenery; and I frequently try to up the enjoyment factor by bringing along a comfortable place to soak it all in after a long day on the trail. Big Agnes’ Cyclone SL Chair unfurls to reveal a simple framework of ultralight aluminum poles and Cordura fabric that turns most inflatable sleeping pads into a Grade A backcountry lounge chair. Simply inflate your mattress to about 75% capacity, fold it in half, tuck it into each end of the chair, and clip the straps together. Adjust firmness of the pad and the angle of the back for maximum comfort, and keep in the warmth of the afternoon sun. Warning: This gear will inspire significant envy from your tentmates. Don’t be surprised if your seat is commandeered the moment you stand up, or if they find it difficult to get out of the chair when it comes time to clean up camp. Also, although Cordura fabric is traditionally tough, be careful about setting it up on too many granite overlooks; I wore a hole at the joint after about a year of use. Specs: 6 oz.; $40; One Size (fits 20” wide pads); bigagnes.com

Read the original Editors' Choice review.



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