Coleman Camp Stool

Owner Review

Biographical Information:

Name: Chuck Carnes

Age: 34

Gender: Male

Height: 6’0” (1.83 m)

Weight: 175 lbs (79 kg)

Email address: ctcarnes1@yahoo.com

City, State, Country: Greenville, South Carolina United States

Date: November 1, 2004

Backpacking Background:

I love the outdoors – I’ve spent time camping in the outdoors since I was born, and have been actively hiking and backpacking since 1992. I consider myself a lightweight hiker, usually carrying 20-30 lbs (9-14 kg) for hikes up to a week in length. I hike at an easy pace, averaging 2 mph (3 kph). I am a one man tent camper for now until something I like better comes along. I like to carry a single trekking pole when I hike to help relieve stress to my legs and knees. I like to get out on the trail as often as I can.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Coleman

Year of Manufacture: 1990’s

URL: www.coleman.com

Listed Weight: Not Available

Weight as Delivered: unknown

Weight as of today: 1 lb 3 oz (.54 kg)

MSRP: $24.99

Product Description:

            The Coleman Camp Stool is a lightweight stool that folds flat and can be taken almost anywhere. When open, it is in the shape of an ‘X’ with a canvas seat along the top. It has an aluminum frame that makes it lightweight and easy to carry. The seat portion is 19 in (48 cm) off of the ground. The dimensions of the seat are 10 in (25 cm) from front to back and 14 in (35 cm) from side to side. The four legs are made of 1.25 in (3 cm) diameter, round aluminum stock. Each leg has a rubber cap on the end to keep dirt from being jammed up into the leg.  

Product Review:

            I have tried many chairs and seating devices over the years of backpacking. I have not been happy with any of them in comparison with the Coleman Camp Stool. I found it at a local Wal-Mart in the Camping section. I have taken this stool with me on all of my backpacking trips since 1995. When folded, the width between the legs is 14 in (35 cm) and is wide enough to fit my backpack between them so the legs just run down the sides of the backpack and the seat portion of the chair sits on top of the pack. Most of the time the legs fit under the compression straps of the pack to hold it to the pack.

            This stool has come in very handy for me while on the trail and at the campsite. If and when I stop for lunch or a snack, I can easily grab the stool from the top of my pack and have a comfortable place to sit. I don’t have to sit on the ground or on a hard rock; I can just sit and relax on my Coleman Camp Stool. At the campsite, it’s always nice to have my stool to sit on while cooking dinner or sitting around the campfire. It’s especially nice if the ground is wet from a heavy rain and I have somewhere dry and comfortable to sit. The canvas seat is very durable and seems to dry very quickly when it gets wet. The double stitching that holds the seat to the legs is still intact and shows no signs of tearing or fraying. The aluminum legs have held up very well under my 175 lbs (79 kg) body and have shown no signs of rust. I do not know what the maximum weight would be for the stool, but a friend of mine is about 225 lbs (102 kg) and the stool seemed to be pretty sturdy under him. The legs are very scuffed up from all of the abuse that I put it through but it still works as well as it did when I bought it. I have never had to add grease or oil at the hinged areas and there are still no signs of rust; just a few love scratches. To my knowledge I don’t think I have ever cleaned the stool. I can’t say that it is spotless but I have had no reason to break out the soap and water and scrub it down. I usually use my hand and knock off any dirt that I don’t feel is necessary to stay on; I like the old rugged look.

Field Information:

            As I said before, this stool has been backpacking with me over nine years. I have carried it on all of my trips to the Great Smokey Mountains, Pisgah National Forest, Mount Mitchell and Jones Gap. The elevations have ranged from 4000 ft (1219 m) to 6600 ft (2012 m) and the temperatures have mostly been 30 F (-1 C) to 60 F (15 C). Carrying the stool on all of my outings, it has been in a wide range of elements, temperatures and elevations.

Summary:

            I have truly enjoyed this stool. It has kept my bottom dry when it was or has been raining and it has kept me comfortable when there was nowhere else to sit. It has been very versatile when it comes to attaching it to my pack and I have had no problem finding room for it. I have tried other chairs and stools but I prefer the Coleman Camp Stool because it gets me off the ground and doesn’t make my back hurt quite as much.

The Good:

• Lighter than most portable camp chairs
• Very sturdy
• Versatile
• Very comfortable

The Bad:

• It could have a little bit lighterweight fabric for the seat instead of canvas
• Doesn’t have a back on it