Owner Information
Name:                          Russell Curry
Age:                             57
Gender:                      Male
Height:                       6’0” (1.83 m)
Weight:                     190 lbs (86 kg)
Email Address:                dpro@datarecall.net
City, State, Country:      Orange, TX, US
Date:                             August 14, 2004

Backpacking Background
I began backpacking in the late “60’s” but only in earnest 7 years ago, as I had more free time from my career and my children were grown and out of the home. I began locally in the Big Thicket area of Southeast Texas, and on the Wild Azalea Trail in Louisiana.   I have hiked extensively in Western and Eastern Texas, the Grand Canyon & other Arizona sites, Utah, Colorado, Louisiana, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Canada and in the Bavarian Alps in Germany, in a variety of terrain, desert, mountains and forests. I hike often, even if just locally and in all seasons.

Product Information from the Sling-Light Website
Manufacturer:                  Sling-Light tm
URL of Manufacturer:          http://www.slinglight.com
Weight: (Advertised)              Chair: 18 oz (510 g), Optional Headrest: 4 oz (113 g)
Weight: (Tested)                  Chair: 18 oz (510 g), Optional Headrest: 4 oz (113 g)
Maximum Working Load:      250 lbs (113 kg)
Maximum Design Load:        450 lbs (204 kg)
Frame:                                 Heat treated aluminum alloy, seamless tubing
Size:                                       26" x 16" x 1.5" (66 cm x 41 cm x 3 cm, folded up)
Sling:                                      Waterproof ripstop nylon
Warranty:                             Two years to the original purchaser
MSRP:                                   Chair - US $78.95, Optional Headrest – US $21.00

Product Description
The Sling-Light Backpack Chair consists of a tubular aluminum frame formed to a rectangular shape with a pivoting, rectangular, smaller frame fastened to one end. Ripstop nylon is sewn between the two frames, in a choice of three colors, red, green and blue. The smaller frame pivots on plastic joints, allowing it to open up, and form a seat to cradle my butt in. There is an optional headrest consisting of more ripstop nylon sewn around another tubular aluminum frame with clips that will attach to the main frame to form an extension of the chair to rest my head on. There is a “V-shaped” aluminum frame that extends from the rear of the chair with an adjustable strap that controls the angle of the chair in the open position. The chair will fold flat and the optional headrest will nest within the larger chair frame for carrying purposes.

Field Information
I have had this chair strapped to my pack since the first day I have owned it. I have used it on rocky trails in Arkansas, in the woods of SE Texas, on Guadalupe Peak in West Texas, along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho and on Gulf of Mexico beaches. It is easy to carry and strap onto the exterior of my pack. If strapped on in the upright position, the ripstop nylon and frame forms a small pouch that can be used for snacks, or other smaller gear that I may want access to without opening my pack. I use the pouch that is formed by the nylon on the headrest to hold a full, 3L (3 qt) Platypus with hoser. I also use the pouch formed by the chair to hold my mini-gaiters, gloves, etc. The weight of the chair and headrest is light and the size works well, even on my smaller packs that I use for short hikes. It is waterproof so I take no extra precautions to protect it.

Field Experience
The first time I took the Sling-Light chair out was on a 40-mile (64 km) hike on the Ozark Highland Trail in Arkansas. I was hiking with much younger, stronger club members who were wondering out loud what the strange contraption was that I had on my pack. No one had seen it opened. At lunch the first day, I set the chair up, sat down and proceeded to have lunch. The others were trying to find soft spots on the rocks. I had a few furtive glances at the chair, and some comments about it being worth the extra weight to carry. With the headrest, I was able to sit as if in a recliner at home, and it felt good to be able to relax from the neck down. Getting in and out of the chair takes some getting used to. There are two decals, one on each side of the frame that say, “Grip here to sit” and “250 lb. Load max”. With the chair set up, I have to stand over the chair, spread my legs slightly, bend down and grab each frame at the decal, then slowly lower myself into the cradle of the nylon. I am then sitting in a reclining position with my knees up, with my butt approximately 6 to 8 inches off the ground. By sliding down into the cradle, I can find the position that is most comfortable for myself. If using the headrest, I can just lay back and relax.   Getting out is a bit tricky also. I can sit upright, grab the rail at each decal, and using my arms to push, stand up, or I can just roll over to my side onto my knees on the ground and then get up. Because the chair is very light, it is best not to leave unattended near a fire, especially if the wind is blowing. A gust of wind when the chair is in an open position could blow it into the fire or off a ledge, etc. By the end of the trip, every time I vacated the chair, when I returned someone was sitting in it. Others were trying to get comfortable by lying on rocks or the ground for the evening chat, but I was reclining in my most comfortable chair, trying to stay awake.

Properties
The Sling-Light Backpack Camp chair exhibits good workmanship and quality material. The seams are well sewn; the frame is light but durable. Sling-Light chairs are warranted by the manufacturer to the original owner against defects in workmanship and materials under normal use for two years. I talked to a sales person when I bought mine and she said to keep the box it is shipped in, and if ever the chair needs repair to just ship it back. I use paste wax on the frame and lubricate the plastic pivot joints with Vaseline (petroleum jelly), as the manufacturer recommends. I clean the ripstop nylon with soap and water. The fabric has stayed fresh and clean, I have noticed neither fading of the nylon nor any stains from it being exposed to the weather while carrying it on my pack or using it in camp. As with any piece of lightweight backpacking equipment, a little extra care may be required to get the most benefit from the chair.

Likes
I like that the chair forms a very comfortable cradle to sit in. I like the optional headrest since it works very well to ease the stress that has developed on my neck and shoulders while backpacking. I also like the fact, that unlike many other camp chairs, this one lets me sit off the ground. This works great if the ground is wet, sandy or rocky, etc. I especially like the pouch that is formed when the chair is folded up and strapped onto my backpack.

Dislikes
I think at US $99.95 the price is a little high for the chair and headrest. The chair is available without the headrest for US $78.95.

Summary
I no longer debate over whether to bring along my Sling-Light Camp Chair, on any hiking trip, even my day hikes. I look forward to day’s end when I can set up my chair, recline and enjoy the evening camp. Because of the ease to adapt it to any pack I use, and its light weight, it has become one of the required items on my gear list. I have won over some fellow hikers who have tried out the Sling-Light Camp Chair and discovered just how good it feels at the end of a long day backpacking not to have to try to get comfortable on a rock, wet dirt or sand.

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Owner Review by Russell Curry

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