Sitting comfortably outdoors is not easy when you cannot bring your favourite armchair or rocking chair. To help you sit comfortably and stay dry when hiking, Rayonrando offers simple, sometimes ingenious ways to rest while seated, just like at home! Or almost.
You want to sit down, but the ground is not always suitable: damp soil or logs, hot or abrasive rocks, sharp edges, prickly plants, very “fresh” snow… Nature is not always considerate at break time.
Here are solutions to all these inconveniences:
1- On a walking trip
When hiking with a backpack for several days, weight is paramount. Look for very lightweight accessories, or even repurpose items already in your backpack.
The rain poncho or ultralight groundsheet:
Unlike relatively fragile ultralight rain jackets, some rain ponchos such as the Ferrino Trekker Ripstop are highly abrasion-resistant. If you already use one for weather protection, it avoids carrying extra weight. You get a large dry surface to sit, or even lie, on during breaks.
The foam sit mat or pad:
For a hiker on the RayonRando team, this small accessory is essential in a hiking backpack, for day walks and multi-day trips alike. Very light and easy to attach to your pack (side mesh pockets or straps), it saves the day in many situations mentioned above:
- Wet or muddy areas
- Sharp or uneven rock
- Hot stone
- Cold, wet snow. Once you have compacted the snow into a bench, the pad adds cushioning and insulation: perfect.
The pad can even serve as a makeshift pillow.
Choose the lightest option, the Robens Zigzag seat , or the more comfortable, durable and insulating Thermarest Z-seat.
Your sleeping mat (foam or inflatable):
If you do not want extra equipment, think of the mat you sleep on:
- Although bulky, a foam mat has the major advantage of deploying instantly and resisting snags.
- With an inflatable mat (and pump sack), 2 minutes gives you a comfortable mat for a luxurious break. Why miss out? But choose its location carefully: a few sharp stones can quickly puncture it under your weight.
You can even turn any regular-sized Therm-A-Rest mat into a seat with a backrest using the Trekker Chair 20 kit.
Your gloves:
Not small silk gloves, of course. We mean winter outings with thick, warm, waterproof snowshoeing gloves. Compact the snow and place your gloves on it: here is your new 4-season cushion to keep your bottom warm. Without adding a single gram to your load!
The Sashado strap:
Sashado is a seat strap that may initially seem simplistic and unnecessary. But for rest breaks, it is a revelation. Providing good support, it lets you naturally relax your back and legs while keeping your hands free. Very compact, it is easy to take everywhere.
Your backpack:
Your hiking pack can be more than a lead weight to carry. At break time, take revenge: it will carry you, or at least support you.
When exhausted, we sometimes do this naturally: slump onto the ground with our backpack still on. Make a little extra effort to stabilise it, loosen or remove the hip belt, and you have an improvised reclining chair.
2 - On a cycling or motorbike trip
In bike panniers, no spare centimetre can be wasted. So comfortable breaks require very compact solutions.
One is the inflatable Robens Air impact Seat 38. Where foam pads may be too bulky, this inflatable pad fits in your hand, feels very pleasant and insulates well.
On long cycling or motorbike tours, we sometimes allow extra panniers for equipment. Unlike hikers, cyclists and motorcyclists can spare a few hundred grams for the best possible comfort during breaks.
Most compact: the stool
- The Robens Discover folding stool: the lightweight, compact option.
- The Trigano telescopic stool: maximum comfort with adjustable height up to 48 cm, yet minimal packed size thanks to a clever system.
Most comfortable: the chair
- The Elementerre Bomont folding chair: the comfortable, economical option.
- The Trigano Ultra-light hiking chair or Robens Pathfinder chair: light, compact and suited to varied terrain thanks to its foot caps.
Whatever equipment you use for comfort, the most important thing is taking these breaks to aid recovery throughout your trip.
Rayonrando wishes you wonderful hikes and wonderful naps!
