Generally consolation trumps weight, and whereas the Mica Basin Chair from Large Agnes won’t be the lightest, it positive beats the hell out of sitting on a stump any day. With a luxurious 22-inch-wide seat, pre-bent poles for superior weight distribution, and a 300-pound capability, this chair is a superb selection for taller and heavier of us or those that simply favor a reliable chair whereas backpacking.
Whereas its 2-pound weight isn’t the lightest backpacking chair I’ve ever toted, and it probably gained’t be the selection for the ultralight thru-hikers on the market, the Mica Basin is a unbelievable selection for automobile campers, RVers, and informal backpackers who don’t thoughts carrying an additional couple of kilos. Let different folks run the race to the underside in the case of backpackable furnishings — the Mica Basin is completely satisfied proper the place it’s at.
I’ve examined the Large Agnes Mica Basin Chair over two seasons now, typically taking it alongside to yard gatherings the place it might promptly be taken over if left empty. Deployed in a wide range of terrains within the excessive desert area of the Jap Sierra, Calif., I’ve set it up in sandy campsites and grassy yards alike. And I’ve had buddies of various heights and weights strive it out for themselves. All agree: If weight isn’t a fear, go huge with the Mica Basin.
In brief: Depart the scrap of froth pad at house — the Large Agnes Mica Basin is a greater tenting and backpacking chair — even when it weighs a bit extra. It’s made with sustainable supplies, a large seat, and a high-quality all-metal body, and also you’re positive to be comfy and safe on this chair when hanging at camp.
Our favourite seats within the backcountry fluctuate extensively, from light-is-right foam choices to extra plush ones just like the Mica Basin right here. To see the remainder of our favorites, try GearJunkie’s Finest Backpacking Chairs Purchaser’s Information.
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Weight
2 lbs., 3 oz. -
Weight restrict
300 lbs. -
Packed dimension
3.5 x 17.5” -
Supplies
Light-weight 100D Robic nylon with 300D polyester ripstop, aluminum
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Colour-coded body for simple setup -
Pre-bent poles assist create stability and help the broader seat -
Made by a sustainability aware firm
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A bit heavy for backpacking -
Bottom of seat is not printed, and feels a bit unfinished
Large Agnes Mica Basin Chair: Assessment
First Impressions
That is undoubtedly one of many bigger camp chairs I’ve examined, and noticeably heavier as nicely. The bag it is available in has a pleasant aspect zipper for simple entry as a substitute of the same old stuff sack design, which normally means you spend further time fumbling and squeezing material again right into a small bag.
The very first thing I observed was how well-made the chair legs felt and the way simply they snapped into place. The chair is tall, and the pre-bent legs give it an general feeling of stability.
I loved the huge seat, which simply made hanging at camp extra comfy general. With the Mica Basin, you don’t should decrease your self into a brief, small seat. However quite, you may sit up tall and comfortably subsequent to a desk cooking dinner.
Consolation and Again Assist to Spare
The Mica Basin has a deep, comfy seat and a excessive again, incomes it excessive marks within the consolation and help classes. The chair seat is nineteen.5 inches deep, whereas many different chairs of its form sometimes have again help that’s round 15 inches deep.
Different tenting chairs, just like the Large Agnes Large Six Camp Chair, are made with an exaggerated tall again for further help, however add weight and heft that swing the scales out of the backpacking camp and into car-camping-only territory.
The Mica Basin strikes an incredible steadiness between being nimble sufficient to pack away and put in a backpack whereas nonetheless maximizing the seat and body building to offer a really comfy and supportive seating expertise.
To make an excellent cozier seat, you may even purchase an insulated cowl from Large Agnes that provides heat and a few padding to the Mica Basin.
On Stable Floor
The Mica Basin has a singular body design, that includes pre-bent poles made of industrial quality aluminum that may help as much as 300 kilos. It additionally has no plastic joint hubs, which are sometimes weak factors vulnerable to cracking or breaking. With a seat peak of 16 inches, this chair is straightforward to get into and out of, making it an incredible selection for bigger and taller of us, in addition to seniors or those that might need knee issues.
The poles are heavier and sturdier than many different backpacking chairs we’ve examined. Many of those choose to shave weight with lighter supplies, which may typically really feel flimsy. Nonetheless, with a better general seat and longer legs, one have to be cautious to not lean again too far, which can trigger the chair to tip. Chairs with a decrease heart of gravity are likely to have higher general stability.
No Boat Anchor, however Heavier Than Most
The Mica Basin is heavier and bigger than most different backpacking chairs in our basic evaluation and, subsequently, wouldn’t be my best choice for the very best backpacking chair on your subsequent in a single day journey. At 2 kilos, 3 ounces, it’s an entire pound and three ounces heavier than the lightest chair we examined.
Whereas that doesn’t appear to be a lot, for severe backpackers, these further ounces add up rapidly. For that reason, I’d suggest the Mica Basin for automobile tenting, highway journeys, concert events, sporting occasions, or yard hangouts.
That being mentioned, in the event you’re a tall man or gal and hate how among the smaller camp chairs buckle below your weight or dig into the backs of your thighs, carrying that further 2 kilos of weight won’t be that huge of a deal — and it’s nicely value the additional consolation! With a large base of twenty-two inches and a tall again of 19.5 inches, the Mica Basin is massive and cozy.
Ease of Setup
You assemble this chair very similar to another backpacking chair. The totally shock-corded, color-coded items slot collectively in below a minute. The truth that the Mica Basin has no plastic hubs signifies that the joints don’t match collectively as simply and clearly as different chair fashions.
The trade-off right here is that there are fewer weak elements, making this an incredible sturdy possibility. The aluminum body can also be extra environmentally pleasant, because it’s simply recyclable and doesn’t use any plastic elements.
Surprisingly Sustainable
Sometimes not a serious metric for backpacking chairs, the Mica Basin really scores fairly excessive within the sustainability division. The all-metal chair body doesn’t use plastic joints, and the aluminum utilized in it’s infinitely recyclable — good.
There’s additionally no foam used, which may be nasty to provide by itself. As an alternative of paying for these sins through the use of pre- or post-consumer polymers and calling it sustainable, Large Agnes cuts the stuff from the beginning.
Additional, gross sales of sure prints funnel a portion of proceeds towards a handful of various initiatives, together with Defend Our Winters, the Yampa River Fund, and the Nationwide Forest Basis.
Room for Enhancements
Whereas this chair is unbelievable for automobile tenting and serviceable for shorter backpacking journeys, we’d like to see Large Agnes shave a number of ounces off of it so we might additionally justify taking it backpacking on longer journeys. I do know, cake and consuming it and all that, however I can dream. Possibly they’ll roll a titanium model sooner or later.
Whereas I really like the totally different colours and patterns it is available in, I do discover it a bit odd that solely the inside of the seat is printed, and the outside shouldn’t be. This makes it appear “unfinished” and never as engaging or polished because it might look. I really like, nevertheless, that it’s made with sustainable supplies.
Large Agnes Mica Basin Chair: Conclusion
For those who’re on the taller aspect and like a chair that sits larger off the bottom — and like a wider, deeper seat and durable, secure legs — the Large Agnes Mica Basin is a superb selection. Snag an uber-light possibility when weight is a priority (just like the Therm-a-Relaxation Z-Seat), however if you’re going for the luxe expertise, the tradeoff is value it, in my view.
Because it isn’t an ultralight possibility, the added sturdiness is more likely to see the chair supporting you longer into the long run, as nicely, and by avoiding lighter building strategies, the Mica Basin additionally earns excessive regard from the planet. Coming in a wide range of enjoyable colours and patterns, this sturdy chair is certain to final a very long time in your quiver and supply a cushty seat wherever you determine to take it.