Produced by a boutique Danish outdoor brand, the Sitpack Campster II is the second iteration of the Campster which was initially released with three legs. Extensively revised after listening to feedback from the camping community (Sitpack say), the second coming of this cool camping chair has four legs, sits slightly lower to the ground than the original (enhancing the stability) and is much easier and more intuitive to assemble. You can also buy various accessories to pimp the Campster II, including a groundsheet – which is intended to spread the load and prevent the feet of the chair sinking into sand (or other soft surfaces) – and a quilted seat warmer to keep your bum from going numb when cool breezes blow though the mostly mesh sides.
These feel like quite specific and substantial add-on elements that some people may be happy to fork out extra cash for if they feel they need them. But I must admit, if I were paying good money for a premium camping pew (and this is no cheap seat), I would expect the insulated bottle holder to come as part of the package – not least because, owing to the semi-bucket design of the chair, there are no arm-rests to host a cup-holder. That small grumble aside, I liked the look and style of the Campster II from the moment I poured it out of its carry bag and first put it together.
It’s great having a mid-sized chair that packs away into a small carry pack, and – even when assembled – doesn’t take up too much room in the living space of a (for example), but which remains sturdy and comfortable enough to offer proper support. The build quality and materials also point to a piece of kit that will last significantly longer than cheapo chairs, so it shouldn’t end up as landfill after a few seasons. In order to assess its performance next to the , however, I took it away camping and to various other outdoor shindigs at the beach and in parks, fields and forests, to see how well it compares when it comes to parking my posterior.
Available in two colors (black or a rather flamboyant orange) the Campster II is a one-piece chair, with the legs and frame attached to the fabric of the seat, so there’s no danger of losing a part when you’re rushing around packing up at the end of an alfresco adventure. The frame of the chair is made from aircraft aluminum, and it boasts powder-coated legs and anodized top tubes. It’s possible to replace the plastic “shoes” on the four feet with luminous versions, if you so desire (perhaps for easy identification in festival or other group scenarios).
Once liberated from the carry pack, the legs splay into position nice and easily. The upper frame is formed by four telescopic poles, which can be pulled into position in seconds. The front poles have two sections, while the back pair are higher, and have three sections – each one pops into place with a click as the sprung button meets the corresponding hole.
The final section of the back poles can be quite stiff to pull into place the first few times you assemble the chair, but this becomes easier with repeated use. The main body of the chair is made from synthetic material, and the back panel and sides are mostly mesh, in order to allow airflow to reach your body on sticky hot days (thus avoiding sweaty derriere dramas). If you’re likely to be camping or sitting out in cold conditions, it’s worth investing in the aforementioned quilted seat warmer to keep breezes at bay – although that is a significant investment ($49 (US) / £40 (UK) / €47 (EU)).
As I’ve already bemoaned, there’s no cup holder – but there are a couple of large mesh pockets on this chair, one on either side, for stashing snacks, , books, phone, tablet, whatever. There’s also an S-shaped carabiner that clips on to loops above either of the front legs, onto which you can use to hook a (if the handle has a hoop on it) or to attach the insulated bottle holder offered by Sitpack ($10 (US) / £9 (UK) / €10 (EU)). While these extras are a little pricey (in my opinion), it’s worth noting that the bag the Campster comes with is robust and well designed, with sturdy material loops at either end, thick plastic hooks on either end of the carry strap, and a zip running the full length of the bag.
Unlike the flaky sacks that come with cheap camping chairs, this one should last the distance. While it’s still too heavy to take full-on hiking or adventures (unlike the , it’s not intended for use during lightweight activities), I really like the packed-down dimensions of the Sitpack Campster II, which is very easy to stash in a vehicle of any size when you’re going car camping, or to throw in the bottom of a canoe. About the size and weight of a 2L bottle of water, it’s small enough to keep in the boot of a car all the time, for those just-in-case moments when you pause to admire a view or have a brew and you need a pew.
And it’s also light and compact enough to sling over your shoulder if you’re simply strolling to the beach or a picnic spot from a car park, even if you need to walk a fair distance to reach your destination. It really is very quick and easy to assemble (once those top sections have become a bit looser), although you do need to make sure that all four telescopic poles are fully extended (with the relevant popper poking through the correct hole) because otherwise the seat material won’t be properly tensioned, and you could do yourself an injury by plonking your posterior down on the pointy pyramidical top of the base (you only ever do this once – I can attest to that). The angle of the chair is nice and relaxed, but not so laidback that you can’t perform campsite tasks such as feeding the fire or boiling some water on a .
The low center of gravity makes it stable, but it’s not difficult to get up out of the seat. It is, perhaps, a little on the low side for sitting and eating at some , but the Campster II feels like it’s intended more for relaxing in, rather than being part of an alfresco dining set. It’s absolutely perfect for enjoying a drink around the fire, or leaning back and staring at the stars.
And, once you’re finished with it, the Campster II is quick and uncomplicated to disassemble and pack away in the bag – just depress the pop-up buttons, slide the sections into once another and fold it away. Voila..
