A backpack chair is a folding chair which also doubles as a backpack, allowing people to pack out supplies and a comfortable place to sit in one convenient package. Backpack chairs can be very useful for short camping trips, days at the beach, and so forth, and they come in a variety of sizes and styles. Many outdoor equipment stores carry backpack chairs, allowing people to try them on to find the right fit and weight, and they can also be ordered through a number of online retailers.
When a backpack chair is assembled in backpack mode, the folding struts which are used to assemble the chair provide support to the backpack. Typically the backpack consists of a zippered pocket on the back or underside of the seat, allowing users to easily access the backpack storage while the chair is unfolded. This allows people to leave things in the backpack storage while the chair is in use.
The capacity of a backpack chair is generally smaller than that of a regular backpack of comparable size, which means that backpack chairs are not so ideal for extended camping trips, where people might need a lot of supplies. However, they are suitable for things like picnics, day hikes, and trips to the beach, where people often want comfortable chairs to sit in when they reach their destination for the day.
By taking a backpack chair on such trips, people can leave their hands free and create a balanced load which will be more comfortable to carry. Some backpack chairs come with insulation, allowing them to act as coolers for drinks and perishable food, which can be very convenient for picnics, and many also come with features like cupholders built into the arms. A backpack chair may even come with a canopy which can be folded out to protect the sitter from the sun.
As with any hiking trip, it is important to remember to pack out what one has packed in. After enjoying a picnic or a night of camping, people should always gather up their trash and carry it out with them so that other people can enjoy nature as well. For convenience, many people like to keep a small stash of trash bags in their camping backpacks, ensuring that they have a way to neatly collect and pack out garbage without having to worry about soiling their camping gear.