Reviews You Can Rely On

Therm-a-Rest Trekker Review

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therm-a-rest trekker backpacking chair review
Therm-a-Rest Trekker Chair
Credit: Therm-a-Rest
Price:  $40 List
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Manufacturer:   Therm-a-Rest
By Chris McNamara and Max Neale  ⋅  Mar 13, 2012
66
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort - 30% 9.0
  • Stability - 10% 7.0
  • Weight - 20% 6.0
  • Versatility - 20% 6.0
  • Ease of Set-Up - 20% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Thermarest Trekker was one of the most comfortable chairs in our review. For some, this is the ideal backpacking chair, especially if you already have a pad that will fit right in it. However, it does take a while to set up, and your comfort and stability results will vary based on which pad you have to insert in. If you don't already have a compatible inflatable mattress, it will take some time, and probably more than $100 to get the right combination of pad and chair. Or, if you want the best value in a backpacking chair, we recommend the Crazy Creek Original.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Packs small
REASONS TO AVOID
Need to have a compatible sleeping pad
Takes time to assemble
Adjust just right and dissasemble

Our Analysis and Test Results

Likes


If you get just the right sleeping pad in this chair, it is about as comfortable as a light backpacking chair gets. Every other chair we tested is made of foam covered with nylon or just stretched nylon. This chair gives you that soft air cushion feel. If you already have a sleeping pad you love, it is the lightest way to get deluxe comfort in the backcountry.

Dislikes


This chair takes more adjustment and assembly time than other chairs in our review. You have to inflate the sleeping pad and lightly wrestle it into the chair sleeve. Usually, the pad is just a little too inflated or not inflated enough. So you may have to remove the pad and adjust the air pressure. Finally, it takes some adjusting on the sides to make this pad feel stable.

It can take a lot of micro adjustments to make this pad feel stable. If it is not adjusted just right, you can easily fall over if you turn your body 90 degrees.

Other Versions


therm-a-rest trekker backpacking chair review - therm-a-rest compack chair
Therm-a-Rest Compack Chair
Credit: amazon.com
Therm-a-Rest Compack
  • Cost - $50
  • Weight - 6oz
  • Slightly less comfortable than this chair
  • Ideal for backpacking when weight is more important than slightly less comfort

Chris McNamara and Max Neale