Backpacking is already a pretty gear-intensive activity. Your packing checklist is long — probably longer than you might like — and anything you add to it directly leads to a heavier backpack on your shoulders. For that reason, it’s often in your best interest to cut out the fluff and leave some of the creature comforts at home. People like Appalachian Trail thru-hikers get exceptionally good at that. But for most of us, we need to balance our pack weight with our comfort.
For me, a big part of feeling comfortable around camp is having someplace to sit. My legs and back are doing a lot of work all day, so when I get to camp and have the option to take some of the load off, that respite goes a long way. Admittedly, carrying a camp chair into the backcountry isn’t for everyone, but it’s easily one of the best things you can do for your aching muscles, and it doesn’t need to come with quite the weight penalty you might expect.
