ProView – Crazy Creek HEX 2.0 Original Chair

Had you told me a month ago that one of my go-to pieces of gear for backcountry travel would be a chair, I would have told you that you were out of your mind.  I am very much a minimalist when it comes to packing. I will happily sacrifice comforts for a lighter-weight pack.  If it isn’t something I NEED on the trail, it is not coming with me.  The Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 chair changed my thinking and is now with me on every trip.

I worried about finding uses for my new chair when I received it after going on all of my big planned outings. Sure, I could have definitely used it camping in Denali National Park and to sit in while I put on crampons before ice climbing on a glacier, but would I really find a use for it during everyday outings around town?  The answer is I found more uses for this chair than I ever thought possible. Fall time in Alaska brings a large variation in conditions and activities to enjoy.  This chair went on so many adventures with me!

Fit/comfort

The chair is listed to have a 250lb weight capacity and being much smaller than that, I fit into the chair without a problem.  The supports for the chair run parallel to the length of your body, so it wraps around you as you sit into it.  I find it to be very comfortable, especially when rocked back.  The waterproof qualities and insulating qualities work great to keep me warm, dry, and comfortable when sitting on a snowfield or wet lakeside ground.

Features

Though simplistic, the features of the Hex 2.0 are well thought out.  The straps can easily be adjusted in length to provide additional recline or unsnapped if you would prefer to use the chair flat.  The chair also includes a sewn in loop for easy attachment to your bag and a nylon strap to keep the chair rolled up when not in use.

Weight/Packability

The Hex 2.0 weighs mere ounces making it an easy decision to carry along with you.  The chair rolls up to approximately 4” in diameter. Though there is a handy loop on the outside of the chair for quick clipping to a pack, I dislike items hanging off my bag and found it fit perfectly in the water bottle holder on my larger packs that I use for hiking.  For activities such as climbing and skiing where I prefer to not carry any gear on the outside of my pack, it fit neatly inside my pack when folded in half instead of rolled.  I also found that attached easily to my saddle and was great to take on horseback adventures.  It is so lightweight and easy to secure that even my most sensitive horse did not notice it was behind the saddle.

Function/Performance

As mentioned earlier, I found a wide variety of uses for my new chair.  Though it did perform as expected, the chair is designed to collapse and must be held open when climbing into it.  This model might not be the best choice for an individual with mobility issues.

I found the chair useful for:

• Taking a break when in the backcountry: no need to search for a rock or dry piece of earth
• Lounging next to an alpine lake on a sunny day: no explanation needed
• A warm seat on cold or snowy ground: closed cell foam insulates and makes breaks more enjoyable
• Sitting in my tent: relaxing before going to sleep or while waiting out inclement weather
• Kneeling down while berry picking: fold it in half and no worries about getting poked by a rock

I intent to also use the chair for:

• Hunting: opening the chair up to lay flat on while shooting or glassing from a prone position
• Kayaking: extra padding and a comfortable back while out paddling
• Fishing: sitting on the muddy river banks will be no problem with the waterproof qualities
• Emergency splint: the carbon fiber stays that provide shape to the chair would certainly help stabilize a limb during an emergency situation
• Emergency sleeping pad: a great back up should you spend a night unexpectedly, have an open cell pad fail, or need to keep an injured person insulated from the ground

Durability/Construction

The Hex 2.0 is comprised of high density, closed cell foam which provides the insulating qualities as well as some cushion.  Both the outer and inner surfaces are made of a highly durable ripstop nylon, which help protect you from the wet ground and are easy to clean.  The supports are made up of carbon fiber, so there is no need to worry about bending the chair.  The straps that connect the top to the bottom are thick nylon webbing with a rugged plastic fastener.  This chair is built to last!

Friendliness to the Earth

Though I could not find information on things like use of recycled materials or steps towards green production, Crazy Creek does seem to make an effort to be environmentally friendly.  The packaging for the chair did not include any plastic other than one small tag holder.  The informational piece wrapped around the chair was made of paper and held in place by the chair’s own strap.  Crazy Creek also lists a number of environmental groups that they support on their website.

The Final Word

The Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 is the gear I never knew I needed.  With the wide variety of uses and light carrying weight, it has earned a permanent place on my packing list.  I look forward to having many more adventures that include a little bit of time to, “just sit there.”