My mother and I will be going to Europe in a month and she's worried about her stamina. We were thinking about getting an extremely portable seat of some kind, like a cane chair, but I'm worried that they it might be too bulky or heavy to lug around all day. Has anyone had any experience with portable seats in europe? Also, mom said that she saw someone on the Globe Trekker with a hiking/walking stick that folded out into something that multiple people could lean back against enough to take the weight off your legs/feet. Does anyone know what it's called? She didn't and I couldn't find any mention of it on the internet.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1068 posts
Amazon.com to the rescue! http://www.amazon.com/Sport-Seat-Walking-Stick-Combination/dp/B000B8N6K2 Scroll down - there are TONS of models! I've seen these - gazed upon them with longing - never was sure if they would support my - ahem - bulk. Looks like you will need to research them to find out weight capacity - but they look cool, very useful - and not expensive!
Posted by
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
I have taken a cane that has a seat that folds down. It's not heavy - good for stability in walking and then if you need to sit, easily folds into the seat.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15788 posts
The cane/seat that Kira suggested is very popular here, where it's called a museum chair - I guess because some of the museums provide them (for a photo id deposit). Do be advised that to sit safely on this chair, you must sit with the handle in front of you, so you can sort of rest your arms on it while sitting. I have even seen a couple of people who somehow attached a strap to it, so they could carry it over the shoulder. They are most useful on a guided tour, when the guide stops to explain things, or in museums, when you want to stop in front of a particular piece, maybe in conjunction with an audio guide.
Posted by
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Good advice from Chani - you need to sit with the handle in front of you.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
There is a Slacker Tri-Pod Stool on the Target website. It is close to what I have for travel. I am a small lady (70) and I attach mine behind my neck on top of my day back pack. Mine folds up to about 12 inches and comes with it own bag. Here is another one on the REI web site: http://www.rei.com/product/765283/rei-trail-stool
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15788 posts
The item that JB proposes from REI has the advantages of being light-weight and easier to carry. It can also be packed in a suitcase (the cane/chair usually has to fly like a baby stroller). The big disadvantages are that you are a sitting a foot off the ground (more like squatting really) and it's not easy to get up without help.
Posted by
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
The cane with the fold down seat I have (from Magellan) is taken right onto the plane (like anyone with a cane) and can be put in the overhead bin. I don't know how much it weighs, but it's not that heavy. It has helped me with stability while I'm walking and to be able to rest in museums, etc.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15788 posts
It depends on the airline whether you can carry the cane/seat on the plane. I was in Germany recently and Luftansa was checking them. Not that it matters much. The hassle is more that it doesn't fit in the suitcase, so you have to juggle it along with your luggage.
Posted by
OP
Longview, Washington, USA
21 posts
Thanks everyone! I ordered an adjustable cane chair on amazon, my mother is taller than average so adjustability was an important feature. According to my research, US and European airlines have different polices regarding canes and other assistance devices on airplanes. US airlines will let you have your cane /wheel chair/ stroller without it counting as your carry on or personal item. I think they have a storage area for those things in the very front of the plane? (I could be wrong about that) here's a useful link
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/US_Airways/baggage.php