Waterproof seating suggestions

Plastic table cloth? Cut to packable size?
https://www.partycity.com/red-plastic-table-cover-4137.html?cgid=tableware-serving-table-covers&fromplp=true

something like a folding camping seat pad perchance?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/sit-pad/s?k=sit+pad

Seems to me that any plastic bag large enough for your butt size would be the simplest, and easiest. Plus a smaller one to cram it in once it's gotten wet. No need to over think this.

How about ... oilcloth?

I have some remnants from the many Mexican patterns we used to line the drawers and shelves in our house. I found one that is 22" square and sat myself on it. It was big enough for my rear all the way to my knees.

I folded it up into about a 6" square and put it in a quart ziploc bag. My digital kitchen scale says that the entire package weighs 3.5 ounces. I think 24" square would be the maximum size to fit in a quart ziploc. Any bigger and you'd need a gallon size ziploc. Rolls are usually about 47" wide and I wouldn't buy over 1 yard. You'd have to cut it to size for your needs.

Oilcloth is waterproof, strong and sturdy with one slick side and one with a mesh backing. It should be durable for bench and butt.

If you have no readily available source for it where you live, Oilcloth Alley is one (probably of many) for yard goods (and products made from oilcloth): https://www.oilclothalley.com/collections/oilcloth-fabrics

They have lots of fun patterns and colors and even some solids at the end of the pages of examples. At $6.99 per yard, their prices seem reasonable. The description is "Genuine Oilcloth – front is PVC with a 65% Polyester 35% Cotton Mesh backing."

This is actually the same pattern and color as the remnant I used for my test: https://www.oilclothalley.com/collections/oilcloth-fabrics/products/yellow-mums-oilcloth-fabric

Thanks for asking this question, Pam. I'll now be taking my own oilcloth scrap for wet sitting places on my trip to Ireland and Wales in the summer. And I never would've thought about it if you hadn't asked the question.

An inflatable stadium seat cushion.

I don’t have one so this is not an endorsement, but here is an example of what I mean:
https://www.amazon.com/PocketSeat-Inflatable-Stadium-9x13-Yellow/dp/B001LZZL4S

Pam , I'm not sure Tyvek would be appropriate . I used it in house construction ( built an addition thirty years ago, did the construction myself ) It works as a vapor barrier and allows for water vapor to pass through an insulated wall to the exterior of a building, while keeping moisture out, a sort of one way function . Try it before you take it along . For best results , the printed trademark side should face down to the ground .

I take a bit of oilcloth (although what I have is not actually oilcloth but plastic-coated cotton). I roll it up and carry it in my pack for impromptu picnics.

I have a couple of Z sit pads from Thermarest that I use for hiking and snowshoeing. Depending on what you carry your stuff in while you're out and about, they'll easily fit in a standard, student style backpack or slightly larger purse/handbag. It weighs next to nothing, is soft and squishy to sit on and as others have pointed out, will also insulate your bum from any cold surfaces (I've sat on cold snow for lunch breaks while hiking/snowshoeing and my bum stays nice and dry and warm). They also last forever, I've had mine for years. https://www.thermarest.com/products/seats/z-seat/z-seat.html

I use a garbage bag here and in Paris. Doesnt need to be thick. Practically weightless and so easy to fit in your purse. I’ve also used my large, plastic coated Paris map that folds up small enough to easily fit in my purse. You know i dont need the map, lol, but i like having it at times to get perspective.

On my last trip i was given a plastic shopping bag from a shop, it was the perfect size for me, fairly thick, and i used it instead of the garbage bag.

Wow! What wonderful ideas!

Joe - good idea and easy to find locally, I'd think

Ramblin' On - those are nice looking but looking for something that folds a bit smaller, but this looks great for my regular Yellowstone visits and sitting waiting for geysers

CJean - yes, the garbage bag would work

Lo! - You knew I would be attracted to the oilcloth colors! I think maybe Joanns might have oilcloth so I will go by there tomorrow. Although the website is wonderful. I love the seafoam cherry blossoms. Also like the hydrangeas but they are sold out. Turquoise Cherry print is good too! And wow, thanks for measuring with the ziplocks. Yes, I'd like to keep it to a small ziplock.

Aimee - I was going to ask you tomorrow! I hadn't thought about the conduction part of it. And yes, I can see why foam would be helpful.

Laura, that inflatable cushion looks good. I may try that as well and see if it works for bench sitting at geysers, lol.

Steven - Yes, my brother had doubts about the Tyvek. He was using it for a ground sheet for light backpacking and it was not as effective as he wanted. My SIL and I wound up wrapping our legs in his sheet of Tyvek on a cold and rainy open steam train ride in CO. It helped but anything that cut the wind would have!

Kim - thats good to know!

Angella - the thermarest is a great product. Thanks for the endorsement.

Susan!! - Hahaha....good emergency idea!

Thank you all for the input! I really appreciate each and every suggestion!

Pam

Pam, when I read your post, I immediately thought of the Sit-Upon that our Girl Scout troop made to take on day hikes. They were made of oilcloth like Lo suggested. We cut two pieces of cloth exactly the same, sewed it up with yarn and stuffed it with newspapers. That was in Germany, too many years ago. Thanks for the nice reminder of my time as a little girl sitting on a mountainside full of Lilly of The Valley. Of course, this Sit Upon will be too bulky for your purpose but I’m going to get myself some oilcloth and pack it for my trip to Scotland. Great idea!

Linda! Omg…what a memory! My sit-upon was a repulsive bodily-fluid-colored green. I’m sure the leader had gotten the remnant end of a roll of oilcloth, lol. The fabrics in Lo’s links are much prettier and more appealling!

Pam, take a plastic shopping bag, fill it with Parisian scarves for insulation, and enjoy people watching at the park. ; )

Hey Pam, my suggestion is similar to Aimee’s. Use the very thin sheet of white foam that is used for packing; not bubble wrap.
I keep it in my hiking backpaclk. Gives me just enough of a cushion if I sit on rocks or any damp surface.

Or maybe you should just sit at an outdoor cafe in Paris and watch the world go by.

Pam , do give the Tyvek a try . The key is facing the side with the trademark face down , The other advantage is the direction of the moisture flow . If you're sitting on anything ( plastic sheeting ) that doesn't breathe , you will start to sweat on your derriere . after a while that's pretty uncomfortable . I do like Carol's suggestion of a cafe terrace ,.A coffee or something stronger , at the right time of day seems very appealing .

Jean! Now there's an idea! Diwali, one of my go-to shops for scarves, has lovely aqua plastic bags (or did)!

Carol, I will have to go look at the local store Aimee suggested and see how this foam would work.

Steven, thanks for that info. I'm looking at the square of Tyvek and my brother has helpfully labelled which side is UP and which is DOWN, lol. Hadn't thought about the sweating aspect, lol.

Again, thanks so much for the input. I see visits to my local Harbor Freight and Joann's Fabrics in my not-too-distant future!

How about a reusable shopping/tote bag that is waterproof? That way, it can serve multiple purposes, and you could lay a scarf or something inside it if you need more insulation.

Maybe something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Foldable-Waterproof-Lightweight-Reusable-Shopping/dp/B08NSW54QM/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3VOGPHE4PBQYY&keywords=reusable+shopping+bag+waterproof&qid=1646502044&sprefix=reusable+shopping+bag+water%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-6

or this:

https://www.amazon.com/KINGMAS-Reusable-Eco-Friendly-Shopping-Waterproof/dp/B09CDGPBKB/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3G23Y3T4T9YFI&keywords=reusable%2Bshopping%2Bbag%2Bwaterproof%2Binsulated&qid=1646502175&sprefix=reusable%2Bshopping%2Bbag%2Bwaterproof%2Binsulat%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-7&th=1

Thanks for bring this up. You got some great suggestions. We like to picnic outdoors and I’ve already been thinking about what I need to pack to enhance that experience. I never thought about something to sit on. I might cut up a vinyl table cloth so I have two things to sit on and another square to set food on.

BB, those are great suggestions. I've always carried either a Chico folding bag or a similar bag that folds but I don't think either are waterproof. I'll check and then consider your suggestions. I like that they fold up into their own case.

Andrea, I'm also taking a microfiber cloth in a ziplock. I like the ones from Flylady as they are excellent at picking up water and I have a ton of them since they are my go-to rags.

This is very simple. Pack large plastic shopping bags and sit on them when you find that there is a wet surface. They are lightweight and ideal.

@Continental, thanks for the suggestion! You and I have talked separately about Trader Joes and their big plastic bags are colorful, heavier than regular grocery store bags and might work.

I’ve got a ridiculous amount of experience sitting on wet benches because of my back! I always have plastic bags with me. 😂

Good to know you’ve got experience behind (😁😁😁) your recommendation!

I usually have several plastic bags in my suitcase but rarely are they transferred to whatever I am carrying during the day. Loved reading all the ideas!

Travelmom, I too, have been carrying the thin plastic grocery bags in my suitcase. I started in 2020 when I made one of my trips to Yellowstone and they weren’t doing housekeeping during your stay. I book the cabin accommodations in a couple of areas and want to clear any food waste out every day so as not to attract the little critters. I realized I needed the grocery bags so I could dump my garbage every day for a clean cabin. Now a stack lives in my suitcase but they’ve not gotten into my purse, lol.

I do know some locations have outlawed the thin plastic grocery bags, but Idaho, of course, has not.

I am still very attracted to the great oilcloth patterns!

I’m quite charmed by the idea of oilcloth! I have a vague memory of Miss Bartlett in ‘A Room with a View’ saying that she doesn’t mind sitting on the ground (I think it’s when they’re picnicking near Fiesole) because she has her oilcloth square.

I went to JoAnn's today and bought 5/8 yard of a lovely oilcloth, using my 40% off coupon since it wasn't on sale. It's 57 inches wide so I cut two 20 inch pieces for butts and can use the remaining 17 inch piece for picnic food. Generous enough coverage and folds up nicely. How smart to have it available when hiking and needing to keep the butts and food clean and dry and for picnics in cities. What a great idea!

@Inbsig, that is so funny. I did not remember that!

@goanywhere...well darn. I went to 2 Joann's here and no oilcloth at all! Sounds like a good purchase!

Available on Amazon too

Goanywhere, I just bought a yard of oilcloth at JoAnn with a 50% off coupon. I just need to cut 2 pieces to sit on and one as a cloth to put food on. It is very thin and lightweight, and I expect it will fold down easily into a ziplock back.

Just guessing but the oilcloth pattern may be particularly important only to those with hindsight? Safe travels 🙂

Andrea - mine is folded and in a ziplock and ready for departure (April 23)!

Denny! snerk.

Haha, Denny!

I'm going to work on packing today, lol, so will stash the Trader Joe's bag in my purse!

Pam, jfallenraven kanken backpacks have a plastic type/foam mat in them for that purpose. Let me find a link… here I know I failed the “in my purse’ portion, unless you change your purse, but…

And I know I should use Swedish lettering but I am on my iPad and so I find those changes too annoying on a small device.

Very cool Wray! Thanks for the thought! I wonder if the material is similar to what Aimee and someone else suggested with getting foam off the roll at someplace like what we have locally called Harbor Freight.

Pam, I was at Ross Dress for Less this morning, and I bought you a little gift! They had flimsy lightly plastic-coated shopping bags - wider than the typical ones, with cute pictures on them. I bought two; yours is a Paris theme and mine is umbrellas.

If you don’t want it for sitting on benches, you can store travel stuff in it. : )

Just noticed the umbrella design has a thicker coating, so you probably want that one. And you know I like Paris, too! ; ). I’ll bring both to our next travel meeting.

Aimee…see??? You talk, I listen!

Jean! You are so sweet!! Thank you! Oddly enough I was going to go to Ross tomorrow looking for something else, lol!!

I always carry a space blanket with me. It is multi-purpose and easy to carry. It folds smaller than a deck of cards. It is mylar and waterproof. In a pinch it will keep you dry or warm. If you get lost on the side of the Zugspitze you could use it to attract attention from rescuers -:)
I often use my waxed hat as a seat. If you don't own waxed clothing, you should look into it and especially if you are travelling in areas known for foul weather. There are several brands of (pricey) waxed clothing available but you may also purchase what you need to treat your gear from Otter.

I am with Mack, I carry a space blanket. It is light, portable and large enough to spread out on grass if I want to picnic. A space blank has come in handy on evening hop-on-hop off bus tours when I needed some extra warmth.

Oh, the space blanket suggestion is good! I actually have one as I do a lot of day hiking and also go to Yellowstone yearly so it's in my day pack.

Thanks also for the suggestion for waxed clothing. I've not got any but the clothing articles I've seen/felt/handled are heavier than I usually wear.

Whoever mentioned our Girl Scout sit-upons — yes !!! In fact, when I cut my “oilcloth,” (tip - what we are using these days is usually not true oilcloth), it put me very much in mind of my sit-upon. Mine was a blue vinyl check, and we lashed ours together with some thick vinyl cord.

Memories !l my mom started Girl Scouts in my town so i would have Girl Scouts. ❤️❤️

I think I am going to need pictures of whatever you end up with from this most informative thread!

Kim, what a wonderful mom you have!

Oh Kim. What a great memory! And yes, I agree with Susan..what an awesome Mom!

TravelMom...I'll definitely tell all!