Looking for a portable seat to take to Italy.
We’re going to Pompeii in December (yay) but I will get very sore standing during a 2-hour tour to the ruins. (It’s the standing, not the walking that gets me!!) We’re also going to Paestum for the day. We will check a bag.
My nephew uses this when traveling. It’s 21 inches long. https://www.amazon.com/PORTAL-Slacker-Folding-Outdoor-Camping/dp/B0BD8CL6TC
PS, Just been to REI, didn't see anything light but sturdy.
Other ideas? Thanks!
We used this collapsible seat on our last trip. It fit in DHs day bag when not in use: https://www.amazon.ca/Portable-Telescopic-Collapsible-Adjustable-Retractable/dp/B09CTVCFSL/
Thanks. Hadn't seen that portable stool back when I was looking.
The ones I found (then) were the Cane/Chair combinations. They've gotten pretty light but they still claim to handle the weight.
A few shown here:
If you go with one of these seats, practice in advance on very uneven surfaces. Although it may not be evident in pictures, the large stone slabs at Pompeii are very uneven.
That being said, have a great trip!
We use the telescoping seat and it works well for us. It doesn’t take much room and isn’t heavy. It fits in my small backpack and when it’s not used for sitting it can become my back rest :).
We had first purchased the cane with the seat but it was too heavy for us so we returned it and got the telescoping seat. We’re glad we did.
I think they are a brilliant idea if they fit my load rating :( I use to have one that was more like a cane with a handle that unfolded as a sort of seat. Used it for years until the russisns confiscated (stole) it. So I have been using one of these https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTjtj15yznH20psQXqEheJqs63imkt1cOnaVA&s but maybe a time to upgrade. Thanks for the memories as Bob would say.
Wow, really useful everyone! I'm going to look at the telescoping seat as well. Pat makes a good point about the uneven terrain in Pompeii. I've been there once, but it was decades ago when I had much more stamina for uneven stone walkways.
Another thought is to ALSO take walking sticks, the telescoping kind that will fit inside a checked bag. At REI a nice pair are $170, yikes.
I have the same problem standing for too long. I also have the Slacker Folding Outdoor Camping stool which I took to a wedding.
I would like to chime in my warning too like another Forum reader: This stool tipped over (I'd placed it on a fairly flat grassy area) and I fell backwards, fortunately on grass. All the groomsmen came running to help me up. SO embarrassing.
I haven't found another stool that 's lightweight enough to tote on travels. So I pack an LL Bean inflatable cushion--it's light and can fit in my Civita backpack--and use it on top of a rock, barricade, etc.
I hope you find something that works!
Geez Carole, that's scary. Well, what I love about the Forum is the many different views that are presented which I hadn't even considered! I have an inflatable cushion as well, so will remember to pack it for that day.
Anyone travel yet with the cane/seat set up? Is there an issue claiming as a cane for boarding aircraft? Did you stow it in over head bin?
Reading with interest as we have also thought about having something like this for museums etc. We have learned that at least one of our local museums will provide a stool if you ask, just as they will provide wheelchairs.
My husband uses the same type of stool as CJean. It works well. It fits in a bag or just slung over the shoulder.
I just ordered a telescoping stool similar to cjean's. Has anyone used their stool in a museum in Europe? I wonder if they are allowed.
And to match my Cane/Chair link above this would be some examples of "small, light weight, folding," chairs. Some of these look more stable than others.
https://www.amazon.com/lightweight-folding-chair/s?k=lightweight+folding+chair
Eleni, A friend of mine who's a BA flight attendant just stopped by. He looked at this link for a cane/chair and said it should be no problem getting it onto a plane, it's a cane after all. Just use it at the airport. https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Durability-Convenience-Anti-Slip-Lightweight/dp/B0DR46VGC1/?th=1
Barbara N - About museums - I wouldn't assume every museum will let you bring it along, but it's certainly worth a try. You could always use their lockers, I've been in even some smaller museums recently that had small chairs to take around, that provides another option!
After this feedback, I've decided to forego a telescoping chair, on the grounds that the ground (HA) is so unstable in Pompeii. Will take walking sticks and an inflatable cushion, in the hopes there may be options for sitting along the route. Thanks!!
Check out what Big 5 has. ( in store or online)
Wife found one there last year so she had a rest spot while walking national park trails.
Since my next trip will be to London I searched several of the museum websites there for accessability and most have folding stools you can borrow. So no need to take your own. Although one of the museums says you are welcome to bring your own.
I could not find any similar statements for the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which is the only other one I checked.
Barbara, thanks for the updated info on London museums, sounds like I need to research this topic before every museum visit! For once AI came through where wandering around the Rijksmuseum website did not.
"You cannot bring your own chairs into the museum beyond a certain size. The Rijksmuseum has restrictions on items brought into the galleries. While small bags (up to A4 size) and strollers are generally allowed, larger items like suitcases, large backpacks, and folding chairs would likely need to be stored in the cloakroom or lockers.
The Rijksmuseum may offer folding chairs for loan or rent. They explicitly state they offer the possibility of borrowing or renting wheelchairs, rollators, walking sticks, or foldable museum stools at the information desk.
A "museum stool" is a small, lightweight folding chair designed for museum visitors. These are likely intended for temporary use while viewing exhibits and may be made available to visitors who need seating assistance.
If you require a chair for medical reasons, contact the museum in advance. You may be able to reserve a wheelchair or a foldable chair by emailing [email protected]."
This is a great thread. Thanks, sandancisco! I like walking tours when I travel, but I truly hate standing to listen to information. I am wondering now if I need to pop something in my suitcase for my next trip.
Thanks Texas Travel Mom, I've come to realize that many of us have similar issues. Now thinking i will take the telescoping seat AND walking poles. Who know what will work but good to have options!
joe32F - Checking out these chairs at sporting goods stores sounds like an excellent idea, rather than ordering something on Amazon. Your wife uses this type of chair on uneven ground while hiking?
Sandancisco: Thanks for figuring out the Rijksmuseum situation. Next time I'll try AI in addition to the museum website. It's heartening to see how many museums are working to provide access for all. Good for them and good for us! I first realized that some museums provide portable stools on a recent visit to the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. We didn't use one, but it's good to know it's an option.
And I agree with TTM that this is a very helpful topic! I'll let you know what we think of our telescoping stool once we have tried it out.
Your wife uses this type of chair on uneven ground while hiking?
Used it on the designated- maintained- paths in the Parks. ( the hard packed ones at Arches NP) Not what I would call 'hiking'
She was able to find a spot where she could set it up to sit long enough to get the few moments rest she needed.
Fantastic, thanks Joe!
I have one like this. Cane Seat
They come in two different sizes (load capacities).
I got it after knee replacement surgery for a driving trip, so don't know how you would pack it for a plane trip.
I was concerned about the styles that require you to straddle the cane. I wanted arms to help with standing up. Also knew that my walking tours would be out in the country, so ground, not pavement. It worked fine.
We saw a senior couple using a STEP2GOLD at a museum in Paris. They have them on Amazon and they look less cumbersome than the seat/cane contraption my husband has been using.
As for the seat/cane thing, he just puts in the overhead bin on the airplane.
"...using a STEP2GOLD"
The Cane part looks better.
https://www.amazon.com/STEP2GOLD-Portable-Trekking-Lightweight-Anti-Slip/dp/B0CB3TS99P
Thanks Patty, good idea. Hey RobertH, that looks like a good option - minimum length is 32"?
"...a good option - minimum length is 32"?"
I see "The stick length can be adjusted from 33.5"~36.6" (85~93 cm), 5-sections adjustment."
Looks like one of those pins that slide out at spots on the aluminum legs. Don't know where on the cane that measurement is made.
Maybe obvious to seasoned travelers but if you end up only bringing hiking poles/walking stick, just the addition of a third point for weight bearing helps a lot! Without an actual seat, you can also widen your leg stance to shift gravity towards your legs instead of straight down your spine (think flying buttresses ha!) If there’s a handy step/rock/ruin fragment that you can put one foot up on, that also takes some stress off the spine and hip. If using whisper type hearing system then you don’t have to stand still at all; just shuffle around the vicinity of your group and guide but you can keep moving if that’s more comfortable for you. Keep on travelin!
Ahhh, ok, thanks Robert. so, I took my Black Diamond walking sticks to REI, they suggested I get these walking tips that are easier on hard surfaces (think, Pompeii!!). They also help with slick surfaces. AND they will keep the inside of my 24" suitcase from getting shredded!
https://www.rei.com/product/168735/rei-co-op-trekking-pole-rubber-walking-tips-
