Arb sport camp chairs

[off-roader]

Well, we just bought a new camp chair and it bit the dust on the first trip out. It's going back and maybe we'll pick up one of these. Heck, maybe a pair. Do you know if they come with a warranty that ARB is famous for? Let us know when they arrive.

So is the reason you all are looking at the ARB chairs for the reliability, back-support, coolness factor, or something else?

If reliability, I'm curious how you all treat your chairs or perhaps you all weigh alot more than I (175lbs)? I still have the first collapsing chair like this that I ever bought over 15 years ago and it's in fine shape after probably 75 (2-5 day) camping trips (4-7 trips/yr).

About the only chair I've had to replace was due to the wind at Pismo beach blowing it into the fire pit causing it to catch on fire (that was an expensive reclining one that I bought for the coolness factor and was the first time I ever used it... GRRR).

I've currently been using a pair of chairs I purchased at Target for $20 ea. (sale price) because now I'm regularly camping with someone else & wanted the chairs to match LOL. They seem to be holding up fine. If they hold up for 3 yrs I'll be happy. In that time the fabrics & design may improve anyway so it will be time to upgrade.

I should add that I have a close friend who's family (including 2 kids one who has now graduated from HS) have been using the same set of camp chairs (8 total) for the last ~12 years and although their chairs definitely are showing signs of wear, they are still very usable. They use their chairs camping probably 30-40 days each year. They were purchased mostly at stores like Target, REI, etc.

Others whom I wheel with regularly also have been using the same chairs for quite some time and these are rough trips like the Rubicon, Dusy Ersham Trail, Fordyce, etc. Same story there. Using same chairs and inexpensive ones at that.

Now on the otherhand if you simply are looking at these chairs for the coolness factor or because they are ARB, or because of potential improved back support I can appreciate that, but I myself couldn't justify it because my current chairs are failing and I'm having trouble seeing that as a real reason based on my own experiences with my own chairs and my friends chairs.:coffeedrink:

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Appears to me that the Kokoda Chair and ARB have the same frame. Perhaps ART gets them to make the frame and a custom cover?

AND BTW the Kokoda Chair weights 6.75 kgs or about 15 lbs not 7 lbs.

 

[flyingwil]

Do you know if they come with a warranty that ARB is famous for?

Just got off the phone with ARB, and they are coming with a two year warranty.

 

[adventureduo]

So is the reason you all are looking at the ARB chairs for the reliability, back-support, coolness factor, or something else?

Im looking for a replacement warranty. Im tired of breaking chairs and having to buy new ones.

If reliability, I'm curious how you all treat your chairs or perhaps you all weigh alot more than I (175lbs)? I still have the first collapsing chair like this that I ever bought over 15 years ago and it's in fine shape after probably 75 (2-5 day) camping trips (4-7 trips/yr).

Im 240lbs and probably harder on my chairs than you. I still have a few chairs from 2-3 years ago, but thats the oldest that i have. And they dont fold up well, and they're not comfy. We camped 34 days in 2009.

About the only chair I've had to replace was due to the wind at Pismo beach blowing it into the fire pit causing it to catch on fire (that was an expensive reclining one that I bought for the coolness factor and was the first time I ever used it... GRRR).

Yep, replaced one of ours because of that already too

I've currently been using a pair of chairs I purchased at Target for $20 ea. (sale price) because now I'm regularly camping with someone else & wanted the chairs to match LOL. They seem to be holding up fine. If they hold up for 3 yrs I'll be happy. In that time the fabrics & design may improve anyway so it will be time to upgrade.

Just bought a brand new off brand name at Sport Chalet for the same price. The bottom webbing came loose 2nd night out and the screws were all cheaply made. When i tried to repair it in the field the threads were stripped. It's going back saturday. I'll add to this, that i never even sat in this chair, Yosh did and shes half my weight.

Just got off the phone with ARB, and they are coming with a two year warranty.

Good! Hope i never have to use it, but nice to know its there.

 

[Willman]

Ok, ordered 2. I'll make sure to do full testing for all you guys and let you know how they stack up.

Very nice Dave.....

Can't wait to read how they stack up!

 

[Dave Bennett]

eepwall:

These look pretty skookum... I'll wait and see what Dave thinks.

 

[flyingwil]

eepwall:

These look pretty skookum... I'll wait and see what Dave thinks.

I think Dave is jumping up and down on one right now... Unfortunately Sierra Expeditions only got a few from the first batch that arrived in the US and we are awaiting the next batch to arrive.

 

[adventureduo]

Yep, Wil is right. Ours just arrived.

First impressions out of the box is that they're big. They are super nice, but they're BIG. Im not complaining one bit though because im not exactly a petite dude. So anyhow.. a couple other things i noticed were the poles were gigantic! That means tougher and more rugged in my opinion. If you notice the chair tubes diameter in comparison to our standard size chair they're much larger. They dwarf our old chair. The other thing you'll notice is when they're folded up they are pretty large. Do you see a theme here?

Anyways, im super happy with them and we'll see how they last. For some reason we are really good at breaking chairs I'll make sure to do a full report after the next trip.

Uploading some additional pics...

We'll see how long these plastic legs last..

Dixie Approves..

 

[flyingwil]

Dixie Approves..

Love it. Dixie should be the new ARB Sport Camp Chair mascot. :victory:

 

[adventureduo]

One thing i just noticed about these chairs is that the carrying bag actually looks like it was made to fit the chair! Usually my beef is that the carrying bags are smaller than the actual chair and you have to stuff the cover like a sock. Well i just put the ARB's away and they slid snug into their bags without a fight. I didn't have to force them at all. That's a + for me.

 

[flyingwil]

We have several of these chairs in stock at the moment. :victory:

 

[jdholder]

Those look cool! However, for us XXL guys, the 260lb rating is not going to cut it.

I have found some similar folding type chairs with a 500lb rating that I use - and they look to be approximately the same size as these ARB ones.

Now, if ARB came out with a 500lb rated chair, I would buy them now!

 

[adventureduo]

We are heading out for our 2nd trip this weekend with these. I will make sure to beat them up good..

Those look cool! However, for us XXL guys, the 260lb rating is not going to cut it.

I have found some similar folding type chairs with a 500lb rating that I use - and they look to be approximately the same size as these ARB ones.

Now, if ARB came out with a 500lb rated chair, I would buy them now!

John, i wouldn't say that. Im not a small guy by any means and i think you'd do just fine on them. Many times manufacturers put a lower rating them what the product really can handle. If you ever want to come sit in ours, by all means our door is open.

 

[jdholder]

Dave,

Thanks! I think the ARB product reputation is amazing and I didn't mean anything disparaging. My thought is the 260lb rating gives a company the authority to deny warranty coverage should a chair break - and rightfully so!

The "500lb" rating of the chair I currently use doesn't give the manufacturer anywhere to hide! Especially since I am 210lbs less than 500lbs! You do the math!

For me, it's not about the cost - it's about the waste when one of the cheaper chairs breaks. I hate throwing them away. Mine usually break down at the plastic foot. I swear, someday I am going to have my machine shop make me some steel feet for these cheap chairs, but then I know something else would break.

I'll give the ARB chair a try just as soon as I break what I have now!

 

[Guambomb]

Just ordered two.