Review: FIELD RECORD FR-chair carbon A completely new lightweight chair for elegant coffee time anywhere

Although Japan is still small, there are many outdoor manufacturers that create products with a strong personality that rivals those in Europe and the United States

FIELD RECORD FR -chair carbon, a folding chair that was released this spring by FIELD RECORD , an outdoor brand launched in 2018 by Kyoei Design , known for its original product designs for interior and miscellaneous goods .

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary outdoor chair, but in fact, it has an unprecedented structure in which trekking poles are incorporated into the frame. This revolutionary chair, which is both comfortable and lightweight thanks to this completely new concept, also has many other small ingenious features that make it safe and convenient to use

Normally, I would never bring a luxury item like a chair when hiking, but after using it for the past few weeks, I've realized that having a chair by my side at all times on hikes isn't so bad. I'll be reviewing this remarkable chair that gave me such a refreshing surprise

Detailed Review

Amazingly light and packable at just 510g

The FR-chair carbon uses carbon-based materials for the main poles and the separately sold trekking poles, making it surprisingly lightweight while maintaining its strength. It weighs 510g, which is only about 50g heavier than the Chair One Mini (450g), a representative ultra-lightweight chair I happened to have on hand. That chair sacrifices some comfort in order to reduce weight, so it's easy to imagine the revolutionary lightness of the FR-chair carbon. It's also packable, so you can store it without needing a bag. It can be folded compactly as shown in the photo below

The trekking poles are basically paired with the same brand's FR-CDP trekking poles (sold separately). I say "basically" because any trekking pole with a stowed length of 68cm can be replaced with other poles. However, in reality, most trekking poles these days are shorter than 68cm when stowed, so in reality, you'll probably end up using these poles. While the FR-CDP itself is lightweight, highly durable, and comfortable to use, the 68cm length when stowed is a drawback, and to be honest, it would be nice if it could be used with a wider range of models from other brands

Once you get used to it, it's easy to assemble

The construction has been stripped down to the bare essentials, so assembling it takes some getting used to. However, once you get used to it, it's not a stressful hassle, so this is an understandable trade-off with other features

First, extend the three carbon poles attached to the main body. Anyone can do this without difficulty

Next, cross the two trekking poles and set them into the sleeves on both ends. At this time, the poles need to go under the straps, but until you get used to it, you might get confused and wonder "How do I do that again?". However, although it may be a little confusing at first, don't worry, you'll get used to it soon

Finally, pull all five straps tightly to tighten and secure the whole thing

Once you get used to it, it only takes 1-2 minutes to set up

A luxurious seating experience with a wide seat and back that you won't find in lightweight chairs

The seat width is only slightly wider than the Chair One Mini, but the depth and width of the backrest are obvious

I sat down right away. I was able to lean my upper body against the backrest, just like in a regular camp chair. It was heavenly

A low style that's perfect for brewing coffee on the grounds

It's nice to lean back comfortably, but what's great about this chair is that it's also just the right height for cooking or boiling water on the ground. It's not too high or too low, as is often the case with lightweight chairs. This means that an elegant low-slung chair is always waiting for you at the top of a long hill

Still, I'm concerned about the impact of the crossed poles and the lateral stability

It's an impressive chair that achieves maximum comfort with minimal weight, but personally, there are two things that keep me from being completely happy with it. First, because the poles cross, it's always the upper pole that touches my buttocks and back, which can be a bit uncomfortable. Ideally, the poles wouldn't touch my body at all, but it would be nice if they were soft enough that I didn't even notice

Another drawback is that it's a little weak when tilted sideways. It's not particularly inconvenient when sitting normally, but it starts to feel unstable when you lean your body slightly. This can be somewhat stabilized by fixing it with pegs into the ground (with loops, as shown in the photo below), but since it's not practical to hammer in pegs for just a short break, it would be nice if it was a little more stable even without pegs

Summary: Who is this recommended for?

Although I only used it for a short hike this time, I'm sure that this chair will be most useful when relaxing in a tent rather than during short breaks. With this chair, I'm sure that cooking, dinner, and long nights spent together over drinks and snacks will be much more productive. Until now, I would have put up with the comfort of a lightweight chair, but with such luxurious comfort, I can't help but think, "I might as well take this with me." The price is certainly a bit high. However, it's a wonderful piece of gear that has the appeal to tickle my desire

FR-chair carbon

FIELD RECORD

510g

, FIELD RECORD We will continue to keep an eye on this brand, which pursues the beauty of utility by combining functionality and design

   

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