About The Pack Chair
I’ve always loved being outside — especially when I can share it with animals.
That love is what led me to volunteer at my local animal shelter and foster dogs over the years. One of those fosters became family: Lieutenant Dan, a special-needs pug whose back legs don’t work very well. He doesn’t hike on his own, but he does come along — usually riding in a backpack on my back.
Getting outside has always been about slowing down, taking breaks, and enjoying the places we’re lucky enough to explore.
Where the idea started
The idea for The Pack Chair came to me on a hike with my partner, Shayna, our dogs, and a backpack that weighed a lot more than usual.
Shayna continued up the trail with her dog, and I stopped to take a break and enjoy the view. It was a perfect spot — except the ground was muddy, uneven, and uncomfortable to sit on. I remember thinking:
“I wish there were a chair I’d actually want to carry on a short hike — something light, simple, and comfortable.”
But every camp chair I’d ever seen was bulky, heavy, or overkill for a day hike — especially when you’re already carrying extra weight.
That’s when the idea stuck.
From idea to reality
That same week, I bought a sewing machine and taught myself how to sew through YouTube and trial and error. I started making rough prototypes, testing what worked and what didn’t, and refining the design again and again.
After a lot of experimenting, I landed on the design you see today — a chair that’s:
Ultra-light
Small enough to disappear in your pack
Comfortable enough to actually want to use
I later worked with a patent attorney and filed a patent application to protect the design.
More than just a chair
Shayna, who is a neurodivergent artist, designed the little gnome logo you’ll see throughout the site — a small reminder that creativity, problem-solving, and individuality are at the heart of this project.
The Pack Chair isn’t about extreme expeditions or fancy gear. It’s about making the outdoors more comfortable and accessible — whether you’re hiking with dogs, hunting, exploring local trails, or just stopping to enjoy the view.
I hope it makes your time outside a little better.
— David
