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Front Runner Expander Chair review
With space always being at a premium in an overland vehicle and chairs and tables always taking up much of it, it is a relief to have found the Front Runner Expander Chairs. Instead of compromising on comfort and quality of the camp chair, or on the other hand offering up valuable storage space, these chairs hit the nail and perfectly balance this out. The Expander Chair packs down small enough to live in a corner of the Defender, yet unfolds into a genuinely comfortable and usable seat. It’s the perfect companion to drop underneath the awning to relax with a G&T, or to take place in it to start editing the day’s photos.
What are the Front Runner Expender Chairs?
This all-black powder-coated steel chair folds down into a compact overlander-friendly package of just 44,5 x 42 x 6,5 centimeters in size. Lightweight and storage-efficient. It packs small, but it folds open in just three easy steps. Once in place, the 600D polyester fabric is strong enough to provide a supportive seat, with pockets for small items and a carry handle for easy transport. At 4 kilograms, it’s light enough to move around camp without hassle, but solid enough to support up to 115 kilograms.
Designed for portability without sacrificing comfort, the Expander Chair is equally at home by the fire, at the beach, or pulled up to a camp table. Available dual storage bags, to store two chairs in one bag, make it ideal for couples or families, keeping bulk to a minimum while still delivering a proper seat at the end of the day. Additionally, the dedicated storage bag prevents your vehicle from getting dirty due to sand or mud coming from the chairs.
Specifications
- Lightweight foldable camp chair
- Extremely compact when stored
- Opens in 3 easy steps
- All-black design
- Made of powder-coated steel and strong fabric
- Features a media pocket for smaller electronics or pens, a carry handle and a utility pocket
- Fabric: 600D polyester
- Dimensions folded: 44,5 x 42 x 6,5 cm
- Dimensions unfolded: 44,5 x 79 x 52 cm
- Dimensions of two seats in double storage bag: 44,5 x 42 x 14 cm
- Seat height: 43,2 cm
- Load capacity: 115 kg
- Weight: 4 kg (each)
Pros
- Packs extremely small, the biggest win ever
- Lightweight
- Easy to set up
- Sits comfortably, you can sit back a little bit, or even work behind a laptop. Works as a great combo for us.
- Dual storage bags are available, perfect for couples or families
Cons
- The hinge components on ours started rusting superficially within three months
- If forced shut, the hinge component might break relatively easily
- Due to weight and importation fees, it’s relatively expensive in Europe, compared to South Africa
- If you want to move it around camp, it partially folds in, so you can’t move it and put it down when only one hand is available (when carrying something, like food)
- The combination of the Expander Chair and Pro Stainless Steel Table is a bit awkward, as the table is relatively high in combination with this chair. We are unsure if the chair is low, or the table high, or a bit of both.
Would we buy them again?
Having tried a range of seats, from foldable ones that become very long, to generic extremely large camping seats (that caravans and large RVs carry), to large director chairs, this one comes out the winner. It’s such a game-changer to have a comfortable seat around camp, but one that doesn’t take up all space inside the car. Oftentimes, it’s the chairs and tables that turn out to be the biggest challenges to properly store, and these Expander Chairs take away all the struggle. Comfortable, storage-friendly, and made of strong materials. Definitely a recommendation!
Our approach for gear reviews
As long-term overlanders we fully understand the need for high-quality and reliable gear. We know that if gear isn’t up to standard it can hinder your adventures, resulting in discomfort or a dangerous situation.
We write our reviews after extensive testing and with you – an adventurous overlander – in mind. We hope you appreciate our information, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Pro Tips
Due to the slight superficial rust and the possibility of the sliding mechanism getting somewhat stiff, we recommend bringing some WD-40 or Q20 along on your trip. Lubricating the mechanisms will help prevent rust and keep things running smoothly. Although, we expect you to have a few cans at hand already.
Check out these product shots
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Got the same chairs, wouldn’t buy it again: heavy, rusty, mecanically not solid enough
Thanks for sharing your experience. We hope they won’t rust too badly. As of now we feel the chairs are pretty rust-resistant, except for the hinge areas with thin coating and exposed bolts. Where are yours rusting? However, we are yet to test them out during periods of prolonged rain and high humidity. Let’s see.