Fellow paddlers:
We’re taking the old aluminum canoe for a short BWCA trip in June. It has standard flat seats, but I want something a bit friendlier for the tushy and lower back. Looking for recommendations for good seat cushions with a built-in back rest; something that’ll fit basic flat seats. Certainly I could Google it, but Google just wants to sell me stuff. I want to know what works, is made well, and is comfy. Brownie points for lightweight options.
Thanks to all.

I know a lot of people that use GCI Sitbackers. I've used one for years but I don't love it. The top corners of the frame rub/get in the way, they are relatively heavy at 3# and are manufactured in China. I prefer a bucket seat with the Wenonah cushion/back bands (and a foot brace) but most of my paddling partners detest the buckets, and my favorite solo canoe has a bench.

I am excited to see what others suggest! I'd love to take a pound or two off of my current setup.

We have the same Crazy Creek chairs that we’ve been using for 15 years. They’re not great, but not bad either and make the canoe seat a little more comfortable. It’s stood up to many years of use and only weighs 1 pound. They have different models, but we have the basic model. It straps to the seat and has straps to pull the back down flat so I just leave it attached for portaging because it’s so light

we bought two Woods folding canoe seats last year and they work great Woods folding seat

How did you buy those Woods seats? I can’t find a web site for Woods/Expedition, and Canadian Tire doesn’t allow for USA postal codes on their web site. Is there a US distributor?

LMS11327: "How did you buy those Woods seats? I can’t find a web site for Woods/Expedition, and Canadian Tire doesn’t allow for USA postal codes on their web site. Is there a US distributor?"

i am in canada. i assumed you could buy these in the u.s.

these look to be the same thing....

amazon.com canoe seat

rick00001967: "

LMS11327: "How did you buy those Woods seats? I can’t find a web site for Woods/Expedition, and Canadian Tire doesn’t allow for USA postal codes on their web site. Is there a US distributor?"

i am in canada. i assumed you could buy these in the u.s.


these look to be the same thing....
amazon.com canoe seat "

Another poster here doesn’t like these, although they do look the same as the Woods seats. More research I guess…

i am sure they are nowhere near the lightest option but we both love ours. very comfy. stay securely in place. has a mesh pocket on the back.

try looking for stadium seats. there are tons of lighter options with no metal frame etc. i have never used one but many do. i wanted something more solid and was willing to sacrifice the weight as we do not do a ton of portaging.

I have used a "crack of dawn" kayak/canoe seat cushion for manly years. I don't know if you can still find them, .... but if so, it is simple, and you can inflate/deflate it to your comfort level. I put a bit of thin rope on either corner attaching it to my seat for portaging. It has made a world of difference for my back. I do not see a need for a 'back rest', just the seat/butt cushion.

I've used a Crazy Creek canoe seat for several years. It is a good product. I see that both Piragis and Rutabaga carry several lines of canoe seats with backs.

This what I use from Cooks Custom Sewing, super comfortable and I like the fact I can lean back and rest reclined in my Magic by laying on my Pioneer pack .

I have traveled up 11 hrs a day and it was great for that amount of time.

CCS Seat Pad

We've used GCI Sit Backer for years with good results. Also use them around camp on occasion as well to sit on.

mudhen: "We've used GCI Sit Backer for years with good results. Also use them around camp on occasion as well to sit on. "

Yes, I have used these for years. Works great, adds a little weight and can throw off your balance and you will want to bungie the front seats back flat for the portages so you can see well.

Also, if you dont want a back, just get one of those red/blue/yellow half inch thick foam stadium seats for like $9 at walmart/meijer and duct tape it to the seat so it doesnt fall off on portages. Unless you want to use it at camp and then dont duct tape it and just stuff it in a pack when you portage. Super light and soft for your rear and CHEAP, just no back support.

The SitBacker is great! Even for bigger guys