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gear of the week

Gear of the Week | Outdoor seat pad for on the go

Small detail, big comfort: the seat cushion for on the go

01/04/2026
Pascal Schindler
After the tour is before the snack: sun on your face, endless views, and then the question of where to actually sit down. You can turn your skis around, of course. It's more comfortable, warmer and much more relaxed with a small, foldable seat pad that fits into any ski touring backpack. An inconspicuous item with surprisingly great comfort and more benefits than you might think.

It's often the little things that make a ski tour really enjoyable. After a long ascent, when the last few meters of altitude have been covered and I'm standing at the top, that's exactly what happens: Backpack off, jacket open, the sun on my face and finally time for a relaxed summit snack. And this is where it becomes clear just how valuable a small, foldable seat cushion can be.

We all know the rustic version: turn your skis over, bindings down, sit on them and hope that your backside has enough room on the skis. It works, somehow. But it's rarely really comfortable. Especially if you sit for a few minutes longer, you quickly notice how the cold creeps up from below. And to be honest: nobody wants to freeze their a** off at the top.

A small seat cushion makes all the difference at this very moment. It's barely bigger than a pair of gloves, fits into any side pocket of your ski touring backpack and is practically weightless. When unfolded, it creates an insulating layer between the snow, rock or cold wood and your backside. The result: noticeably more warmth, more comfort and simply more enjoyment during the break.

Especially for the goddesses of our creation, this even has real health benefits. After all, if you sit on cold ground for a long time, you can quickly catch a cold in your pelvic area and bladder infections are not far from. An insulating seat pad is not just a luxury here, but also an effective precautionary measure and therefore a small piece of self-care on the mountain.

The choice of seat pads is now huge. There are ultra-light versions made of thin synthetic fibers, models with a reflective coating similar to a rescue blanket that reflect body heat, or slightly thicker folding cushions made of foam for extra comfort. Some can be folded in the classic way, others are rolled or simply folded. They come in every conceivable shape and color.

Precisely because they are so small and uncomplicated, seat pads are not only suitable for ski tours. Whether for a short break on a winter hike, a picnic in spring or waiting at the cable car, they are versatile and always useful wherever you want to sit for a short time without getting cold.

At the end of the day, a seat pad is not a spectacular piece of equipment. It is not a high-tech gadget or an eye-catcher. But that's exactly what makes it so good: it's simple, always works and ensures that you can enjoy the best moments on the mountain a little longer and more relaxed. And sometimes that's the real luxury.

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