DOD is a Japanese outdoor company that has been making a focused lineup of tents, camp furniture, and sleep systems since 1997. We have generally found that while camping gear from Japan is not always the lightest or the most feature-laden on the market, it is always thoughtfully designed with a singular purpose and made with attention to detail and high-quality materials. Like other outdoor brands from the Land of the Rising Sun, such as Snow Peak and Montbell, DOD’s approach respects and delights in the object itself—core tenants in the Japanese worldview regarding material things in general.
I recently toted along the DOD Sugoi Chair and the Multi Kitchen Table on a long swing through Oregon and Washington, a trip that saw a huge range of camp conditions, from dust clouds and temps in the mid-80s followed by pounding rain and sucking mud in the high desert, to calm evenings and foggy mornings by the Pacific Ocean.
DOD Sugoi Chair | $99
The Sugoi camp chair (sugoi means awesome in Japanese) features a collapsable aluminum tube frame and a cotton canvas seat; it weighs in at 5 pounds, including the canvas carrying case, and folds to 4 x 15 x 18 inches when stored. Ergonomics are excellent, and they are enhanced by the adjustable-height legs. This part of the Sugoi’s design distinguishes it from similar kinds of chairs. This means you can set it at full height for more dignified meal times at the table and then drop it down to campfire level in the evenings for maximum warmth (or marshmallow roasting). Setting the legs asymmetrically means you can lean backward for more comfortable stargazing.
Assembling the chair frame is straightforward; the nylon bungeed aluminum tubes snap easily enough into place, and the canvas seat fits snuggly. The cotton fabric resists embers from the fire (the synthetic seating surface of my Helinox camp chair, for example, is riddled with spark holes), and the canvas is comfortably soft to the touch—already broken in. It can absorb water, however, so soggy nights on the coast necessitated an extra layer to keep bums dry. The burly adjustable legs work as advertised, but the telescoping action suffered in dusty and beach conditions where silt and sand gummed up the works. Breaking the chair down and storing it in the carrying case felt a little bit fiddly, especially in comparison with the Snow Peak folding chair, which opens up and folds down in just two swift movements. But that chaise is of a different design, weighs more, takes up more room in your rig, and is considerably more expensive. If space is at a premium for you, the Sugoi’s compact stored dimensions and wide range of adjustability could be just the ticket. It comes in tan, black, and olive and supports 250 pounds.
DOD Multi Kitchen Table | $179
Efficient work and storage spaces are always at a premium in the camp kitchen, and the multi kitchen table offers a clever solution for both for the space-conscious overlander. Fully deployed, the aluminum alloy and polyester table stands at 32 inches (24 inches wide x 19 inches deep), an ideal height for food prep or cooking. While the 3.16 square feet of tabletop doesn’t seem like much at first, any extra work surface, especially one as stable as the DOD table, is always welcome. The collapsable aluminum structure is admirably rigid and, when expanded, provides a roomy and convenient three-shelf pantry or cabinet for storing cookware, stoves, and food items. The shelves are comprised of fabric spans across the interior of the table, made even more sturdy by removable MDF inserts. A zippered door keeps out critters (the small ones, at least).
Folded for transport, the table is only 3 inches high (24 inches wide x 19 inches deep), and it collapses in less than a minute. An integrated handle makes for easy transport from your vehicle to the campsite. The work surface on the MDF tabletop cleans up easily but also feels a little fragile—only time will tell on that front. The base of the table simply mirrors the top, with the exception of four rubber feet. While the fully flat bottom makes for a solid platform, leveling it can be a challenge on uneven ground, sometimes necessitating a flat rock as a shim or two. In muddy conditions, like I encountered in Oregon’s Owyhee Valley, the base ended up pretty filthy in comparison to a table with traditional legs. Paired with a couple of Sugoi chairs in their fully extended position, the DOD multi kitchen table makes for a cozy cafe table for two during morning coffee. It comes in olive or tan and weighs 15.9 pounds while supporting up to 66 pounds.
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Images: Stephan Edwards
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