No tools required
5 Minutes from Box to Bliss
Your Castaway arrives fully assembled. Unwrap it, hang it from a single point, and start relaxing. Watch Kit Deger himself walk you through every step.
Step 1
Unwrap Your Castaway
Every Chair In The Air arrives carefully packaged and fully assembled. No extra parts, no tools needed. Just unwrap and unfold.
Kit Deger walks you through the unwrapping process, a timeless classic from the founder himself.
Kit says in the video
"Rip it open nicely, don't use scissors or knives, you might cut the rope or netting. Take it out of the bag and lay it on the floor."
Kit Deger, Tutorial Part 1
1
Open the bag by hand
Your Castaway arrives in a plastic carrier bag. Rip it open gently. Kit's advice is to never use scissors or knives, as you might cut the rope or netting inside. Take it out and lay it on the floor.
2
Find the top spreader bar
Look for the top spreader bar, it has a knot with a cutaway in it. This is the key to the whole setup. Find your top hanging rope, which is connected on one side.
3
Slide and spread
Slide the top spreader bar down on top of the knot. Spread the chair out nicely, then take the cutaway side of the wooden arm bar and place it on the knot on the opposite side.
4
Ready for hanging
As Kit puts it: "The Chair In The Air is now ready for hanging, simple as that." No tools, no spare parts, no confusion. On to Step 2.
Step 2
Hang Your Chair
You need one single overhead anchor point. No frame, no stand, no special hardware required. Here's where to hang it and how.
Kit demonstrates hanging and the proper way to sit, including the two-position recline technique.
Kit says in the video
"You can put it through a stand, a steel fitting, you can put it around a beam, you can do it anywhere as long as it is secure. Not too low because you don't want it to drag on the ground, and not too high because it'll be hard to get into. I suggest around about your bum height."
Kit Deger, Tutorial Part 2
Where can I hang it?
Ceiling Beam
Exposed joist or rafter indoors
Tree Branch
15 cm+ diameter, healthy limb
Pergola
Timber or steel cross-beam
Hammock Stand
Any single-point stand will work
What you need
- One single overhead hanging point, around 2.2 m high is ideal (Kit's recommendation)
- Anchor must support 150 kg+ (the chair is tested to 250 kg)
- Seat height "around about your bum height" is Kit's rule and it's exactly right
- All rope and a stainless steel ring are included. No extras to buy.
1
Choose your spot
You need one overhead single hanging point, around 2.2 m is good, Kit says. A stand, a steel fitting, a beam, you can do it anywhere as long as it's secure.
2
Set the height
Pull the hanging rope up to a comfortable height. Not too low (dragging on the ground) and not too high (hard to get into). Kit's rule of thumb: around about your bum height.
3
Tie it off with half hitches
Thread the rope through the stainless steel ring, then do a series of half hitches to lock it in place. Kit does 8 in the video, steady and secure. That's the knot that holds it all.
4
Steady and secure
Give it a firm tug to test. If the anchor holds your weight pulling down, it'll hold the chair with you in it. Your Chair In The Air is ready.
Step 3
Sit, Recline, Relax
The Castaway has two positions. Kit's technique for getting into each one is simple, and here's exactly how he does it in the video.
Kit says in the video
"Standing in front, grab the netting, tuck it into your knees, and sit. We're sitting in the front of the chair like a rocking chair, we can spin around and say hello to everybody."
Kit Deger, Tutorial Part 2
A
Upright position: The Chair
Stand in front of the chair, grab the netting with both hands, tuck it into the backs of your knees, and sit. You're now in the front of the chair like a rocking chair, you can spin around, rock gently, and enjoy.
B
Reclined position: The Hammock
From the sitting position, put your foot in the front of the net, grab the arm bars, and pull yourself up and back. This gets you into what Kit calls "the layback position", a full-body recline like a traditional hammock. Two people can fit comfortably.
Kit's pocket tip
"The pockets on the side, for your book, your beer, your iPod, whatever you like. Vinaka Vakalevu, Chair In The Air."
Kit Deger's sign-off, Tutorial Part 2
Ongoing Care
Keep Your Castaway Looking Great
Marine-grade materials mean your chair is built to live outdoors year-round. A little care goes a long way toward keeping it looking its best for the full 10 years.
Cleaning
Rinse with fresh water occasionally to remove salt, dust, or pollen. For a deeper clean, use mild soap and a soft brush. Air dry completely before folding for storage.
Sun & Weather
Our marine-grade varnish protects against UV and salt. Your chair can live outdoors permanently. Some natural colour softening over years of direct sun is normal, part of the handcrafted character.
Storage
If you choose to store it seasonally, make sure it's fully dry before folding. Store in a dry, ventilated area. Prolonged damp storage without drying can encourage mould. That's the one thing our warranty doesn't cover.
Timber Bars
The Fijian Mahogany Timber spreaders are varnished with marine-grade coating. If the varnish wears thin after several years, apply a fresh coat of outdoor timber varnish to extend the life even further.
Ready to Relax?
Now You Know How Easy It Is
No tools. No extras. No assembly. Just unwrap, hang, and sink in. Your Castaway ships free worldwide with a 10-year warranty and a 30-day happiness guarantee.
Secure My Castaway