【Disaster Preparedness】Sitting on Daiso's 110 yen "Cardboard Chair" with family turned out to be surprisingly fun.

I tried using the cardboard chair from Daiso, which can be used for disaster preparedness storage. What about its durability and reusability? Can a cardboard chair designed to be disposable actually be used in everyday situations?

Can the cardboard chair for when you want to sit really be sat on?

I enjoy spending time in parks and outdoors, but there's one thing that concerns me. That is, surprisingly, there isn't really a "just right place to sit." When benches are occupied or dirty, sitting directly on the ground feels a bit uncomfortable. But I want to sit. Have you ever experienced such awkward moments?

That’s where the Daiso cardboard chair comes in. It’s not a sturdy chair meant for outdoor use, but a simple one sold as a disaster preparedness item. "Is it sturdy or not?" I was curious if it could be used in emergencies, so I decided to open it up.

Assembly is a bit of DIY

I took it to the park. The size is about 20×20×30 cm, which makes it compact and not cumbersome to carry in a bag. To turn it into a chair, the first step is to assemble it.

The assembly can be done without tools and takes shape in just a few minutes. This "little time to move your hands" also gave a feeling of playing outside. Creating a place for yourself in an empty space. That process is enjoyable. A simple break turns into a slightly special time.

The seating comfort isn't great! But that's okay.

To be honest, when you sit down, it's not a chair for relaxing. There's no cushioning, and it's somewhat hard, so after a few tens of minutes, you'll want to change your position.

However, this sense of dissatisfaction might be just right for spending time in the park. Not staying too long, taking a short break and then moving again. That rhythm naturally emerges. Have a cup of coffee. Watch the children play from a little distance. Such "short breaks" have become easy to incorporate.

Is it barely enough for a man over 90kg to sit on?

I also investigated the weight capacity. Even with a weight exceeding 90kg, there was no problem sitting on it during the first use. There wasn't an instability that would cause it to collapse the moment you sat down; it provides a solid support for the body. However, depending on how you put your weight on it, you might feel a slight flex, so the assumption is to use it by slowly leaning your body rather than sitting down with force. It gave the impression of being a temporary tool to support the body rather than a chair to fully rest your weight on with complete peace of mind.

When a child of about 20 kg sits down, there is hardly any noticeable sinking or instability, giving a reassuring impression for use. If the weight is light, it functions well as a chair to sit in several times between play.

What about the durability for repeated use?

Not only the load capacity but also the durability is a concern. As a conclusion regarding "how many times it can be used," it was possible to use it 2 to 3 times, depending on how it was used. However, the condition of the cardboard definitely changes.

After one use, there was slight sagging on the seat where one sits, and the fold areas had become softer. It is particularly susceptible to the condition of the ground and humidity, and depending on the conditions, deterioration may accelerate.

Although it can be used without issues after the second time, the sense of security from the first use diminishes. It transforms into a thrill of "it’s still usable, but I don't know how long it will last." I felt this was the realistic line for items intended to be used up.

What I noticed while using this cardboard chair is surprisingly the low hurdle for taking it out. It is used casually to support the time of the day. After use, it can be taken back home and processed there, which solves the problem of where to store it.

Sometimes, thinking "it’s okay if it breaks" makes it feel easier.

Disaster preparedness and stockpiling is important to practice regularly

Originally intended for disaster stockpiling, it is important that these items do not take up space when folded. However, if they are left unused for years, one may wonder how strong they are when the time comes and how long they can be used.

The sense of security in preparation may also come from actually trying them out.

It's not a good chair, but it can create good times

The cardboard chair I sat on that day was neither particularly comfortable nor exceptionally durable. Even so, assembling it with my family and spending time outside, if only briefly sitting down, created good moments. It was not a good chair, but it became an opportunity to create good times, and it was surprisingly enjoyable.

Product name: Cardboard Chair
Price: 110 yen
Material: Paper
Size: 20×20×30 cm
● Daiso

Interview and text by SYURI