REI Wonderland Chair

The REI Wonderland Chair looks like an unassuming camp chair at a good price. Give it a sturdy frame and recycled materials and it bumps it up a notch. REI took it one step further with a simple subtration. They chucked the bag. In it’s place is a sleep carry strap that clips together, holding it folded. This simple feature makes it a joy to carry and use without having to fuss around with a bag and earns it our Editor’s Choice.

Verdict: Editor’s Choice – Highly Recommended ^{_{see our rating system}}

$99.99 USD ($135.95 CAD) on REI.com

Big Agnes Big Six Armchair

The Big Six Armchair from Big Agnes is a cross between utralight and full size chair. It snaps together like a tent and then then the seat is hung on top. The poles are very sturdy but still lightweight. It has a capacity of 300 pounds.

Like the ultralight chairs, it takes a bit of setup but only about a minute. The fabric is taut an holds a drink nicely in either of the 2 cupholders. After you’re done it folds all down into a bag about the size of 2 water bottles.

Verdict: Highly Recommended ^{_{see our rating system}}

$249.95 USD ($319.95) on BigAgnes.com

Strongback Elite Chair

The Strongback Elite is a beefy chair with exceptional lumbar support. The back and side are wide and comfortable and the arms well-padded. Larger feet keep the legs out of the sand. Being so big and comfortable, it’s a bit bigger to carry but well worth the weight.

It comes with a god bag that’s easy to fit the chair into. The bag has 2 carry straps that can be used like a backpack. 1 small cupholder flips down from the side. It could be bigger for tumblers and phones but holds cans no problem.

Verdict: Highly Recommended ^{_{see our rating system}}

$149.95 USD on StrongbackChair.com

MEC Basecamp Chair

The MEC Basecamp chair is a sturdy addition to the campsite. I was impressed with the stability and sturdy feel to it. The back could be reclined a little more and the armrests a little wider but overall it was nice and comfortable. The cupholder holds a can easily as well tumblers with narrower bottoms. For carrying, the bag has a wide opening and shoulder strap for easy packing.

This exact model may have been discontinued so it might be harder to find in the future.

Verdict: Recommended (if your on a budget) ^{_{see our rating system}}

$35.48 USD ($47.97 CAD) on MEC.ca

Helinox Chair Zero Highback

The Chair Zero Highback is a ridiculously lightweight camp chair. It’s perfect when you don’t have a lot of room for a bigger chair like in a small car, a bike pannier or a pack pocket. The DAC poles fold out like a tent and the non-stretch seat hangs in them. The higher back is more supportive and just enough to rest your head on if you’re shorter than 5’10”. The whole thing packs up in 1 minute to less than 2 water bottles.

Verdict: Highly Recommended (if you need lightweight) ^{_{see our rating system}}

$179.95 USD ($229.95 CAD) on Helinox.com

Snow Peak Luxury Low Beach Chair

The Luxury Low Beach Chair from Snow Peak is a small, low chair with solid metal-work and high quality parts. It’s got a unique frame work it sits on the sides of the back legs. It packs up quickly into a close-fitting bag. The back is quite short but the recline, thick canvas, and seat edge are comfy for long sits around the campfire.

Verdict: Recommended (if you need a smaller chair) ^{_{see our rating system}}

$249.95 USD ($340.95 CAD) on Snowpeak.com

Dometic Go Compact Chair

Dometic makes camping and outdoor living gear like battery powered fridges, tables and, in this case, chairs. The Go series is all about living outside and taking life to the outdoors whenever.

The Compact chair weighs is made with a aluminum frame and weighs about 9.4 pounds and holds 280 pounds. A zippered bag has plenty of space for the chair when it’s folded. The recline on the back and arms is more than all the other chairs we tested but still plenty comfortable for chilling around the campfire or the dock.

Verdict: Recommended ^{_{see our rating system}}

$149.99 USD on Dometic.com

Alps Mountaineering Rocking Chair

The Rocking Chair from Alps Mountaineering is exactly that, a rocking chair. It’s big, wide, stable and rocks well. You do feel the ground under it while rocking so it’s nicer on smoother ground but patio, grass, deck and smoother dirt are great. It folds in half and latches closed when you’re not using it. It also locks open so you don’t fold yourself into the chair, or a campfire, while having a nap.

Verdict: Recommended (if you want a rocking chair) ^{_{see our rating system}}

$149.99 USD ($200 CAD) on AlpsMountaineering.com

The post Best Camp Chairs of 2023 first appeared on Pack & Trail.

Specs

Carrying

The Rocking Chair is a big chair to cary. It only folds flat so it’s still 27 inches by 24 inches wide and over 17 pounds. It stays together well with the latches so it’s not flopping all over the place. If you’re just going from the car to the campsite or backyard, then it’s not an issue.

Setup

Setup is pretty quick with the Rocking Chair. I found it easiest to set it down on the rocking rails, unlatch the lock, and pull the back upright. Pulling it tight at the end will engage the small pin in the bottom right rail to keep it locked open.

Comfort

Comfort is certainly something this chair excels at. The seat is wide, the back wide and tall. There’s plenty of room to put your head back for a nap at the campsite. The arms are big and at a nice height. And then there’s the rocking

I tent to lead back or rock in my camp chairs whether they were built for it or not so to have a chair that actually rocks is magical. There’s nothing like a gentle rock around the camp fire.

You can feel rocks and bumps a bit underneath you when your rock so it’s nicer on a flat surface. Small rocks and sticks don’t prevent you from rocking but larger roots and rocks will.

Cupholder

I’d love to see a a cupholder with the Rocking Chair. I do usually have tables with us camping so it’s not a big deal but it’s nice when it’s built in.

Packing

Packing up the Rocking Chair is pulling the pin on the right rail near the ground and folding the chair forward. It’s easy when it’s dry but a little more tricky if you want to lift it off the ground to do it.

Once it’s folded, a latch swings down around a small pin on the right rail to keep it folded. I found the latch pretty tight to put on the pin to start.

Size and Weight

The Rocking Chair is meant to be a big chair. It doesn’t fold down much and is over 17 pounds to carry. The rocking rails are long and stable and the seat and bag are big and comfortable.

• 19” seat width
• 18” seat depth
• 21” seat height front
• 16” seat height back

Quality

The quality is good but could be improved a bit. There is some play in the attachments that slide when the chair opens that you can feel when it rocks. Mine has been out in the rain a bit and a little bit of rust has started around one of the bolts. Like most chairs they like to be kept clean and dry to last the longest.

Who is Alps Mountaineering?

Alps Mountaineering was founded by Dennis Brune in 1993. Denis start his career building outdoor products with Kelty. He wanted to make high quality, affordable gear for camping and exploring the outdoors. Along the way he’s made specialty gear for Sir Edmund Hillary and others.

ALPS in the name isn’t actually a reference to the mountain range in Europe but an acronym: Active Lifestyle Products and Services. Helping you get outside and keeping you affordable has always been the goal. Brune and his family still own and run the company.

Conclusion

The Rocking Chair from Alps Mountaineering is a big chair but that’s the point. It’s big and comfortable and actually rocks. Setup and takedown is pretty easy and the latches keep it open or locked so you’re not folding yourself into a chair… or the campfire.

It is really an experience to rock in a big comfy chair around the campfire or in the backyard.

Verdict: Recommended (if you want a rocking chair) ^{_{see our rating system}}

Usual Price: $149.99 USD ($200 CAD)

The post Alps Mountaineering Rocking Chair Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

We reviewed the Luxury Low with all our other favourite chairs for camping, the beach and backyard. Is it a good buy? Who is it good for? Read on.

Specs

Carrying

The Luxury Low Beach Chair is easier to carry because of it’s smaller size. It’s lighter at 7.5 pounds and physically smaller than a lot of the other camp chairs.

The bag is easy to pick up with it’s large handle. It’s just long enough to put over your shoulder but could be a bit longer. The drawstring at one end pulls it tight. The bag is a tight fit with just enough space for the chair.

Without the bag on, there’s not really a good spot to hang onto the chair with one hand. A couple spots on the bars make for a decent handle if you can keep it from sliding open.

Setup

The Luxury Low is easy to set up. Once it’s out of the bag, pull the arms apart and it opens. All the joints feel very solid and tight so it has to be pulled open. Because of the leg design it doesn’t stand on it’s own when it’s folded up.

There’s a mesh pocket on the back of the seat that goes the width of the seat. It’s a great place to store a sweater or the bag for the chair. When the whole bag is stuffed in there, it does push out the fabric on the back of the air. It’s soft and creates a bit of lumbar support. Anything hard or pointy in that pocket is uncomfortable to sit against.

Comfort

Sitting in the Luxury Low is nice and comfortable. It’s well-suited for shorter people as it’s got low arms and a shorter back. I’m 5’7″ and it’s very comfortable if I slide down a little. The back isn’t quite as tall as I’d like it to be to sit straight up.

The height if the seat is very comfortable. It’s low to the ground but not too low. It’s still easy to get in and out of.

Snow Peak also makes the Low Beach Chair with a taller back. It’s frame is silver but other than that it’s the same chair with a taller back. It will be a little bigger and heavier because of it but it only adds 8 oz so that’s probably the way to go unless you want the smaller size.

The front feet are a bit wider and help keep it up in the sand. The back has a unique design and rests on the bottoms of the legs. This does scratch up the paint in that area since it’s not covered in plastic or rubber.

Cupholder

The Luxury Low doesn’t have a cupholder. You’re pretty close to the ground so it’s not hard to put it there. Just try not to kick it when it’s down there.

Packing

Folding the Luxury Low is pretty quick. Because the frame connections are stiff and solid it takes a bit to squeeze it together. I think the chair will last longer because of this but it does take a little more effort to fold together.

Getting the chair into the bag takes a bit of fiddling because the bag is quite tight. The arms and feet stick out a little on the chair. It was quite a tight fit compared to the other chairs we tested.

Because of the leg design, the chair doesn’t stand on it’s own when it’s folded, so you’ll have to lay the bag down on the ground. This isn’t usually a big deal but I do find myself standing the chairs up for storage sometimes or keeping them out of the mud.

Size and Weight

The Luxury Low is very solid and well built but because it’s smaller with a lower back, it only comes in at 7.5 pounds. Most of the other full size chairs were 10 pounds or more. The high back version adds 8 oz up to a total of 8 pounds.

Unfolded it’s 23 inches long, 26 inches wide and 27 inches tall.

Packed up it’s 6.4 inches long, 7 inches wide and 33 inches tall.

Quality

Snowpeak doesn’t mess around with quality. Everything I’ve had from Snowpeak in the past is still going strong. They make things to last. They certainly know how to work with metal. I use my titanium mug, pot and stove from them nearly every backpacking trip in the last 15 years with no issues so far.

Every joint on the chair is solid and doesn’t move at all when you’re sitting in it. The canvas fabric is thick and soft. The wood arms don’t move at all with weight on them.

Who is Snowpeak?

Yukio Yamai returned to his hometown after World War II. He would often be found climbing in the mountains but was unhappy with the climbing gear at the time.

In 1958, he founded Snow Peak in the Niigata Prefecture of Japan, known for it’s metal-working.

Yukio’s son, Tohru, started his career in finance but found adventure and camping roaming around the west of the US. He moved to working for Snow Peak and eventually succeeded his father as CEO. From experience in the US, the started Snow Peak’s car camping line of tents, chairs, tables, and tarps.

“I started a camping brand because I enjoyed camping with my friends, but along the way, I realized we were healing humanity.”

In the mid-1990s Snow Peak was struggling when they launched the Snow Peak Way, a full experience out camping that changed their path.

Eventually Tohru’s daughter would join and with her experience in the fashion industry, launch Snow Peak’s apparel we see today.

Conclusion

The Luxury Low Beach Chair from Snow Peak is a solid and durable low chair for the backyard, beach or campsite. It is low at 12 inches off the ground with a low back and low arms, great for folks with smaller frames. Another version of the same chair, Low Beach Chair, is identical with a 7 inch taller back.

The Luxury Low isn’t for everyone at this price range but if you do need something small, the high quality metal-work, wood arms and thick canvas is comfortable and will last like all Snow Peak’s products.

Verdict: Recommended (if you’re looking for something smaller) ^{_{see our rating system}}

Usual Price: $249.95 ($340.95 CAD)

The post Snow Peak Luxury Low Beach Chair Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

But it’s got one simple feature that has stood out above the rest earning it a top spot in our recent camp chair test.

Specs

Carrying

The Wonderland is on the heavy side to carry because it’s a full size camp chair with a steel frame. That said, it has the best carry strap I’ve ever used.

The carry strap is a simple piece of webbing connected at the bottom of the chair, through a loop on one side of the top to the other side of the top. Picking the chair up by the strap, collapses it quickly. A small clip one on side of the top clips to the ring on the other side, keeping the chair collapse. The strap is the perfect length for a shoulder strap to carry to the site or the beach.

A couple dollars in clips and webbing makes this chair so easy and nice to carry. No bag to fuss around with.

Setup

Like most camp chairs, setup is just set it down and pull it open. If you have the carry strap clipped then that needs to be unclipped first. Quick and easy for setup.

The cupholder is usually tucked under so the seat. It swings out to be used if you need it. I try and keep it tucked under the seat so it doesn’t get caught on anything and bent.

Comfort

Comfort on the Wonderland chair is very good. It’s got a nice wide seat and back. It’s similar in size to the Strongback Elite with tons of room. It doesn’t have quite the lumbar support like the Strongback does but for me it felt almost as good.

Cupholder

The cupholder is pretty good on the Wonderland. It’s got a stiff plastic rim with a mesh pocket underneath. It can swing under the seat to be out of the when you’re not using it or carrying. Cupholders often big bent or broken when they stick out so it’s nice to be able to tuck away.

It’s not large cupholder but enough to hold a drink can, regular size phone or or small tumbler. Larger tumblers won’t fit.

Packing

Packing up the chair is pretty quick. I try to slide the cupholder out of the way so it’s protected before packing up.

Pulling the seat up and the back forward will pull everything together. Pulling on the strap on the back will also do the same thing. Once it’s folded, the little clip on the top of the back can be attached, keep it folded. The included strap makes for a nice, easy carry, no bag required.

Size and Weight

The Wonderland isn’t light at 13.4 pounds. It’s big and sturdy and feels like it will last a long time. The weight does get to be a bit much if you’re going to be walking long. I only take it to the campsite or the beach when it’s not a long walk. It’s got a good carry strap which makes it easier to carry than most camp chairs.

Quality

The steel frame and polyester material feel very sturdy. All the connection poles move easily and don’t creak or move when you sit in it.

The wood arms feel nice and are at a good height and angle.

Who is REI?

In 1938, 23 climbing friends decided to get together and start sourcing quality and affordable gear for their adventures.

REI Co-op was born.

Today, they have 23 million members, 16,000 employees, and 181 locations.

They help people get gear and knowledge to explore wild and natural places. They also help protect them too.

They have no shareholders so they can decide to donate $7 million to non-profits that help people get outside and protection those places. Read their Stewardship Report.

And, instead of partaking in the mayhem that is Black Friday they #OptOutside.

Conclusion

What looks like a very basic camp chair, the REI Wonderland nails all our requirements for a great one. The wide back and seat are very comfortable. The cupholder could be bigger but works well for 1 drink can. The steel frame is solid and durable.

What makes this chair stand out is the strap on the back. It doesn’t come with a bag to lose or fiddle around with. The shoulder strap pulls it closed and a small clip holds it folded. It’s a great length for a shoulder strap but can be shortened.

It’s become my to go pick for camping, soccer games, and the beach and with that beefy steel frame and thick fabric, I think it will be for a while.

Verdict: Editor’s Choice – Highly Recommended ^{_{see our rating system}}

Usual Price: $99.95 USD

The post REI Wonderland Chair Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

We reviewed one to test it against the larger and heavier camp chairs to see how it faired. We also compared it to the slightly smaller and lighter Chair Zero (non-highback) to see if it’s worth a few extra ounces for the high back.

Specs

Carrying

At a tenth of the weight of some camp chairs, the Helinox Chair Zero Highback does things differently. Similar to the Big Six Armchair, the Chair Zero snaps together like tent poles and suspends the chair fabric. When it’s packed down, the bag is tiny, less than a couple 1 liter water bottles.

The bag closes with a drawstring and has a small nylon loop at the end for clipping or tying.

Helinox didn’t put a handle on the bag it self to save some weight but I can easily hold it in one hand so I never needed it.

Setup

Setting up the Highback takes bit more work compared to the larger chairs. Just like a tent, the poles have to be put together and then the seat put on. It takes less than a minute to shake the poles out, let the elastics snap it together and then put the seat on.

I found putting the back of the seat on first easiest, then the front poles.

Once it’s put together, it’s very easy to move around. It weights almost nothing.

Comfort

The Highback is not a large chair. The back of the seat is about 15 inches wide and 27 inches tall. The seat sits 10 inches off the ground.

The back comes up to just above my shoulders for nice, tall back support. I’m 5’7″ and if I slide down a little I can rest my head on it as well.

The poles bend a little when you sit on it which they’re meant to do. This means it wiggles a bit when you’re sitting it but it’s also nice as you can rock a little in it. The chair material is non-stretch and holds the poles in just the right spot.

The feet have rubber tips on them but are only slightly larger than a tent pole so they sink into soft sand or dirt a bit. No issues with hard dirt though. Helinox sells larger ball feet if you spend a lot of time on the sand.

Cupholder

Being this small and light, there’s not any room for a cupholder as it would weigh almost as much as the chair! You’re only 10 inches off the ground though so I just set cups down on the ground.

Packing

Packing up the Highback is pretty quick as well, taking less than a minute.

I usually pop the front of the seat, then the top, pull the poles apart holding them all together along the main crossbar, roll the bars up with the seat fabric and tuck it into the bag.

Size and Weight

The Highback is crazy light at only 1.5 pounds. Great for in a small car or even the side of your backpack if you want to bring a chair. It’s less than one tenth the weight of some of the bigger camp chairs.

It’s smaller than 2 one liter bottles stacked so it can fit almost anywhere. You won’t find a smaller chair than this, except for the regular Helinox Chair Zero, which doesn’t have a high back.

Quality

When it comes to quality, we usually measure how long they last. With ultralight gear though, a lot of the ‘quality’ comes from how lightweight it is. Of course we want it to last forever too but it’s going to be a balance.

If you’re going to leave this chair outside in the sun and rain, it’s just not going to last as long as a 20 pound, steel-frame camp chair. Used properly though, for it’s intended purpose, it will last a long time.

Chair Zero vs Chair Zero Highback

The Chair Zero Highback is very similar to the smaller Chair Zero with the main difference being the height of the back. With the slightly taller back, the Highback is slightly larger and heavier.

The Highback is more comfortable with more back support and a spot to rest your head if you’re shorter than 5’10”. It will cost you 6 oz for that higher back.

Who is Helinox?

Helinox makes super-strong, ultralight camp gear like chairs, cots, tables and sunshades. Their chairs are just over a pound and great for camping where you can bring a luxury like a chair but it needs to be very small and light. They use DAC poles for all their gear which are just like the DAC tent poles.

Conclusion

If you need a tiny, lightweight chair, Helinox is the way to go. Most other camp chairs are big and heavy. Fine for car camping if you have the space. If you are running low on room or want a proper chair backpacking, the Chair Zero or Chair Zero Highback are great.

The Highback is is slightly taller and heavier than the Chair Zero but gives much more support. Sliding down a little, I can rest my head on the back which which is glorious after a long day hiking.

The Highback takes a little to set up but it’s less than a minute. It’s a fair trade-off for having something so small and lightweight.

Verdict: Highly Recommended (if you need lightweight) ^{_{see our rating system}}

Usual Price: $180 USD ($229.95 CAD)

The post Helinox Chair Zero Highback Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

The Compact Chair in the Go line is a sturdy camp chair with a nice bag and quite the recline. We tested one recently to see how it stacks up with a bunch of other popular camp chairs. How’d it do? Read on.

Specs

Carrying

The bag for the Compact isn’t the standard chair bag with a drawstring at the end. The dual-zipper opens half the bag to make it easier to put the chair in. The bag fits well without too much extra space.

There are two handles on the bag, a small grab handle on the end which works well if you’re slinging things onto the roof rack and the short shoulder strap. It’s long enough to go over your shoulder but won’t drag on the ground at all.

The chair stands on it’s own while it’s folded so it can stand easily in the bag too.

Setup

Dometic have built the Compact a little different than regular camp chairs. The parts that move are large metal brackets that rotate instead of having flimsy hinges or stuff that slide. So far the parts have been very sturdy and move well.

Unfolding is just pulling the arms apart…. and sitting of course!

Comfort

The Compact is comfortable to sit in. It feels wider and sturdy. The recline on it is more than all our other camp chairs but I sit leaning back anyways. The arms are a comfortable angle to sit with when you’re that reclined.

The soft part of the seat is about 18 inches wide and the back is about 22 inches tall from the seat. It comes up to just below the top of my shoulders. Not enough to put my head on it.

There is a pocket in the back of the seat that can hold the bag but it does push on your bag when you’re sitting. I wish the pocket went a bit lower and then it would be a nice lumbar support. It probably would be for people taller than me at 5’7″ though.

Cupholder

The Compact chair doesn’t have a cupholder. When camping we have tables all around so that’s not a big deal but at the beach, it’s nice to have an included cupholder so you don’t have to put your drink down in the sand. Most chair cupholders only hold 1 small can so if you’ve usually got a larger tumbler it wouldn’t fit anyways.

Packing

Folding the chair is just sliding the arms together. Everything slides together like a regular camp chair.

Packing into the bag can be done a couple ways. The easiest is to just chuck the open bag on the ground, put the feet in the first and zip it up.

When everything’s muddy or wet, I hold the chair under my arm, wrap. the chair around the feet, and zip it up from there. Not as easy but keeps the bag off the ground.

After it’s packed up, the bag is about 40″ x 6″ x 6″.

Size and Weight

With the chair folded out, it’s about 28.74″ deep, 32.01″ tall, 24.53″ wide. Packed up, the bag is about 40″ x 6″ x 6″.

The weight of the Compact sits about in the middle of our testing group at 9.39 pounds. Not lightweight but not the heaviest either.

Quality

The quality on the Compact chair is very good. It’s very stable and all the connections move well. All the parts seem to be very solid.

Who is Dometic?

The Dometic lineage starts all the way back in the ’20s with the invention of the refrigerator. As a child company of Electrolux, the first company to mass-produce refrigerators, Dometic starts selling small, silent refrigeration units for boats and RVs. They eventually make their way into the backs of overlanding and camping vehicles.

Now they make a whole range of products for mobile living like chairs, electric colers and heaters, storage, toilets and tables. Their aim is to be the most sustainable company in those markets with innovative low-carbon products. No point in making products to explore the wilderness if we have none left.

Conclusion

Dometic make solid gear. They know gear that lasts a long time is a better value and stays out of the landfill longer.

The Compact Chair is a sturdy, good looking chair with an nice zippered bag. Folding and unfolding is easy and the bag works well. The back of the chair is more reclined that others we tested but still very comfortable. The seat and armrests sit nice with that level of recline.

As part of their Go line, the Compact fits well with whole line of products for mobile living. Chairs, coolers, heaters, tables and other stuff for living on the road, the beach, the campsite, or the backyard.

Verdict: Recommended ^{_{see our rating system}}

Usual Price: $149.99 USD

The post Dometic Go Compact Chair Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

I’m still using that older version of the Strongback Elite. The fabric is faded but it’s still going strong and just as comfortable. We tested the newest version for this camp chair roundup. Was it just as comfortable, supportive and sturdy as the original?

A few quick pros and cons and then we’ll get into the details.

Specs

Carrying

The size of the Elite makes it a big and comfortable chair. That also makes it a bit unwieldy to carry and pack. It’s middle of the pack when it comes to packing and carrying.

The Elite comes with a bag with a nice big opening and a drawstring for closing. The opening doesn’t quite close when the drawstring is pulled tight. The bag is larger around at the opening end so it fits better feet in first. Once you get the bag around the arms it’s easy to pack the rest of the way.

The bag has 2 straps with a velcro handle that wraps in the middle. It’s comfortable to carry and doesn’t hang down too low. Some bags hit the ground when carrying them normally. The straps are long enough to throw over your shoulder too.

The 2 separate straps can be used like backpack straps as well. I had to turn the chair in the bag to use like this so a padded spot was on my back. If you get part of the frame digging into your back, it’s not terribly comfortable.

Carrying without the bag is a little heavy but doable. I usually hold the front or back of the frame where it crosses which holds the chair together and is a convenient handle. I’d love to see a shoulder strap permanently attached to the chair with a clip to hold it folded so the bag isn’t needed all the time like the REI Wonderland.

Setup

Set up is very easy with the Elite. Just pull it open. All the poles slide open quickly and you’re ready to roll. If it’s in the bag then you need to pull it out first. Sometimes the arms or cupholder get caught pulling it out.

The big feet on the Elite sit flat on the ground and are nice and stable. These are the biggest feet out of all the chairs we tested this year and easily sit on top of sand or soft dirt.

Comfort

For looking flat and basic, the Strongback is very comfortable. The wide seat and back give you plenty of room. The recline is just right and the lumbar support is more than almost any other chair I’ve seen.

The back is 26″ off the seat of the chair. It comes to just over my shoulders. Not high enough to lean your head back against but fairly tall.

The seat is about 23 inches wide and 18 inches off the ground. Strongback says the Elite is great for people taller than 5’7″. I’m 5’7″ and it fits great and is comfortable. Shorter folks might want to go for the Guru chair they have.

Cupholder

It’s rare to see a really good cupholder on camp chairs. They need to fold or tuck under the chair to pack them up and be firmly attached to the chair.

The cupholder on the Elite is 4″ deep and 3″ across so it holds a drink can no problem. Narrow tumblers fit as well if the bottom is less than 3″. Bigger tumblers don’t fit well. Regular phones like the iPhone 14 fit as well.

I’d love to see a bigger multi-purpose cupholder that can hold larger tumblers and phones but the one on the Elite has the basics covered.

Packing

Folding the Elite is just pulling up on the middle of the seat and pulling forward on the middle of the back. It folds up quickly.

The size and weight that makes the Elite so comfortable makes it a bit harder to get back in the back. Once it’s folded, I usually hold the ‘X’ in the frame and slide the bag over. The bag is narrower at the bottom for the feet so it doesn’t pack well with the feet last.

Size and Weight

At 11.9 pounds the Elite is a fairly big chair. It makes it more comfortable but a little bit more to cary.

It’s 28 inches wide, 27 deep and 36.5 tall.

When packed up is 44 inches long and 11 inches across.

Quality

I’ve been very happy with the quality of my older Strongback and this newer version looks the same or better. A strong frame with steel rivets and 600 denier fabric means they last a long time.

The cupholders tend to get torn off at some point so those could use a bit of work but other than that the main part of the chair is very solid.

Who is Strongback?

Back in 2010, Ladd Lougee was sitting in some uncomfortable camp chair for the millionth time. Uncomfortable with a sore back yet again, he got to tinkering with something better. To many trips to the hardware store and 30+ prototypes later he had the original Strongback design.

He had an actual solution to the problem of uncomfortable camp chairs.

Since then strong back has ramped up production on a number of models, all with actual lumbar support, and distribute around the world.

Conclusion

Strongback is a standout in a vast sea of cheap camp chairs. They last longer and actually have some back support for a far more comfortable sitting experience.

The Elite chair is on the big side and not for backpacking but that’s exactly what makes them durable and comfortable. The cupholder could use some updating but it’s actually pretty good compared to most other cupholders. The bar is pretty low. A carrying strap attached to the chair would push this chair into the ‘perfect chair’ territory.

Doesn’t matter if it’s the campsite, backyard or beach, the Strongback is always a favourite with me.

Verdict: Highly Recommended ^{_{see our rating system}}

Usual Price: $149.95 USD

The post Strongback Elite Chair Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

The Basecamp chair from MEC comes from this exact lineage: well-built and well-priced. It’s a sturdy camp chair that will last a long time. It does have a couple quirks. We tested one at the campsite and around the fire to see how it felt.

Specs

Carrying

Carrying is nice with the Basecamp. It’s a little on the heavy side at 11.5 pounds. Many of the bigger camp chairs are in this weight range though. It’s going to be much heavier than something like the Helinox Chair One Highback but is going to be far more sturdy and comfortable.

The bag for the Basecamp is long with a good sized opening. I tried putting the bag on both directions. No issues. I liked putting the bag on over the top with the feet down so I didn’t have to pick it up but then the feet are facing up towards the opening. The carry strap is off-center on the bag so it hangs further down on one end.

Setup

One of the benefits of regular camp chairs is quick setup. Pull it out of the bag and pull it open. The Basecamp is fast to set up like this. It folds open with a quick pull and you’re ready to sit. No building anything.

The cupholder sits folded under the main seat when it’s packed. It rotates out to use. I had to be careful that it didn’t catch on anything when I was setting up and packing but most of the time it was fine and tucked away easily.

The feet are fair sized with a rubbery foot on the end. They sink into sand a little bit but not to much. They’re about 1 inch wide and 2 long with a bit of traction on the bottom. Not as large as the feet on the Strongback Elite but a fair size.

Comfort

The Basecamp is a comfortable chair to sit in. It’s crazy sturdy. There isn’t a loose part or anything that moves. Even the cupholder is held on with a metal ring.

The bottom is nice and wide and comfortable to sit on. The back is very upright but still well-padded. It’d be nice if the back was a little more reclined. The arms have a bit padding on them but could use a little more and be a little wider.

The cupholder is 3″ wide and 3.5 inches deep, easily holding a drink can. It’s right under the armrest so it doesn’t hold big tumblers well.

Packing

The bag that comes with the Basecamp is well sized for the chair. The opening is quite large and it’s easy to stuff the chair in from either end. I like sliding the bag over when it’s standing. A drawstring closes the end quickly. The shoulder strap stays out of the way but is a nice way to carry the chair.

Size and Weight

At 11.5 pounds (5.2 kg), the Basecamp isn’t light but it’s on par with many of the other camp chairs. Weight usually means durability and this one is solid. After it’s unfolded, it’s very solid.

When unfolded, it’s 20 x 21 x 38 inches (52 x 55 x 96 cm). Packed up, it’s 8.4 x 8.4 x 38 inches (21.5 x 21.5 x 96 cm).

Quality

I really like the quality and the durable feel of the basecamp. It feels solid folded and unfolded. There are no loose joints or parts that move when they shouldn’t. For chairs that will get hundreds of pounds dropped on them constantly (us humans), it’s nice to have a solid feel.

Who is MEC?

In 1970 four climbers were on a trip down to Mount Baker and were throwing around ideas of creating an outdor store like REI in Canada. In 1971 they started buying gear from REI and other stores in the Us and bringing it back to Vancouver to sell to climbers and outdoor groups. MEC was born.

Even today they focus on the best gear for the best price and carry gear from many different manufacturers including their own. They have over 2000 employees and 5 million members.

Conclusion

The MEC Basecamp chair is a sturdy addition to the campsite. I was very impressed with the stability and sturdy feel to it. The back could be reclined a little more but it’s well padded. The armrests could be a little wider but otherwise are comfortable and the bottom is soft and comfortable.

This exact model may have been discontinued so it might be harder to find in the future.

Verdict: Recommended (if your on a budget) ^{_{see our rating system}}

Usual Price: $35.48 USD ($47.97 CAD)

The post MEC Basecamp Chair Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

Does the lightweight frame sacrifice stability and ease of use? We tested it to see what it was like for camping. This is the Big Agnes Big Six Armchair review.

Specs

What is the Big Six Armchair?

The Big Six Armchair from Big Agnes is a lightweight camp chair made of a collapsible tent-pole like frame and a stretch seat with 2 cupholders.

The frame starts folded up like backpacking tent poles. Setup (covered in the next section) is plugging each of the poles into it’s designated spot. The poles have bungees inside they so they can’t come apart.

Once the frame is put together the separate seat can be attached.

The whole package is much lighter than a full camp chair but is heavier than the ultralight backpacking chairs like the Helinox Chair Zero. It’s great for truck and van camping where the weight doesn’t matter as much but space might be an issue. It still weighs nearly 4 pounds but is only 5″ x 6″ x 22″ packed.

The seat sits about 20″ off the ground so it’s taller for it’s size. The backrest is quite tall rising to 30″ from the seat. The armrests are quite big at 18″ long, expanding to 6″ wide at the end.

Inside both armrests are two cupholders, both 3.5″ wide and 3.5″ deep. They easily hold a bubbly or beer can upright but can still hold larger tumblers like the Yeti Rambler or Stanley 40 oz Quencher.

Sitting in the Big Six feels comfortable and sturdy, unlike some of the tiny backpacking chairs. Tip to far one way in those and you’re on the ground. It’s got a nice amount of lean to it, enough to relax and recline but not too much where I felt stuck in the chair. The end of the seat didn’t dig into my short legs.

The rubber feet aren’t huge and dig into sand a bit if you’re at the beach. As long as you are on some sort of solid ground, they’re plenty stable.

Setup

Setup is a little more involved than just pulling it open like the larger chairs in the test.

The back poles are a bit longer so be mindful not to smack a campmate.

I started with the centre pole and then inserted all the other poles into it. Each pole has a little notch to line it up correctly going through the centre pole. Slide 3 poles into one end and then do the other side.

Once the frame is built line up with 4 feet on the ground and then set down to put the seat on.

For the seat, slide it onto the back poles first, then front seat poles. Finally hook on the armrests then back clips.

For the whole thing, it takes just over a minute to set up.

Size and Weight

The Big Six is in a bit of a class by itself when it comes to camp chairs. It’s smaller and lighter than full size camp chairs but larger and heavier than the tiny backpacking gears and still has a 300 pound weight limit.

Coming in at 3 pounds 14 oz, it’s the second lightest in our test and far lighter than most of the others which came at 8 or 10 pounds or more.

When packed up the Big Six is only 5″ x 6″ x 22″, considerably smaller than most camp chairs. It can fit into some tight spaces when packing everything back into the car.

Who is Big Agnes?

Big Agnes is a company based out of the mountains of Colorado. They aim to make the best gear for playing and being comfortable in the mountains. All their gear is made and tested in the mountains.

They started with just a few products around better sleep outside and 20 years later it’s grown from there to all number of patents and innovations to help make staying outside more comfortable.

Big Agnes partners with over 20 organizations to help protect public lands, support sustainable practices and lead in equality and inclusivity.

Conclusion

If you’re short on space but need a strong but small chair, the Big Agnes Big Six Armchair is a great pick. It takes a minutes to put together but it considerably lighter when packed up compared to other 8-12 pound camp chairs.

I liked how stable it felt even though it’s just metal poles that hold it up. The seat and arms are stiff and stable with big cupholders. This is a great chair for those that don’t have a lot of room.

Verdict: Highly recommended, especially when space is an issue

Usual Price: $249.95 USD ($319.95 CAD)

More Photos

The post Big Agnes Big Six Armchair Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.