Litheli have an entire ecosystem of power gear and tools used with their U20 20,000 mAh batteries. Along with those tools is a powered wagon capable of moving 130 or 300 pounds, depending on the model.

We tested the W1 Pro wagon with 2 U20 batteries. We dragged 100 pounds around the yard on the grass, concrete paths and rough rocky road to see if a battery and motor on a wagon was worth it.

Specs

Setup

The setup with the wagon was very straightforward. It comes mostly assembled.

It’s packed very well in a fitted box with lots of cardboard to prevent it from bouncing around. I took it out of the box and added the wheels. I charged the batteries to 100% and was ready to roll.

Pulling

Pulling the W1 Pro is easy. Just pull it. It operates just like a normal wagon.

If you hold the unlock button on the end of the handle and then pull the main lever inside the handle, it will start moving by itself. Let go of the main lever inside the handle and it stops. You can pull without turning it on (non-powered mode) by not holding the unlock button.

My hand was getting tired holding the lock button the whole time until I realized that’s just needed to engage the main lever inside and then you can let go of it.

A small dial at the top of the handle sets the speed. It starts at 0.6 m/s or a slow walking speed. The dial stays where you set it well so you don’t have to hold it. 1.3 m/s is the fastest speed or a regular walking speed. I found this a comfortable walking speed. I normally walk a bit faster than this so I wish it could go a little higher on the dial but it didn’t take long to get around.

It is possible to spin the dial for a different speed with the hand that’s already on the wagon but it’s tough. It’s easier to use your other hand or stop and change it.

I did notice with heavy weight, on rough rocky road, the lever inside the handle was engaging without holding the unlock button. It would make a difference if the battery wasn’t in or dead. I was trying to pull it without turn it on to see how it would feel. (Awfully heavy with 100 pounds of gear and the 30 pound wagon!)

There isn’t a reverse mode so keep that in mind if you’ve got a heavy load. I tested it with 100 pounds and pushing it around with that load was still possible but tough so keep an exit plan in mind when stopping anywhere.

The W1 doesn’t technically have brakes but if the motor is engaged slowly, it will slow it down well. I turned the speed down to it’s slowest going down the hills and it would slow the wagon down. With larger hills and heavier weight it could still get going too fast. For bigger hills I let the wagon go first backwards so I can keep it going slow.

Whenever I stopped the motor would disengage. It was easier on hills to keep it moving slowly with the motor engaged, just like gearing down in a car.

The handle is attached straight to the front of the wagon and doesn’t turn side to side like the old Radio Flyer wagons. This is pretty standard across most utility wagons. The bars feel quite strong but it took a bit of coaxing to get the wheels to turn tightly with lots of weight in the wagon. I’m not sure if a handle that can pivot would work better for tight turns.

The wheels are strong and have a bit of grip on them. Being hard plastic, they get slippery when they get wet compared to a rubber tire. On wet rocky hills, they slipped but still provided assistance up the hill. I was grateful for this when trying to get back up a big hill when testing to get back to the car!

U20 Battery

The wagon comes with a U20 battery from Litheli. The U20 is a generic battery that powers many of their power tools. We tested the kit that came with two 4.0 Ah batteries. Different version of the kit come with 1 or 2 batteries. If you already have a bunch of the batteries you can get the wagon alone.

The kits that have batteries come with a power cord but no adapter. I have a bunch of adapters so this was fine. To get the full speed of the charge the adapter has to be 45 watts. Most phone chargers are 5 watts, although 20 watt fast chargers are getting more common. It charges with a 5 watt adapter no problem, just slower.

Along with powering the wagon, it can be used as a power bank with the one 45 watt USB-C port. The USB-C port is on the bottom when it’s plugged into the wagon so you can’t use both at the same time.

The 74 watt-hour rating falls under the limit to fly so you can fly with them. I doubt you’ll be flying with the wagon but the batteries are useful for charging all devices. More USB-C outputs would make it more useful as a general charger though.

The batteries come in 2 sizes: 4.0 Ah and 2.0 Ah. They end up being 20,000 mAh and 10,000 mAh respectively.

Folding

The W1 is easy to fold. There’s a small tab on the bottom in the middle. Just pull up on this and the bottom lifts, the ends slide together and it folds up.

The folding tab isn’t strong enough to carry it with. I tried to lift it there and it starts to tear. It would be nice to have some sort of handle strong enough to carry.

Once it’s folded together, there’s a strap on the bottom to clip the ends together, keeping it folded. It would be easy to use if this clip was on the side or top. It’s easiest to lay it down and clip it together. It does stand up while folded.

The front wheels need to be turned sideways for it to fold to it’s smallest size and the clip to reach. It’s easy to nudge them to the side.

Tailgate

The official capacity of the W1 is 200 liters and that is with the tailgate down. It’s about 140 liters inside with the tailgate up.

The tailgate is great for accessing items in the back without unpacking or just carrying longer items. If there is weight in the front, things like 8 foot 2x4s will fit. If you have the table attachment on top you can still get in the back.

There is a zipper and plastic clips holding it up. Once it’s down, strong webbing holds it flat.

Durability

The 600D Oxford fabric is pretty tough. It’s removable to be able to clean which should extend if it’s life.

Be careful with hard plastic items on rough terrain. I walked a couple kilometers on rough rock. The wagon and everything in it was shaking the whole way. The hard plastic on the bottom of my camp chair was start to wear through. I put a blanket around spots that may rub. Smooth grass and concrete don’t cause much of a problem.

Accessories

Litheli has a few accessories to go with the wagon.

The main accessory that would be useful, as well as with all the other Litheli tools, is more batteries. You can have a few with you if you are carrying a big load or are going a long way.

A rolling table is also available. It clips on to the top. This does make it a bit harder to get things inside the wagon but the tailgate can still open for access.

W2 Pro Electric Wagon

Litheli already have the successor to the W1 Pro out, the W2 Pro and there are some pros and cons.

Final Thoughts

Wagons are great for carrying loads around the yard, camping or the beach. It’s easy to load them up to be so heavy, they’re almost unusable.

Electric wagons solve this problem with their batteries and electric motors so you easily pull around hundreds of pounds by just holding the button on the handle.

The Lithei W1 Pro (tested here) and W2 Pro are almost 2 different wagons, with different features. Both are strong, durable and very easy to put together and use.

The W1 we tested powered through dirt, sand, gravel and rocky road with over 100 pounds in it. The bouncing started to wear a hole in the fabric when something sharp is against it but it slogged up hills and over rocks no problem.

The biggest difference between the W1 and W2 are the motors and weight capacity. A single 450 watt motor on the W1 while the W2 has 2. The power and frame increases the weight capacity from 132 pounds on the W1 to 300 pounds on the W2. This all comes at a cost of battery life: 20 min on the W2 vs 30 on the W2. Either way 2 batteries and a station to charge is very helpful to swap out as needed.

For me, the extra range and tailgate gives the W1 the edge and my preference, though I’d love a combination of the 2, taking the best of both.

On top of the W1 Pro being a solid wagon for dragging around very heavy loads, the U20 batteries fit all Litheli’s other power tools like snowblowers, lawnmowers, and chainsaws.

Highly recommended.

Price: $596 CAD but can be on sale down to $326 or less.

More photos

The post Litheli W1 Pro Wagon Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

My next adventure vehicle build is a Chevy Colorado LT RST that I picked up last year. It’s a good platform for day trips and longer but it needs accessories. Over the coming year, I’ll be kitting it out for short overland trips to camp, bike, fish and kayak. So what does that mean for the racks?

It will need to hold a Thule roof top tent and be able to store a bunch of gear underneath. I have a tri-fold tonneau on the back to keep the gear dry and out of sight. It will need to also mount other things like a gear basket, boat or ski racks in different locations and I don’t want to drill into the bed.

With all those requirements, there only a few products out there that fit. Billie Bars kept coming up as a good option.

This is a review of the Low Profile Bed Bars from BillieBars on a 2020 Colorado LT RST.

The BillieBars Bed Bars

Bed bars are just like a roof rack you’d put on top of your vehicle but across the bed of the truck. They are smaller and lighter than a full rack that would go up the same height as the cab. There are pros and cons to this approach so it depends on how you want to mount everything. For my purposes, they fit perfect.

Billie Bars have a bracket that sits along the side of the bed and clamps under the top rail. Because the vertical part of the bracket is toward the outside, many types of tonneau covers can still fit between the brackets under the bars. My tri-fold tonneau can’t open fully but it’s easy to mount under the bars to keep all my stuff dry.

I like the clamp style bracket for a couple reasons. I can mount the brackets anywhere I want. The rooftop tent, gear basket, boat, bike and ski racks all fit best in different spots. Also, I don’t have to drill holes in the truck.

Tech Specs of the BillieBars Bed Racks

There is 3.5″ clearance under the bars with the 5″ brackets (6.5″ under the 8″ brackets). I got the 5″ brackets. All sides of the bars have t-slots (2 on the top and bottom) if you have any accessories that work with that mount. The 8″ mount gives enough space to roll up some rolling tonneau’s.

Installation

Once the bolts are through the bracket and clamps, installation is fairly quick. I can put put them on in about 20 minutes now. They have good installation instructions to walk you through it all. I found them helpful in seeing what all the parts were.

Steps to install:

• Add all clamps to the brackets with the included bolts
• Place brackets and tighten with 14mm deep socket
• (Optional) Install tonneau
• Place bars in brackets
• Screw Torx screws into bars with included Torx wrench

Tips for installation

I just keep the loosened bolts on the brackets and slide the clamps up and down.

A 14mm deep socket and T40 Torx bit for a screwdriver is faster than the hand tools.

My tri-fold tonneau has clamps at the front and the back. Its easier to put the brackets on, then the tonneau, then the bars. But if I’m putting the tent on by myself, I slide the tonneau in last so I don’t break the tonneau with the tent.

When mounting, make sure the brackets aren’t sitting where the tonneau clamps sit.

Mounting

So what can you put on these bars? Anything. They’ll hold up to 400 pounds moving, 800 not moving, so they can hold quite a bit.

I usually have a roof top tent or gear basket on mine. The Colorado doesn’t have any rails or racks on the roof (still need to get some) so the bed bars are the only place I can mount anything. The bars are 1.57 inches thick so I had to get longer bolts for the Thule roof top tent.

Roof boxes or gear boxes fit well back here too.

(These photos are from the BillieBars website)

Many bike, ski, fishing rod, boat racks fit on the bars. With the thick bars some attachments might not go all the way around and need longer bolts.

Kuat ski rack

With the racks sitting low behind the cab, there’s a riser mount for kayaks and sups if you need to clear the cab.

Kayak and SUP mount

If you just need the front tipped up, there’s a LowPro Kayak Mount Kit.

Mounting awnings is a bit awkward on the bed bars because they’re lower than a roof rack. BilleBars has adjustable awning brackets so you can mount the awning up to 19.75″ higher than the bed rack.

Awning Mount Kit

There are also the Molle Panels that you can mount just about anything to.

Mid-height Molle Panel

Pros

There a lot of things I like about bed bars and BillieBars in particular.

Easy to install

With a few bolts and screws to tighten, the bars are easy to install by yourself in 20 to 30 min.

Strong

800 pounds static load limit is enough for a roof top tent and a couple people.

Won’t rust

Anodized aluminum won’t rust even if they get scratched.

Tonneau compatible

The shape of the bracket means many tonneau types can fit under the bars.

Lots of mounting options

Between BillieBars accessories and third party racks that would fit, roof top tents, gear boxes, bikes and baskets are easy to mount.

Lower than a full roof rack

With the bars sitting at bed level, rather than roof level, they’re easier to access and mount gear. The height keeps boxes and tents out of the wind as well.

Easy to store

With only 2 bars and 4 small brackets, these fit in the garage much easier than a full canopy or bed rack.

Torx screws

The Torx screws are harder to undo than some roberts or philips so they’re harder to pop off and run away with.

Cons

There’s not really anything bad about the BillieBars, just different. There are benefits to mounting things on the roof or higher on a bed rack.

Tonneau hard to open

Some tonneau’s can roll up under the BillieBars. My tri-fold can be installed under them but won’t open fully with them. If the bars are over the second panel, I can still open the first panel. Most of the time I’m just opening the tailgate to get my gear.

Big bars

The big cross bars are super strong and enable more mounting with the t-slots but they are thicker than most regular roof racks. I had to get longer bolts for my roof top tent. Not a big deal though.

Blocks visibility

The bars themselves don’t block much visbility through the back window but mounting anything to them does. Putting tents and boxes on the roof or tall bed rack lets you still see out the back. If you’re packing the box full of gear then that might block it anyways.

Less space underneath

Having a full height rack lets you fit more underneath it. The bed bars are just above the sides of the box, while a full rack will be roof height or more. If you want to fit tall gear or stacking gear under it, then the full height might be worth it.

Closer to the ground

Sometimes the point of having a tent on the top of a rack or canopy is to get it higher off the ground. BillieBars sit just above the bed rails.

Conclusion

BillieBars offer a strong, durable method to mount more on your truck without taking up a lot of space. They are a bit more expensive than a cheap set of roof racks but far cheaper than many canopy and full bed rack options. I like they take up hardly any space in the garage.

Mounting gear is easier since it’s down lower, shoulder height instead of above your head. It didn’t take long to mount the bars and a 130 pound roof top tent by myself. Trying to do that before with an SUV was a 2 person job and left your shoulders burning.

I’ve been impressed with the quality and beefiness of the brackets and bars. I’m going to be sad when they start to get scratched but it won’t affect the performance at all or start to rust. The metal brackets on the roof top tent barely made a mark.

Functional requirements aside, they look amazing on the Colorado and just make it easier to haul more to the trail.

See more on the BillieBars bed bars.

Other Photos

The post BillieBars Truck Bed Bar Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

The AC70 is a 22 pound power station that’s small enough to carry around but big enough to power your devices for a day or more.

We tested one recently to see how reliable, powerful, and easy to use it is. Can it output up to 2000 watts? Can it charge at 950 watts? Is the app any good?

Here are the results.

(If you are looking for other power stations, check our Power Station Buying Guide.)

Bluetti AC70 Specs

Inputs and Charging

The AC70 has 3 different methods of charging.

Turbo charging

First, the AC from the wall can pull up to 950 watts on Turbo mode and charge to 80% in 45 min and full in about 1.5 hours.

I get about 930 watts testing in turbo mode, a little bit less than the advertised 950 but close. The fan is on steady with this mode and it sounds a bit like a computer doing something intensive.

The fan is never on long when charging at 950 watts as it fills up the 768 Wh so quick.

Standard charging

From the factory, the AC70 is set to standard charging mode which should get about 440 watts in.

In testing it was getting 438 or 439 watts in, nearly the specified 440.

The fan was on but very quiet. It sounded a bit like the fridge when the compressor is running.

Silent/eco charging

Silent charging states about 270 watts which is close to what it gets in reality. I was getting about 267 or 268 watts most of the time.

The fan does run on silent mode but it’s extremely quiet. I couldn’t hear it unless I had my ear right next to the battery.

Charging Cord

The AC70 doesn’t have a big power brick like a lot of the other charging cords. Some other brands have moved to this kind of cord as well but not all. For storage, packing and replacement cost, it’s really nice to not have a huge power brick on the cord.

Solar charging

Solar charging always depends on what sun you’re getting. If you can get 500 watts in from your panels you can charge in about 3 hours.

DC charging

There’s also a DC port that can charge from a DC port in your car (cigarette lighter). It can take up to 500W at 12/24V from car port.

UPS Mode

The AC70 can be charged and charge at the same time. This is handy with it’s uninterruptible power supply (UPS) mode as well.

In 20ms it can switch over from AC power to it’s own battery power. This is handy if it’s looking like the power is going to go out and you need to have a modem and computer running or heaters and pumps on fish tanks.

Outputs

There are 7 outlets total:

• 2 AC 12V/8.33A (1000W. 2000W “lifting power”)
• 2 USB-C 2x100W
• 2 USB-A 5 VDC/2.5A 12W total
• 1 12V/10A car outlet

How long will it charge a Macbook Pro?

Exactly how long things will charge on any battery will depends on how much power it’s using, if you are using it and if it’s AC or USB plugs. Converting the power to AC will take more energy and run the fan on the battery more so it will be less efficient.

Charging a Macbook Pro pulls between 60 and 90 watts using the AC plug. Batteries never get 100% efficiency but the AC70 gets around 90% (691 Wh) which is pretty good. With that a Macbook pro can charge for 10-12 hours.

How long will it charge an iPhone?

iPhones draw a lot less power than an Macbook Pro, only about 10 watts. That gives you about 70 hours charging an iPhone.

2000 watt lifting power

1 thing to note with the 2000 watt lifting power is the voltage drops when it goes that high. This is fine for hair dryers and heaters but shouldn’t be used for devices like computers or compressors.

The lifting option defaults to off but you can turn it on in the app any time.

Size and Shape

The AC70 is a boxy rectangle with vertical sides and a flat top. Measuring 12.4 across x 8.2 deep x 10.1 inches tall.

At 22.5 pounds it’s got some weight to it but it’s not too heavy to carry around or lift onto shelves. It weighs about the same amount as a large watermelon or kitchen mixer.

The top is flat with a handle on the back. The flat top makes it easy to pack around other things.

Bluetti App

There are 2 ways to use the Bluetti app, logged in and not. Logged in requires wifi or cell connection to the internet. Clearly these batteries are used outside of cell reception sometimes so they provide a direct mode to update settings without logging in.

Both ways to log in need the battery to be turned on and in within about 15-20 feet.

Logged in

The main screen shows the devices you have added and a bunch of other functions.

• Current weather
• adding a new device
• listing all devices
• Scanning for devices with bluetooth
• scan a qr code on a device to add it
• Calculator (show list of Bluetti products based on your power needs)
• LAAF battery donations in Africa
• How to videos
• Contact and Service information
• Bluetti Forum
• Bluetti Store (website)
• Account info

Clicking into the AC70 after adding it shows total power left, watts in and watts out.

The whole battery or just the AC and DC ports can be turned on and off.

At the bottom shows money saved if the power is using is from solar. It still shows money saved when power was just charged from your house which doesn’t actually save any money.

Under settings for the device are:

• user manuals
• a qr code to share the connection with other people
• carbon emission factor
• Homepage display to add one device the app homepage
• charging mode
• power lifting on/off
• Eco on/off and settings (setting AC and DC output and timeout)
• auto sleep
• firmware upgrade
• advanced settings (AC output frequency and grid self-adaptation)

What does the AC70 come with?

The AC70 comes with a few cables to get you started. You may want more depending on what you’re going to charge. I have too many USB cables laying around to count.

In the box:

• AC70 battery
• AC cable
• car charging cable
• XT60 solar panel cable

Cost

The AC70 is curently on sale for $499 CAD ($429 USD) on BluettiPower.com. It’s normally $999 CAD ($699 USD).

The sale price makes it $.65 CAD per Wh (or $.56/Wh USD)

A couple other places have it for sale and the prices seem to vary quite a bit so have a look around for sales:

• $799 CAD on Amazon
• $279 CAD on Newegg.ca
• $599 CAD on Bluetti

How to store the AC70?

Bluetti recommend charging to 80% every 3-6 months for the longest life. This is in line with all the other lithium batteries to make sure they have a bit of charge for storage.

They also say to fully cycle the battery every 3 months which means discharging and fulling charging.

Other batteries from Bluetti

AC60

The AC60 is very similar to the AC70 but with 403 Wh of storage and 600 watt max output.

It’s expandable to 2,015 Wh with expansion batteries.

More about the AC60 battery

AC180

The AC180 is a step up from the AC70 with 1,152 Wh of storage and 1,800 watts max output.

It has 4 AC and 5 USB outlets.

More about the AC180 battery

B80 Expansion Batteries

The AC70 is compatible with the B80 expansion battery to give you another 806 Wh.

More about the B80 Expansion battery.

Suggestions

I’ll cover everything I like from the AC70 (which is a lot) but there are a couple improvements I’d like to see.

USB-C input

With so many devices coming with the USC-C these days, we all have USB-C cords around. We’ll only be getting more of them. It’d be nice to be able to charge with it as well.

More USB ports

Again, everything charges with USB these days, when I pack up for camping, I’m charging 10 or more devices to get ready. Lights, tablets, cameras, drones and phones are all USB. I could easily use 8 or more USB ports at a time.

Power on with the app

This will probably take power to keep the bluetooth receiver on but it’d be nice to be access the battery with the app when it’s off. It would mean you could power it on without going to find it in the other room or back of the truck.

Conclusion

I don’t leave for adventures without at least one camera these days. Now with GPS, drones, phones, tablets and fridges to charge I have to have reliable power. Bluetti is a well-known name in an industry that’s being flooded with all kinds of batteries and cheap tech equipment.

While it could use a few more USB ports, the AC70 is durable, reliable, and easy to pack. It’s in the truck on every adventure lately. Turbo charging means you can be on your way faster.

With the winter storms in full swing in the pacific northwest, the AC70 and my other batteries are always charged. My power seems more stable than my friends and family so I’ve been constantly loaning out batteries so everyone can keep in touch. With fewer landlines, cell phones have become required emergency communication. Keeping Christmas trees lit isn’t required but it’s yet another use for these super handy power stations.

The post Bluetti AC70 Portable Power Station Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

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.