This list is in no particular order, mostly the date it was reviewed.

Smith Guide’s Choice Photochromic Sunglasses

The Smith’s Guide Choice sunglasses are photochromic category 2 to 3 and polarized, making for an ideal fishing lens. ChromaPop filters crossover colours making red, green, and blue pop.

The glasses lenses are on the heavy side but they are the clearest and brightest lens I’ve ever used.

Full Review

Check price of the Smith Guide’s Choice

OnX Backcountry GPS App

GPS apps have overtaken dedicated GPS as the go-to for navigation. OnX is one of the best.

It’s easy to use on any kind of phone. Your saved info goes back and forth to a full-screen map on the computer. It’s light on the user-generated tracks in BC, but has a lot already baked into the included maps.

Full Review

Check prices and plans for OnX Backcountry

REI Wonderland Camp Chair

Not all chairs are built equal. Some aren’t comfortable. Some fall apart. Some are hard to carry.

The REI Wonderland Camp Chair is pretty much my dream camp chair. The wide seat is comfortable without being hard. The back is tall and slightly reclined. The cupholder is somehow still attached. And the carry strap is permanently attached and holds it closed while carrying.

Full Review

Check price on REI

Yeti Rambler 532 Mug

I went on a cleaning spree after getting this mug. Some of the complicated lids had never been cleaned and were black inside.

The Yeti Rambler has just 2 pieces to the lid that twist apart. And it’s totally water-tight. And it’s bombproof.

Full Review

Check price on Amazon

EXPED MegaMat Max Sleeping Mat

Poor sleep ruins camping or any adventure. It’s hard to enjoy the trip when you’re dead tired. What you’re sleeping on impacts sleep greatly.

The EXPED MegaMat Max is 15cm thick and filled with foam core. The foam expands and almost inflates itself. It also holds the sides vertical instead of sloped down so you get more surface area to lay on. And instead of just laying on a bouncy balloon it structures it more like a bed.

Full Review

Check prices on the MegaMat Max

LowePro Tactic 45 Camera Backpack

Right off the bat, I loved the look of this camera pack. I did assume it would not be comfortable with out square it is. Turns out it’s more comfortable than most backpacks I’ve ever worn.

The top opens for quick access or the whole back for all your camera gear. Tripods fit easily on either side. Velcro organizers can be moved around anywhere inside.

Full review

Check price on Amazon

Helly Hansen Verglas Down Insulated Jacket

I don’t really think of down jackets when I think of Helly Hansen but their Verglas down jacket is easily my favourite from the last couple years.

The Verglas isn’t bulky so it works well on any cool day (of which there are many in the Pacific Northwest). If it is raining AND cool, then it can fit under a shell. The pockets are big and the lining soft.

Full review

Check the price on HellyHansen.com (2.0 version)

Julbo Arise Photochromic sunglasses

My test for sunglasses is how often I forget I’m wearing them. For the Julbo Arise, it was a lot. They are ridiculously light. The photochromic lenses tint so light you can wear them at night. The gentle curve and soft surface on the arms keeps them in exactly the place you put them.

I beat the daylights out of the first pair I had and I’m on to my second pair.

Full Review

Check out Julbo’s other photochromic sunglasses

Check out Julbo sunglasses on REI

Osprey Talon 33 Backpack

The Osprey Talon 33 may be the best backpack I’ve ever used. I have a few other Osprey Backpacks and can’t say enough good things about them.

It’s travelled around the world and on too many adventures to count. It’s light, it’s packable, it’s comfortable, it’s bombproof.

The 33 is such a flexible size. I’ve used it for overnight nights or just a daypack travelling. Mine is 17 years old at this point and still going.

Full Review

The post Editor’s Choice Gear 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.

Like other tech companies, GoPro releases upgrades some years and big improvements others. Is the HERO12 just an iteration on the 11? And is it enough to keep DJI and Insta360 running to catch up?

Compared the HERO8, 9, 10, and 11, the 12 is an improvement, no doubt. If you have an 8 or 9, should you upgrade? GoPro has actually removed something from the 12 that some folks might not be happy about.

Ok, first, the Rad list and specs and then get into the testing.

Specs

With the exception of the sensor, the basic specs of the 12 haven’t changed a lot. See it compared to the HERO8, 9, 10, and 11.

Video Modes

These are the video modes available in the HERO12. It’s basically the same setup as the 11 without 4K 4:3.

The 12 does introduce a new vertical aspect of 9:16. It can get a vertical clip without having to mount it vertical.

HERO12 vs HERO11

There isn’t a lot of difference between the 11 and the 12. If you have an 11, you probably don’t need to upgrade but for any other versions it’s a good bump.

These things are an improvement over the 11 though.

• 9:16 aspect ratio
• HDR video
• Improved HyperSmooth
• Bluetooth audio
• Timecode sync
• 1/4 20 mount

This table just shows the 11 and 12 but check out this other post if you want to see the HERO8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 compared.

They have the same processor and mostly the same features. If you can get an 11 on a good deal, they are both amazing cameras that can go anywhere.

For me, bluetooth audio and 1/4 20 mount are great new features. I wouldn’t upgrade from the 11 to 12 if it was my only camera but they sure sweeten the deal if you’re upgrading from an older GoPro.

	HERO12	HERO11
Shop	GoPro.com	GoPro.com
Full review	This post!	HERO11 Black Review
Release Date	Sept 13, 2023	Sept 14, 2022
Processor	GP2	GP2
Aspect Ratios	16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 8:7	16:9, 4:3, 8:7
Video Modes	5.3K (8:7) 30/25/24 FPS 5.3K (16:9) 60/50/30/25/24 FPS 4K (8:7) 60/50/30/25/24 FPS 4K (9:16) 60/50/30/25 4K (16:9) 120/100/60/50/30/25/24 FPS 2.7K (4:3) 120/100/60/50 FPS 2.7K (16:9) 240/200 FPS 1080 (9:16) 60/50/30/25 1080P (16:9) 240/200/120/100/60/50/30/25/24 FPS	5.3K (8:7) 30/25/24 fps 5.3K (16:9) 60/50/30/25/24 fps 5.3K (4:3) 30/25/24 fps 4K (8:7) 60/50 fps 4K (16:9) 120/100/60/50/30/25/24 fps 4K (4:3) 60/50/30/25/24 fps 2.7K (16:9) 240/200/120/100/60/50 fps 2.7K (4:3) 120/100/60/50 fps 1080p (16:9) 240/200/120/100/60/50/30/25/24 fps
HDR Video	5.3K (16:9) 30/25/24 fps 4K (8:7) 30/25/24 fps 4K (16:9) 60/50/30/25/24 fps	–
Slo-mo	2x at 5.3K 4x at 4K 8x at 2.7K 8x at 1080p	2x at 5.3K 3x at 4K 8x at 2.7K 8x at 1080p
Back screen	2.27″ touchscreen	2.27″ touchscreen
Front screen	1.4″ with live preview	1.4″ with live preview
Waterproof	33ft	33ft
HyperSmooth	6.0 with AutoBoost	5.0 with AutoBoost
Horizon Levelling	360° Horizon Lock	360° Horizon Lock
Photo Size	27MP	27MP
Video Screen Grab Size	24.7MP	24.7MP
TimeWarp	3.0 Auto, 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 30x up to 5.3k	3.0 Auto, 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 30x up to 5.3k
Color Depth	10-bit	10-bit
HindSight
Scheduled Capture
LiveBurst
Duration Capture
Webcam
Removeable Lens Cover
Livestream	1080p30 with HyperSmooth + 1080p60 recording	1080p30 with HyperSmooth 4.0 + 1080p60 recording
Wired Transfer
Timecode Sync
1/4 20 mount
Mods	Media Mod Max Lens Mod 2.0	Media Mod Max Lens Mod
Price (USD, Dec 2023, GoPro.com)	$349.99	$299.99

Max Lens Mod 2.0

So GoPro already has a crazy wide lens at 156° (when you’re in in 8:7 aspect ratio).

If you need it to be even wider, even more immersive, the Max Lens Mod bumps that field of view up to 177°.

How do you put on the Max Lens Mod?

With the removable lens cover on the HERO cameras now it’s easy to take the lens cover off and put the Max Lens Mod on. A quarter twist and pull and the cover is off. It’s easy to replace the standard covers as well if it gets scratched.

Once the standard cover is off, put the Max Lens Mod on at the same angle and twist on.

What’s the difference between the Max Lens Mod 1.0 and 2.0?

There is a version 1.0 of the Max Lens Mod. Version 2, released in 2023, is smaller, lighter and more scratch resistant.

Version 1.0 can be used on HERO9, 10, 11 and 12.

Version 2.0 of the Max Lens is not backwards compatible and can only be used on the 12 at this point.

Other Accessories

GoPro has a ridiculous number of mounts and other accessories. These ones have been updated recently.

Head strap

The front of the head strap comes off into a hat clip as well.

Chesty

The new Chesty has a padded mount and new clip on the front.

Tripods and GorillaPods

GoPros work with any tripod and GorillaPod now with the new 1/4 20 mount on the bottom. It’s still possible to mount the GoPro fingers but it’s easier without it.

Conclusion – Do you need a GoPro HERO12?

The HERO12 is another iteration on the camera that defined actions cameras.

If you have an 11 then you probably don’t need a 12.

If you have a 10? Then you’ll get higher resolution, better horizon lock, and better Hypersmooth.

If you have a 9 or 8, you get an upgrade to the GP2 processor, faster menus, higher resolutions, and better Hypersmooth.

Do you have an action camera? If not, I’d be getting a GoPro.

GoPro Questions

What does the 8:7 sensor do?

HERO11 and 12 have a larger 1/1.9″ sensor with an 8:7 aspect ratio or close to a square. HERO10, 9 and 8 had a smaller 1/2.3″ sensor with a 4:3 aspect ratio more like a TV or computer monitor.

Because the larger sensor captures more information, the camera can use higher levels of stabilization and pull vertical crops for social videos even when the camera is mounted horizontally.

Not all of the video modes are available in both 16:9 and 8:7 aspects.

What’s in the GoPro subscription in 2024?

The GoPro subscription changed a bit in 2023. Where there used to be one subscription that got you:

• Discount on your camera
• unlimited cloud backup and auto-uploads
• 50% off accessories from GoPro.com
• Up to 2 discounted camera replacements

Now there is a Premium and Premium+ tiers to the subscription:

Premium ($59.99 USD/year, half price for first year)

• Unlimited cloud storage
• 25gb storage for non-GoPro footage
• Synced mobile and desktop editing
• camera replacement
• 50% off accessories at GoPro.com
• $100 off 1 GoPro per year
• Auto upload
• Automatic Highlight videos
• Live Streaming

Premium+ ($129.99 USD/year)

• All Premium features
• 500gb cloud storage for non-GoPro footage
• HyperSmooth Pro stabilization

What is GoPro Quik?

Quik is GoPro’s video editor for mac, tablets and phones. The Mac version was just released late 2023.

You can use it for free but to use all the features, you’ll need an active subscription.

What is GP-Log and LUT support?

GoPro 12 now supports Log Encoding with GP-Log, a Rec. 709 color profile, with the related LUTs.

Log Encoding is a color profile that keeps more dynamic range information in video image. Better for editing later if you are going to color-correct with something like Davinci Resolve or Final Cut Pro. Log footage will look washed out until it’s edited.

LUTs are the files that do the mapping from the colors in the log footage to something that looks more normal.

What is HyperSmooth?

HyperSmooth is GoPro’s in-camera stabilization. With no stabilization, the video footage comes out shaky and moving all over the place.

Did GoPro remove the GPS?

GoPro has removed the GPS in the 12. Apparently few people were using it and it was using a lot of battery. I never used it and very much welcome the increased battery life. If you need it, HERO11’s shouldn’t be hard to find.

Other Photos

The post GoPro HERO12 Black Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

Zero Zero has done this with the HoverAir X1.

The X1 is a compact, foldable drone that literally fits in your pocket. You can buy just the drone with 1 battery or a combo pack with 2 batteries and a USB-C battery charger. We tested one out in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Here’s the review.

Specs

Flying the HoverAir X1

There are 2 ways to fly the HoverAir X1, smart mode and manual.

Smart mode doesn’t need a phone or controller at all. Turn the drone on, select a mode with the button on top and it will do its thing. When you’re done, put your hand under it and it will land. You can pick the mode from the phone if you have it connected.

Hover – Sits about 1 metre off the ground and hovers. It will turn and track you but won’t follow. Has settings for shooting mode, duration, target tracking, vertical mode, and video quality.

Zoom Out – Slowly backs away from you up, level or down. Has settings for shooting mode, distance, altitude, vertical mode, video quality and photo mode.

Follow – Follows you from behind. Has settings for shooting mode, follow type, duration, distance, altitude, vertical mode, and video quality.

Orbit – Spins around you, keeping you in view. Has settings for shooting mode, radius, angle, altitude, vertical mode, video quality, and photo mode.

Birds Eye – Slowly moves straight up and then back down. Has settings for shooting mode, altitude, rotation speed, vertical mode, video quality, and photo mode.

Manual – Fly using the controls in the app on your phone. You can control forward/left/right/backward and up/turn left/turn right/down and the gimbal.

Snapshot – Records video until you are standing still for 3 seconds, then it takes a photo. You can set this as a custom mode that doesn’t require the phone.

Dolly Track – Takes off, backs up 2 metres and flys backwards keeping you in front of it, even if you turn. It has no sensors so careful of things behind it. Moving to the left will steer it back and left. Same with right. Staying still for 3 seconds will stop the recording and bring it back to you. It can be set as a custom mode.

Manual Mode

Manual mode needs a phone. It’s just like other drone apps where you connect and fly the drone around with onscreen controls.

There’s no way to view the controls in a landscape (horizontal) view, just portrait view. I think it would be a little more intuitive to fly if it had virtual joysticks on a landscape view.

To take off, press the power button once and it will start the 3-second takeoff sequence. When you’re in a smart mode it automatically starts recording video or taking photos as soon as it takes off. In manual, a button on screen starts the recording.

If you are connected with your phone, you can override smart mode with manual mode and continue to fly yourself.

For landing, as soon as your hand or the ground is close enough to the bottom of the drone it will come down and land. There is a land button in the app in manual mode as well.

The batteries on tiny drones never last very long but with the smart modes on the X1, you can use it quickly and then get it back into your bag moving on to the next location.

Manual mode lasts between 10 to 11 minutes. On Hover Smart Mode, I was getting between 8 and 9 minutes. I thought the Manual mode would drain the video faster the with wifi connection and video preview but it was lasting longer for me.

Test Footage

App

The Hover app is on the iPhone App Store and Google Play for Android.

The main screen is a feed of videos and photos from other Hover users. Next is a screen for connecting to the drone, and then information about each of the smart modes

Once you connect, you can see the media, go into manual mode, or record audio.

Drone videos don’t have sound because all you would hear is the sound of drone propellers. Recording the sound from your phone instead and matching it up with your video gets you both.

The third section in the app is a list of instructions for each of the smart modes like Hover and Zoom out. They have a hilarious mascot character that looks like a mini Pillsbury Doughboy acting out each of the modes.

The last is a profile section to see your settings and accounts.

Downloading Media

After connecting to the Hover you can click on Hover’s Album and see your videos and photos on the drone. From here you can view, delete, or download. From there they go to the Downloaded section of the app and your photo album. I like that it doesn’t require another step to get into the photo album.

Charging

The X1 can charge through the device or through the USB-C battery charger. It takes about 55 minutes to charge when it’s in the drone and 35 min when it’s in the charger. The charger charges one battery at a time and charges the higher one first. This gets you flying faster.

Compared to the DJI Mini 3

A lot of people will compare the X1 to DJI Mini 2 or 3. They’re both small, foldable, and under 249 grams. At the end of the day, the X1 is a smaller, more packable flying camera, where as the DJI drones have more features but are more complicated.

Who is the HoverAir X1 for?

There are plenty of drones on the market now and some with better cameras than the X1 but that’s not really the point of it.

The HoverAir X1 just makes it so easy to pull a flying camera out of your bag, grab a couple shots and continue on to the next location. It’s so easy and fast to use. The battery life could be a bit better but small batteries don’t have a lot of space.

Larger drones, like any DJI, take a good amount of setup and practice to be able to use well. Sure, they can get better videos and photos but you need to put in a lot of time and effort (and possibly replacement parts) to learn it well.

If you are looking for something easy to learn and fast to use, then the HoverAir X1 is a great drone to have on you all the time.

The post HoverAir X1 Drone 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.