NEMO Stargaze Tenting Chair Evaluation

Backside Line

The NEMO Stargaze is a staple on our greatest tenting chairs information. It’s one of the crucial distinctive seats on our record, and earns its hold as a crowd favourite and dialog starter. This swinging chair will not be solely luxuriously cozy, however impressively transportable. CleverHiker Founder Dave Collins is a long-time fan – he’s introduced this mannequin on tons of of group tenting journeys over time. 

The Stargaze stands out for its hammock-like design, with the seat suspended between two burly poles. For those who like a little bit of motion whilst you learn, area out, or nap, it’s the right seat for swinging, rocking, and reclining. It leads the pack for consolation with an adjustable headrest, breathable mesh again, and comfortable padding. The Stargaze could have a big setup, but it surely’s nonetheless extremely transportable. And after long-term use, we will confidently say it’s constructed to final.

Nonetheless, our testing unveils some cons. The largest draw back is its excessive price ticket, which makes the Stargaze an funding. We love this chair for lounging, although it doesn’t have a lot lumbar assist and it’s a bit impractical for sitting upright. We discover it may be uncomfortable for shorter of us because the design encourages a slouched place, and the arm rests are a bit excessive. Plus, staying horizontal might be powerful to keep up with out a footrest. It’s not flawless, however in the event you’re into enjoyable, swingy seating, the Stargaze is price each cent for a zero-gravity vibe and quick-hit consolation.

Consolation

Because of its intelligent design, the NEMO Stargaze is a well-liked seat at camp. The cushioned seat is totally suspended between two polesfor a easy, floating really feel. The excessive again provides good assist. We respect the adjustable headrest for various head and neck positions. The broad, curved body offers loads of elbow room, and tall padded armrests are nice for short-term assist.

Senior Content material Editor Ian Krammer brings the Stargaze on car-camping adventures within the scorching Utah desert in Might and April. He loves the breathable mesh again panel to catch a breeze on scorching afternoons. It’s excellent for naps, too – the Stargaze can lay all the way in which flat, excellent for gazing on the treetops or gawking on the Milky Manner. And with a seat peak of 12 inches, this one’s nonetheless simple for most individuals to get out and in of.

Our greatest problem? The reclining function doesn’t work as properly for shorter customers. Ian is 5’6”, and his testing finds that getting the chair horizontal takes some effort – he needed to push off the bottom to maintain it reclined. As soon as the Stargaze is flat, there’s no solution to lock it in place. Meaning you’ll want both a extra inflexible, flexed physique place or a footrest – we suggest a cooler – to remain horizontal. 

As cozy as it’s, this chair doesn’t have a lot lumbar assist, so it’s not nice for upright actions like consuming at a camp desk or enjoying playing cards. We discover the minimal armrests a bit underwhelming, because the transferring materials can pinch arm pores and skin, and so they’re too excessive for resting over lengthy durations. Nonetheless, these are small gripes. This chair is a snug selection within the wild.

Sturdiness

NEMO’s top-notch supplies and sharp design imply this chair simply gained’t stop. For perspective, Dave Collins’ received his Stargaze in 2019, and it’s nonetheless going sturdy. The aluminum body boasts a stable weight restrict of 300 kilos, and simply handles 1000’s of assemblies and teardowns. The poles are sturdy and slot collectively tightly. The body has a stable weight restrict of 300 kilos that feels degree even when reclining or rocking, and spherical rubber ft additional stabilize the chair. Even the 2 thick attachment factors for the body and chair are practically indestructible. 

We’ve additionally been impressed by the sturdiness of the polyester seat. The Stargaze held up superbly towards dozens of drink spills, grime and sand, punctures and abrasions. Robust stitching is constructed to final, and it’s UV-treated in case you allow it within the solar all day.

The Stargaze handles climate with ease, too. We’ve examined its limits with huge snowstorms, torrential downpours, and damaging hail. Microfilament mesh drains moisture rapidly, and we discover typically, the material dries in 2 hours or much less. This mannequin is on the dear facet, however you get what you pay for – a chair that’s constructed to final years, not months.

Portability

​​Don’t let its bigger footprint idiot you – the Stargaze earns high marks for portability due to an superior carrying case. WE don’t thoughts carrying this chair one bit due to an adjustable deal with, lengthwise zipper, spacious inside, and a big mesh panel, we’re massive followers of this design.

We additionally like that it’s on the lighter facet in comparison with most tenting chairs, weighting solely 8 kilos and 11 ounces. It additionally packs down comparatively small – 27 by 7.5 by 7.5 inches. We’ve discovered that measurement is accommodating for many tenting kits, and it comfortably suits any trunk or gear room. We normally aren’t strolling far with this chair, however the Stargaze strikes a very good stability between heft and comfort.

Ease of Use

The NEMO Stargaze is an intuitive and cozy chair for any camper. After a few setups, snapping the body collectively and hooking the seat up turns into second nature. An adjustable headrest offers the chair a customizable really feel. Two slim cloth cup holders close to the thighs work properly for a slim, sealable container, however in addition they double as stash pockets for the whole lot from keys to a cellphone. 

The draw back? Getting the grasp of setup takes some observe. And, it’s not the quickest chair to pitch. It normally takes one to 2 minutes for a single individual to completely assemble the chair, which may really feel tedious in comparison with the short, one-step pop-ups of easier folding chairs. Nonetheless, it solely takes sitting within the chair as soon as to know how simple, enjoyable, and nice this mannequin is for lounging.

Ought to You Purchase The Nemo Stargaze?

For campers who need greater than only a seat, the NEMO Stargaze delivers a elaborate floating really feel in a intelligent design. Its reclining and rocking options cater to those that need to swing, lay again, and lounge as an alternative of sitting upright, and it’s constructed for taking within the views. The adjustable headrest, arm rests, and broad mesh again supply a snug really feel, and it’s simple to pack away and transport from the automobile to a yard, park or campsite. For those who’re on the lookout for a laid-back seating expertise, the Stargaze’s suspended design suits the invoice. 

Nonetheless, this chair could miss the mark for some. It’s among the many priciest we’ve examined, which gained’t go well with everybody’s funds. The dearth of lumbar assist could not work in the event you favor a chair with an upright posture. We struggled with the armrests, as they’re a bit excessive for some. Shorter campers 5’6” or underneath could discover the Stargaze a little bit of a problem – it may be troublesome to maintain reclined, and with out stress returns to a impartial slouched place.

General, the Stargaze is a favourite as a result of it flips the script on camp chairs. With a swing-style design that blends playful movement with hammock-like consolation, it’s made for stress-free underneath the celebs.

What Different Tenting Chairs Ought to You Take into account?

Questioning which tenting chair fits your model? Dive into our greatest tenting chairs information to see how this one measures up. And don’t miss these choices:

ENO Lounger DL Evaluation: The ENO Lounger DL has the same hammock-like design with a snug, cradling seat that’s nice for reclining. This mannequin is lighter, decrease and extra inexpensive than the Stargaze, however not as sturdy. 

GCI Freestyle Rocker Evaluation: The GCI Freestyle Rocker is a conventional chair design, but it surely provides the same rocking movement. It has superior again assist and a better seat peak but it surely’s bulkier, heavier, and far much less transportable.

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Evaluation: Just like the Stargaze, the King Kong is constructed to final for years and has a large seat. However, this one provides higher again assist, a better weight restrict, and is extra inexpensive, although it’s bulkier.