REI Campwell Tenting Chair Evaluate

Backside Line

The REI Campwell proves that consolation and ease don’t have to interrupt the financial institution. It’s within the high 3 of our finest tenting chairs information as an inexpensive and cozy basic. Our crew’s used each iteration of this chair for a whole lot of journeys. If CleverHiker Founder Dave Collins is packing for an journey, he’s already put the Campwell within the automotive – it’s been his go-to for five+ years.

This REI mannequin will get a slight replace from its final model, beforehand referred to as the Skyward. It’s now an inch taller and just below a pound heavier. Nonetheless, this chair is as cozy as ever – it’s soft however supportive, good for lounging by the campfire, having fun with seashore sunsets, and kicking it on a patio. The seat peak is accessible for small youngsters to tall adults, and it’s acquainted X-frame construct is steady. We use this chair year-round, nevertheless it thrives in summer time. Breathable mesh lets us really feel the breeze on sizzling days, and it dries rapidly after a day storm.

Now we have just a few gripes, although. The Campwell’s on the cumbersome facet, and the case is uncomfortable to hold far. We discover the all-mesh building is extra susceptible than thicker supplies. The cup holder design is giant, which might result in spilled drinks, and the pocket design isn’t tremendous practical. That mentioned, these are minor drawbacks – total, the REI Campwell is a sensible, budget-friendly chair for many adventures.

Consolation

The Campwell proves you might be comfy with out splurging. We just like the mesh on this chair – it’s supportive however has loads of give, so it’s comfy for lengthy periods of sitting. We love how ethereal and breezy this mannequin is, so it’s a very good choose for warm summer time days. Senior Content material Editor Ian Krammer brings it to Moab within the late spring when nights keep above 50ºF to maintain air transferring and assist him keep cool.

At 15 inches, this chair is an inch taller than the prior model. That is the Goldilocks zone for accessibility – this peak makes it straightforward to get into and out of for each youngsters and adults. Mixed with mesh armrests, this chair earns strong marks for consolation.

Our solely gripe? The polyester trim on the seat and headrest edges isn’t as mild as the remainder of the mesh. A few of our testers discovered the fabric scratchy and abrasive, though it wasn’t a dealbreaker. Whether or not you’re on the seashore, campsite, or yard, this chair is a welcoming place to unwind.

Sturdiness

The Campwell is common for sturdiness. Constructed with a basic X-frame design and chunky plastic ft, we discover it feels strong on most terrain. The recycled polyester and nylon mesh, mixed with a powder-coated metal body, helps as much as 300 kilos – good for a variety of campers. We additionally discover the joints and maintain up effectively to a whole lot of instances folding and unfolding with minimal upkeep.

The Campwell handles rain and snow with ease, too. We’ve left our chairs outdoors in a number of summer time downpours within the Colorado Rockies above 11,000 ft. The Campwell was all the time the primary seat to dry, often in about an hour.

The mesh is pretty abrasion-resistant, making it a very good choose for sandy seashores and rugged campsites. Our testing within the damp Pacific Northwest additionally proves the chair’s body holds up effectively in humid, wet environments with out degrading.

Nevertheless, mesh continues to be extra prone to wreck than thicker, stronger, and heavier supplies – and the Campwell is generally mesh. You received’t should child this chair, however keep vigilant in opposition to snagging branches and sharp objects. Additionally, the nylon mesh melts close to warmth. Ours has just a few holes from rogue campfire ash. That mentioned, these are minor points given the low value and excessive performance of the Campwell.

Portability

​​We like a tenting chair that packs gentle, and the Campwell hits the nail on the top. This model of the chair went up in weight to eight kilos and a pair of ounces, nevertheless it’s nonetheless gentle sufficient to toss into your trunk, carry throughout a campsite, or schlep for as much as a mile or two. Ian’s introduced this REI mannequin alongside for dozens of occasions within the close by park, together with theater productions and concert events. 

The chair folds down like an umbrella in a one-step design that makes establishing and packing away a breeze. The carrying case has a single nylon strap for carrying over the shoulder, and the chair takes up minimal house, so it slots in effectively in a trunk or gear room with different tenting gear.

That mentioned, the Campwell’s case is unremarkable, and it’s not the quickest to pack or probably the most comfy to hold. The only opening on the finish of the tube-shaped case takes a bit of labor to suit all the fabric of the chair into the opening, and the cinch wire can snag on the legs of the chair. A nylon strap is helpful for carrying over our shoulders, however awkward at finest.

Ease of Use

The REI Campwell has some distinctive components we recognize. A mesh pocket on the left facet attaches beneath the armrest with a hook-and-loop patch and swings down for simple entry to small necessities. The pocket gives a safe place for objects due to a string and cordlock closure. The Campwell additionally has a double-wide cupholder – one dimension accommodates bigger bottles and cups like a Nalgene, and the opposite is for smaller containers like cans.

However we discover each designs a bit awkward. The facet pocket is a bit too small and floppy for cumbersome gloves or heavier objects like a telephone. We additionally not often use the armrest attachment, so this function goes to waste more often than not. The downfall of the 2 cupholders is that they’re linked along with no divider. Small containers are likely to tip over rapidly, and often each slots must be crammed to stop a drink from transferring.

These quirks aren’t main pink flags, although. This chair is simple to make use of, and we preserve reaching for it repeatedly.

Ought to You Purchase The REI Campwell Chair?

The REI Campwell is a superb choose for budget-conscious campers who desire a comfy and practical chair. With a low price ticket, breathable mesh cloth, and simple setup, this chair is soft and handy sufficient for campfires, cookouts, and post-hike chill time. It feels ethereal and breezy on heat summer time days, and dries rapidly. The Campwell is an effective match for a variety of physique sorts, and the double-size cup holder provides a little bit of comfort. Plus, it’s packed dimension isn’t unwieldy, so it’s straightforward to stash away the subsequent time you want a seat. We suggest this one in the event you’re searching for a basic tenting chair for nearly any journey.

That mentioned, the REI Campwell isn’t your best option for people who need tons of sensible storage or excessive sturdiness. Its giant cup holder isn’t one of the best for single small containers, and we discover the facet pocket design a bit cumbersome for entry and storage. Moreover, the mesh again could not present the firmness some customers favor in a camp chair. Nonetheless, the Campwell will get the job accomplished, and earns its Finest Price range Chair award as an inexpensive and versatile addition to any campers gear closet.

What Different Tenting Chairs Ought to You Contemplate?

Head over to our checklist of one of the best tenting chairs to learn how the REI Campwell compares to the competitors. Listed here are our handpicked alternate options:

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Evaluate: Just like the Campwell, the King Kong’s an inexpensive and easy-to-use chair with a basic design. However, this mannequin is significantly greater, extra sturdy, and has the next weight restrict.

Kijaro Twin Lock Evaluate: The Kijaro Twin Lock is price range pleasant and sturdy as effectively. In comparison with the Campwell, this one is taller, extra inflexible, and has higher cup holders. It’s a very good worth for campers searching for wonderful assist.

Amazon Fundamentals Tenting Chair Evaluate: The Amazon Fundamentals Tenting Chair additionally has a one-step folding design and a novel facet pocket design – it’s a cooler – nevertheless it’s much more inexpensive. The draw back? It’s not as sturdy.