REI Campwell Tenting Chair Overview

Backside Line

The REI Campwell proves that consolation and ease don’t have to interrupt the financial institution. It’s within the prime 3 of our finest tenting chairs information as an reasonably priced and comfy basic. Our group’s used each iteration of this chair for tons of 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 comfortable as ever – it’s comfortable however supportive, excellent for lounging by the campfire, having fun with seashore sunsets, and kicking it on a patio. The seat peak is accessible for small children to tall adults, and it’s acquainted X-frame construct is secure. We use this chair year-round, however it thrives in summer season. Breathable mesh lets us really feel the breeze on sizzling days, and it dries shortly 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. This chair isn’t as sturdy as some – we discover its mesh is extra susceptible than thicker supplies. The cup holder design is awkward and enormous, which might result in containers spilled drinks, and the pocket design isn’t tremendous practical. That mentioned, these are minor drawbacks – general, 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 classes of sitting. We love how ethereal and breezy this mannequin is, so it’s a very good decide for decent summer season days. Senior Content material Editor Ian Krammer brings it to Moab within the late spring when nights keep above 50ºF to maintain air shifting 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 simple to get into and out of for each children and adults. Mixed with mesh armrests, this chair earns stable marks for consolation.

Our solely gripe? The polyester trim on the seat and headrest edges isn’t as light 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 stable on most terrain. The recycled polyester and nylon mesh, mixed with a powder-coated metal body, helps as much as 300 kilos – excellent for a variety of campers. We additionally discover the joints and maintain up effectively to tons of 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 season downpours within the Colorado Rockies above 11,000 ft. The Campwell was at all times the primary seat to dry, normally in about an hour.

The mesh is pretty abrasion-resistant, making it a very good decide 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 remains to be extra inclined to break than thicker, stronger, and heavier supplies – and the Campwell is generally mesh. You gained’t must child this chair, however keep vigilant towards 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 worth and excessive performance of the Campwell.

Portability

​​We like a tenting chair that packs mild, and the Campwell hits the nail on the pinnacle. This model of the chair went up in weight to eight kilos and a pair of ounces, however it’s nonetheless mild 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 organising and packing away a breeze. The carrying case has a single nylon strap for carrying over the shoulder, and the chair takes up minimal area, 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 one 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 twine can snag on the legs of the chair. A nylon strap is beneficial for carrying over our shoulders, however awkward at finest.

Ease of Use

The REI Campwell has some distinctive parts 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 gadgets because of 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 gadgets like a cellphone. We additionally hardly ever use the armrest attachment, so this characteristic 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 shortly, and normally each slots have to be stuffed to stop a drink from shifting.

These quirks aren’t main purple flags, although. This chair is straightforward to make use of, and we hold reaching for it repeatedly.

Ought to You Purchase The REI Campwell Chair?

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

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

What Different Tenting Chairs Ought to You Think about?

Head over to our listing of the perfect tenting chairs to learn how the REI Campwell compares to the competitors. Listed below are our handpicked options:

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Overview: Just like the Campwell, the King Kong’s an reasonably priced 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 Overview: The Kijaro Twin Lock is funds 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 on the lookout for wonderful assist.

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