Camp chairs · Review
GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Review (Bought & Tested!)
I bought this chair with my own money and put it through 13 measured tests.
- Setup ~4 sec
- Seat size 21.2 x 15.0 in
- Seat height 15.2 in
- Weight 12.2 lbs

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Test scorecard
If you’re looking for the best rocking chair, this GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker certainly lives up to its name, and I highly recommend it. It’s comfortable, sits as high as a regular chair, and has a great rocking motion.
- Inexpensive
- Tall seat height
- Taut seat
- Easy setup and pack away
- Bulky packed size
If you prefer watching to reading, check out my video here instead.
See the 13 tests
Set Up
1) Pick it up and locate the two seat-frame edges.

2) Push both sides apart mid-way, then push downwards on the seat to snap it in place.
- Setup time ~4 seconds

Pack Away
1) Locate the side marked ‘lift handle to fold’.

2) Place your foot at the bottom of the frame. Then, reach over the armrest and pull the handle up. The chair will snap shut.
- Pack-away time ~2 seconds

Unfolded Dimensions
- Width (armrest to armrest) 23.8in
- Depth (front to back) 24.5in
- Height (ground to top) 34.3in
Seat Size
- Seat width 21.25in
- Seat depth 15.0in

Seat Height
- Front seat height 18.75in
- Bottom seat height 15.25in
- Seat slouch 3.5in

Backrest
- Backrest height 18.0in
- Backrest width 24.0in
- Recline angle 8°

Mesh
- Mesh panel on backrest 14.25 x 12.75in
- Overall mesh percentage ~17%

Armrests
The padding is a thin layer of fabric and Styrofoam-like foam over a steel bar — honestly, not the most comfortable.


Cupholder
- Cupholders 1
- Size 3.0 x 3.5in

Rocking Feature
The rocking is due to the metal tubes sliding in and out of the pistons at the back of the chair. It also has anti-squeak joints on both sides.

On top of that, the front legs work like a normal camp chair.

It comes with extra grooving at the front to keep it steady.

Longevity
I borrowed this from a friend who’s owned it for 2-3 years. It’s held up great — the only change is a slight squeak.
Materials and Quality
- Fabric Ripstop polyesterno denier rating
- Mesh Nylon
- Frame Powder-coated steel with simple rivets
- Poles 1.0in flat poles
- Stitching Clean all around
- Made in China
- Warranty Lifetime
Portability
- Weight 12.2lbs
- Packed size 34.3 x 24.5 x 6.25in
- Carry handle 1


Pros, Cons, Recommendations
Now, what are the pros and cons, and would I recommend the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker?
| Testing | GCI Freestyle Rocker | GCI Kickback Rocker | GCI Pod Rocker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup | 4 seconds | 4 seconds | 23 seconds |
| Pack Away | 2 seconds | 5 seconds | 45 seconds |
| Seat Size | 21.25 x 15.0in | 17.8 x 16.3in | 27.3 x 14.5in |
| Backrest Height | 18.0in | 22.5in | 25.1in |
| Seat Height | 15.25in | 11.2in | 11.2in |
| Seat Tautness | Yes | Yes | No |
| Mesh | 17% | 0% | 2% |
| Armrests | Yes | Yes | No |
| Storage | Cupholder x 1 No pockets | Cupholder x 1 Phone pocket x 1 | Cupholder x 1 Phone pocket x 1 |
| Packed Size (Volume) | 34.3 x 24.5 x 6.25in (5,252in³) | 39.3 x 7.5 x 6.5in (1,916in³) | 41.0 x 8.0 x 5.5in (1,804in³) |
| Weight | 12.2lbs | 10.4lbs | 12.1lbs |
Fastest to set up and pack away
- Freestyle: 2-4 seconds
- Kickback: 4-5 seconds
- Pod: 23-45 seconds
Sits as high as a regular chair
- Freestyle: 15.25in
- Kickback: 11.2in
- Pod: 11.2in
Most mesh, best for summer
About 17% of the chair is mesh while the others have almost none.
Taut, supportive seat
The seat stays taut instead of sinking, so it supports your lower back. The Pod Rocker’s bucket shape doesn’t.
Bulky packed size
The fold-flat design makes the packed volume is nearly 3x the others.
- Freestyle: 5,252in³
- Kickback: 1,916in³
- Pod: 1,804in³

No pockets
You get a single cupholder and no phone pocket — both other GCI rockers have a small phone pocket.
Overall recommendation
If you want an easy-setup and tall rocker that provides good lumbar support, the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker is easily the best.
Bonus – MUST Read!
I know this because I tested the Freestyle Rocker against 20 other camping chairs. Check out my Best Outdoor Camping Chairs article to find out.
Or, check out the Freestyle Rocker:
Every figure above is from my own testing — measured by hand, bought with my own money.