Camp chairs · Review
GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker Review (Bought & Tested!)
I bought this chair with my own money and put it through 10 measured tests.
- Setup ~23 sec
- Seat size 27.2 x 14.5 in
- Seat height 11.2 in
- Weight 12.1 lbs
This page contains affiliate links, and that means that I may earn a commission if you buy something, at no extra cost to you. You can find my full disclosure policy here.
Test scorecard
The GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker is a lounge-type rocking chair with a scoop shape. This provides less back and neck support than typical flat-seat chairs, so I didn’t particularly enjoy it (but that’s just my personal preference!).
- Rocking feature
- Doubles as regular chair
- Wide seat
- Not the best lumbar support and seat height
If you prefer watching to reading, check out my video here instead.
See the 10 tests
Set Up
The setup is quick:
- Pull the chair out of the bag.
- Grab opposite corners and pull apart
- Setup time ~23 seconds
Pack Away
The pack-away is simply the reverse of the setup, and it takes 45 seconds.
Unfolded Dimensions
- Width (side to side) 29.75in
- Length (back to front) 28.6in
- Height (ground to top) 33.3in
Detailed Measurements
- Seat width 27.25in
- Seat depth 14.5in
- Front seat height 17.75in
- Lowest seat height 11.2in
- Backrest height 25.1in
- Backrest width 27.5in
- Recline angle ~25 degreesnon-adjustable
Storage
There are two storage options:
- Phone pocket 4.25 x 4.5in
- Cupholder 3.5 x 3.0inlength x diameter
Armrests
The chair has flat surfaces on both sides, but they slant downward and put too much pressure on my elbows.
Rocking Function
The rocking comes from two spring-loaded pistons at the back – the tubes slide in and out of the pistons as you rock.
It also doubles as a normal camp chair, because it has two regular legs at the front, which makes the chair stable when not rocking.
Ventilation
Ventilation is minimal — just 2 small mesh slits:
- Slit size (each) 2.5 x 9.0in
- Mesh percentage ~2-3%
The fabric also runs quite warm so not the best pick for summer.
Materials & Quality
- Fabric Ripstop polyesterno denier rating
- Frame Stainless steel
- Pole thickness 0.83-0.99in
- Stitching Decent all around
- Warranty Lifetime
Portability
The carry bag has a shoulder strap.
- Total weight 12.1lbs
- Chair 11.8lbs
- Carry bag 5.1oz (~0.3lbs)
- Packed size 41.0 x 8.0 x 5.5in
Pros, Cons, Recommendations
Now, what are the pros and cons, and would I recommend the GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker?
Great rocking feature
GCI’s spring-loaded piston rocker is genuinely relaxing, and it’s the main reason to buy this chair.
Doubles as a normal chair
The two front legs let it work as a regular camp chair, so you can sit at a table without rocking.
Seat is very wide
At 27.0 inches wide, the seat is roomy enough that I could cross my legs on it without feeling cramped.
Relatively tall backrest
The 25.0-inch backrest is not the tallest, but it’s great for shorter folks like.
Poor lumbar support (bucket shape)
The seat sinks in by about 6.5in, and you’re also locked you at a permanent 25.0-degree recline. It’s not great for your lower back.
Seat height much lower than marketed
GCI markets the seat height at 20.1in, but seated it was just 11.2in.
Not ideal for summer use
With only ~2-3% mesh coverage, the chair runs warm on hot days.
Overall recommendation
Overall, the pros outweigh the cons — but only for the right use case.
The GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker is a great chair if you’re looking specifically for a lounge chair with a rocking feature. But do not get this chair if you need lumbar support, and if you have difficulty getting out of low seats.
Bonus – MUST Read!
I tested the GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker against 20 other camping chairs. See how it compares in my Ultimate Camping Chairs article.
Or, check out the Pod Rocker:
Every figure above is from my own testing — measured by hand, bought with my own money.
