Camp chairs · Review
Kelty Lowdown Chair Review (Bought & Tested!)
I bought this chair with my own money and put it through 12 measured tests.
- Setup ~7 sec
- Seat size 17.1 x 15.5 in
- Seat height 6.7 in
- Weight 7.6 lbs

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Test scorecard
The Kelty Lowdown Chair is one of the better low-profile chairs I’ve tested, with unique features like adjustable armrests and a carry bag that doubles as a footmat.
- Easy to use
- Cool features
- Low seat height
- A bit warm for summer
If you prefer watching to reading, check out my video here instead.
See the 12 tests
Set Up
Setup is quick and simple. Here’s how:
- Lay the bag down and undo the 3 buckles.
- Roll open the bag and slide the chair out.
- Grab opposite ends and pull open.
Setup time: ~7 seconds


Pack Away
It packs with a wrap-and-buckle system, not a top-loader.
- Grab 2 opposite corners.
- Lift and pull everything together.
- Slot the feet in, wrap, and do up the 3 buckles.
Pack away time: ~23.5 seconds

Unfolded Dimensions
Here are the unfolded dimensions:
- Width 31.25in from armrest to armrest
- Length 20.5in from side to side
- Height 28.4in from ground to top of chair
Detailed Measurements
Here are the detailed seat measurements:
- Total seat length 20.1in
- Real seat length 17.1in
- Seat depth 15.5in

- Front seat height 12in
- Actual sit height 6.7in

- Backrest height 20.75in
- Recline angle ~14 degreesa slight recline

Breathability
It’s thickly padded with zero mesh.
- Amount of mesh 0%
- Temperature rise Starting temp 76.1°F → After 1 hour: 86.9°F14.2% increase

So it traps body heat and keeps you warm. Not a chair you want to use for hot summer.
Armrests
The armrests are padded and adjustable via buckles at the back.

You can adjust them without getting up.

Storage
The cupholder fits a regular 300mL can and a 1L Nalgene bottle at once, though it’s a tight fit.
- Cup Holder size 3.5 x 5.5 inches

The middle divider is adjustable, you can stow it away at the side:

Carry Bag
The carry bag is thick and padded, with an adjustable shoulder strap.


It doubles as a footrest or pet mat.

Materials
There are no loose threads, and the stitching is clean throughout. Here are the materials:
- Fabric 600D polyester
- Poles Steel, approx. 0.61 inches thick
- Joints Simple rivets
Stability
The X-pole structure and low height keep it stable. I had no issues with stability.
- Structure X-pole on all sides
- Feet decently sized

Portability
Here’s the weight and packed size:
- Weight 7.6 lbs
- Chair 6.8 lbs
- Carry bag 0.8 lbs
- Packed Size 31.8″ (L) x 8.3″ (W) x 7.25″ (H)

Warranty
This chair comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros & Cons
Now, what are the pros and cons, and would I recommend the Kelty Lowdown Chair?
Easy to Use
Setup takes ~7 seconds and pack-away ~23.5 seconds — among the quickest I’ve tested.
Great Carry Bag
The wrap-and-buckle system beats squeezing into a top-loader. It’s also padded, works as a foot mat, and has an adjustable shoulder strap.

Decent Features
You get adjustable armrests, a big cupholder, and a lifetime warranty.

Seat Height Very Low
Once you sit, the real height drops to under 7 inches (marketed as 12 inches). Skip it if you struggle getting out of low seats.

Pro TipAlso, take note that Kelty’s marketed specs does not accurately match what I tested in a few areas.
| Feature | Marketed (in) | My Testing (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 31.5 | 20.1 |
| Depth | 23.0 | 15.5 |
| Backrest Height | 17.0 | 20.75 |
| Seat Height | 12.0 | 6.7 |
Overall recommendation
The Kelty Lowdown Chair is a great chair if you want a low campfire chair for cool weather, and you like the features like the carry bag and cupholder.
However, if you camp in the heat, or need a higher seat, don’t get this.
Bonus – MUST Read!
I know this because I tested the Kelty Lowdown Chair against 20 other camping chairs. Check out my 21 Best Camping Chairs post to find out more.
Or, check out the Kelty Lowdown Chair:
Every figure above is from my own testing — measured by hand, bought with my own money.