Camp chairs · Review
REI Campwell Chair Review (Bought & Tested!)
I bought this chair with my own money and put it through 12 measured tests.
- Setup ~7 sec
- Seat size 17.8 x 16.0 in
- Seat height 11.2 in
- Weight 8.0 lbs
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Test scorecard
The REI Co-Op Campwell Chair is a superb summer pick — loads of mesh, decent lumbar support, and a budget price that’s unbeatable (especially if you get it on sale, like I did!).
- Loads of mesh
- Inexpensive
- Decent lumbar support
- Easy setup
- Seat sits lower than marketed
If you prefer watching to reading, check out my video here instead.
See the 12 tests
Set Up
Simply grab one armrest and the opposite backrest, and pull the chair apart. That’s all.
- Setup time ~7 seconds
Pack Away
Packing away is just the reverse of the setup, and takes just 24 seconds.
Unfolded Dimensions
- Width 31.9inarmrest to armrest
- Depth 23.25inback to front
- Height 30.7inground to top
Seat Size
- Total seat width 21.1in
- Usable seat width 17.8in3.3in lost to the steel bars
- Seat depth 16.0in
Seat Height
- Front seat height 14.5in
- Real seated height (when someone is on the chair) 11.25in
- Seat sag 3.25in
Backrest
- Backrest height 19.0in
- Backrest width 23.5in
- Recline angle ~10 degrees
Mesh
This chair is at least 80% mesh, with the remaining 20% fabric strips running across the chair. I ran a one-hour heat test:
- Mesh 77°F → 78.5°F after 1 hour2% rise
- Fabric 77°F → 80°F after 1 hour4% rise
It also drains fast. After a heavy rainstorm soaked it through, it dried in about 2 hours.
Armrests
The armrests are half mesh too, so they breathe well.
Storage
There’s a cupholder on the right armrest (5.9 x ~3.0in) and a drop-down pocket (3.5 x 6.0in) on the left.
Materials & Quality
- Seat Nylon mesh reinforced with ripstop polyester strips
- Poles Steel
- Pole thickness 0.61in
- Stitching Good
- Stability Good
Longevity
I’ve had this chair since July 2022. Here’s how it’s held up:
- Fabric Still great
- Poles Slight rust, none broken, still fully functional
- Pocket Cinch has worn out
Portability
I lost the original carry bag, so here’s what I could test instead:
- Total weight 8.0lbs
- Chair 7.6lbs
- Carry bag ~0.4lbs (estimated)
- Packed size 32.5in x 6.0in x 7.0in
Pros, Cons, Recommendations
Now, what are the pros and cons, and would I recommend the REI Campwell Chair?
Loads of mesh
One of my favorite things about this chair is how much mesh it has, and it was super breathable even in hot summers.
| Camp Chair | Mesh Amount |
|---|---|
| NEMO Stargaze | 44% |
| ENO Lounger DL | 80% |
| REI Campwell | 80% |
| YETI Trailhead | 100% |
Inexpensive
Mesh usually costs more to make, so I was surprised how cheap this chair is. MSRP is $60, but I paid $42, and these chairs go on sale around 30% off through the year.
| Camp Chair | MSRP |
|---|---|
| REI Campwell | $60 |
| ENO Lounger DL | $150 |
| NEMO Stargaze | $250 |
| YETI Trailhead | $300 |
3 years and still going strong
I’ve used it since July 2022 through weeks of sun and rain, and it’s still functional. This is seriously great bang for my buck.
Decent lumbar support
The X-shaped webbing gives decent lumbar support, with seat sag of only ~3in (most camp chairs sink 4-7in).
Easy setup and pack away
It takes just 7 seconds to set up and 24 seconds to pack away — one of the quickest I’ve tested.
Sits a bit lower than marketed
Once you sink in, the seat sits at 11.25in — well below the marketed 15in.
Overall recommendation
Overall, the pros easily outweigh the cons. I’d recommend the REI Campwell chair if you want a budget-friendly, mesh-heavy chair for summer and don’t mind sitting a little lower than marketed.
Bonus – MUST Read!
I tested the REI Campwell against 20 other camping chairs. See how it stacks up in my Best Camping Chairs Review.
Or, check out the Campwell:
Every figure above is from my own testing — measured by hand, bought with my own money.
