REI Campwell Chair Review (Bought & Tested!)
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Summary: The REI Campwell chair is a fantastic pick if you’re camping in summer. It has tons of mesh, decent lumbar support, all at a budget-friendly price. Pro-Tip: If you get this chair on sale, it’s easily the very best value for money chair you can find out there.
RELATED: The 21 Best Camping Chairs
I’ll link to my YouTube review here when it’s done (TBA)
Check out the REl Campwell:
1. Set Up
The entire setup is pretty straightforward. Here’s how:
- Stand the carry bag upright and pull down on it slightly (easier than pulling from the bottom).
- Grab opposite ends of the armrests and backrest.
- Pull the chair open until it locks into place.
Setup time: ~7 seconds
2. Pack Away
To pack away the chair, follow these steps:
- Grab opposite corners (backrest and seat) to collapse the frame.
- Lay it flat on the ground if you need more leverage than standing allows.
- Insert feet into the bag first, then fold the rest of the fabric in.
Pack away time: ~24 seconds (including getting it back into the bag)
3. Unfolded Dimensions
As for the unfolded dimensions, here’s what I measured:
- Width: 31.9in (81.0cm) from armrest to armrest
- Length: 23.25in (59.1cm) from back of chair to front of seat
- Height: 30.7in (78.0cm) from ground to top of chair
These dimensions are slightly bigger than the marketed specs, which list 31.25in width and 20in depth.
4. Detailed Measurements
Now, if you want more detailed seat measurements, here is everything to know. The steel bars on the sides eat into the usable space significantly.
- Total seat length: 21.1in (53.6cm)
- Real seat length: 17.8in (45.1cm)
- Seat depth: 16.0in (40.6cm)
5. Seat Height
As for seat height, there is a significant difference between the front measurement and where you actually sit:
- Front seat height: 14.5in (36.8cm)
- Actual seat height: 11.25in (28.5cm)
- Sag amount: 3.25in (8.3cm)
6. Backrest
For back support, here are the specific stats:
- Backrest height: 19.0in (48.3cm)
- Backrest width: 23.5in (59.7cm)
- Recline angle: 10 degrees (slightly reclined)
7. Mesh & Breathability
This Campwell chair is made of at least 80% mesh, with 20% made of fabric strips running across and down the length:
- Temp Rise (Mesh): Starting temp 77°F → After 1 hour 78.5°F (Increase: 2%)
- Temp Rise (Fabric): Starting temp 77°F → After 1 hour 80°F (Increase: 4%)
During a heavy rainstorm, it drained water very quickly and took only about 2 hours to completely dry.
8. Armrests
One feature this chair has is armrests, which offer basic comfort:
- Material: Half mesh for breathability
- Adjustability: Non-adjustable connections at the back
9. Storage Options
As for storage options, this chair has 1 x cupholder and 1 x drop-down pocket.
Right Armrest
- Cupholder: 5.9in (15cm) diameter
- Fits a thin can or a bottle nicely
- A 1-liter Nalgene fits in the wide part (3.5in diameter) but not with a regular can inside
Left Armrest
- Drop-down pocket: 3.5in x 6.0in (15.2cm x 8.9cm)
- Fits phone or small valuables securely with cinch
- Can be stowed away using Velcro on the underside of the armrest if not needed
10. Materials & Quality
As for materials, the build quality is solid overall:
- Fabric: Nylon mesh reinforced with ripstop polyester strips
- Poles: Steel (0.61in / 1.55cm thick)
- Structure: Standard X-pole structure
- Stitching: Good all around the entire chair during inspection
- Feet: Standard-sized, good stability
11. Longevity & Warranty
I’ve had this chair since July 2022 (about 3 and a half years now), so I can speak to its durability:
- Weather Exposure: Weeks of rain + sun
- Fabric Condition: No loose stitching, great condition
- Pole Condition: Only slight rust visible (0.61in poles still functional)
- Cinch Fabric: Broken down on the dropdown pocket Velcro area
REI offers a standard return policy rather than a lifetime warranty like some premium brands, but this chair has held up well under regular use.
12. Portability
As for portability, since I lost the original carry bag and had to take it from another of my REI chairs, everything here will be without the carry bag:
- Chair weight: 7.6lbs (3.45kg)
- Bag weight: ~0.4lbs (0.18kg)
- Total weight: 8.0lbs (3.63kg)
- Packed size: 32.5in x 6.0in x 7.0in (83cm x 15cm x 18cm)
13. Pros & Cons
Now, what are the pros and cons, and would I recommend the REI Co-Op Campwell Chair?
Pro #1 – Loads of Mesh
One of my favorite pros is that it’s made of so much mesh (80%). Even its armrests are made of at least 50% mesh.
| Camp Chair | Mesh Amount |
|---|---|
| NEMO Stargaze | 44% |
| ENO Lounger DL | 80% |
| REI Campwell | 80% |
| YETI Trailhead | 100% |
Pro #2 – Inexpensive
MSRP is $60, making it one of the cheapest chairs with this much mesh compared to ENO Lounger DL ($150) or YETI Trailhead ($300).
| Camp Chair | Mesh Amount | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| REI Campwell | 80% | $60 |
| ENO Lounger DL | 80% | $150 |
| NEMO Stargaze | 44% | $250 |
| YETI Trailhead | 100% | $300 |
Pro #3 – 3 Years and Still Going Strong
Used since July 2022 (3.5 years), still functional despite weeks of rain and sun. Poles held up without breaking.
Pro #4 – Decent lumbar support
X-shaped webbing tension limits sag to 3.25in, compared to other chairs that can sink 5 inches.
Pro #5 – Easy setup and pack away
This chair sets up in just 7 seconds and packs away in 24 seconds.
Con #1 – Sits a Bit Lower Than Marketed
The seat height is definitely quite a bit lower than marketed, coming in at 11 and a quarter inch instead of 15 inches.
Overall Recommendation
Overall, I think the pros definitely outweigh all the cons. I’d highly recommend this REI Campwell chair if you’re looking for a budget-friendly chair to use in summer and you don’t mind it being just slightly lower than marketed. It’s been one of my absolute favorite trusty chairs in the last few years for sure.
14. Bonus – MUST Read!
I know this because I tested the REI Campwell Chair against 20 other camping chairs. Check out my Best Camping Chairs article to find out.
Or, check out the Campwell:
