REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair Review (Bought & Tested!)

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REI Co-Op Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair Review
You’ll find the complete testing of this chair in this review.

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Summary: If you’re looking for a lightweight high-back chair at the most affordable entry price-point possible, the REI Co-Op Flexlite Camp Dreamer is one of the better picks out there. It’s not the most comfortable, nor the highest quality though.

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RELATED: The 21 Best Camping Chairs

Pros: Lightweight, high backrest with pillow, inexpensive
Cons: Seat height is saggy, materials not the highest quality

I’ll link to my YouTube review here when it’s done (TBA)

Check out the REl Camp Dreamer:

Check price on REI Co-Op

Table Of Contents
  1. 1. Set Up
  2. 2. Pack Away
  3. 3. Unfolded Dimensions
  4. 4. Detailed Measurements
  5. 5. Headrest & Pillow
  6. 6. Storage
  7. 7. Breathability
  8. 8. Materials
  9. 9. Stability & Quality
  10. 10. Portability
  11. 11. Warranty
  12. 12. Pros & Cons
  13. 13. Bonus – MUST Read!

1. Set Up

To set up this chair, follow these steps:

  1. Locate the shock-cording on poles to guide placement (follow the label).
  2. Insert fabric onto tall back poles first (look for REI logo at top and pole pockets near it).
  3. Secure bottom ends using webbing loops on corners; slip finger into the loop to pull tight on the last corner.
  4. Attach the removable headrest with toggles at the top of the chair.

Setup time: ~1 minute 12 seconds

The shock cording of the REI Camp Dreamer's poles.
Follow this shock-cording on the poles to set up the chair.
Fully set up poles of the REI Camp Dreamer.
The fully set-up poles of the REI Camp Dreamer.
The author is holding the REI Camp Dreamer's seat fabric.
This side with the REI logo is for the top of the chair.
The backrest webbing loop of the REI Camp Dreamer.
Slip your finger into the webbing loops on the last corner for easier tensioning.

2. Pack Away

To pack away the chair, follow these steps:

  1. Remove the headrest and place it into the carry bag first.
  2. Remove chair from poles; fold excess ends where pockets are located.
  3. Break down the poles and fold them all in towards the centre pole.
  4. Wrap poles in chair fabric and compress tightly (top-loading bag opening isn’t super big).

Pack away time: ~1 minute 10 seconds (including getting it back into the bag)

The seat fabric pack away of the REI Camp Dreamer.
Fold these excess ends where the pockets are located.
The author is folding the poles of the REI Camp Dreamer.
Fold the poles into the center pole.

3. Unfolded Dimensions

As for the unfolded dimensions, here’s what I measured:

  • Width: 25in (63.5cm) from pole to pocket area
  • Length: 26.25in (66.7cm) from back of chair to front of seat
  • Height: 37in (94.0cm) from ground to top of chair

These dimensions are slightly longer and taller than the marketed specs, which list 35in for height and 23.6in for width.

4. Detailed Measurements

Now, if you want more detailed seat measurements, here is everything to know:

  • Total seat length: 23.75in (60.3cm)
  • Seat depth: 13.5in (34.3cm)
  • Front seat height: 12in (30.5cm)
  • Actual seat height:  9.8in (24.8cm)
  • Backrest height: 28.5in (72.4cm)
  • Recline angle: ~29 degrees
The author is sitting on the REI Camp Dreamer.
The seat depth doesn’t cover my entire thighs, so there’s a bit of sitting pressure there.
The author is sitting on the REI Camp Dreamer.
The seat height slouches 2.2in when someone is sitting on it.
The author is sitting on the REI Camp Dreamer.
The tall backrest height was enough to cover my entire back, even all the way past the top of my head.

5. Headrest & Pillow

This chair comes with a removable headrest-slash-pillow:

  • Attach: Uses toggles at the top of the chair
  • Comfort: Stiff pillow; softer preferred for comfort
The pillow toggle of the REI Camp Dreamer.
The removable pillow attaches to the top of the chair with these toggles.
The author is resting on the REI Camp Dreamer with the head pillow stowed away.
You can also sweep it to the back of the chair if it’s not in use.

6. Storage

As for storage options, this chair has 2 mesh pockets, 1 on each side.

  • Pocket Size: 6.5in x 3.75in (16.5cm x 9.5cm)
The size of the REI Camp Dreamer's pocket.
Both sides has this identical mesh pocket.
A phone in pocket of the REI Camp Dreamer.
It is big enough for you to keep a phone in horizontally here.
A thin can inside the REI Camp Dreamer's pocket.
You can even fit a beverage in there, and it’s relatively secure, provided your can isn’t too full.

7. Breathability

This chair doesn’t have any mesh at all; it’s made of lightweight fabric plus 2 extra slits in the bottom for ventilation:

  • Material: Lightweight fabric with DWR finish
  • Mesh Percentage: 0% Mesh
  • Temp Rise: Starting temp 78.8°F → After 1 hour 86.7°F (Increase: 10%)
The backrest slits of the REI Camp Dreamer.
It only has these 2 slits and 0% mesh on this chair.

8. Materials

As for materials, the build uses specific components:

  • Fabric: 300D Ripstop Polyester with DWR finish
  • Poles: Regular aluminium (Center bar 0.79in / 2.0cm thick; others 0.67in / 1.7cm)
  • Feet: Rubberised tips
  • Origin: Made in the Philippines
The chair poles of the REI Camp Dreamer.
This center bar that the rest of the poles are connected to is thicker.

9. Stability & Quality

For stability and quality, here’s what I noticed:

  • Structure: Reverse structure from most chairs (narrow at front, wide on sides). Not the most stable if you move around
  • Defect Found: Managed to use this chair for only about 3 days, then it broke on me. The end of the pole pushed a hole through one of the bottom pole pockets
  • Weight Limit: 300lbs (136kg)
The chair feet of the REI Camp Dreamer.
This reverse structure makes it not the most stable if you move around.

10. Portability

The carry bag has a small handle near the opening.

  • Chair weight: 3.0lbs (1.4kg)
  • Headrest weight: 0.26lbs (0.1kg)
  • Bag weight: 0.14lbs (0.06kg)
  • Total weight: 3.4lbs (1.5kg) (Marketed: 3 lbs 7 oz)
  • Packed size: 21in x 7in x 6in (53cm x 18cm x 15cm)
The small handle of the REI Camp Dreamer's carry bag.
You can hold the carry bag with this small handle.
Packed size comparison of the REI Camp Dreamer with the Coleman Sundome 2 Tent and a 1-Liter Nalgene bottle.
Side-by-side view of the packed chair next to a 2-person Coleman Sundome tent and a 1-liter Nalgene bottle for scale.

This is about 15% smaller than a 2-person Coleman Sundome tent.

11. Warranty

REI offers a standard return policy on this gear, though it does not have the lifetime warranty found on premium brands like Kelty or Helinox.

Test it for at least a week to ensure no manufacturing defects (like pole pocket failures).

12. Pros & Cons

Now, what are the pros and cons, and would I recommend the REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair?

Pro #1 – Portable

This chair is lightweight and portable for a camping chair, coming in at 3.4lbs, and the packed size isn’t too big either (21 x 7 x 6in).

Pro #2 – Inexpensive

Compared to other similar lightweight high-backed chairs, the Camp Dreamer is definitely one of the cheaper ones, and you can easily wait till it goes on a 30% sale to buy it, that’s what I did.

Lightweight High-Back ChairMSRP
(USD)
REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer$100
Helinox Chair Two$130
Helinox Sunset$170
Big Agnes Big Six Armchair$280

Pro #3 – Larger Seat Size

The seat size is larger than average, wider and also deeper than all the other chairs here.

Lightweight High-Back ChairSeat Width
(in)		Seat Depth
(in)
REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer23.813.5
Big Agnes Big Six Armchair23.012.5
Helinox Sunset22.512.0
Helinox Chair Two21.111.0

Pro #4 – Pretty Comfortable

I also really liked the high-rise back of the chair, plus the removable headrest as well. Yes, it was a bit stiff, but overall, comfort-wise, this chair was decent.

Con #1 – Seat Height Not Tall

Actual sit height is 9.8in, second-lowest compared to similar chairs.

Lightweight High-Back ChairSeat Height
(in)
Helinox Sunset13.0
Big Agnes Big Six Armchair11.4
REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer9.8
Helinox Chair Two7.5

Con #2 – First Few Setups Very Difficult

Another big con is that the first setups will be very tight, and I’m not very strong, so it took a lot of muscle for me to get the pole into the bottom pole pocket. The last corner is always tough until broken in.

Con #3 – Manufacturing Defect Found

Mine broke a few days in. The weight limit is 300lbs, and I don’t think I’m anywhere close to that limit, so I’m quite certain it’s just a manufacturing defect (pole pocket broke).

The broken pole pocket's fabric of the REI Camp Dreamer.
The end of the pole pushed a hole through the bottom pole pockets, so it’s completely unusable now.

Overall Recommendation

Overall, I think the quality and materials of the REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer aren’t the worst for the price if you get it on sale. Just be sure to test it out for at least a week to make sure yours doesn’t have the same defect that mine did.

13. Bonus – MUST Read!

I know this because I tested the REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair against 20 other camping chairs. Check out my Best Camping Chairs article to find out.

Or, check out the REl Camp Dreamer:

Check price on REI Co-Op

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