In our quest to find the perfect camp chair, we recently got our hands (and butts) on the TravelChair Joey. While it can support up to 300 pounds, this minimalist chair, which weighs just under two pounds, gives up features like a cup holder and pocket for your phone or MP3 player. In exchange, you get a chair that packs down small enough to fit into a backpack, bicycle pannier, or motorcycle saddlebag.
How does TravelChair make the Joey so easy to pack, yet still big enough to support normal-sized adults? They start with two high-strength molded plastic pieces, each of which has five holes at various angles. Then they add in strong but light aluminum tubing with some shock cord running through it. That allows them to have a frame sturdy enough for big guys, but light enough that even a child could carry it for a fair distance. Over this they attach durable ripstop nylon to complete the chair.
Sounds simple, right? I’m sure it is. But it’s the details that matter. Just like a good cycling short is made up of many panels, so is the TravelChair Joey – we counted six. A mix of solid and vented fabric provides a good fit that keeps you cool. Taking a closer look, we found lots of material folded over, with double stitching everywhere. It’s made to last. There’s also no steel to rust, and the anodized finish should retain its good looks for years. All this packs down into its own 4x4x14″ zippered bag.
Of course, it’s performance that counts, so we set it up and had about a dozen volunteers give it a try to get some initial impressions. This was quite the attention getter, as it nearly assembles itself, requiring not much more than a few shakes to get all the poles into their sockets. Then it’s another minute to attach the fabric. Our testers ranged from 5 foot, hundred pound kids to men over 6 feet tall and 250 pounds. In the interest of full disclosure, they varied from bean-pole slender to Kardashian/J-Lo sized at the seating area. For the most part, everyone found it comfortable, except for those whom found its 21 inch width a bit narrow. Inseam didn’t seem to matter, as your legs are out in front of you, rather than hanging down. The lack of a drink holder was not an issue, as the seat height of 16 inches meant that most of us could set our drink on the ground and still reach it with ease. Unlike more rigid chairs, the TravelChair Joey has more of a hammock feel to it, without being outright flimsy. It was comfortable for long periods too, which I found a bit surprising, since I usually like some lumbar support, rather than this cradling effect.
So is it perfect? Well, no chair will be perfect for everyone. But if you want a light chair that packs down to almost nothing, it’s a winner. If you’re traveling light, or attending an outdoor event that requires you to bring a chair, it’s hard to beat. Other than the 21 inch width limiting some users, it’s going to work well for most people. And the MSRP of $69.95 seems about right for the quality and utility it offers. If you need something more substantial, TravelChair offers many other models as well. But this looks to become a favorite, as I can throw it in the back of the car, or take it on a bike or motorcycle ride without worrying about using up precious cargo space. Find it at travelchair.com
– Brian
Disclosure of Material Connection: We received the TravelChair Joey for free from TravelChair, in consideration for review publication