NEMO Stargaze Tenting Chair Overview

Backside Line

The NEMO Stargaze is a staple on our finest tenting chairs information. It’s one of the distinctive seats on our listing, and earns its hold as a crowd favourite and dialog starter. This swinging chair isn’t solely luxuriously cozy, however impressively moveable. CleverHiker Founder Dave Collins is a long-time fan – he’s introduced this mannequin on lots of of group tenting journeys through the years. 

The Stargaze stands out for its hammock-like design, with the seat suspended between two burly poles. When you like a little bit of motion whilst you learn, house out, or nap, it’s the right seat for swinging, rocking, and reclining. It leads the pack for consolation with an adjustable headrest, breathable mesh again, and comfortable padding. The Stargaze could have a big setup, nevertheless it’s nonetheless extremely moveable. And after long-term use, we will confidently say it’s constructed to final.

Nonetheless, our testing unveils some cons. The largest draw back is its excessive price ticket, which makes the Stargaze an funding. We love this chair for lounging, although it doesn’t have a lot lumbar assist and it’s a bit impractical for sitting upright. We discover it may be uncomfortable for shorter of us for the reason that design encourages a slouched place, and the arm rests are a bit excessive. Plus, staying horizontal will be robust to keep up with no footrest. It’s not flawless, however for those who’re into enjoyable, swingy seating, the Stargaze is price each cent for a zero-gravity vibe and quick-hit consolation.

Consolation

Because of its intelligent design, the NEMO Stargaze is a well-liked seat at camp. The cushioned seat is totally suspended between two polesfor a clean, floating really feel. The excessive again provides good assist. We recognize the adjustable headrest for various head and neck positions. The large, curved body provides loads of elbow room, and tall padded armrests are nice for short-term assist.

Senior Content material Editor Ian Krammer brings the Stargaze on car-camping adventures within the scorching Utah desert in Could and April. He loves the breathable mesh again panel to catch a breeze on scorching afternoons. It’s good for naps, too – the Stargaze can lay all the way in which flat, good for gazing on the treetops or gawking on the Milky Approach. And with a seat peak of 12 inches, this one’s nonetheless straightforward for most individuals to get out and in of.

Our largest difficulty? The reclining function doesn’t work as effectively for shorter customers. Ian is 5’6”, and his testing finds that getting the chair horizontal takes some effort – he needed to push off the bottom to maintain it reclined. As soon as the Stargaze is flat, there’s no solution to lock it in place. Which means you’ll want both a extra inflexible, flexed physique place or a footrest – we suggest a cooler – to remain horizontal. 

As comfortable as it’s, this chair doesn’t have a lot lumbar assist, so it’s not nice for upright actions like consuming at a camp desk or enjoying playing cards. We discover the minimal armrests a bit underwhelming, because the shifting materials can pinch arm pores and skin, and so they’re too excessive for resting over lengthy durations. Nonetheless, these are small gripes. This chair is a comfortable alternative within the wild.

Sturdiness

NEMO’s top-notch supplies and sharp design imply this chair simply gained’t give up. For perspective, Dave Collins’ bought his Stargaze in 2019, and it’s nonetheless going robust. The aluminum body boasts a stable weight restrict of 300 kilos, and simply handles 1000’s of assemblies and teardowns. The poles are robust and slot collectively tightly. The body has a stable weight restrict of 300 kilos that feels degree even when reclining or rocking, and spherical rubber ft additional stabilize the chair. Even the 2 thick attachment factors for the body and chair are almost indestructible. 

We’ve additionally been impressed by the sturdiness of the polyester seat. The Stargaze held up superbly in opposition to dozens of drink spills, dust and sand, punctures and abrasions. Robust stitching is constructed to final, and it’s UV-treated in case you allow it within the solar all day.

The Stargaze handles climate with ease, too. We’ve examined its limits with large snowstorms, torrential downpours, and damaging hail. Microfilament mesh drains moisture rapidly, and we discover most often, the material dries in 2 hours or much less. This mannequin is on the expensive aspect, however you get what you pay for – a chair that’s constructed to final years, not months.

Portability

​​Don’t let its bigger footprint idiot you – the Stargaze earns prime marks for portability due to an superior carrying case. WE don’t thoughts carrying this chair one bit due to an adjustable deal with, lengthwise zipper, spacious inside, and a big mesh panel, we’re massive followers of this design.

We additionally like that it’s on the lighter aspect in comparison with most tenting chairs, weighting solely 8 kilos and 11 ounces. It additionally packs down comparatively small – 27 by 7.5 by 7.5 inches. We’ve discovered that measurement is accommodating for many tenting kits, and it comfortably matches any trunk or gear room. We normally aren’t strolling far with this chair, however the Stargaze strikes an excellent steadiness between heft and comfort.

Ease of Use

The NEMO Stargaze is an intuitive and cozy chair for any camper. After a few setups, snapping the body collectively and hooking the seat up turns into second nature. An adjustable headrest provides the chair a customizable really feel. Two slim cloth cup holders close to the thighs work effectively for a slim, sealable container, however in addition they double as stash pockets for every little thing from keys to a telephone. 

The draw back? Getting the hold of setup takes some observe. And, it’s not the quickest chair to pitch. It normally takes one to 2 minutes for a single particular person to completely assemble the chair, which may really feel tedious in comparison with the short, one-step pop-ups of less complicated folding chairs. Nonetheless, it solely takes sitting within the chair as soon as to know how straightforward, enjoyable, and nice this mannequin is for lounging.

Ought to You Purchase The Nemo Stargaze?

For campers who need greater than only a seat, the NEMO Stargaze delivers a elaborate floating really feel in a intelligent design. Its reclining and rocking options cater to those that wish to swing, lay again, and lounge as an alternative of sitting upright, and it’s constructed for taking within the views. The adjustable headrest, arm rests, and large mesh again supply a comfortable really feel, and it’s straightforward to pack away and transport from the automobile to a yard, park or campsite. When you’re searching for a laid-back seating expertise, the Stargaze’s suspended design matches the invoice. 

Nonetheless, this chair could miss the mark for some. It’s among the many priciest we’ve examined, which gained’t go well with everybody’s finances. The shortage of lumbar assist could not work for those who desire a chair with an upright posture. We struggled with the armrests, as they’re a bit excessive for some. Shorter campers 5’6” or underneath could discover the Stargaze a little bit of a problem – it may be tough to maintain reclined, and with out stress returns to a impartial slouched place.

Total, the Stargaze is a favourite as a result of it flips the script on camp chairs. With a swing-style design that blends playful movement with hammock-like consolation, it’s made for stress-free underneath the celebs.

What Different Tenting Chairs Ought to You Think about?

Questioning which tenting chair fits your model? Dive into our finest tenting chairs information to see how this one measures up. And don’t miss these choices:

ENO Lounger DL Overview: The ENO Lounger DL has an identical hammock-like design with a comfortable, cradling seat that’s nice for reclining. This mannequin is lighter, decrease and extra reasonably priced than the Stargaze, however not as sturdy. 

GCI Freestyle Rocker Overview: The GCI Freestyle Rocker is a conventional chair design, nevertheless it provides an identical rocking movement. It has superior again assist and the next seat peak nevertheless it’s bulkier, heavier, and far much less moveable.

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Overview: Just like the Stargaze, the King Kong is constructed to final for years and has a large seat. However, this one provides higher again assist, the next weight restrict, and is extra reasonably priced, although it’s bulkier.