REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Dreamer Review

The REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Dreamer marries the ultralight backpacking chair design with the comfort and support of a lounge chair. The chair features a high backrest and a great amount of polyester ripstop fabric for broader support around the body to alleviate any pressure points, but it does not provide the comfort of armrests. Two cupholders hold a variety of beverages while the pillow is both adjustable and removable based on personal preference. Of all the lounge designs that we tested, this Flexlite was noticeably more comfortable than the rest.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Flexlite Camp Dreamer combines the ultralight backpacking chair design with the high backrest and optional pillow typically offered by a more full-sized camping chair model. When comparing the Flexlite alongside another lightweight lounging chair, we couldn't help but appreciate the wider design that better distributed body weight, further alleviating tension in the lower back and spine.

Our testing team did not give the highest marks to this chair with regards to comfort, simply because it is meant to be more packable, forgoing any padding (beyond the removable pillow) and removing the comfort of armrests. We found that there was a sweet spot when resting our arms on the oversized polyester fabric, but we still missed the extra padding and armrest structures found in the other chair designs that we tested for this review.

Portability

Weighing only 3.5 pounds, the Flexlite Camp Dreamer is on point with the lightest chairs that we tested for this review, yet it offers a full-sized lounger construction. The folded dimensions of the chair are 27 x 25 x 37 inches which makes the chair easy to throw into a backpack for a moderate day hike, a picnic, or a day at the beach. Our testers love the spacious stuff sack which allows enough room for the chair to easily slide into the sack without having to pack and repack the chair in order to make it fit.

While the stuff sack doesn't offer a shoulder strap, it does have a loop of webbing on one end that one could easily use to attach a homemade strap or use for storage. The chair is so light, you can tuck the entire carry bag under your arm while you approach your destination. Although we wouldn't recommend it for backcountry travel due to the size, you certainly could if you had the extra space in your backpack. One of the more portable options that we tested, thanks to its aluminum frame, the Flexlite Camp Dreamer is a full size lounger within a lightweight construction.

Quality

The Flexlite Camp Dreamer is a medium-high quality camping chairs that is designed to be simple, lightweight, and packable along with some additional weight capacity. The DWR water repellant finish helps give some structure to the chair while also increasing abrasion and water resistance of the bluesign-compatible polyester material. The minimal seat features stitching and construction appear to be of lasting quality, as we encountered no issues during our testing period.

The minimal cupholders stood out from other chairs in the review due to their compression style. The chair simply features two slits along the sides that are lined with perforated fabric in case of any spills. The slits are more vertical than cylindrical, while the size and compression style allow the cupholders to accommodate more than just cans. We found the design sturdy enough to overload with three people during our quality testing, exceeding the weight limit without any issues within the aluminum frame. While the four leg design is meant to provide stability, the frame itself offering some movement in the chair. The rubberized feet on the bottom of the chair hold it in place, but it does can the ability to sway side to side. The rubberized feet were especially appreciated when testing on slippery granite slabs.

Ease of Use

The Flexlite Camp Dreamer is similar to other lightweight aluminum backpacking chair designs in that the poles are all connected. Similar to tent poles, the aluminum poles have shock cord inside the pole that allows the poles to easily fasten into place, creating a small frame in less than 30 seconds. The chair fabric then attaches to the frame, starting at the two legs, then finishing on the top near the pillow. Unlike other chairs that requiring some wrestling in order to fasten the final attachment point, this design is easy to slip into place.

The chair features a thin pillow that is functional, adjustable, and removable. If you'd like to remove it (or use it for a knee pad while you re-organize the back of your truck like we did) simply loosen the attachment from the loop of webbing on the chair. There are also four webbing loops on each point of the chair, and we're assuming these can be utilized to anchor the lightweight design in the wind if needed. Lightweight, easy to use, and supplying the best comfort of all the loungers in the review, the Flexlite won't disappoint.

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Dreamer?

If you like the idea of a lightweight backpacking chair, but also want a little extra structure and support, the REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Dreamer should be high on your list. The 3 1/2 pound chair is among the lightest chairs that we tested, yet offers a higher backrest and broader support around the spine to up the comfort without adding too much weight. Two functional cupholders can hold a variety of beverages or other small items, while the padded headrest can be adjusted or removed depending on your preference. The chair features a highly durable polyester with a DWR water resistant treatment that increases both durability and weather resistance. The Flexlite Dreamer is perfect for those who are after a very packable and lightweight camping chair that's easy to use, durable, and provides more support than an ultralight backpacking chair.

What Other Camping Chairs Should You Consider?

Tthe REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Dreamer chair combines the lightweight design of a backpacking chair along with the relaxation and comfort of a lounge chair. If you're interested in even more packability, check out the Helinox Chair One that weighs 1 1/2 pounds less, and measures 6 inches less in length. For those who want to prioritize packability, but appreciate the higher backrest, check out the Helinox Sunset Chair. The Sunset features a similar aluminum frame, no armrests, and a high backrest for additional support. Want to lounge with your sweetheart? The Kelty Low Loveseat is the perfect option for those who want to sit close to each other, it also features much more padding in the design yet remains spacious and low to the ground so it's easy to kick back and relax.