The Nemo Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair in full-comfort mode. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
If you’re anything like us, you love camping. Not just for the chance to create memories with friends and family, but for the opportunity to enjoy the Great Outdoors. One of our favorite parts about camping is when the sun dips below the horizon and stars begin to dot the sky. Far away from city noises and light pollution, there’s nothing better than sitting around the campfire and staring up at the night sky.
While a towel or an old blanket will certainly do the trick, stargazing is made that much better while sitting in a comfy chair. When I first set eyes on the Nemo Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair, I was intrigued. For starters, stargaze is in the name, and a reclining camp chair sounded almost too good to be true. Turns out, this is a serious contender for our favorite camping chair. While the ALPS Mountaineering Getaway ultimately took the top spot (due to a much friendlier price), the Stargaze is our favorite luxury pick.
Bottom Line: The Nemo Stargaze is our favorite upgrade camping chair this year. Its unique reclining design, excellent comfort, and surprisingly lightweight design are easy to recommend, even at the admittedly expensive $250 price point.
Related: Best Camping Chairs| Best Car Camping Gear | More Camping Gear Reviews
| Pros | Cons |
| Reclines | Expensive |
| Padded headrest | Difficult to get up out of the chair |
| Insanely comfortable |
Unboxing the Nemo Stargaze
The Stargaze arrived in a compact carrying case, but once I got it set up, it was spacious and looked like a portable rocking chair for the campground. At $250, it’s certainly not a cheap chair, and I was eager to discover if it was worth the hefty price tag.
After receiving the Stargaze, my husband and I brought it on every camping trip we went on near our home on Oahu. We lounged in it at the campground as well as at bonfires and sunsets at the beach. Although the Stargaze isn’t cheap, it’s extremely comfortable, and the durable design ensures that it will accompany you on camping trips for years to come.
Camping On Oahu With The Nemo Stargaze
Weight: 7 lbs 15 oz
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Seat Height: 12 inches
Folded Dimensions: 27 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches
The weather on Oahu is a dream — sunny days and warm nights, 365 days a year. While the rest of the world experiences blizzards and frigid temperatures, the coldest nights on Oahu sit comfortably in the 60s, making camping an option year-round. And my husband and I take full advantage.
As we get older, comfort at the campground becomes more and more important to us. We’ve upgraded our sleeping pads and sleeping bags, but it was high time to add a comfy camping chair to the mix. In our testing for our Best Camping Chairs guide, the Nemo Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair was hands down the most comfortable chair on the list.
We’ve had the Stargaze chair for about a year now and have taken it on numerous camping trips since. We’ve sat in it day and night, and we have fully embraced the reclining aspect of the chair to soak up views of the night sky. We’ve also packed it along for beach days, particularly when we plan to stay long past sunset. And we’ve not found a more comfortable camping chair.
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The Stargaze is pricey but it’s well made. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Pros and Cons of the Nemo Stargaze
Construction
The Nemo Stargaze features an aircraft-grade aluminum frame that allows it to be incredibly strong and heavy-duty, while still remaining lightweight. The seat is made from polyester with a non-absorbent monofilament mesh center that allows water to drain out and air to pass through, which we greatly appreciated on hot summer days and nights.
Thanks to its durable construction, this chair can accommodate up to 300 pounds. The price tag is steep on the Stargaze, but the high-quality materials do ensure the chair will last for years to come, somewhat justifying the price.
The Stargaze reclines, allowing you to sit back and relax. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Reclining Features
Most camping chairs have one fixed position, but a huge perk of the Stargaze is that it reclines. In order to recline, you simply lean back and shift your body weight, and the chair moves with you. The chair has tension straps that allow it to swing slightly and provide that comfortable reclining position that lets you relax and soak up views of the night sky.
I really enjoy the reclining feature of the chair as it’s fun to rock back and forth, and very comfortable to be able to recline (especially after a long hike). The only downside of this chair and this feature is that it makes getting up a tad challenging. One, because you’re so comfortable you won’t want to get up, but also because you’re so sunk into the chair that it can be challenging to stabilize yourself to get up. It’s not that difficult, but the Stargaze wouldn’t be the best pick for limited mobility or older folks. Also, be careful when you’re reclining and rocking because I did take a tumble once when I leaned back too far!
The tension straps allow the chair to swing slightly and provide that comfortable reclining position. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Comfort Features
In addition to being able to recline, the Nemo Stargaze has a few additional features that further enhance its comfort. The chair includes an adjustable padded headrest that allows a wide range of heights to enjoy its comfort.
The poles are strategically designed to curve upright to accommodate folks with broader shoulders and provide extra elbow room if you like to move around. Finally, the Stargaze includes two built-in cup holders so you can sip on a beverage (or two) while you enjoy the star show.
The Stargaze packs up into a compact bag with a shoulder strap. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Portability and Price
Although the Stargaze is a generously sized chair when constructed (41 inches by 37 inches by 27 inches), it’s surprisingly portable. At the end of the day, the Stargaze packs down into a convenient carrying bag that measures 27 inches by 7.5 inches by 7.5 inches. Sure, it’s not the smallest option, but that’s kind of the point when you’re prioritizing comfort.
Some chairs I’ve tested feel like a bit of a jigsaw puzzle to get them packed up, but the Stargaze broke down easily, and it was simple to get it back in the bag. The chair weighs just 7 pounds 15 ounces, so it’s relatively lightweight for a comfort-oriented chair, and the carrying case comes with an adjustable shoulder strap that makes it easy to carry.
The only real downside, then, is that this chair costs twice as much (or more) than many of the other options in our camping chairs list. While we think the complete feature set and solid durability make this chair worth it, some buyers will be better served by a more budget-friendly option.
The Stargaze is the ultimate comfort camping chair. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
Although the Nemo Stargaze has a hefty price tag, it’s extremely well-made and incredibly comfortable. The Stargaze features an adjustable headrest, two built-in cup holders, and it reclines, allowing you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the night sky. Weighing in at 7 pounds 15 ounces, the Stargaze is lightweight but is best suited to car camping trips. At the end of the day, the chair easily packs down into a convenient carrying case with a built-in shoulder strap for easy storage and transport.
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Editor’s Note: Going camping? You’ll need more than just a chair. Check out our Gear Guides for Best Camping Tents and Best Car Camping Gear. Or if you want to explore other chair options, check out our guide on The Best Camping Chairs. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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