Historically, my favorite chairs are those junk disposable ones that you can get at a box store for under $10. You don’t have to worry if an ember burns through the seat or if the legs rust off after lounging on a saltwater sandbar.
But as the years roll by, I am starting to appreciate a few elevated camp comforts, like a stove with fine simmer control, a portable fire pit, and, yes, fancier camp chairs.
While I have tested a wide array of high-end camp chairs, only a couple have resonated enough to become part of my standard car-camping kit. After testing the newly updated NEMO Stargaze EVO-X Camp Chair, a frontcountry recliner that now unfolds to set up in seconds, it was clear it would also win a permanent seat there.
This hammock-chair hybrid masterpiece was developed with comfort in mind, whether kicking back with a copy of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy or fully reclined to take in the actual Milky Way. Here’s how I tested it and what I learned about its durability, shape, and more.
In short: With its reclining strap system and gently swinging seat, the Stargaze EVO-X is great for stargazing, plus a well-rounded, versatile choice for everyday outdoor use. Whether you’re car camping, relaxing on the back porch, or watching community outdoor cinema, it’s an ultra-comfortable chair that’s now a snap to set up.
Looking for a new camp chair? Check out how the Stargaze EVO-X compares to the rest of our recommendations in GearJunkie’s Best Camping Chairs Buyer’s Guide.
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Lavishly comfortable -
Easy setup -
Good head support -
One-of-a-kind suspension design -
Cheaper than previous version
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Heavy and bulky -
No footrest -
A bit tall for shorter people
NEMO Stargaze EVO-X Camp Chair: Review
NEMO markets this luxury camp chair as a necessary companion for dark skies camping. But if you’re going to plop down almost two bills for a seat, it better excel at more than that. Turns out, it does.
The first trial of the EVO-X was actually not camping, but rather on a month-long road-trip assignment across 12 states. My partner and I stayed primarily in motor courts along the way, and the chair proved perfect for hanging out on patios with a brew, watching the world go by, and chatting up strangers.
Once we got back home to Colorado, summer was nearly half over, so we promptly disembarked for the high country. Over the course of the next 2 weeks, we took turns sharing the EVO-X and our rocker chair. Both are pretty luxurious, and I love how each lets you move gently back and forth. But when the campfire dwindled, the Stargazer’s reclining option delivered an extra level of versatility.
Ridiculously Easy to Use
Previous versions of NEMO’s Stargaze chairs had a slightly complicated setup. But with this new model, that has been eliminated with an updated folding frame that sits on a broad base.
It is remarkably quick from in-the-bag to butt down, opening in just one step. Pro tip: Make sure there’s no red showing at the locking tabs, or it might collapse; there are ample warnings about that all over the product, so it’s pretty difficult to get it wrong. Closing it back up is just as intuitive and fast.
Once seated, the reclining mechanism is also smooth and forgiving. Just lean back to get into stargazing position, or stop at any angle in between. The reclining straps also rebound well when you sit back up. Since they’re made from simple webbing, there’s also nothing mechanical that can go wrong or fail.
Made to Last, Wherever You Travel
The Stargaze EVO-X is crafted from quality materials and has an overall durable feel. Even the bag is padded and rugged, complete with a roll top and comfortable carrying strap. The chair sides include pockets for cans, bottles, phones, or whatever.
They’re positioned sideways, so they look like they’d spill a drink, but such a party foul hasn’t happened so far. The headrest is also padded, and there is ample padding on the armrests and front leg area.
The X-style frame is made from steel and has six points of ground contact. Although it’s a bit higher than standard chairs, the center of gravity feels low and stable. It is also rated to hold up to a 300-pound person, which is particularly robust for a reclining camp chair.
Just Shy of Perfection
We do have one grumble with this chair, and that’s that it could really use a footrest. Leaning back and trying to keep your feet on the ground is not a very natural feeling. Of course, this is easily remedied by bringing along a footstool or using a wooden stump to prop up the stompers.
For such a well-thought-out beast, however, I’m surprised NEMO doesn’t offer an optional canvas footrest that integrates into the chair. Or, maybe it’s coming. There are two slits on the seat bottom, the purpose of which we’ve been baffled about. Perhaps they are in anticipation of just such a footrest.
Of course, there is another elephant in the room with the EVO-X, and that is its weight. At around 14 pounds, you won’t want to lug it too far, and if you have limited car space, you might consider another option like the GCI Comfort Pro Rocker, which weighs 3 pounds less but still hosts a rocking mechanism.
Considering the level of comfort and versatility the Stargaze provides, however, its size is still decently modest and worth the weight for close-to-car camping trips.
NEMO Stargaze EVO-X Camp Chair: Conclusion
The NEMO Stargaze EVO-X Chair is a great all-around car-camping companion. It unfolds in seconds, and its shape and hammock-style suspension make it ultra-comfortable for sitting by the fire, grubbing on some pasta, and curling up with a good book. Oh yeah — and it’s also ideal for stargazing, since it reclines for optimal night sky viewing.
The new folding frame is a genius update, and creates a camp chair that gives little reason to leave it behind anymore. The base is broad and supportive, settling into pretty much any terrain with ease. You’ll need to haul the thing around, and the updated design is undoubtedly larger than the previous one.
As long as you can afford it and fit it into your vehicle, however, it’ll end up being a lifelong companion, not just at camp, but also in the backyard, tailgating, and wherever else you might want to sit down and chill like nobility.
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