Review: TRAVELCHAIR Joey


Specifications:
  • Dimensions (Closed): 4"X4"X14"
  • Dimensions (Open): 21"x21"x28"
  • Seat height: 16"
  • Capacity: 300 lbs.
  • Frame: anodized aluminum
  • Seat: Ripstop fabric with breathable mesh panels
  • Price: $69.99
Our Thoughts:
I have grown tired of the standard camp chair.  They take up a lot of storage space in the back of our 4Runner and right now space is at a premium for us.  I have been looking at, what I call, 'Ultralight Chairs' for a while now and never found anything that was quite right.  I am 6' 6" tall and I have found that most of the chairs that fit into this category sit incredibly low to the ground (7"-13"), causing them to be very difficult for me to get in and out of.

TRAVELCHAIR® has been designing camping chairs in, Gig Harbor, Washington since 1984.  I was excited when they announced the new Joey Chair (Model 7789) at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in August 2013.   Finally, a company designed an ultra-light chair that provided a reasonable seat height.  The design, which packs down to almost nothing, assembles quickly and supports seated person's weight on four aluminum legs capped with knobby-rubber feet.

I have been able to use the Joey Chair over the last eight months of travels and backyard barbecues and I have to say I am really impressed with the design and overall execution by TRAVELCHAIR®.  The chair is quick to setup, with the shock-cord inside of the frame doing most of the work.  The seat easily slips onto the frame and is held in place via four pockets that secure the end of the frame.  I have found the chair to be very comfortable to sit in and easy to get into and out of.  The design is very stable on solid ground and the rubber feet do a great job of keeping the chair from sliding around as you get in and out.  The only problem I see is the legs can sink into sand or loose soil.  This is a problem all chairs in the category face as the thin legs do not provide any flotation on these soils.


Conclusion:
I really enjoy sitting in this chair, even for extended periods around the camp fire.  It provides decent back support and is very sturdy, even for someone as heavy as I am.  My only complaint is the stability in soft soils and plan on spending some time to develop a way to stabilize the feet.  Despite the soft soil issue, I plan on replacing our other camp chairs with Joeys.  I highly recommend the Joey Chair to anyone looking for an ultralight camp chair.  Don't take my word for it though, track me down at one of our future cooking classes or the outdoor rallies we will be attending and sit in it yourself!  I think you will be impressed with TRAVELCHAIR®'s design!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the Joey Chair for free from TRAVELCHAIR® in consideration for review publication.