REI Co-op Westward Padded Chair Review: REI Gets Fancy
REI is taking a swing at the luxury camping space with its Westward line, and while the Padded Chair isn’t a home run, it’s got a lot going for it—defined by its top-notch comfort and a premium feel. We do have some slight reservations about its stability, and its many moving parts could wear down over time, but it’s a classy-looking and feeling chair that’ll make your camping companions wish they had your throne.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Weight
8 lb. 8 oz.
Dimensions (W/D/H)
24 x 26 x 35 in.
Seat Height
17 in.
Weight Capacity
250 lb.
Pros
Cons
REI Co-op Westward Padded
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Chairs.
The REI Co-op Westward Padded is the most comfortable camp chair I’ve ever used, and it’s not particularly close. It’s a noticeable step up from your classic camp chair, and something I’ve even proudly pulled out during dinner parties on my balcony. It features a very supportive design that’s also easy to lounge in, thanks to a generous amount of soft, plush foam throughout the seat and backrest. The wooden armrests add to its premium feel as well—much more so than the flimsier fabric versions found on most other chairs.
At 17 inches off the ground, the height worked well for my 5-foot-10 frame. My legs naturally settled at a relaxed angle, but I could also tuck them in closer without feeling cramped, which hasn’t always been the case with lower-slung options like the Kelty Low Loveseat. The slightly reclined backrest rises to just below my shoulders, striking a nice balance between laid-back lounging and upright support, and the 19-inch-wide seat gives me enough room to shift around without bumping into the sides.
I’ve spent hours in this chair—often sitting around the campfire—and never dealt with sore spots or fatigue. Even with a herniated disc that tends to flare up during long sits, I stayed comfortable the entire time. The closest comparison I’ve used is the Alps Mountaineering King Kong, but that classic camp chair lacks the padding and solid armrests—both of which give the Westward a clear edge.
The REI Westward Padded feels stable and well-grounded across most typical campsite surfaces. To help keep things sturdy, the frame includes support bars near the ground between the front and rear legs, creating a decently solid base. The two front legs also have an additional support bar about halfway up, providing another layer of reinforcement. During my testing, that structure translated to dependable stability during normal use on flat or slightly uneven ground. I could shift around, twist to reach behind me, or even crack my back without the chair feeling like it was going to tip or collapse. There is a small amount of frame wiggle if I deliberately force it side to side, but I’m not doing that under normal circumstances, and I never felt like the chair was going to dump me out.
That said, there are a couple of limitations. The chair doesn’t lock into place when fully opened—on a few occasions, when I tried scooting backward, the front legs would move while the back legs stayed planted, causing the chair to partially fold in on itself. It’s not a dealbreaker, but a locking mechanism like what the Yeti Trailhead features would eliminate this problem. The feet are also fairly small—just a bit smaller than a quarter—and can sink into soft surfaces like sand (though the low support bars limit how deep it goes). While scoop-style chairs like my Helinox Chair One (re) or Nemo Satellite Reclining Camp Chair feel more wobbly, the Westward still doesn’t quite match the planted feel of burly traditional folding chairs like the Alps Mountaineering King Kong, which offers wider feet and more structural support.
While the Westward Padded has a premium build, don’t mistake that for the most durable option out there. The materials themselves are strong—the padded seat and backrest feel thick and supportive, the aluminum frame is solid, and the wooden armrests are sturdy while adding a high-end touch. Even smaller details, like the mesh cupholder, feel well-made, which is rarely the case with camp chairs. In use, it’s held up well so far. I’ve taken it on trips throughout Southern California (Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains) and Southern Utah, and have even left it out overnight on my balcony a few times. Aside from a few small scuffs on the feet, it still looks nearly new.
It’s the design itself that gives me some concern about its long-term durability. There are a lot of moving parts and joints compared to a traditional folding chair, and that added complexity makes it feel more susceptible to wear over time. Its relatively modest 250-pound weight limit doesn’t do it any favors, either. While it feels far more durable than cheaper chairs like the Kujaro Dual Lock—which uses flimsier materials despite a higher listed weight capacity—it doesn’t quite match the rugged, built-to-last feel of simpler, heavier-duty designs like the King Kong or the confidence-inspiring crossover frame of the Trailhead.
I didn’t think a chair could be easier to use than a classic folding camp chair, but the Westward Padded proved me wrong. Setup is about as simple as it gets: you just unhook it from its folded position, open it up, and sit down. It’s ready to go in seconds. Packing it up is just as quick. There’s no narrow storage sack you need to wrestle it into—just fold it back up, secure it with the hook and tab, and you’re done. Even compared to traditional camp chairs that unfold like an umbrella, the Westward is both quicker and easier to use.
My only real nitpick is that it doesn’t lock into place when fully opened. Chairs like the Yeti Trailmade offer that added security, which helps when scooting the chair around camp. Still, for sheer simplicity and speed, this is the easiest camp chair I’ve used.
The comfiness that the Westward Padded brings comes with a decent amount of bulk, though REI includes a few thoughtful features to make carrying it easier. Unlike traditional camp chairs that collapse like an umbrella, this one simply folds in half—and that’s as small as it gets. At 33 by 23 by 7 inches when packed, it can be a tight fit if you’re already maxed out on space. That said, it lies fairly flat, making it easier to slide on top of other gear in a packed car. And while it doesn’t include a carry sack, it does sport backpack-style straps and a grab handle at the top of the headrest. I found myself carrying it like a backpack most often, which freed up my hands for hauling other gear to and from camp.
Weight is another consideration. At 8 pounds 8 ounces, it’s not something you’ll want to carry far. But for its size and comfort, the weight is fairly reasonable. It’s noticeably heavier than compact options like the 2-pound-7.4-ounce Chair One (re) that you can slip into a backpack, but lighter than other comfort-first camp chairs like the Nemo Stargaze (8 lb. 11 oz.) or Yeti Trailmade (13 lb. 4.3 oz.). Ultimately, it’s a great option if you’re camping close to your vehicle, but less ideal for anything beyond that.
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I didn’t experience many wet days, so to test its water resistance, I sprayed the Westward Padded with a hose for about 1 minute, fully drenching it. Its DWR coating did a good job at beading up the water initially, though not surprisingly, after spraying it for a minute, the seat retained some moisture. Still, after leaving it out in the sun on a 70-degree day for 30 minutes, it was fully dry. Unless it’s been the victim of a nasty downpour, I don’t imagine any issues with it soaking up and holding water.
Armrests, Cupholders, and Pockets
The Westward Padded’s solid wooden armrests are both supportive and well-finished. They’re not adjustable, but I didn’t mind that, as the height and positioning felt natural, and they offer a noticeable step up in quality compared to the typical fabric arms found on most camp chairs.
There’s also a single cupholder tucked beneath the front right corner of the seat that swivels out when needed. It’s sturdier than most, with a fixed rim and high-quality mesh body, and it’s large enough to comfortably fit a standard Nalgene. When I wasn’t using it for a drink, I also tossed in smaller items like my phone or headlamp, which it handled just fine. Otherwise, you won’t find any additional pockets or organization, which feels like a slight miss for a chair designed for lounging.
Yeti Trailhead ($300): The Best of the Best
Looking for the absolute cream of the crop, and willing to pay for it? The Yeti Trailhead costs more than double the Westward Padded, but it comes with several meaningful upgrades. Its burlier frame is rated to support up to 500 pounds and locks into place when fully extended for a more secure seat. The wide feet also do a better job of maintaining stability on uneven or soft ground. As for comfort, the slightly reclined design features tensioned mesh that conforms ergonomically. Still, the plastic armrests feel underwhelming compared to the rest of the build, and its 13-pound weight makes it even more cumbersome to haul around. Save your cash and go with the Westward Padded (or two). For more, read our Yeti Trailhead review.
Alps Mountaineering King Kong ($90): Tank-like Construction
Where the Westward Padded falls short, in durability and stability, the Alps Mountaineering King Kong excels. With an eye-popping 800-pound weight capacity, a burly frame, and wide feet, it stays supportive and stable across a variety of terrain. It also boasts two cupholders and several pockets for storing books, magazines, or tablets. While its basic seat is supportive, it lacks the plushness of Westward Padded’s foam. The armrests are also flimsier, and overall, it lacks the same aesthetic appeal. But if you value function over form (and want to save a cool $39), the King Kong is the better pick. For more, read our review of the King Kong.
The Westward Padded is bound to turn heads, both for its classic-yet-stylish design and its all-day comfort. That said, we have some minor concerns about long-term durability and would have liked to see locking mechanisms for a more stable base.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
The Trailhead offers an undoubtedly premium outdoor seating feel, highlighted by exceptional stability and comfort. However, it's difficult to look past its eye-popping price tag, especially considering some awkward design choices and surprising omissions.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Though the King Kong’s traditional silhouette may seem unassuming, a closer look reveals its true strength. This is a heavy, bulky chair, but its hardy construction and thoughtful details will deliver hours of comfortable lounging.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Is the Westward Padded for You?
If your top priority is comfort and you don’t mind a bit of a splurge, the Westward Padded Chair is an easy pick. It’s not something you’ll want to carry far, and it can take up a fair amount of space in a packed trunk, but the tradeoff is a seriously comfortable place to sit. The premium build and generously padded seat make it a great choice for long, relaxed days at camp—whether that’s kicking back by the lake or settling in around the fire well into the evening.
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