GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker Review
The GCI Kickback Rocker ($85) is a great match for anyone who wants a fairly affordable camp chair that has the feature set of a far more expensive model. Its spring-loaded rocking mechanism provides an easy, breezy bonus to any lounge session, and its armrests, cupholder, and storage pocket help make the Kickback’s sitting experience more luxe than its price would suggest. However, we have some reservations about its long-term durability and its relatively low weight limit, and its seat materials received mixed reviews. Folks who are targeting a rocking-style camp chair will likely be pleased with this one, but everyone else might want to give it a thought or two.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Weight
10 lb. 9.6 oz.
Dimensions (W/D/H)
32.5 x 27.2 x 31.7 in.
Seat Height
17.1 in.
Weight Capacity
250 lb.
Pros
Cons
GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Chairs.
The GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker has a comfort level that’s a tale of two designs. Its most obvious and noteworthy component is a unique hybrid build, which basically takes a classic folding camp chair and adds an extra pair of middle legs that connect to the back legs via a spring-loaded tube. It’s an ingenious setup that blends stability with the always appreciated sensation of swaying gently—this is a rocking chair for the modern car camper. After a long day outside, it felt genuinely soothing to sit down and rock back and forth once I returned to camp.
However, opinions were divided on whether GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker’s materials help its case. It has a ripstop polyester seat that feels taut and well-built—I didn’t notice any sag or contact with the frame underneath, and I was able to sit for hours without developing pressure points. However, my camping partner wished it had more give so she could sink into the chair and get more comfortable. I preferred the firm-but-supportive build, but if you’re looking for more of a cushioned, slouchy feel, you might prefer the design of a model such as the Kelty Low Loveseat ($130).
With a 17.1-inch seat height the Kickback is easy to get in and out of, especially when compared to camping chairs such as the Kelty Lowdown (12.1-in. seat height). And the 31.7.-inch back—which is slightly above average height for the category—feels adequately supportive without making the Kickback unwieldy. I stand 5-foot-5, and I found the back height and seat depth to be just right—more spacious than ultralight backpacking models, but not overly bulky. Tall users may want a higher back for full support, but for average-sized sitters who don’t mind a firm surface, the Kickback delivers a comfortable, dynamic experience.
For a rocking chair, the GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker feels surprisingly stable. Instead of a traditional four-legged design, it features a pair of front legs, a pair of back legs, and two long support bars in the rear that house the spring-loaded rocking system and connect to a third pair of middle legs. This creates a wide base that stays secure, even if the front legs lift slightly as you rock back and forth.
I tried the GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker on all kinds of terrain—soft dirt, packed sand, uneven grass—and it never felt wobbly. Even when I leaned hard into the rocker motion, it stayed balanced and resisted tipping backward. That said, this is still a moving chair, and if absolute stability is your priority, a heavy, fixed-leg design like the Yeti Trailhead ($300, 13 lb. 4.8 oz.) may inspire more confidence. But for casual rocking around the fire or at your kid’s baseball game, the Kickback holds its own.
This chair’s bark is a bit louder than its bite. On one hand, the Kickback’s seat fabric is thick and resilient and the frame is reassuringly solid, with no flex or wobble during use. I used it for several days of car camping and sun-drenched backyard hang sessions, and it shows no signs of wear. Compared to mesh-heavy designs like the REI Co-op Campwell (which, to be fair, costs less at $60), the Kickback’s full-fabric seat feels more robust and less prone to long-term sagging.
However, I’m not as high on the prospects of the rest of the Kickback’s design. The chair’s moving parts introduce a higher chance for things to break, and it wouldn’t offer quite the same experience without the capacity to rock. Plus, the Kickback’s weight capacity—250 pounds—is also one of the lowest in the camping chair category, which is likely a reflection of the rocking mechanism’s limits. This is a good chair for average-sized users, but might not be the best bet for folks with larger builds, or for anyone who puts dozens of user days per year on their outdoor seating.
Despite its comparatively complicated infrastructure, the Outdoor Kickback Rocker is refreshingly simple to set up and break down. It operates just like a classic camping chair: Just pull the frame apart until the seat and arms lock into place—no complicated parts or pinched fingers here. Packing it up is just as quick, and the process takes only a few seconds from start to finish.
The rocking mechanism doesn’t require any setup at all, which is part of what makes the Kickback so appealing. Just sit down, start rocking, and reach for your iced tea (or other beverage of choice). And speaking of: The chair also includes a cupholder that can fit standard cans, two armrests, and a small side pocket for keys or a phone—all nice touches that add just enough utility without overcomplicating the design.
Weighing in at just over 10 pounds, the GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker is on the heavier end of camping chairs in this price range, almost reaching the rarefied air of the gargantuan Yeti Trailhead (13 lb. 4.8 oz.). It also folds down to a relatively long and bulky 5.9 x 7.9 x 39 inches, which makes it trickier to stash in a tightly packed car or carry for more than a few minutes. You’ll want to pull up close to your intended hangout spot with this chair.
There’s no storage bag included with the Kickback, but the chair does come with a built-in strap-and-loop mechanism to keep it folded up, along with a shoulder strap attached to the frame. Unfortunately, the strap is thin and not especially comfortable for longer carries. This isn’t a dealbreaker if you’re using it close to your car, but it does limit its versatility for more mobile plans.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Rocking Mechanism
The highlight feature of the Kickback is its smooth, spring-loaded rocking system. It’s simple, intuitive, and works without any setup—just sit down and rock. At this price point, it’s the only chair in our testing pool that delivers this functionality, aside from the more expensive and complex Nemo Stargaze.
Armrests, Cupholder, and Pocket
The Kickback features fixed polyester armrests that feature the same stiff material as the seat. The right arm has a built-in cupholder that fits most standard beverages but is too snug for larger bottles, like a Nalgene. On the left side, there’s a small pocket that’s just the right size for your phone, snacks, or keys.
REI Co-op Campwell ($60): A Stationary Stalwart
Unlike the Kickback Rocker, the Campwell is a typical camp chair without a dedicated rocking mechanism. On the plus side, its slimmer, 2.5-pounds-lighter design, paired with a carry case featuring both a shoulder strap and handle, makes it easier to transport. Also, while our tester rated its construction as inferior to the Kickback’s, the Campwell still boasts a 50-pound higher weight capacity, and its mostly mesh seat helps keep your legs and back from getting too swampy. The Campwell also does a few things slightly better than the Kickback: Both chairs are built with a stable and sturdy design, but we preferred the Campwell on uneven terrain. And while each features a cup holder and a storage pocket, the ones on the Campwell are larger and more functional. If you don’t think you’ll miss the Kickback’s rocking feature, save a few bucks and go with the Campwell instead. To learn more, check out our REI Co-op Campwell review.
Nemo Stargaze ($250): If Money is No Object
With a hammock-like suspension design, the Stargaze also allows its users to comfortably rock and sway—for an additional $165. The substantial price difference alone makes the Kickback Rocker a better choice for the budget-conscious, but for folks with deep pockets, the Stargaze is 2 pounds lighter, packs down smaller, and is even more feature-rich. While it lacks a cup holder, this chair sports two stash pockets, an adjustable headrest, and a unique auto-recline system that lets you smoothly lean back simply by shifting your weight. Its aluminum and monofilament mesh also provide a stable and durable design that supports 50 pounds more weight. However, you’ll need to construct its frame each time you want to use the chair—a more complicated process than the Kickback’s simple folding design. The Stargaze is an excellent product, but it's just hard to justify the steep price when the Kickback offers a similar experience. For more, read our review of the Nemo Stargaze.
What’s even more impressive than the Kickback’s smooth and easy rocking motion is how affordable this chair is. We have some misgivings about its seat, but it’s a quality chair that you can relax in for hours—provided you don’t have to carry it very far.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Like many REI-branded products, don’t expect the Campwell to blow you away with its top-of-the-line build or fancy features. However, we came away impressed with how comfortable, stable, and easy it is to use, especially given its accessible price point.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
With its rugged build, rocking chair comfort, and impressive feature set, the Stargaze stands out from lesser competitors. While its storage options and portability aren’t winning traits, we still think this chair is worth its hefty price tag.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Is the Kickback Rocker for You?
The GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker isn’t quite a one-trick pony, but it’s also not one of the more well-rounded chairs we’ve tested. Its well-built rocking mechanism, easy setup, and full-featured design are obvious pluses, but we’d be a lot more enthusiastic about recommending it if its relatively rigid materials weren’t so divisive. You could say the meh-inducing comfort (and below-average weight limit and durability) are the tradeoff for the more-than-decent price, and you’d be correct. We’d still tell folks who don’t necessarily want a dynamic sitting experience to look elsewhere—and for a lighter camping chair, too. However, if all you want to do is sway away the evening after a long day, this chair fits the bill.
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