Kelty Lowdown Camping Chair Review
The Kelty Lowdown ($75) is a moderately priced camp chair that offers, as its name suggests, the appeal of a low seat for folks who like to kick their legs out and truly lean into the lounging life. Its simple frame, rugged materials, and relatively robust feature set for such an affordable option all scored brownie points with our tester. The Lowdown’s comfort isn’t fantastic, though, and its seat fabric isn’t very breathable. But unless you're tall or overly picky (or both), we think the vast majority of folks will find this chair a more than serviceable option.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Weight
7 lb. 6 oz.
Dimensions (W/D/H)
21 x 20 x 29 in.
Seat Height
12 in.
Weight Capacity
350 lb.
Pros
Cons
Kelty Lowdown
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Chairs.
The Kelty Lowdown offers low-slung comfort that comes with a few caveats. Its quilted seat is lightly cushioned and feels soft, which is a pleasant departure from the mesh materials found on more utilitarian camp chairs. That said, the quilted fabric doesn’t breathe as well as mesh and isn’t ideal for wet conditions, so it’s better suited to dry-weather lounging than misty mornings in camp. True to its name, the Lowdown’s seat sits just 12 inches off the ground, which makes it one of the lowest classic (i.e. non-backpacking) camp chairs we’ve tested. A back height of 17 inches and a seat that measures 21 by 20 by 29 inches are pretty in line with the rest of the camping chair category, though. That’s a win for lawn concert-goers—nobody will accuse you of blocking the view—and anyone who wants to be close to the earth and truly stretch their legs out, but tall folks might find the chair somewhat tricky to get in and out of.
The Kelty Lowdown Chair puts sitters in a slightly reclined position, and its padded armrests are adjustable, which makes it easy to settle into a comfortable angle. I found the chair fairly pleasant to sit in right off the bat, with no uncomfortable pressure points. Over time, though, I found myself regularly needing to shift positions. The chair’s backrest, while not totally unsupportive, didn’t offer the kind of ergonomic structure that encourages all-day lounging: After extended use, I noticed some lower back discomfort creeping in and realized that the Lowdown’s shape didn’t do much to help. I also felt the upper frame behind my shoulders; it was noticeable but not too bothersome. Compared to more supportive models like the GCI Kickback Rocker or the REI Co-op Campwell, the Lowdown came up short in long-term comfort. It’s ideal for quick hangs, but not the chair I’d reach for if I planned to stay put for hours on end.
Despite having one of the smallest footprints of the camping chairs I've tested, the Lowdown feels reliably stable. Its seat height plays a big role here—at just 12 inches off the ground, it keeps your center of gravity low, which makes it feel secure even when you shift positions or sit on uneven surfaces. The chair uses a standard four-leg design with upright supports and wide plastic feet. Unlike some compact chairs that have flared legs for added spread, the Lowdown never wobbled or felt tippy. Whether I was perched on sand or uneven ground, it stayed firmly planted and gave me no reason to question its stability. While the Lowdown doesn’t quite match the support of (ultra-expensive) Yeti Trailhead or the Big Agnes Big Six, two leaders in this category, it should fare well in all but the most testing terrain.
Kelty built the Lowdown with rugged materials that give it a tough, hardwearing feel. The chair’s 600-denier polyester fabric and steel frame are primed for longevity, and after multiple uses I haven’t noticed any signs of wear, flexing, or weak points. Unlike mesh-heavy chairs that can snag or stretch out over time, such as the comparatively flimsy Coleman Broadband, the Lowdown’s all-fabric construction is stout and confidence-inspiring. As I mentioned earlier, the lack of mesh does hurt breathability a bit, but I’d rather have a slightly less breathable chair that will last for longer than a cheap-feeling, airy one.
Capacity-wise, the Lowdown’s 350-pound limit is one of the highest I’ve come across, and a good indicator of just how sturdy this chair really is. Compared to other full-size models I’ve used, including the Campwell, the Kelty felt noticeably more robust. (That model has a lower 300-pound capacity, and while it’s still a quality chair, it didn’t have quite the same reinforced feel due to its mesh seat.) It’s not just the Lowdown’s infrastructure that’s impressive, either: Even the included carry bag is a notch above what I usually see in this price range. At $75, the Kelty Lowdown feels like a great value given the caliber of its materials and construction.
The Lowdown is refreshingly simple to set up and pack away. It comes stored in a roll-style tote secured by three buckles—just unclip, unroll, and you’re ready to go. There’s no assembly required beyond unfolding it, which makes it a whole lot easier to set up than more complicated, multipiece models such as the Nemo Stargaze or backpacking-oriented competitors. The whole process takes just a few seconds, which is great when you’ve got one hand on a beverage and the other wrangling gear or kids. Plus, the padded roll tote doubles as a small ground mat or dog bed, which came in handy when I laid it out outside my tent entrance.
In terms of creature comforts, the oversized cupholder on the Lowdown’s right arm is noteworthy. More than merely a simple cupholder, it has a flexible divider that adjusts to fit different drink sizes and still leaves room for small essentials like a phone, snacks, or keys. The adjustable armrests also deserve a mention—they’re easy to tweak and add to the chair’s overall comfort.
At just over 7 pounds, the Lowdown falls squarely in the middle of the camp chair weight spectrum. It’s not featherlight, but it’s not a beast to carry, either—it’s perfectly manageable for hauling from the car to the campground or beach. The Lowdown’s packed size is similarly moderate at 8 by 8 by 32 inches, meaning it won’t hog trunk space but also isn’t the smallest option out there.
What sets the Lowdown apart, though, is its roll-tote carry bag. Rather than make you fuss with a top cinch or zipper, the tote unrolls completely, making it much easier to pack and unpack the chair. The carry bag also pulls double duty at camp: I used it as a ground mat outside my tent for taking off and putting on my shoes, as well as a makeshift dog bed. The padded, adjustable shoulder strap adds some comfort during short carries, but this isn’t the chair I’d bring to a remote spot or pack in over distance. For that, more compact camping chairs or backpacking-style chairs, such as the Helinox Chair Zero, makes more sense.
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Longevity
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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.
Adjustable Armrests
The Lowdown features padded, adjustable armrests that you can raise or lower to suit your preferred lounging angle. This small but welcome detail adds flexibility and improves comfort, especially when you're sitting for extended periods.
Cupholder
Built into the right armrest, the oversized cup holder is one of the Lowdown’s standout features. It’s insulated to help keep drinks cool and includes a flexible divider that can accommodate a wide range of cup sizes or double as a stash spot for small items.
Storage Pockets
There are no storage pockets on the Kelty Lowdown, which keeps the design streamlined but limits your ability to keep items close at hand.
Roll-Tote Carry Bag
The included roll-tote bag is a clever touch. It’s easier to pack and unpack than more conventional chair sleeves, and it can double as a dog bed, camp mat, or landing pad for dirty shoes.
REI Co-op Campwell ($60): A More Conventional Choice
The Campwell takes a more conventional approach to chair design, with a seat height that’s 3 inches taller than the Lowdown and a more upright back. This makes it easier to get in and out of, but less useful for settings with height restrictions or if you'd rather not tower over your fellow campers. The Campwell’s seat is primarily made with reinforced nylon mesh, giving it improved breathability and water drainage than the Lowdown’s fully quilted 600-denier polyester fabric, though the mesh comes at the expense of durability. Its cup holder is also smaller, and it lacks adjustable armrests, but it does come with a cinchable pocket. While both chairs feature the same umbrella-style folding mechanism, the Campwell’s carry case is less user-friendly when stacked against the Lowdown’s padded roll-up bag. With only a $15 difference between these two value-oriented chairs, your decision will likely come down to if you want height or not. To learn more, check out our REI Co-op Campwell review.
Helinox Chair One ($100): Portability Over Features
Another low-to-the-ground option, the Chair One features a seat height that’s just 1 inch taller than the Lowdown, and its backrest is 3.5 inches shorter. This minimalist model skips amenities like armrests or cup holders, and its two-piece design, while straightforward to construct, requires more work to set up than the Lowdown’s folding mechanism. However, those tradeoffs are made in the name of weight savings and portability. Weighing just under two pounds and packing down to a compact size that’s backpacking-ready, the Chair One is small and light enough to schlep to a far-flung campsite. While both chairs feature a 600-denier polyester fabric, the Chair One also weaves in mesh panels for added airflow on hot days. The Chair One will cost you an extra $25, but it's worth the increased cost if you want a go-anywhere chair. For more, check out our review of the Helinox Chair One.
The Lowdown lives up to its name as the lowest classically shaped camp chair we tested. Its ground-hugging design and strong build help make it extra sturdy on all kinds of terrain, but we have concerns about its back support and question its suitability for taller users.
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
The Chair One helped revolutionize what a portable and lightweight camping chair could look like. While its minimal design isn’t for everyone, it’s still a great choice for folks who are looking for a compact, supportive, and durable seat.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Is the Lowdown for You?
The Kelty Lowdown is an affordable, durable camp chair that combines a straightforward (if, obviously, low-slung) design with moderate comfort. Its rugged construction and ease of use make it a relative steal for $75, but while the comfort is fine for shorter sits, the lack of ergonomic shaping and breathability means it’s not ideal for all-day chillout sessions. Still, the Lowdown earns points for stability in uneven terrain and thoughtful extras like adjustable armrests, a versatile roll tote, and a roomy cupholder. If you value ground-level lounging and want to buy a camping chair that’s built to last without breaking the bank, the Lowdown hits a practical sweet spot.
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