ProView – ENO Lounger DL Chair Review

The ENO Lounger DL chair was a seriously comfortable upgrade to my camping setup for climbing and rafting trips. I tried this out at a climbing festival as well as on an overnight rafting trip this spring. Thanks to the everchanging weather conditions in Colorado in the spring, I tested this chair in snow, hail, rain, and sunshine and on rocky, sandy, and packed dirt surfaces. I also rigged it on my raft to test its packability.

My previous camp chair is also a mesh, low to the ground style and my biggest complaint about it is that it is difficult to get up out of, and so low that you cannot feel the warmth of a campfire. I was interested to see if the ENO Lounger could provide similar comfort with improvements on those issues. I’ve also tried the previous version of the Lounger DL, and ENO has made some upgrades with this version. Most notably, the old Lounger DL was notoriously difficult to set up. With the new version, ENO has pre-assembled the triangular poles that form the base. This makes assembly as simple as snapping 6 shock-corded aluminum poles (similar to tent poles) into their homes and attaching the fabric seat. However, improving ease of assembly necessitated a tradeoff with storage. The previous chair packed into a cylindrical stuff sack, similar to most other camp chairs or cots. The updated version comes in a triangular zippered storage bag that I found awkward to pack into my car or raft. ENO added some features to the storage bag such as backpack straps and a water bottle pocket that would be nice for taking it to an outdoor concert or park, for example, but weren’t the best fit for a more backcountry environment. This isn’t a deal breaker, and ultimately worth it for improved assembly in most cases. It’s worth mentioning that any shock-corded poles run the risk of losing elasticity over time, but otherwise the chair seems durable and constructed from high-quality materials. Note that the chair only accommodates up to 250 lb. It would be nice if a future upgrade could accommodate bigger bodies.

 

Comfort

I was pleased with how relaxing and comfortable this chair was. It has two heights, so you can make it low to the ground or not, based on your preference. This was a nice touch and made the chair easier to stand up from in the higher setting. It is a lounger style, so you are in a leaned back position that may not be everyone’s preference, but I loved it. If the number of people I had to kick out of my chair during the climbing festival is any indication, I am not alone in this opinion! The chair also has some nice extra features, including a pillow headrest and padded arms, that took the comfort up a notch. There is also an integrated cup holder (big enough to fit a Nalgene) and a mesh cargo pocket. The cargo side pocket was surprisingly large and was nice for stowing odds and ends like extra layers, a headlamp, or my book. 

Material

Shortly after setting up camp during our raft trip, a quick-moving thunderstorm blew through, soaking us with rain and hail. The mesh material dried more quickly than the ripstop nylon pillow and arm rests. The mesh is an improvement over the previous version of the chair, whose seat material was entirely ripstop nylon. When the chair became truly soaked due to a prolonged dunk in the river the following day, the pillow and arms took several hours to dry. Next time, I would pack it differently to avoid it getting quite so wet. 

Sustainability

ENO prides itself on sustainable practices, and I was pleased to learn that they offer repairs for their products as well as recycling when products reach the end of their lifespan. They strive to use environmentally responsible materials, such as bluesign approved components. They also give back to organizations such as 1% For The Planet.

The Final Word

I enjoyed snuggling up in this chair with a camp blanket, a warm beverage, and a book. The suspended seat style and padded head and arms made my camp setup feel almost as cozy and inviting as my couch at home. This chair is a great choice for more frontcountry missions where comfort is key. The biggest downside is that the awkward storage bag makes it a little harder to pack for some situations. That said, the ENO Lounger is perfect for car camping, outdoor concerts, days in the park, or anytime you are relaxing after an adventure-filled day. 

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