Car Camping Comfort, Pain in the Bank: YETI Trailhead Camp Chair Review

We all have one: the classic camp chair. You know, that raggedy, tattered seat in the corner of your garage. You probably don’t even know where it came from. It might have been a freebie from the bank. It might have been left by a friend in the backyard. Regardless, it exists, and it does the job … until it doesn’t.

One armrest decides enough is enough and gives way. That cheap canvas seat tears itself away from the grommet. A flimsy leg buckles, and you tumble (hopefully not into that fire you were just staring at while contemplating the meaning of life).

You can do better. The YETI Trailhead Camp Chair exists, and it’s pretty great (with some caveats). I’ve had mine for over a year. They accompany us on ice fishing trips, camping, hunting, potlucks, backyard bonfires, and even to crowded Thanksgiving dinners.

In short: The YETI Trailhead Camp Chair is a wildly comfortable, durable chair for those times when you want to take a seat not too far from the truck. But it does come with the hefty YETI price tag and an even heftier weight factor.

YETI Trailhead Camp Chair Review

Overview

YETI has built its brand on creating durable, well-thought-out products for those of us who like to live our best lives far from the comforts of home. This chair is no different in that regard. Does it put the heavy in heavy-duty? Yeah, just like any other offering from the Austin-based brand.

Coming in at 13 pounds, it’s kind of a shock. But the compact size, smart design, and convenient backpack-style carry bag make up for that weight in spades.

The Flexgrid fabric is more akin to a mesh office chair than the usual canvas or poly denier fabrics seen on most folding camp chairs. Setup is a breeze: no interlocking poles and no bungee cords. Just unfold the chair, press down on the armrests until they click into place, and press down on the back tensioner handle to lock it in and you’re done.

The sturdy aluminum frame and large rubber feet keep the chair stout and sturdy on all kinds of terrain, and a convenient cupholder can click onto either armrest for easy refreshment.

The Good

First, this chair is comfortable. I mean, it is really comfortable. I have two and am always excited to share my extra one at camp. It’s maybe the nicest thing I can think of to offer a friend. After a long day of elk hunting, coming back to camp and having this chair to sit on and take my boots off might be one of life’s greatest treats, next to eating a Honey Stinger with some peanut butter and taking a nap under a tree.

Packed up and in its carry bag, the chair is fairly compact. It makes it an easy choice to bring along while packing for a trip. It easily stows in a crowded truck bed, a gear hatch in an RV, or even in an ice sled. For those destinations a little bit farther from the truck, the backpack-style carry bag makes transport easier, but it’s no cakewalk.

I mean, it’s nice to have the option of turning it into a backpack, considering all 13 of those pounds. It is great for a trip to the beach, a day on the river, or a short walk to a scenic overlook. This thing has become a staple for our ice-fishing trips.

Just like anything YETI, the durability and build quality are top-tier. This chair is built to last. Like, it’s pass-down-to-your-kids built to last. I don’t think the words flimsy or cheap are even in YETI’s lexicon. That being said …

The Bad

You might want to sit down for this: It’s a $300 camp chair.

With just a little bit of time on Craigslist, you could probably outfit your living room for less. But, compared to offerings from companies like NEMO and Big Agnes, it’s not really out of line.

Then, there’s the weight. But, let’s be honest, you’re not taking a chair up to spike camp on an elk hunt, anyway. Sure, the thing is insanely heavy, but for car camping, ice fishing, a concert, a picnic, or whatever other outdoor sitting adventure you might have on the horizon, it’ll do the job and do it well. I wouldn’t carry the thing far, but you won’t regret the lug if you’re a stone’s throw from the parking lot.

YETI Trailhead Camp Chair: Is It Worth It?

With its blend of price and comfort, this chair falls solidly in the “treat yourself” category. No one is buying YETI anything for budget considerations.

Day trippers, fireside storytellers, cabin dwellers, base campers, and dirtbags of all sorts might find comfort value in this chair. If you’re the type of person who seeks adventure during the day and serious comfort back at camp when the light gets low, this chair is for you.

It also qualifies for the person who has it all. If you need a big gift for the outdoor goer who has everything, this might be your ticket.

Sometimes, you just need a little luxury as a treat, and this chair is certainly a luxury purchase.