ENO Lounger DL Camping Chair Review

Bottom Line

The ENO Lounger DL is a luxurious blend of hammock-style relaxation and camp chair practicality. It earns an Editor’s Pick as one of the most unique options on our best camping chairs guide. Senior Content Editor Ian Krammer takes this thing almost everywhere, and he’s used it hundreds of times over the years for camping, lawn concerts, and roadtrips.

If you like to lounge, you’ve found your dream chair. We love the weightless feel, cushy headrest, and bucket-style seat of the Lounger DL. With two leg lengths, it’s easy to switch between an upright position and more horizontal session, and minimalist armrests elevate the comfort level.

In 2024, ENO made some welcome updates to the Lounger DL: it has a higher weight limit and is more durable than ever thanks to bigger pole hubs. The carrying case got a full redesign into a Triangular backpack with some useful features, and we love the change. This redesign not only frees up our hands, but it’s a functional as an actual backpack with a stretchy side pocket, top loop, and adjustable gear straps on the bottom.

On the downside, the Lounger’s slower to set up – it takes a few steps to assemble the frame and attach the seat fabric. It has a lower seat height than most chairs we’ve tested, which may be a challenge for folks with limited mobility. The single cup holder is floppy and prone to spills. And, it doesn’t offer lumbar support, leading to a rounded back and slouching. Despite these drawbacks, we highly recommend it. The Lounger DL’s unique design and outstanding versatility are great for years of laid-back adventures.

Comfort

When it comes to comfort, the ENO Lounger DL leads the pack. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer isn’t much of a hammock guy – he prefers a classic chair most of the time – but the Lounger DL’s permanently worked its way into his rotation because of its hammock-like vibe that both cradles and supports. 

We love the Lounger DL after big-mileage days. Two adjustable leg lengths – 10 inches and 17 inches – give the chair a customized feel. Ian regularly takes on 15-30 mile days hiking, peakbagging and fastpacking in the Colorado Rockies, and this is a chair he looks forward to using when he returns to basecamp.

The ergonomic bucket seat and comfy material distributes weight evenly to reduce pressure points. Combined with tall back and a big, cushioned headrest, this thing’s perfect for napping and kicking our legs out straight.

However, this is a very low chair compared to many on our list. It’s about half the height of taller options. That means the Lounger DL can be tricky to get into and out of when you’re sore after a long day of hiking. The low-to-the-ground design may also be problematic for taller folks and those with limited mobility.

It’s not the most supportive, either. The suspended material is cozy, but it leads to a rounded back and slouched position. Also, the arm rests are a bit awkward – we like the height, but they are narrow and lacking.

However, these aren’t dealbreakers for us. We reach for the lounger DL time and time again because it’s so comfy when we’re ready to chill.

Durability

If you’re after a chair that’s built to last and performs consistently, the ENO Lounger DL delivers. The triangular frame is made of strong anodized aluminum that resists rust and is next to impossible to scratch or dent. Burly, round feet handle rocky, muddy, and wet outdoor conditions easily. Once the Lounger is set up, Ian rarely puts it away during weather – even after soaking through, the material dries in 1 to 2 hours.

Three thick, strong plastic leg hubs are the key to theis design. These hubs hold the frame and legs in place. To adjust the height from 17 inches to 10 inches, simply slot or remove the legs into the hub.

The newest iteration of the Lounger DL weighs a full pound more than the prior version, but it’s more durable than ever. More importantly, the weight limit went up to 300 pounds. Reinforced stitching adds a layer of strength to the edge seams and frame pockets, and 300D polyester is UV-treated and won’t fade in the sun.

Our only issue with durability comes down to the fabric. It’s highly abrasion resistant, but still more vulnerable to sharp objects and heavy scuffing compared to thicker material. On Ian’s chair, the fabric punctured near the bottom from a branch, though it was easy to fix with a simple patch kit – we like this nylon version from Coghlans.

We’ve put ours through the wringer, and it continues to hold up with minimal care. Ian’s spent well over a hundred days on the Lounger DL, and he expects to get hundreds more.

Portability

The ENO Lounger DL earns top scores for portability thanks to its redesigned carrying case. The funky triangular shape accommodates all parts of the chair for fast, intuitive packing, so there’s no wrestling the chair into and out of a small stuff sack. Two wide, adjustable backpack straps free up our hands. This thing is actually comfortable to wear, too – the fabric of the chair is packed first, so we didn’t feel the frame against our backs. We’ve carried this thing up to an hour at a time with no pain, though it also has a top handle for carrying.

On the downside, the triangle shape is a bit awkward for storing compared to the long, slim, narrow packages of other chairs. At 20.5 inches long by 19.5 wide and 5 inches deep, it takes up more room in our trunks, and can take some creative packing. Also, it takes a few extra steps to fold and secure the chair, which adds a bit of extra time to the process. The Lounger Dl can feel a bit fussy for users who want the fastest possible setup and teardown. But, we’re splitting hairs here – none of these are big problems. The Lounger DL is a leader for portability, and simple to carry.

Ease of Use

The ENO Lounger DL is an easy chair to love. Two deep side pockets sit snug against the bottom of the seat for quick access to essentials like keys, a phone, tablet or a book. They’re big pockets, too, so you can stay planted for hours. Senior Content Editor Ian Krammer tends to kick back in this chair and not get up for hours thanks to all the storage.

We appreciate that ENO includes a cup holder, but it’s not our favorite. It’s made from the same polyester fabric as the body of the chair, so there’s not much structure. The cupholder tends to swing, sag, and tip with weight. Ian’s spilled taller plastic water bottles, cans, and glass bottles – so make sure your beverage has a lid , or you can save the cupholder for stashing small things like chapstick. That said, the cup holder does fit most water bottles and mugs, and this is a smaller issue – overall, this chair is very user friendly.

Should You Buy The ENO Lounger DL?

The ENO Lounger DL is perfect for anyone who wants the relaxed vibes of a hammock and the functionality of a chair. Its lightweight design, two leg lengths, and compact size make it comfortable seat on camping trips, beach outings, or a warm day in the backyard. The Lounger’s tall backrest, plush headrest, and bucket-style seat create an ultra-cozy experience ideal for kicking back. Plus, the carrying case makes packing and unpacking a breeze, and includes handy features like backpack straps for longer carries. If you want a chair that combines comfort and portability, the Lounger DL is an excellent choice.

However, this model isn’t perfect for everyone. Its 10- to 17-inch seat height can make it tough for folks with mobility issues to get in and out. The setup process is more involved compared to standard camp chairs, and it’s only got one cupholder that’s prone to tipping. Additionally, the minimal back support can lead to slouching and a rounded back. But, we find this chair incredibly comfy, durable, and versatile from the lawn to the lakeside – and a great value for years of serious lounging.

What Other Camping Chairs Should You Consider?

Have you checked out CleverHiker’s best camping chairs guide? Head over to see how the ENO Lounger DL compares to our other faves. Check out these other top picks:

NEMO Stargaze Review: The NEMO Stargaze shares the same hammock-like feel as the ENO Lounger DL with a fully suspended seat. This one swings and rocks more due to it has only two points of attachment – though it packs larger and costs more.

Helinox Chair Zero Review: The Helinox Chair Zero is another very low to the ground seat that takes more time to set up versus traditional chairs. However, it’s ultralight – a fraction of the Lounger DL’s weight – making it easier to carry and store for adventures.

Kelty Low Loveseat Review: The Kelty Low Loveseat mirrors the Lounger DL’s low-profile, cozy design, and durable construction. This one’s a two-seater so it’s more bulky and heavy, but it’s a great pick for couples and families who like to share.