NEMO Stargaze Camping Chair Review

Bottom Line

The NEMO Stargaze is a staple on our best camping chairs guide. It’s one of the most unique seats on our list, and earns its keep as a crowd favorite and conversation starter. This swinging chair is not only luxuriously cozy, but impressively portable. CleverHiker Founder Dave Collins is a long-time fan – he’s brought this model on hundreds of group camping trips over the years. 

The Stargaze stands out for its hammock-like design, with the seat suspended between two burly poles. If you like a bit of movement while you read, space out, or nap, it’s the perfect seat for swinging, rocking, and reclining. It leads the pack for comfort with an adjustable headrest, breathable mesh back, and cushy padding. The Stargaze may have a large setup, but it’s still ultra portable. And after long-term use, we can confidently say it’s built to last.

However, our testing unveils some cons. The biggest downside is its high price tag, which makes the Stargaze an investment. We love this chair for lounging, though it doesn’t have much lumbar support and it’s a bit impractical for sitting upright. We find it can be uncomfortable for shorter folks since the design encourages a slouched position, and the arm rests are a bit high. Plus, staying horizontal can be tough to maintain without a footrest. It’s not flawless, but if you’re into fun, swingy seating, the Stargaze is worth every cent for a zero-gravity vibe and quick-hit comfort.

Comfort

Thanks to its clever design, the NEMO Stargaze is a popular seat at camp. The cushioned seat is fully suspended between two polesfor a smooth, floating feel. The high back offers good support. We appreciate the adjustable headrest for different head and neck positions. The wide, curved frame gives plenty of elbow room, and tall padded armrests are great for short-term support.

Senior Content Editor Ian Krammer brings the Stargaze on car-camping adventures in the hot Utah desert in May and April. He loves the breathable mesh back panel to catch a breeze on hot afternoons. It’s perfect for naps, too – the Stargaze can lay all the way flat, perfect for gazing at the treetops or gawking at the Milky Way. And with a seat height of 12 inches, this one’s still easy for most people to get in and out of.

Our biggest issue? The reclining feature doesn’t work as well for shorter users. Ian is 5’6”, and his testing finds that getting the chair horizontal takes some effort – he had to push off the ground to keep it reclined. Once the Stargaze is flat, there’s no way to lock it in place. That means you’ll need either a more rigid, flexed body position or a footrest – we recommend a cooler – to stay horizontal. 

As comfy as it is, this chair doesn’t have much lumbar support, so it’s not great for upright activities like eating at a camp table or playing cards. We find the minimal armrests a bit underwhelming, as the moving material can pinch arm skin, and they’re too high for resting over long periods. Still, these are small gripes. This chair is a comfy choice in the wild.

Durability

NEMO’s top-notch materials and sharp design mean this chair just won’t quit. For perspective, Dave Collins’ got his Stargaze in 2019, and it’s still going strong. The aluminum frame boasts a solid weight limit of 300 pounds, and easily handles thousands of assemblies and teardowns. The poles are strong and slot together tightly. The frame has a solid weight limit of 300 pounds that feels level even when reclining or rocking, and round rubber feet further stabilize the chair. Even the two thick attachment points for the frame and chair are nearly indestructible. 

We’ve also been impressed by the durability of the polyester seat. The Stargaze held up beautifully against dozens of drink spills, dirt and sand, punctures and abrasions. Strong stitching is built to last, and it’s UV-treated in case you leave it in the sun all day.

The Stargaze handles weather with ease, too. We’ve tested its limits with massive snowstorms, torrential downpours, and damaging hail. Microfilament mesh drains moisture quickly, and we find in most cases, the fabric dries in 2 hours or less. This model is on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for – a chair that’s built to last years, not months.

Portability

​​Don’t let its larger footprint fool you – the Stargaze earns top marks for portability thanks to an awesome carrying case. WE don’t mind carrying this chair one bit thanks to an adjustable handle, lengthwise zipper, spacious interior, and a large mesh panel, we’re big fans of this design.

We also like that it’s on the lighter side compared to most camping chairs, weighting only 8 pounds and 11 ounces. It also packs down relatively small – 27 by 7.5 by 7.5 inches. We’ve found that size is accommodating for most camping kits, and it comfortably fits any trunk or gear room. We usually aren’t walking far with this chair, but the Stargaze strikes a good balance between heft and convenience.

Ease of Use

The NEMO Stargaze is an intuitive and comfy chair for any camper. After a couple of setups, snapping the frame together and hooking the seat up becomes second nature. An adjustable headrest gives the chair a customizable feel. Two narrow fabric cup holders near the thighs work well for a slim, sealable container, but they also double as stash pockets for everything from keys to a phone. 

The downside? Getting the hang of setup takes some practice. And, it’s not the fastest chair to pitch. It usually takes one to two minutes for a single person to fully assemble the chair, which can feel tedious compared to the quick, one-step pop-ups of simpler folding chairs. Still, it only takes sitting in the chair once to understand how easy, fun, and pleasant this model is for lounging.

Should You Buy The Nemo Stargaze?

For campers who want more than just a seat, the NEMO Stargaze delivers a fancy floating feel in a clever design. Its reclining and rocking features cater to those who want to swing, lay back, and lounge instead of sitting upright, and it’s built for taking in the views. The adjustable headrest, arm rests, and wide mesh back offer a comfy feel, and it’s easy to pack away and transport from the car to a backyard, park or campsite. If you’re looking for a laid-back seating experience, the Stargaze’s suspended design fits the bill. 

However, this chair may miss the mark for some. It’s among the priciest we’ve tested, which won’t suit everyone’s budget. The lack of lumbar support may not work if you prefer a chair with an upright posture. We struggled with the armrests, as they are a bit high for some. Shorter campers 5’6” or under may find the Stargaze a bit of a challenge – it can be difficult to keep reclined, and without tension returns to a neutral slouched position.

Overall, the Stargaze is a favorite because it flips the script on camp chairs. With a swing-style design that blends playful motion with hammock-like comfort, it’s made for relaxing under the stars.

What Other Camping Chairs Should You Consider?

Wondering which camping chair suits your style? Dive into our best camping chairs guide to see how this one measures up. And don’t miss these options:

ENO Lounger DL Review: The ENO Lounger DL has a similar hammock-like design with a comfy, cradling seat that’s great for reclining. This model is lighter, lower and more affordable than the Stargaze, but not as durable. 

GCI Freestyle Rocker Review: The GCI Freestyle Rocker is a traditional chair design, but it offers a similar rocking motion. It has superior back support and a higher seat height but it’s bulkier, heavier, and much less portable.

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Review: Like the Stargaze, the King Kong is built to last for years and has a wide seat. But, this one offers better back support, a higher weight limit, and is more affordable, though it’s bulkier.