REI Westward Padded Folding Chair Review

Bottom Line

Blending style, durability, and comfort into its design, the REI Westward Padded Folding Chair is a cut above your average lawn chair and is tough enough to go from backyard to backcountry. Boasting a thick layer of cushioning, it’s one of the most comfortable chairs we’ve sat in and quickly became a favorite when testing it in the high desert and alpine environs of Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, California. 

The downside to the Westward is its weight and bulkiness, which require some Tetris skills if you’re packing it into a fully loaded car. Even when folded, it retains a wider profile and rectangular shape, making it somewhat trickier to fit into smaller spaces. Built-in backpack straps are a thoughtful element that make the Westward more portable and significantly easier to carry, but it’s still not the ideal option for long treks. However, for adventures closer to home — or closer to the car — it’s an incredibly relaxing seat that not only looks good, but is built to withstand the varied conditions of the outdoors.

Comfort

Comfort is the defining feature of the REI Co-op Westward Padded Folding Chair, and, as its name suggests, the padding gives it the extra edge. Unlike most camping chairs — where the chair’s body often features a thin layer of fabric — the Westward models its design after the classic lawn chair, enabling it to incorporate a thick layer of cushion on both the backrest and seat. The cushion is plush, but is also supportive, thanks to the chair’s sturdy aluminum frame. 

This chair became our go-to grab for slow evenings sitting outside, reading a book, because it was so comfortable to sit in for hours at a time. The only downside to the ample padding on the Westward is its limited breathability. The openness of the chair’s design allows unobstructed airflow, but the seat itself can get hot because the backrest and seat have no gaps or vents. 

Aside from cushioning, the Westward’s comfort stems from its proportions and build. The height of the chair and the position of the armrests are dialed into the ideal spots for maximum comfort. With both feet on the ground, our legs rested at a comfortable bend, not feeling too scrunched as they did in other lower-seated camping chairs. 

Another benefit of the Westward’s lawn chair design is the spaciousness afforded to the seat. A large rectangle, the seat offers plenty of wiggle room, making it practical for a range of body types and sizes. For those who start to feel restless sitting in the same position for too long, the seat’s roominess allows a range of seating configurations. We were able to sit with one leg tucked underneath us, both feet on the ground, and cross-legged. The biggest drawback of the Westward is its weight capacity, which taps out at 250 pounds, and is among the lowest among the other chairs tested. 

The Westward may not recline, but its roominess and generous cushioning make it one of the most comfortable camping chairs we’ve used. Its thoughtful design prioritizes a relaxed seated experience — the perfect way to unwind at the end of a day of outdoor adventures.

Durability

Although its lawn chair-inspired design suggests it is better-suited for milder use, the REI Co-op Westward Padded Folding Chair’s construction and materials are well-made and sturdy, making it a chair built to last. 

The weight capacity of the Westward tops out at 250 pounds, which is fairly low compared to other chairs. Though this may suggest a lower ability to withstand rougher use. In testing, we repeatedly dropped our full weight onto the chair to see how it handled sudden pressure and experienced no issues. While we don’t recommend slamming yourself into the seat every time you sit down, the Westward’s aluminum frame and integrated crossbars are designed to handle more intensive use.  

The Westward folds open using hinges and pivoting joints. We found the experience of folding and unfolding the chair simple, due to the smooth movement of these mechanisms. Over time, these pivot points may become gunky and move less seamlessly; however, we anticipate the hardware being easily treated with lubrication. 

The weakest aspect of the chair is the cupholder, which is attached via a single screw on a plastic swivel. The design of the cupholder itself is robust, but its single attachment point is more susceptible to breakage or damage if jostled too much or hit the wrong way. 

Padding is one of the most important aspects of the Westward’s design. Not just comfortable, the cushion is made with recycled polyester that’s abrasion-resistant and water-repellent, ensuring you can use the chair outside in all conditions without impacting its longevity. With its intentional choice of materials, the Westward is a chair meant to handle a life outdoors.

Portability

Though it’s not the heaviest chair we tested, the REI Co-op Westward Padded Folding Chair definitely doesn’t fit into the ultralight category. Weighing about 8.5 pounds, it’s not ideal to carry over long distances, and its overall design limits its versatility. The extra cushioning and sturdy frame elevate the chair’s comfort and durability, but diminish its portability. 

When not in use, the chair folds into a rectangle. Folding slims the chair’s profile for storage, but it retains some bulk and is not as compact as chairs that fully collapse and can be shoved into a carry pouch. Maintaining this rectangular shape makes it more challenging to pack the chair into a fully loaded car, and its size effectively rules it out for stowage in a pack or bag. 

To combat the potential discomfort of carrying the Westward greater distances, the chair has built-in shoulder straps that allow it to be carried on your back. Their adjustability enables them to be dialed to the perfect position for whoever is carrying the chair, making it much easier to bring the Westward further down the trail. 

If you’re already carrying something on your back, the chair also has a sewn-in top handle for hauling it in hand. It might not be the chair to take on your next backpacking trip, but the straps and top handle are a helpful counterbalance to the chair’s bulk and weight. Its size and weight constrain its portability in both transport and storage, but when your destination is closer to the car, the comfort of the Westward is worth the haul.

Ease of Use

With its folding design, setting up the REI Co-op Westward Padded Folding Chair for use is essentially foolproof — simply slide it open, and you’re ready to sit. Unlike some chairs with seats lower to the ground, it wasn’t a challenge to sit down and get up out of this chair. It sits at a comfortable height, and the sturdiness of the seat and armrests make it easy for people with a range of mobility to both ease themself into the chair and push themselves back up. 

We did find it more challenging to use the Westward on rough terrain. Instead of individual feet at each corner, the Westward’s design features crossbars in the front and back of the chair. The crossbars double as braces and bolster the chair’s structural integrity, but the nubs molded into the corners of each bar don’t have enough length to dig into uneven surfaces to help level out the chair. It’s much easier to sit the Westward on flatter ground, where the crossbars won’t force the chair to sit unsteadily. 

The Westward prioritizes comfort, and we would have appreciated a storage pocket or pouch incorporated into the design to stash loose items or snacks for maximum convenience and relaxation. The chair doesn’t offer many extra features, but it does come equipped with a single cupholder. It pivots out from beneath the chair, handily tucking away when not in use. We were pleasantly surprised that our 32-ounce Hydroflask water bottle fit in the cupholder, which is usually too big for most cupholders.

The plastic frame and burly mesh body of the cupholder were also sturdy enough to handle this heavier container. The only downside is its position. Having the cupholder mounted beneath the seat of the chair felt a bit low and less intuitive than chairs with armrest cupholders.

Should You Buy The REI Westward Padded Folding Chair?

Envisioning long evenings around the campfire or lounging with friends at backyard barbecue hangs? Then the REI Westward Padded Folding Chair might be your perfect pick. Thickly cushioned on both the back and seat, it’s comfortable to sit in for hours at a time. Thoughtful design features — like its spacious cupholder, backpack straps for easier carrying, and its one-step setup — add practicality to the chair, beyond it being just a relaxing seat.  

If you’re searching for a chair to bring deeper into the backcountry or have to carry your gear on foot, the Westward might not be the best option. Its heavier weight and bulkier design make it better suited for car camping and lighter adventures. Its rectangular shape makes it harder to pack for transport when you’ve got a fully loaded vehicle, but when comfort is the priority, and you need a relaxing spot to sit, the Westward is certainly a top choice.

What Other Camping Chairs Should You Consider?

Head over to our guide to the guide to the best camping chairs to find out how the REI Co-op Westward Padded Folding Chair compares to our other recommendations. And consider some of our other faves: 

YETI Trailhead Review: Like the Westward, the Trailhead prioritizes comfort as one of the most luxurious chairs we’ve tested. With an airy mesh seat, it’s more breathable than the Westward during warmer weather and offers even greater durability and stability. At over twice the price of the Westward, the Trailhead won’t fit into everyone’s budget, but its lasting design means you won’t need to think about buying another chair for years. 

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Review: Similar to the Westward, the King Kong features a thicker cushioned seat that’s comfortable to sit on and provides insulation on cooler nights. With a burly steel frame and reinforced joints, it’s built to last. The King Kong is several pounds heavier than the Westward and a bit bulky, but significantly cheaper, making it a better budget option without sacrificing durability. 

Helinox Chair One High Back (re) Review: For those wanting a comfortable chair, but looking for something lighter weight and more portable than the Westward, the Helinox Chair One threads the needle between relaxation and ultralight. Weighing several pounds less than the Westward and packed into a compact pouch for transit, the Helinox is effortlessly portable. But don’t be deceived by its light weight; its high-backed design makes for a comfortable place to sit after a long day on the trail.