YETI Trailhead Camping Chair Review

Bottom Line

The YETI Trailhead leads the pack on our best camping chairs guide as one of the most luxurious and longest-lasting chairs we’ve tested. This model blurs the line between patio furniture and camping gear. The CleverHiker team is in agreement: if you’re going to be lounging anywhere for an extended amount of time – a campsite, a park, or a backyard – the Trailhead is nearly unrivaled for comfort and durability.

With breathable, soft, and quick-drying mesh fabric, the Trailhead is one of the comfiest chairs on our guide. It offers a cushy, breezy feel on warm days, and its wide armrests and slight leg support are tough to beat. With a sturdy frame that supports up to 500 pounds, this thing delivers exceptional durability and stability. Whether we’re setting up in the snow or the sand, the Trailhead’s one of our go-to’s for lounging year-round.

That said, this is a premium chair that comes with a premium price tag, so it won’t work for every budget. The Trailhead is one of the heaviest and bulkiest as well, so you’ll need room for storage. Although the carrying case design is excellent, its size may be a turnoff for folks who need a more portable and compact option. Finally, it only has one fabric cupholder that’s a bit flimsy – and zero storage pockets – which lowers its overall score. But, if you value comfort and longevity above all else, the Trailhead delivers like no other.

Comfort

With a perfect 5.0 / 5.0 score from our team, the YETI Trailhead takes the throne when it comes to comfort. YETI’s tight-knit mesh fabric makes for a cushy yet supportive seat that allows plenty of airflow. We especially reach for this chair on hot summer days because the mesh is breathable and comfy, even in temperatures over 100°F. 

Its tall back provides excellent lumbar, shoulder, and neck support for all sized users. We love the slightly extended design through the thighs for a bit of gentle leg support, and the seat is deep enough to allow for a comfortable sitting posture. When Senior Content Editor Ian Krammer broke his foot, this chair was his go-to for relaxing, reading, and napping. It was so comfortable, he could stay seated for up to 5 hours without needing to get up.

Durability

The Trailhead is our north star for durability. Years of testing shows it’s built to last. The proof? Cleverhiker Founder Dave Collins regularly uses his chair in wet, humid Oregon, and at 6+ years, it shows no signs of slowing down.

The Trailhead’s beefy frame is top-quality, including a rust-resistant powder coating with thick crossbars for added stability. It has one of the highest weight limits on our list, at 500 pounds. It’s also reinforced with puck-sized feet that resist sinking into soft ground and lend stellar stability on uneven surfaces. We’ve set up everywhere from rocks to sand, and this chair stays put.

The tightly-woven mesh fabric is equally tough and breathable. It’s also highly resistant to abrasions, too – ours withstood dog nails, fishing hooks, and pocket knife slips. The mesh dries very quickly – usually 1 to 2 hours – after downpours or snowstorms. Quality extends to the stitching and frame joints. YETI backs their construction up with a 5-year warranty, longer than any other model.

Portability

​​The downside of such a burly design? It’s heavy and bulky. The Trailhead weighs a whopping 13 pounds and 4.8 ounces – the heaviest single-seater on our list. At 3 and a half feet long, you’ll need to budget room in the trunk and storage closest for this one.

That said, YETI’s smart design choices make it surprisingly easy to maneuver. The armrests fold up and down with a large button on each side, and a pull-handle behind the seat back makes it easier to collapse. 

The highlight, though, is its carrying case. The thick case has a stout, smooth, no-snag zipper that extends lengthwise, so it’s easy to get the Trailhead in and out. Its equipped with two thick, padded backpack straps to free up your hands, and we like that they’re adjustable. This setup is proof that convenience and durability can coexist.

That said, the Trailhead scores lower for portability because of its sheer size. When our vehicle is full of other camping gear or we’re tight on space at home, its bulk can feel excessive. We find more than two chairs can be impractical. That said, it’s so comfy that we rarely want to collapse this chair. Once it’s set up at the campfire, front porch, or barbecue, the biggest issue we have is keeping people out of it.

Ease of Use

The Trailhead has unique elements that have a bit of a learning curve during setup and teardown. Thick buttons under the armrests click the frame into place, and there’s a large handle behind the backrest that locks the frame into a stable position. Both of these are excellent features that are straightforward to use, but they’re specific to the Trailhead’s design.

Our biggest complaint about this chair is the underwhelming cupholder. We find it holds larger containers like a Nalgene water bottle, but its awkward position lower on the frame and fabric design make it prone to tipping. For a premium price, we’d like to see a more functional option for drinks. 

Also, the Trailhead is one of three chairs on our list without storage besides the GCI Rocker and the Helinox Chair Zero. The lack of storage isn’t an issue when we’re in the city, but as a camp chair, it’s a significant downside for ease of use. However, we’re willing to forgive this design flaw. The comfort and durability are so impressive that we don’t mind setting our stuff on a nearby log or rock. 

Should You Buy The YETI Trailhead?

The YETI Trailhead is for folks who want a comfortable, durable camp chair. With its sturdy build, high weight capacity, and breathable, quick-drying material, it’s a seat for long-lasting relaxation. Whether you’re camping or tailgating, this chair is solid on any terrain and offers excellent back support. The top-shelf materials and attention to detail means this chair lasts for years with minimal maintenance. Those who don’t mind paying a premium for quality will be hard pressed to find a cozier or longer-lasting chair anywhere.

However, it’s not for everyone. The YETI Trailhead is heavy and bulky, so you’ll need plenty of room for this one, and it can feel like overkill on short trips. It’s not the most functional camping chair, as there’s no pockets for storage, and the single cupholder is a bit floppy and shallow. It’s also expensive. That said, if you want one of the most durable and cushy seats anywhere, this one is well worth the investment – the Trailhead is one of our top picks when it comes to indulgent comfort.

What Other Camping Chairs Should You Consider?

Head over to our guide to the best camping chairs to find out how this backpack compares to the others. And consider these other chairs: 

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Review: The King Kong shares the Trailhead’s burly structure, wide seat, and cushy design. That said, it costs significantly less, has tons of storage, and boasts a higher weight limit. 

REI Skyward Review: The REI Skyward offers a similar traditional camp chair setup with a comfortable mesh back. It’s much lighter, less durable, and more affordable, but sacrifices the premium materials and long-term durability.

Kijaro Dual Lock Review: The Kijaro Dual Lock has excellent lumbar support and breathability like the Trailhead. We prefer this one for its lower price tag, pockets, and cup holders, but it won’t last as long and isn’t as comfortable.