Stratus Outdoors EVERYDAY Chair – Reviewed & Tested

Looking to finally ditch your borderline-disposable camping chair in favour of something more robust? Tim’s tested the EVERYDAY Chair from Stratus Outdoors in search of a better way.

Few pieces of gear frustrate me as much as a bad camping chair. I’m not quite sure what it is, maybe the way you sag into them, or the way they always tear. Maybe it’s the remnant anger from seeing so many discarded at campgrounds, music festivals, and at the beach.

Some of them are just too damn cheap, which is a bit silly for an item you’re almost guaranteed to use again and again.

A few of my mates, realising this, have invested in heavier duty models. These chairs follow the same classic camping chair design but can actually take your weight. This is a good thing, and I highly recommend them over the throwaway options you see at Kmart and Bunnings. But I still find I sag into them awkwardly and resent the squish to get them back in the bag.

The Stratus Outdoors EVERYDAY camp chair takes a different approach with a clever folding design that’s supportive and robust, while still giving that ‘ahhh’ factor at the end of a big day. They also look damn good and have some environmentally-friendly features too.

Stratus Outdoors are an Australian company whose motto is ‘Protect the Adventure’ and I was pleasantly surprised by some of their sustainable initiatives, but more on that later.

Powerful stance, ready for a life of service | @eandrewsphoto

Why am I the right person to do this review?

I’ve been camping since I was about eight, stealing spots in camp chairs since I was nine, and I’ve trialled a whole range in my journey toward building a perfect car-camping setup.

Quick Specifications

Weight: 5kg
Dimensions: Seat height 400mm, Back height 880mm, Seat width 490mm
Packed dimensions: 900mm x 230mm x 140mm
Weight rating: 120kg load
Price: $199

Comfort

The EVERYDAY Camp Chair takes a different approach to comfort than many of its competitors, one that’s focused more on support than lounging, and this ultimately makes it more practical.

I like that you can lean back and have proper back support, the armrests are sturdy pieces of bamboo (not saggy fabric) and the seat fabric stays taught, with just enough give to accommodate your tush. The whole setup is less ‘plush’ than other chairs, yet you don’t feel yourself having to get up or move around because it’s actually taking the weight for you.

The RPET canvas is simple yet effective | @eandrewsphoto

The RPET canvas seat and backrest is a winner here, it’s a tough (recycled) fabric but it feels premium to the touch and very durable. The bag (which is also recycled) is also comfortable with a thick shoulder strap that takes the weight for transporting.

Because of the supportive seat, you can perch forward on the chair easily, like I was to use the little BBQ in the photos. At 40mm high it’s easy enough to get in and out of, which to be honest, is pretty often.

I’m always perching forward and the EVERYDAY chair actually caters for it |@eandrewsphoto

Taller people might want more support for the back of their head but personally I never find myself leaning back like I’m at a resort while sitting around the campfire. If you do, Stratus Outdoors have an ALL-DAY camp chair with a reclining seat that was designed just for people like you.

The only tweak I’d make is potentially adding slightly more cushioning to the seat bottom, for enhanced butt-comfort and some insulation. Though there’s an argument for doing this separately with your own blankets or cushions too and keeping the chairs light.

Design

At first I wasn’t sure how the EVERYDAY camp chair was going to fold out into the chair in the photos. I was expecting a flat chair that folded out in one dimension, yet the bag sitting before me looked too narrow for that.

It was, in fact, very simple. The entire chair unfolds at once with a single expansive pull of the arms and boom, you’re ready to sit.

@eandrewsphoto

Despite this simplicity, it’s surprisingly sturdy with thick aluminium alloy struts and quality plastic components and a touch of bamboo on the armrests to class things up and be less cold or hot on bare skin.

The only thing missing? A cup holder. Or any storage at all really. Maybe Stratus are planning on releasing accessories for the chair but even doubling the width of the arm rest so you can rest things on it wouldn’t hurt.

Aesthetics

There’s something gorgeous and timeless about this chair design. They simply look too good to have just unfolded out the back of a car and they instantly change the vibe. The forest green colour is rich and blends nicely into the environment. Overall, sexy chairs 10/10.

‘Can you see that guy in the bushes too?’ | @eandrewsphoto

Performance

‘Performance’ is a funny word to use for a camping chair, when comfort and the design are the main factors, but it’s safe to say the EVERYDAY Camp Chair performs incredibly well. It’s super stable, easy to set up and pack away, and comfortable for a range of seating positions.

At 5kg it’s not lightweight, and it’s not small either, which has made it somewhat challenging to fit in our Suzuki Jimny. But for the size and sturdiness I think the chairs are punching above their weight.

Durability

I expect to have my EVERYDAY camp chairs for a long time. Every part of them feels tough and high quality, and there’s no play in the design that will lead to wobbles with time. I’m interested to see how the bamboo holds up long term, and how the RPET canvas deals with the sun, but so far the chairs still look brand new.

It’s refreshing to see Stratus Outdoors genuinely changing things up in the industry | @eandrewsphoto

Sustainability

It’s always a pleasure when there’s something to say in this section, let’s unpack what Stratus Outdoors are doing to back up their ‘protect the adventure’ slogan.

Firstly, there’s the RPET, which is recycled polyethylene terephthalate, the plastic bottles and fishing nets are made out of. Each EVERYDAY chair uses about 60 in the seat fabric and chair bag. RPET uses 35-50% less energy to produce and creates 70-79% less CO2 emissions. Not to mention that a kilo of recycled material used equates to one litre of petrol saved. Not bad.

Bamboo armrests weren’t my fave feature but they’re light and renewable | @eandrewsphoto

Then there’s the packaging, which was all cardboard. I mean ALL cardboard. I was truly impressed given the mountains of plastic some camping gear ships in. It’s all recycled, FSC Certified and the business uses no single use plastic. They even got pallet boxes made of recycled cardboard made up for the warehouse, which is impressive having worked in an outdoor store and seen the plastic some ‘ethical’ gear arrives in.

Finally, they’re a 1% for the Planet member, donating 1% of sales (not profit) to nonprofits that help protect the planet (and the adventure). It’s a pretty big tick from me.

Price

‘It’s a camping chair Michael, what can it cost, $12?’

At least that’s how I assume the conversation goes at some of the big chains. In reality an ethical, sturdy, well-designed, and aesthetically-pleasing camping chair costs a bit more.

The EVERYDAY chair retails for $199 though, or $169.15 if you use the links in this review which also gives We Are Explorers a small affiliate kickback. (Use the code WEAREEXPLORERS if it doesn’t apply automatically).

That’s definitely on the high end, and competing chairs around this price point often look like battleships dripping with features, pockets, and padding. By comparison, the EVERYDAY camp chair is sleek and pleasing. If you’re building out your forever camping setup I reckon they’re definitely worth considering.

Final Thoughts

The humble camping chair has had a glow up and it’s right there in capitals. Stratus Outdoors haven’t created a chair here designed to last half a festival, they’ve created a beautiful perch that’ll cush your tush day in and day out.

Stop looking at my tush | @eandrewsphoto

I love how they class up the campsite without being obnoxiously heavy or clunky like some other aesthetically pleasing chairs, and the company is both Aussie-owned and doing great things for the planet. If they add in a cup holder they’ll be laughing. Cheers!

Photos thanks to @eandrewsphoto