Guide Gear Oversized Zero-G Camp Chair Review 2024

Are you a heavier person who also happens to enjoy the great outdoors? Do you place a premium on comfort, or suffer from chronic back pain?

If you answered yes to either of those questions, then you’ve probably been frustrated on your quest to find camp chairs that are robust enough to support you properly and pay at least some attention to ergonomic design, which is something that very few camp chairs do.

Most of the camp chairs on the market today support a Zero-G maximum of 300-pounds of user weight. Beyond that, and the number of products on the market drops off markedly, leaving heavier people with slim pickings.

The Guide Gear Oversized Zero-G camp chair is an interesting chair on a few different levels. Not only does it support an impressive 500 pounds of user weight, but it’s also one of the only camp chairs on the market to pay any attention at all to ergonomic design. That fact puts it in a class by itself and makes it a lot more comfortable than you might think.

If you place a premium on comfort and are looking for a chair that will be good to your aching back while still allowing you to enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, you’re going to like what you read in this review.

In the sections that follow, we’ll tell you everything it has to offer and talk about the shortcomings in its design so you can decide for yourself if this is the high weight capacity camp chair you’ve been looking for. Let’s jump right in and see what this model can do.

An Overview of the Oversized Zero-G Camp Chair by Guide Gear

Except for the fact that the Guide Gear Oversized Zero-G camp chair is upholstered in camo and black, this chair looks at first glance like it would be more comfortable beside the pool in your backyard than it would be in the wilderness. Don’t let its outward appearance fool you, though; this is a rugged chair that’s all business. Let’s start by doing an overview of the basic stats that define the model. Here they are:

There are a few things to say about these numbers. First, this is a big chair that’s incredibly heavy where camp furniture is concerned. If you have to hike quite a distance to reach your campsite, adding a 32-pound chair to the rest of the gear you’re packing in might be problematic. This isn’t usually an issue if you’re only facing a short hike. Still, the chair’s weight is definitely something to consider and factor into the equation.

Second, check out the seat height. If you don’t like the idea of sitting or sleeping on the ground because it puts you a bit too close to where all the creepy-crawlies live, then you’re going to love how high the seat is.

Third, the seat width is a good pairing with the maximum supported weight and definitely paints this chair as being a great choice for bigger, heavier people.

Adjustability and Comfort

The Oversized Zero-G camp chair by Guide Gear is amazingly adjustable. If you like, you can lay it completely flat and use it as a makeshift cot. Of course, as the name indicates, you can put this chair in a variety of Zero-G seating positions.

Typically, you find Zero-G seating options in massage chairs and occasionally in high-end recliners. You almost never see it in camp furniture. It matters because Zero-G seating is both incredibly comfortable and good for your back. Inspired by NASA, these seating positions recline you back so that your knees are elevated slightly above your heart, which is incredibly comfortable and relaxing. 

Even better, sitting in that position will alleviate back pain and improve blood flow and circulation. 

This makes it ideal for people who suffer from chronic back pain or who have recently had, and are recovering from some type of surgery as Zero-G seating has been documented to help promote faster healing. It’s rare to find a camp chair that’s actually good for you, but in this case, that’s exactly what you’re getting.

While the chair itself doesn’t offer any padding, the material is breathable and comfortable. That, combined with the detachable headrest pillow and the Zero-G seating options, means that you can lounge in this chair for extended periods without issue.

The armrests are unpadded hard plastic. We would have preferred to see at least some type of padding here, but its absence is by no means a deal-breaker. Even better, the plastic is thick and durable, so it’s unlikely to crack or break when you’re changing the chair’s position.

We mention that because some of Guide Gear’s other adjustable chairs, including their Rocking Camp Chair, have that problem. It is absent here, and that’s a very good thing.

Finally, note that this chair does not come with a cupholder or with any type of onboard storage. That’s a genuine point of weakness in the design, but it’s not the end of the world as there are simple DIY fixes for both issues.

No Assembly Required

Most camp chairs you can buy online will arrive at your door collapsed but fully assembled, and that’s the case with this one as well. When it hits your front porch, all you’ll have to do is take it out of the box, put it where you want it, unfold it, and have a seat.

Pros and Cons of Oversized Zero-G Camp Chair

This is an unquestionably great chair, and we were thrilled to discover a camp chair that paid attention to ergonomic design. For the right user, the Zero-G seating options will be invaluable. The chair is comfortable and provides tons of value.

Having said that, there are a few issues to bear in mind before committing to a purchase. First, it’s heavy as camp chairs go. That won’t be much of a problem if you don’t have to carry it a great distance. Still, if you’re in the habit of venturing quite far into the wilds, then adding a chair this heavy to the rest of the gear you plan to take with you could complicate things.

The other two issues are much smaller. As we mentioned before, the lack of a cupholder or any type of onboard storage is a legitimate problem but not a major one. On the whole, then, we feel that the advantages this chair brings to the table far outweigh its disadvantages, and we suspect that most people would wind up agreeing with that assessment.

Guide Gear Oversized Zero-G Camp Chair Review Conclusion

Despite the weight and a couple of other minor issues of the Guide Gear Oversized Zero-G Camp Chair, it is a superb camp chair that you’ll be proud to own. It’s also one of the few camp chairs that’s actually good for you and your aching back. That puts it in a class by itself. While it won’t be for everyone, for the right user, this chair could be a total game-changer. We recommend it.

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Official Manufacturer Support

REFERENCES & RESOURCES

• How to Fold a Camping Chair, Wandering Privateer.
• 5 Camp Furniture You Need at Least, Cool Camp Gears.
• How to Renovate an Old Folding Chair: 11 DIYs, Shelterness.
• How to Properly Store and Maintain Outdoor Furniture, SpareFoot Blog.
• Tips For Using Camp Chairs in the Classroom, Laura Candler’s Teaching Resources.