Reviews You Can Rely On

ALPS Mountaineering Rendezvous Review

This is a stable supportive chair with an exceptionally low profile for those times when you want to sit but still be discreet
alps mountaineering rendezvous camping chair review
Alps Mountaineering Rendezvous
Credit: Alps Mountaineering
Price:  $90 List
Manufacturer:   Alps Mountaineering
By Maggie Nichols ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  May 16, 2022
61
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 16
  • Comfort - 40% 6.0
  • Portability - 25% 7.0
  • Quality - 20% 6.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 5.0

Our Verdict

Though it doesn't win any awards, we are pretty big fans of the low profile ALPS Mountaineering Rendezvous. At just three inches from the ground, this chair isn't for everyone — it's a long way up once you've sat down. However, if you're in the market for a short chair (outdoor concert anyone?), the durable, stable and supportive Rendezvous might be exactly what you've been searching for. We certainly had fun with it.
REASONS TO BUY
Supportive
Very durable
Low profile
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Very low to ground
No head/neck support

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award 
Price $59.99 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$120 List
$89.73 at REI
$50 List$70 List
$42.99 at Amazon
$45 List
Check Price at REI
Overall Score Sort Icon
61
80
75
68
63
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pros Supportive, very durable, low profile, easy to useFits just about anyone, comfortably padded seat, super robust, plenty of storage, simple to useComfortable, well-ventilated, stable, great storage, easy to use, good priceCarrying strap is built-in and easy to use, set-up is casual, exceptional support for your back, lightweightEasy to set up, tall angled back, supportive, high seat height, less expensive
Cons Very low to ground, no head/neck supportFairly large and heavy, holds water, not breathableLow back height, slightly lower seat height, cup holder not ideal for thin beveragesFabric can get dirty easily, cup holders could be largerVery tall seat, limited pockets, no locking mechanism, long when packed
Bottom Line This is a stable supportive chair with an exceptionally low profile for those times when you want to sit but still be discreetOur favorite among all contenders, this robust chair makes camp lounging a simple and comfortable affairIt's tough to complain about this versatile and portable chair, especially considering the priceTaking the slouch out of camping chairs, this highly supportive model is easy to get in and out ofA tall chair with a simple set up that's easy to use and less expensive to buy
Rating Categories ALPS Mountaineering... ALPS Mountaineering... REI Co-op Camp X Kijaro Dual Lock Fo... GCI Outdoor Comfort...
Comfort (40%)
6.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
Portability (25%)
7.0
5.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
Quality (20%)
6.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
Ease of Use (15%)
5.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
9.0
Specs ALPS Mountaineering... ALPS Mountaineering... REI Co-op Camp X Kijaro Dual Lock Fo... GCI Outdoor Comfort...
Weight 7.1 lbs 14.1 lbs 8.0 lbs 9.8 lbs 8.3 lbs
Weight Capacity 300 lbs 800 lbs 300 lbs 300 lbs 300 lbs
Folded Dimensions (length x width x height) 29" x 8" x 8" 39" x 8" x 8" 33" x 7" x 7" 45" x 7" x 7" 45" x 7" x 5"
Unfolded Dimensions (depth x width x height) 21" x 23" x 24" 24" x 37" x 38" 21" x 31" x 31" 25" x 35" x 37" 25" x 35" x 37"
Seat Height (middle) 3" 15" 11.5" 15" 15"
Features Mesh back and seat sides, foam-wrapped armrests 2 cup holders, 2 side pockets, storage pocket behind headrest, adjustable armrests 1 uniquely shaped cup holder, "stowable" armrest pouch, adjustable armrests 2 cup holders, side pocket, carrying strap Beverage holder, small sleeve pocket

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Rendezvous is a low-profile chair that sits just off the ground. This chair is feature-free aside from a mesh back, foam-wrapped arms, and carry case.

Performance Comparison


alps mountaineering rendezvous camping chair review - another hard day at work.
Another hard day at work.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Comfort


The Rendezvous is an incredibly supportive chair. Unlike some chairs that are all slouch and become uncomfortable after 20 minutes, this one continues to provide structure and is quite breathable with a mesh back and seat to keep that airflow coming. The armrests are foam-coated to add comfort and the wide base provides stability. That said, the incredibly low profile might create a lack of upper back support for taller folks. Additionally, at a measly three inches from the ground, some may have a hard time getting in and out of this chair. At the end of the day, we found this chair to be pretty comfortable — as long as you're not trying to nap in it.

alps mountaineering rendezvous camping chair review - some of our testers struggled with their backs touching the back...
Some of our testers struggled with their backs touching the back support poles of this chair.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Portability


The Rendezvous weighs 7.1 pounds and comes with a convenient carry case with a wide, adjustable shoulder strap.

alps mountaineering rendezvous camping chair review - not a tiny chair but not a giant chair, compared to the others in...
Not a tiny chair but not a giant chair, compared to the others in this review!
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Durability


Constructed of thick, canvas-feeling 600D polyester and a "sturdy powder-coated steel frame," we feel secure sitting in the Rendezvous. All the seams are double-stitched and reinforced at pressure points, and even the storage bag is made of the same durable polyester construction.

The only thing that gives us a moment's hesitation is extra movement in the frame when pushing down on the armrests to stand up. Looking at the frame, you can see where the sides of the seat poles are meant to sit. Since they don't snap into place, it is then theoretically possible for you to sit down and cause those poles to put pressure on the plastic supports, which may fail over time. However, we had no such issues during testing.

alps mountaineering rendezvous camping chair review - the rendezvous withstood many friendly dog "attacks" and furious...
The Rendezvous withstood many friendly dog "attacks" and furious canine snuggles.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Ease of Use


The Rendezvous is a simple fold/unfold camping chair, though the back tends to slide up and off the poles when you fold it up. This model is also weirdly hard to fold together. Unlike most other folding models, you can't choose any two opposing points on the frame to squeeze together to put this chair away. We found (through some trial and error) that the Rendezvous folds up only when you flip it over and push from the two front legs. Once we discovered that little trick, we had no issue fitting this chair back into its carry bag to be ready for the next adventure.

alps mountaineering rendezvous camping chair review - less time setting up means more time relaxing.
Less time setting up means more time relaxing.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Aside from the foam-coated armrests, this chair has no other features, not even a cup holder. However, we found that sitting so close to the ground, we had no issues just setting our beverage down next to the chair.

alps mountaineering rendezvous camping chair review - the rendezvous doesn't have a cup holder, so being just barely above...
The Rendezvous doesn't have a cup holder, so being just barely above the ground WAS our cupholder.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Value


This chair is a little pricey, though it provides very good support and utility; we think you'll find plenty of uses for this versatile little chair if you chose to pay up.

Conclusion


With universal comfort, a low profile, and a relatively low weight, the ALPS Mountaineering Rendezvous is a durable, sturdy, and supportive solution to potentially all your seating dilemmas.

alps mountaineering rendezvous camping chair review - no need for a foot rest when you're this close to the ground!
No need for a foot rest when you're this close to the ground!
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Maggie Nichols
 
You Might Also Like

Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.

GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.

Learn More