ENO Lounger DL Review

The ENO Lounger DL is a hammock-like stationary chair with two different height options. Though it doesn't rock, it breaks down into small sections that can easily be taken with you and set up anywhere. It also features two side pockets, a cup holder, and a built-in headrest.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Because of its hammock-like comfort, the Lounger DL scored decently here, though we feel it's a bit of a niche comfort. This chair has a relaxed, slouchy feel that does indeed feel like a hammock. The front of the chair doesn't dig into the legs, and the armrests are soft and well-padded — a novelty among the packable models we tested.

The two different options for seat height also stand out to us. To sit closer to the ground, don't fold out the leg extensions and sit directly on the triangle base. Or, if getting up from a very low chair is a challenge for you, raise the Lounger from 3.5 inches to 8 inches by folding out the legs. Using the four leg extensions also helps make this chair more stable and harder to tip than simply sitting in the triangle base, though you will sink more into soft ground.

As a hammock-like chair, there are a few downsides if you're not feeling the 'mock vibe. The Lounger DL is fairly narrow, which may make it uncomfortable for larger folks. The sides can be a bit constricting, leaving not much room to spread your knees. It also provides nearly no lumbar support (just like you'd expect from a hammock), and though it has a pillow, it's quite high and not adjustable.

Portability

Tipping the scales at just 4.6 pounds and being equipped with a handy storage bag with an adjustable shoulder strap, the Lounger DL is a fairly portable chair. Folded, this chair is only 24 inches long, which is much shorter than many of the traditional camping chairs we tested. Though it's not the smallest packed chair we tested, we still aren't too upset about carrying this chair just a bit farther to find that perfect spot.

Durability

Constructed from 210D ripstop nylon with aluminum alloy legs, the Lounger DL has a weight capacity of 250 pounds. The corners and pole pockets are thick and reinforced, and some places have double-stitched seams.

That being said, we have a couple of durability concerns. There's a decent amount of wiggle room in the poles and their attachments to the frame. Though this helps give a little extra mobility to enhance that hammock feel, it also made us a little nervous. Some of the seams are also single-stitched, and while we never had any issues with this during our testing, it doesn't give us the same confidence that we found in models with all double (or more!) stitched seams.

Ease of Use

This is by far our least favorite part of this chair. The poles are extremely challenging to put together and take apart and require a lot of patience and practice. The best thing about this process is that after taking so long to put the frame together, the actual seat is very easy and painless to attach, as it just hangs loosely on the frame. Still, while the seat is easy to attach, the loose fit and short pole pockets meant that we frequently (accidentally) pulled the seat off the frame while trying to pick this chair up and move it. There are so many poles, and once the Lounger had a little dirt on it from use, we found that they became more challenging to pull out of the corner sockets. Fitting this chair back into its top-opening storage sack was also a struggle.

The stretchy side pockets on the Lounger are some of our favorites and can hold a surprisingly large number of things without sacrificing comfort. From books and phones to keys and extra water bottles, these pockets are roomy! The cup holder we are less enamored with. It's quite wide and not overly deep and floppily attached with just a single row of stitching. We had a hard time putting a regular 12-ounce can or bottle in this cup holder without it spilling. With the addition of a binder clip, the cup holder is significantly less floppy, but still, we feel the dimensions are better suited to filling it with crackers or trail mix than a beverage. The Lounger also has a padded headrest, though it's not adjustable, so depending on your height, you may love it (taller folks) or find it in the way (shorter folks).

Value

This chair is a bit of an investment. If your pupils turn into hearts like a cartoon character every time you look at a hammock, we think you'll like this chair from hammock-maker, ENO. However, if you seek a more diverse chair with a bit more support and stability and only occasionally want to feel like you're in a hammock, this chair probably isn't worth your hard-earned dough.

Conclusion

The ENO Lounger DL is a pretty good choice for hammock-lovers. If you love your hammock but want to sit in an actual chair, this model gives you both! If you're seeking a gift for your friend who sold their tent because they only hammock camps now, they'll probably love this chair. However, if you're reading this with a quizzical look on your face because you're not sure if you're ready to be in a hammock at all times, the Lounger might not be the best chair for you.