This is our review of the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker.
From time to time I’ve seen these strange looking camp chairs at campgrounds.
They had this distinctive additional leg on them with what looked like a shock absorbing piston.
Finally after seeing these guys pop up everywhere I had to ask my fellow camper what in the heck was this chair?
Well, if you haven’t already guessed…it was GCI’s signature RoadTrip Rocker!
It’s the most unique camping chair you’ll see around, that is as functional and useful as a normal camp chair, but that also rocks like a rocking chair.
Once you sit down in one of these fine chairs, you’ll never think about getting a standard camp chair again.
GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker Review
Weight Capacity (lbs): 250 lbs | Chair Weight (lbs): 12.8 lbs | Seat Material(s): Ripstop PVC-backed polyester | Folded Dimensions: 8.1 x 9.1 x 43.3 in
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Key Features & Benefits
After bringing the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker on a camping trip and to my kids various sporting events, I can’t see a reason why I’ll ever buy a regular camp chair again.
For one, the chair itself weighs only a few pounds more (12.8 lbs) than our Kijaro chairs and yet is similarly sized folded and unfolded.
It is as easy to use as any foldable camp chair that can fit into a bag and be thrown over your shoulder.
It folds down to 10.2 x 8.3 x 43.3 in, which is still very compact even for car campers who struggle with space.
But the best part is that it rocks. I mean it really rocks!
Even in the middle of the national forest on uneven terrain, I was able to sit comfortably in the chair and rock back and forth by the campfire.
My kids love it, and the possible only downside is that it only has the one cupholder.
Some people say that the chair is not really a rocker. I disagree.
Now is the rocking ability as nice as a traditional rocking chair? No. But it still allows you to rock back and forth and enjoy the comforts of home, even while camping or out and about.
Made with GCI’s durable ripstop PVC-backed polyester. And it’s frame is made from powder coated Steel providing support for up to 250 lbs.
Technical Specs
GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker Pros & Cons
Overall, the RoadTrip Rocker is a great camp chair and chair to use for days at the park and your kid’s sporting events.
I found the quality and the ability to rock back and forth far outweighs any of the minor cons associated with this product.
Pros:
- GCI’s Spring Action Rocking Technology™ allows you to rock in your outdoor rocker, anywhere, at anytime
- Durable ripstop PVC-backed polyester is breathable and strong
- The powder coated steel frame can support up to 250 lbs
- It’s not too heavy at 12.8 lbs, and can easily be carried in the drawstring back on your back
- Comes with a cupholder and fold up nicely to easily fit in your car, truck, or RV.
- Competitively priced with similar non-rocker chairs
Cons:
- The rocking motion does take a few minutes to get used to
- One cupholder may not be enough!
Best for: Anywhere you plan on sitting for a long time!
- Around the campfire
- Kids sporting events
- Parks and community events
GCI Outdoor Rockers – Other Chairs
What GCI chair is best for you? Let’s take a look at some of the other popular GCI Outdoor rockers:
KICKBACK ROCKER | FREESTYLE ROCKER XL | POD ROCKER |
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How we tested, reviewed and rated the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker
New for 2022, we’ve launched a new testing, rating, and review system across all of Wilderness Times.
We rated the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker across seven key categories:
- Performance
- Quality & Durability
- Comfort
- Value
- Ease of Use
- Portability
- User Ratings
Overall Score
After thoroughly testing the product, all of the above metrics are factored into our algorithm to create an Overall Score.
The RoadTrip Rocker model had great ratings across all of the categories and came in with an 9.1 overall score.
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Performance
The overall performance of the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker is quite excellent.
What more can you ask for, than a recliner out in nature?
Using this out in the national forest, we had no problems rocking back and forth even on uneven terrain.
We gave the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker a 9 out of 10 rating on Performance.
Quality & Durability
I greatly appreciate the quality and craftsmanship of the RoadTrip Rocker and GCI’s products.
Made with powder coated alloy steel and a durable ripstop PVC-backed polyester, this product can take a beating.
And we sure gave it a good test. We tossed it around the national forest and have lugged it back and forth to our kids soccer and baseball games.
Yet is is easy to clean and sturdy.
We gave the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker a 9 out of 10 rating on Quality & Durability.
Comfort
You really can’t pay less than $100 for a chair these days and be this comfortable? Oh wait, apparently you can.
The rocking, in my opinion make all the difference. It turns what would be a standard heavy duty camp chair into a premium high end chair.
Possibly the only ding on here is the placement of the cupholder. While many other chairs have two cupholders on each armrest, GCI opted to put the cupholder at knee level.
So it’s a bit awkward, but it does get the job done for at least holding one beverage.
We gave the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker a 9 out of 10 rating on Comfort.
Value
This is easily where the RoadTrip Rocker shows its teeth to the competition. Currently priced at $90 (at time of publishing), it is similarly priced to other heavy duty camping chairs.
Our Kijaro camping chairs are priced at $70, but do not have rocking ability.
For roughly the same size and weight paying an extra $20 for the superior ability to rock is well worth it.
Meanwhile you’ve got YETI’s Trailhead Camp Chair priced at $300 for much less functionality and heavier weight.
The value when you purchase a GCI Outdoor Rocker chair is just unbeatable.
We gave the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker a 10 out of 10 rating on Value.
Ease of Use
As with any chair, it always takes a minute or two to figure out how to open and shut it.
Then you have to figure out the best way to put the chair back in its carrying case. Do you turn it this way or that.
We found that the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip is just as easy to use as any other chair.
In fact, it is easier when it comes to opening and closing. There are no buttons, you simply pull it open and then push it closed from the legs.
You can’t get much easier than that!
We gave the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker a 9 out of 10 rating on Ease of Use.
Portability
Most camp chairs are equally portable, but does this rocker hold up to the test? Yes.
Foldable to 8.1 x 9.1 x 43.3 in, we were able to easily fit this chair in with the others on top of our camping gear tubs and keeping them nicely packed away in the trunk of our car.
No issues here at all. It is very comparable in size to our other camp chairs.
We gave the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker a 9 out of 10 rating on Portability.
User Ratings
Last, but not least are user reviews!
We can get a lot of great feedback from user reviews, but they aren’t perfect. The average camp chair owner won’t ever leave a review, so reviews are typically left by users who either have a really favorable or unfavorable experience.
In the case of the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker, almost ALL of the reviews are favorable.
We read through all of the reviews, just to be sure, and even the bad reviews can have something good to say. After taking that all into account, we were able to finish off our rating.
We gave the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker a 9 out of 10 rating on User Ratings.
GCI Outdoor Rocker FAQS
How do you stop a freestyle rocker from squeaking?
You can use either silicone spray or WD-40.
GCI recommends that you spray a silicone spray around the top of the shock, and/or WD-40 spraying a small amount on the bottom of the frame that is connected to the “ski.”
If your rocker is still making noise after trying the above methods, GCI would like you to submit a warranty claim.
How do you fold a GCI outdoor rocker?
This depends on the exact model, but typically you simply push the chair back together towards the center of the chair.
It collapses back together quite easily once you give it a little push.
Can you use GCI rockers on the beach?
Yes, you can use your GCI rocker at the beach, but be sure to wash down the chair with fresh water to wash away sand from the shocks.
Our Verdict
The GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker is our new go-to chair.
You can bet that we are all fighting to sit on this thing and relax in comfort.
