BOTE MULE Outpost Chair Review: Big Comfort, Backpack Portability, and a Proprietary Catch

Do you own battery-powered yard equipment? If so, you’ll see how this relates to a foldable chair review. It’s a strange comparison, but hear me out. When you buy a battery mower and add tools like a trimmer or chainsaw, you must buy the same brand of compatible—read: proprietary—batteries. That’s why the BOTE MULE Outpost chair is perfect—if you’re willing to go BOTE.

What Is It?

The BOTE MULE Outpost Chair is a foldable, mesh outdoor chair for camping, the beach, or kids’ weekend soccer games for cheering parents. 

What’s Included?

• BOTE MULE Outpost Chair

Tech Specs

• Dimensions: 41.5” x 29.25” x 32”
• Folded Flat: 38″ D X 29.25″ W X 5.75″ H
• Weight: 13.6 Lbs
• Capacity: 300lbs
• Recline Settings: 4
• Arm Height: 24.5″
• Seat Height: 16.625″
• Seat Height at Back: 14″
• Arm Width: 3.875″
• Seat Width: 21.25″
• Seat Width at Back: 18.750″
• Arm Depth: 21″
• Seat Depth: 18.5”
• Mule Bar Width: 9

Design and Features

The BOTE MULE Outpost Chair is both well-built and comfortable for hours—especially those extended times sitting on the sidelines of a kid’s soccer game. Take a look around, and you’ll get a sense of the different kinds of chairs people bring. The same goes for camping, too. My previous chair was a cloth cheapie bought from a sporting goods store that had their logo plastered on the back. It’s the kind of chair you sink into rather than sit on. After a few minutes, comfort was not an option.

BOTE has fixed that with its line of MULE products, such as the Outpost chair. Its surprisingly taut, aqua-colored mesh supports your weight evenly with just the right amount of flex, without that sinking feeling. Its gray, powder-coated aluminum frame won’t rust or become discolored from salt or other contaminants. Plastic corner braces on the bottom steady the chair’s balance and help keep it from sinking into beach sand.

The wide armrests are lightly padded with dense, closed-cell EVA foam. It’s tough, water- and sweat-proof, and resists mold and bacteria. The end of each armrest features a BOTE exclusive “MAGNAPOD” magnetic pad that works with BOTE MAGNEtumblers and other proprietary BOTE accessories. More on that later in this review. Note that the camera lens creates a weird, off-color pattern when photographing mesh.

As I stated, the chair’s color is a bright aqua. No other colors are offered. In fact, most of BOTE’s products come in a matching aqua—I guess it’s their corporate color. 

Unfolding the BOTE MULE Outpost Chair was a learning experience. Most folding chairs unfold by just pulling apart the chair’s top and seat. Not so with this chair. When I tried to open it, it stopped after a few inches, no matter how hard I pulled and pushed the top and seat apart. After 20 minutes of confusion, I realized the chair needs to be flipped, then pulled, to open. It also needs to be flipped to close. There were no instructions. Maybe I was confused after years of using collapsible cheap chairs.

Sitting in the chair feels surprisingly firm with a bit of give. It’s quite comfortable. While sitting, I kept thinking a built-in rocking-chair mechanism would be a nice addition to the rest of my outdoor gear. Maybe someday. 

The BOTO Outpost Chair has 4 reclining positions, adjustable by pulling up and push/pulling either armrest. My preference is one slot away from the most upright. When fully reclined, you can easily nap in the chair.

The BOTE MULE Outpost Chair is called MULE because you can carry it hands-free with its backpack straps. A crossbar lets you attach other BOTE accessories, keeping your hands free for gear. This approach works well with products like the KULA cooler and MULE tote bag.

Placing my arms into the straps was a bit awkward because the wide chair was swinging around behind me, making my wife jump out of the way. Make sure you have plenty of room when shouldering the chair. 

Another proprietary exclusive is the BOTE MAGNEPOD, which uses hidden magnets in the armrests to work only with BOTE MAGNEPOD cups and coolers, hence the comparison to proprietary battery lawn tools mentioned earlier. Many BOTE products include MAGNEPOD magnets. If your favorite mug fits standard cupholders only, this could be a deal breaker—something to keep in mind.

BOTE didn’t provide a cup, so I couldn’t test it, but it gets good reviews. Its pricing matches other well-made travel cups.

Final Thoughts

The BOTE MULE Outpost Chair may be expensive, but it’s comfortable, sturdy, and built to last for years. It also pairs well with other BOTE accessories. However, if you want cupholders…

The BOTE MULE Outpost Chair retails for $259.00; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer-supplied review sample

What I Like: The BOTE MULE Outpost Chair is well-made and comfortable; It’s easy to tote around—even hands-free

What Needs Improvement: It would be nice if one of the armrests had a standard cup holder