Lafuma Futura XL Zero Gravity Chair, Grey Steel Frame, Seigle

This review covers all models of the Lafuma recliner.This is a very difficult review to write. I have had a love/hate relationship with the Lafuma recliner for over a decade. I have not tried to review them because of the hate part.This is the only folding recliner that I have found that actually qualifies as zero-gravity. In actuality another inch up in leg position would be an improvement in that respect. A warning: eventually they achieve a better zero gravity recline but when that happens throw the thing out because it is about to go into catastrophic failure. If you do not get rid of it immediately you are going to shortly be flat on your back among the remains of the chair.The design is creative and quite effective, the engineering delivery is a sad compromise. If modern structural plastics and heavier high strength tubing and heavier gage connectors were used the chair could be a wonder and still useful. I presume that if that were done it would be a pound or so heavier and the price point would be in the four hundred dollar range rather than in the current two hundred dollar range. Will that ever be done? I think not.I would buy such a chair, but most would not. As it is, it is an expensive though comfortable occasional use chair. Under constant use which is how I use them their life is between three and four months.There does seem to be some decline in quality over the past several years. I just had one fail immediately because of the low quality plastic joints. I gave it two stars because of good design that would work if it were properly manufactured. Design potential unfulfilled, such a disappointment.

The first Lafuma Futura XL 'Clipper' I bought several years ago. I would give it 20 stars if I could. It still works like new after many years of hard use indoor/outdoor and sleeping countless nights in it. I got another a few years ago and after the same type of use the fabric started to stretch but it is still in great shape. I got another (yes I have many and use these chairs a lot) a few months ago and almost immediately with some light use the frame bent where the armrest meets the back. I contacted Lafuma and they said they would replace the frame "this once". Clearly they are aware that this is not an uncommon problem. I've now had the replacement frame for a month or so and the frame is bending in the same place, again after only some light use. I really hope they fix this problem. Aside from this issue these really are by far the best chairs of their kind. There is no comparison. I don't think I can afford to replace the frame every few weeks. For now I'll have to stick to using the first one I got so many years ago. 1st photo grey chair, creases in the frame straight out of the box. 2nd photo blue chair, several years old, no crease whatsoever still works like new. 3rd photo grey chair bent beyond usability almost immediately.

Perfect for relaxing on the porch or at a campsite.A good balance between lightweight-portable and sturdy-comfortable. Unfolds easily enough for set up, and really comfy once you get seated. Lean back, your legs swing up to whatever degree you desire, then lock the chair into position with the twin tabs on the underside of the armrests.I'm a large individual (or a small two people?), so the XL works well. The regular size works just fine for my 130 pound spouse but is a bit small for folks in the 6' 4" height / 240 pound category. [It creaked a bit getting in and out]. The XL does not complain. It holds itself in the "lean back" setting you selected for the most part, but I am somewhat reluctant to tempt fate by leaning back to the max and folding my arms back behind my head. Zero gravity or not, gravity is still king in these parts.Build quality is first-rate, and suggests the chair will last. [this post will be updated if long-term results are different]If I were a LaFuma chair designer, I'd try to se if I could make it fold up a little more compactly, and tweak the lean-back latching mechanism to make it more foolproof.The LaFuma Futura XL excels (see what I did there?) at backyard star-gazing, sunset-perusement, mountaintop view viewing, neighbor-gawking from the porch, and probably works pretty well at the beach, too (haven't tested it yet there). It is not a backpacking chair, or a chair you'd want to tote several miles to an event. Unless you're into that sort of thing, pain, anguish, ultra-fitness carnage? If so, La-Z-Boy makes a fine beach chair.Finally, cost. It's not cheap, it's not inexpensive. But it probably validates the "you get what you pay for" mantra.

(Third review) Updating this review. We like this chair for my husband's shoulder surgery recovery, but it is squeaking terribly every time he moves! He's not a heavy guy - just 180lbs. But all night long with every move it squeaks.....wakes him and me up. Not good....maybe this is a defective chair or an issue the company needs to clear up. I'm hoping they will respond...(First review) I bought this chair for my husband's rotator cuff surgery recovery. He loves it as an alternative to our adjustable bed! It's good quality, nice to be x-wide and works great! Very pleased.(Second review) Now that he's used it a week, we have found it's squeeking when he moves at night. I oiled the joints where I could reach it and that helped a little. It's not bad but a little distracting All in all, it's a great chair for recovery and I'm sure will be in the summer time outdoors as well.

When we received the chairs, they looked great and were really comfortable. However, within one week's time, the stitching ripped and an elderly female fell thru the chair! They are not worth the money due to poor craftsmanship.

The guaranty is for 2 yrs, and that's about how long these chairs last. You will need a T25 Torx screwdriver (available on Amazon) to tighten the bolts when they loosen.

excellent product, great quality and very confortable