We’ve all seen them at little league baseball games…the people who bring the foldable chairs so they don’t have to sit on the grass. These chairs are also a perfect option if you’re going camping, assuming you get a camping chair and not just another standard foldable one. A good quality camping chair not only folds up for easy transport but it is also designed to be comfortable, supportive and made to last. Read on to find out what to look for in a good camping chair as well as what are the best camping chairs currently on the market.
Quick Answer: Best Camping Chairs
Below is a list of the best camp chairs:
- Best Overall: REI Co-op Camp X
- Best Budget: Coleman Quad Chair
- Best Heavy-Duty: ALPS Mountaineering King Kong
- Best for Backpacking: Helinox Chair One
- Best Rocking Chair: GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker
- Best for Couples: Kelty Low Loveseat
- Best of the Rest:
What to Look for in Good Camping Chairs
Here’s what you should consider before purchasing your new favorite camping chair.
1. Weight
Weight isn’t as big of an issue if you’re going to be camping near your vehicle. But if you’re going to be backpacking, then setting up camp, you don’t want to carry a lot of extra weight. Some chairs that are great for backpackers can weigh as little as two pounds. Keep in mind though that the less it weighs, the less padding it will have, so you may have to sacrifice some comfort. The lightest options you’ll find will be camping stools, with little padding, while the large two-seater camping chairs offer ample comfort but at a much higher weight.
2. Folded Dimensions
Keep this in mind for storage in places like your car, hiking backpack, or luggage. Some chairs will fold down almost flat and others are still pretty bulky, even after folding them. The way the chair folds down will also impact how easy or difficult it is to transport.
3. Height from the Ground
There’s not a right or wrong answer for this, it’s mostly personal preference. A taller chair will put you in a more natural sitting position, but if you’re also taking it to places like concerts, then it may block the view of the people behind you. Sitting closer to the ground has stability perks, but if you’re taller then it may be more difficult to get in and out of the chair. Some chairs may only sit five inches off the ground while others sit much higher at 18+ inches off the ground.
4. Seat Back Height
A lot of this has to do with support. The higher the seat back height, typically the better neck and back support you’ll get from the chair. If you have back problems you really want to keep in mind the height of the seat back as well as the support and cushion the chair has to offer because you don’t want to end a long day of hiking only to sit in an uncomfortable chair that makes your back feel worse.
5. Convenient Features: Storage and Cup Holders
Cup holders and storage pouches are the main extra features you’ll see on camping chairs. Some chairs only have one cup holder while others may have built-in coolers to hold several beverages at a time. Some chairs only have one small storage pocket that’s big enough to fit things like your keys and phone, while other chairs have several larger storage pockets to fit things like books. Consider your camping style and the conveniences that will benefit you while you’re in the woods.
Best Camping Chair Reviews
Now that you know what to look for, here are some of the best camp chairs currently on the market.
Best-Rated Camping Chair
1. REI Co-op Camp X Chair
Dimensions: 20 x 31.25 x 31 in.
Height: 15 in.
Weight: 7 lb. 3 oz.
Comfort can be a challenge when it comes to travel chairs, but that’s not the case with the REI Co-op Camp X Chair. This chair uses an exclusive X-Web technology that increases comfort thanks to webbing which helps to evenly distribute weight. This chair is made of steel, weighs just over seven pounds, and can hold up to 300 pounds. Unfolded it sits 10.5 inches from the ground and measures 31” x 31.25” x 20”. The left armrest has a mesh storage pocket while the right armrest has a cup holder that’s versatile enough to fit everything from a mug to a water bottle. Whether you’re lounging in your backyard or camping in Big Sur, the REI Co-op Camp X is a great chair to have with you.
Best Budget Camping Chair
2. Coleman Portable Camping Quad Chair
Dimensions: 24 x 37 x 40.5 in.
Height: 18 in.
Weight: 9 lb. 14 oz.
For those who love hanging out by the campfire all night chatting and sipping on their favorite drinks, the Coleman Portable Camping Quad Chair is the best camp chair you’ll find. It has a fully cushioned 24-inch seat, a sitting height of just over 18 inches, and great back support, but the most beloved feature about this chair is the built-in 4-can cooler pouch. In addition, there’s a single cup holder as well as a side pocket to keep things like your phone and keys. The chair has adjustable armrests and the steel frame can support up to 300 pounds. The carry bag makes it that much easier to store and transport your new favorite camping chair.
Best Heavy-Duty Camping Chair
3. ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair
Dimensions: 20 x 38 x 38 in.
Height: 18 in.
Weight: 13 lb.
Because it’s so heavy-duty, the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair is one of the best camping folding chairs on the market. The steel frame allows the chair to have a weight capacity of an almost unheard of 800 pounds and the fabric is made of 600D polyester. The chair weighs 12.5 pounds and has dimensions of 38” x 20” x 38”. Both armrests are adjustable and each has a cup holder and storage pouch. Yes, this chair is truly amazing, but ALPS has truly outdone themselves by creating the ALPS Mountaineering Escape Chair, an impressive camping chair with footrest which everyone in the family will love. Whichever ALPS chair you choose, you’re sure to be happy and comfortable in it.
Best Backpacking Chair
4. Helinox Chair One Lightweight Camp Chair
Dimensions: 20.5 x 19.5 x 26 in.
Height: 14 in.
Weight: 2 lb. 1 oz.
If you’re on the hunt for a high-quality ultralight backpacking chair, your search can stop here. The Helinox Chair One Lightweight Camp Chair only weighs 2.1 pounds! It measures 23” x 21.5” x 29” when opened, but it folds down to 4” x 4.5” x 14”, meaning it’s small enough to fit in your hiking backpack. The chair is made from an aluminum alloy which can support up to 320 pounds and its removable seat is made from a machine-washable 600-weave ripstop polyester. An internal bungee cord means the poles assemble and the chair sets up very quickly. When it comes to the best camping chair for backpacking, it’s hard to argue against the Helinox Chair One.
Best Rocking Camp Chair
5. GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair
Dimensions: 24 x 25 x 34.8 in.
Height: 19.7 in.
Weight: 12 lbs. 1.6 oz.
If rocking chairs are your thing, then the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker may be the best folding camp chair for you. The rear shocks allow you to rock smoothly with the sounds of nature regardless of what type of surface you’re on. The seat is made of polyester and the frame is made of steel and can hold up to 250 pounds. There’s one pocket on the side which can fit a beverage or some of your smaller personal items. The chair weighs 13 pounds and has a seat height of 17 inches. When it’s time to store it, the chair folds down to 31” x 26” x 5”. Unfolded, the chair measures 31” x 26” x 24”. This rocker boasts great support and enough recline to be super comfortable without making you feel like you’re going to fall backwards. If you’re looking for a top-quality rocker, the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair is the way to go.
Best Camping Chair for Two
6. Kelty Low Loveseat Chair
Dimensions: 44 x 23.5 x 31.5 in.
Height: 13.5 in.
Weight: 15 lb. 6 oz.
This multi-position recliner is a great option for those looking for the best camping chairs for bad backs. Not only does it recline to help with comfort, the Kelty Low Loveseat Chair can fit two people up to 500 pounds. The 15.4-pound steel chair has a seat height of 13.5 inches and measures 44” x 23.5” x 31.5” unfolded. Sitting lower to the ground means you’re closer to the campfire and you have more stability if you’re on uneven ground or have to bend over to pick something up. When it’s time to store it, this chair packs down into a padded roll-tote and measures 34.5” x 11” x 11”. The chair has two adjustable and insulated drink holders and the fabric has a 600D polyester construction. If you tend to camp in groups or with your significant other, the Kelty Low Loveseat Chair is a great alternative to a traditional single-seat camping chair.
Best of the Rest
7. Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping Chair
Dimensions: 26 x 35.5 x 37 in.
Height: 20 in.
Weight: 9 lb. 8 oz.
Among the best lightweight camping chairs available, the Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping Chair will be the perfect companion no matter where you set up camp. This dual-lock chair locks open for stability and locks closed to help with storage and transport. The chair has two cup holders as well as a mesh organizer that zips open and closed. Even though it only weighs around nine pounds, the chair has a 300-pound weight capacity and sits 19 inches from the ground. It folds down to 6.9” x 4.7” x 45.7” to easily store in your car or camping tent, and expands to a comfortable 35.4” x 26” x 37.4” when you’re ready to use it. The cushioned seat and headrest ensure you can relax comfortably after an action-packed day.
8. REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair
Dimensions: 19 x 22 x 22 in.
Height: 11 in.
Weight: 1 lb.
If you’re preparing to backpack some of the world’s greatest hikes, it would be wise to take the REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair with you. You’ll want to keep your backpack as light as possible, and this chair only weighs one pound. It has an aluminum frame and a ripstop nylon seat which can hold up to 250 pounds. It folds up to 5” x 16” and unfolds to 19” x 22” x 22”. This chair is ideal for providing support after a long day of hiking as it allows you to sit comfortably off the ground. The REI Co-op Flexlite Air has truly earned its spot among the best backpacking camp chairs on the market.
9. ENO Lounger DL Camping Chair
Dimensions: 23 x 32 x 37 in.
Height: 3-10 in.
Weight: 4 lb. 10 oz.
All you want to do after a long day of hiking is to sit down and relax, and the perfect place to do that is in the ENO Lounger DL Camping Chair. This aluminum chair only weighs four pounds ten ounces, but can hold up to 250 pounds. It folds down to 7” x 23” and extends to 37” x 32” x 23”. To make sure it fits your preferences, it has two adjustable leg heights of three and ten inches, and the seat height can be either 32 or 37 inches. This impressive chair includes a cup holder, two cargo pockets, an integrated pillow, and a 210D ripstop nylon seat. If you’re in the market for a lightweight chair for backpacking, go with the ENO Lounger DL Camping Chair.
10. Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair
Dimensions: 25 x 36 x 45 in.
Weight: 6 lbs. 5 oz.
If glamping is more your style and you’re looking for a bit more luxury in your chair, the Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury model may be the best portable camping chair for you. It’s a suspended reclining and air-rocking chair that allows you to swing smoothly on a variety of surfaces, including sand and rocks. One of the best parts about this chair is that it lets you sit up straight or recline almost like you’re laying in a camping hammock. The frame is made of aluminum and the seat is made of a water-resistant nylon mesh. The chair weighs six pounds five ounces and can hold up to 300 pounds. It has an integrated cup holder as well as a stash pocket to hold your favorite travel book. The unfolded chair measures 45.5” x 36” x 25.5” and when folded its dimensions are 7” x 24”. It’s not hard to see why the Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair is one of the absolute best.
And there you have it – the best camping chair options you’ll find to bring with you on your next camping adventure.
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