Best Camping Chairs
Appreciate the Great Outdoors from the Most Comfy Seat in the Woods
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A comfortable camping chair is essential for a successful campout. When you are camping, daytime is for being active – hiking, rafting, setting up tents and collecting firewood. But when the sun sets, it’s time to pull up your camping chair around the fire and settle in for camp stories, drinks, and s’mores. Spending your evening sitting on a log or a rock, or even in a second-rate camping chair could put a damper on your fun. Treat yourself to a quality camping chair with all the best features designed for your comfort and convenience. These camping chairs are also perfect for the beach and tailgating.
RELATED: Best Backpacking Chairs
The Ultimate Relaxation
GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Portable Folding Rocking Chair
This camp chair features “patented Spring-Action Rocking Technology” that brings the soothing motion of a rocking chair into the great outdoors. With padded armrests and a beverage holder, you may find you don’t want to leave the campfire circle. The chair is conveniently designed to fold flat and includes a carry handle. The chair is offered in two colors (cinnamon and indigo blue) on Amazon. The weight capacity is 250 pounds on the 12.1-pound chair.
Pros
- Rockers take camping chair to another level
- Arm rests are padded for added comfort
- Easy to transport
Cons
- Heavy to carry while backpacking
- Rocking can be noisy
Who should buy this product: This rocking camping chair embodies that sweet spot between communing with nature and creature comforts.
$65 from Amazon.com
Heavy Sitter
ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair
This chair features a steel frame that can support a weight capacity of 800(!) pounds, so pile the kids or the dogs on your lap and settle in. The polyester fabric seat has a width of 24.5 inches. The armrests on the chair are adjustable and include cup holders on each side. Additional storage features include a side pocket on each armrest and a mesh back pocket. The chair is available in six different colors.
Pros
- Weight capacity of 800 pounds
- Wide chair width of 24.5 inches
- Plenty of storage
Cons
- At 13 pounds, it is heavy to transport
- Bar near thighs poorly positioned for some heights
Who should buy this product: Those looking for a rugged, heavy-duty chair can look to this “King Kong” model, which can handle a lot more weight than some comparably priced chairs.
$52.46 from Amazon.com
Coolest Feature
Coleman Portable Camping Quad Chair with 4-Can Cooler
Keep up to 4 cold drinks by your side using the built-in cooler on the armrest of the Coleman camping chair. The chair also includes a cup holder and side pocket on the opposite arm rest. Comfort features on the chair, which has a weight capacity of 325 pounds on its steel frame, include a fully cushioned seat and back. The chair is available in three color options.
Pros
- Built-in cooler
- Fully cushioned seat and back
- 325-pound weight capacity
Cons
- Sacrifice armrest comfort for cup holder
- Some customers report durability issues
Who should buy this product: Camping is for relaxing and this chair takes relaxing to the next level. Not only is it built for comfort, but you don’t even have to leave that comfort when your drink runs out.
$34.99 from Amazon.com
Best for the Backpacker
Helinox Chair One Original Camping Chair
Helinox
This lightweight chair weighs just 2.1 pounds and boasts a weight capacity of 320 pounds. The chair is constructed with an aluminum alloy main frame and uses a single bungee cord assembly. It is collapsible enough to fit into a bag that measures just 14 inches in packed length. The chair is available in more than a dozen different design options. The removable seat and carrying bag are machine washable.
Pros
- Lightweight for easy carrying
- Weight capacity of 320 pounds
- Easily collapsible with a single bungee cord setup
Cons
- Most of the color options don’t include cup holder
- Sits low to the ground
Who should buy this product: This lightweight chair is ideal for camping trips that start out with a backpacking adventure before reaching your campsite.
$109.95 from Amazon.com
Best Coverage
SwimWays Kelsyus Original Canopy Chair
SwimWays
This chair has you covered with a 50+ UPF protection canopy, which can be locked up or down and doubles as the carrying case for the chair. The front edge of the oversized mesh seat is rounded for extra comfort and a cup holder is included in one of the armrests. The steel frame is built with a weight capacity of 250 pounds.
Pros
- Canopy features 50+ UPF protection
- No need for a bag: canopy is also the carrying case
- Oversized seat
Cons
- Lacks some comfort features
- Canopy would benefit from more adjustment features
Who should buy this product: If the sun is peeking through the trees or your trip is to a lake or beach, this camping chair will keep you covered with its 50+ UPF adjustable canopy.
$59.44 from Amazon.com
What to Know Before You Buy a Camping Chair
The first thing to consider before buying a camping chair is what you will be using it for. If you are taking the chair along in your RV, comfort features will outweigh portability considerations. If you’re going to be carrying the chair on your back while walking miles along a trail, you may sacrifice some comfort features. Once you’ve charted your travel method, consider these additional factors:
- How much padding and back support do you need
- Whether you require shade cover
- Width and weight capacity
- Storage features like cup holders or coolers
