You can pick one up at just about any big-box store (sometimes for as little as $10), order one with your favorite sports team’s logo, or pay a premium for a similar model from Cabela’s or REI. At only five pounds heavy, this is one of the lightest folding hammock chairs available. They are SUPER comfortable, one can sit in them all day and your back will not hurt, and we loved the head support. Owing to its extra-wide seat, the first thing you’ll notice about this oversized director’s chair is that it looks rugged and robust.
When it comes to comfort, the Kelty Low Loveseat was one of the most outstanding during our test. Even after regularly using this chair for six months, it’s just as plush and comfortable as ever. It has more than enough room for two people — and perhaps a pet — to lounge. (If you want even more room, Kelty also makes a party-sized couch with plenty of space for three people.) Sturdy, padded fabric forms a supportive high back and adjustable armrests. The low height instantly turns the ground into a footrest, and the seat is wide enough to provide leg support that makes you feel like you’re reclining. The industry is flooded with options for portable chairs, from compact seats that are light enough for extended treks to heavy-duty rocking chairs that let you recreate your living room on the campground.
The one thing this chair doesn’t have, however, is storage. Fortunately, this is also easy to remedy via a bit of DIY engineering. Simply buy a mesh bag for storage and attach a D-Ring to it, then clamp it onto one of the support struts on the chair.
They also love that it’s easy to fold and easy to open and set up. Finally, we sent the chairs out to put them to the test on real campgrounds, hikes, and other outdoor events. Testers provide periodic updates to report on the chairs’ performances over the course of six months. In terms of comfort, the Co-op Flexlite Air Chair has the perfect ozark trail chair amount of give. It’s so small and lightweight to bring around, you can even throw it into a backpack or tote bag. Shipping fees and delivery times vary depending on location, size and weight of the item(s) and is only available within the province of the Canadian Tire retail location (“Store”) from which the item(s) was purchased.
The Ozark Trail Oversized Mesh Chair from Walmart, although similar to our pick in size, was far less comfortable, with rough-feeling material that was obviously of lower quality. We later found, after six months of frequent use, that the stitching along one arm had come unravelled and that the small straps holding ozark trail backpack up the back of the armrests had both ripped in half. The GCI Outdoor chair also has a pocket built into the back that can hold a phone or a book. This chair comes in green or blue and is rated to hold up to 250 pounds. The Renetto chair usually comes in between 8 and 10 colors and is rated to hold up to 350 pounds.
The chair and sack are also machine washable, so you can always head out on a hike feeling fresh. Like many ultralight chairs structured with a pole base, it will sink into soft ground like snow or sand, but Helinox makes a ground sheet you can buy to make the chair more versatile. REI’s Co-op Flexlite Air Chair is perfect for the minimalist traveler.
Whether you want to sit upright for a snack break or lean back to lounge with a good book, Nemo’s Moonlight Reclining Chair is great to have on hand. Sturdy, adjustable buckles allow you to choose just the right level of recline for whatever you’re using the chair for at any given time. The seat is made of a webbed mesh that comfortably conforms to your body and promotes airflow.
However, if you’re setting up camp for an extended stay, having home-furniture level comfort — and a whooping 500-pound weight capacity — could be worth the extra effort in transport. Plus, though the chair is large even when folded up, its spacious backpack carrying case with cushioned, adjustable shoulder straps makes dealing with the size and weight much easier. A rocking chair can take your campsite serenity to a new level.
We brought this chair to a dense Los Angeles neighborhood to watch Fourth of July fireworks. But carrying the Renetto was comfortable and unobtrusive. We got some admiring nods en route to the celebration—and we had one of the more comfy seats at the show.
After all that, we concluded that the REI Co-op Camp Chair – Kids’ is the best choice for anyone who wants to buy a practical, portable outdoor chair for a small child. Outdoor furniture is not one size fits all, so think carefully about your unique needs before committing to a style. Shorties (like yours truly) may be uncomfortable in seats that are too high to rest their feet on the ground while their backs are flush against the chair. A few of the lightweights we tested were cozy enough to sleep in for some campers, while others found them to be too narrow to comfortably fit their shoulders. If lumbar support is a must, it could be worth transporting a bit of extra weight to have a super sturdy chair on your site.