At nearly 11 pounds, it’s certainly not ultralight, but it’s not unmanageable either. But for those who want a simple, hardworking, all-around camp chair, the Skyward is our go-to choice. If you’re after a novelty chair with an included cooler, you’ve found it. But if you want something comfortable enough to watch an all-day soccer tournament and durable enough to bring back every season, we don’t think this one is a winner. If you notice some mildew on your chair or happened to enjoy a particularly muddy weekend, cleaning off your camp chair is a relatively straightforward process. I’d also recommend the Cooler Quad to anyone who wants a roomier camp chair but doesn’t want to spring for the more expensive top-of-the-line models.
And rounding out this chair is an impressive amount of storage space, which comes in the form of two stretch elastic cargo pockets big enough to fit a tablet and a single hanging cup holder. This amount of storage ability trumps many of the other camping chairs we’ve tested to date. The chair itself is height adjustable with a high and low option, allowing you to adjust for terrain differences (or to gain the optimal marshmallow coleman cooler roasting angle). We will note that the Lounger DL is a bit more complex of a design than many camp chairs, and will require some more setup time than most other options. If you don’t mind hauling a heavier-set chair in and out of your rig or on a short walk to the park, this is an excellent option, especially for breezy weather. A shoulder bag with two backpack-style shoulder straps makes the trek easier, too.
The height from the ground to the bottom of the seat is an often overlooked yet extremely important consideration. This dictates not only how bent your legs will be but also makes a chair easier or more difficult to get out of. While most chairs don’t offer multiple heights, we will note that the ENO Lounger DL Chair does — with the choice of deploying either 3- or 10-inch legs. Let’s get this out of the way first, if you’re looking for the cheapest chair, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for an incredibly comfortable, durable, and stable chair, you’re in the right spot. For a chair that’s very similar in design, consider the REI Co-op Wonderland, which slides in at a bit less weight and $50 less out the door.
We got some admiring nods en route to the celebration—and we had one of the more comfy seats at the show. Like most chairs of this type, the Coleman Oversized Quad comes with an over-the-shoulder carry bag. Check each chair for their dimensions and weight capacity to make sure it can accommodate your body size comfortably. We list out those details up in our comparison table at the top, so you can quickly see a bunch of models side-by-side. In general, for folks with bigger bodies, look for chairs that have wider seats and higher weight capacities to give you the space and support you deserve. If you anticipate your camping chair getting dirty or exposed to outdoor elements, consider chairs that are easy to clean and maintain.
Look for chairs that provide comfort during extended periods of sitting. Consider chairs with sufficient padding, back support, and armrests. Many campers find that a low chair, like the Kelty Low Double Chair or the GCI Everywhere chair, are more comfortable than chairs with a higher height. Adjustable features such as reclining positions and headrests can also enhance comfort. To ensure that we were reviewing only the best chairs to put our feet up, we researched the most popular camp chairs and collected the top contenders into our categories.
It’s the ultimate camp recliner and our favorite nap-inducing chair. We liked that you can simply lounge back and then lock your desired spot into place. At 13 pounds, the top-rated YETI Trailhead ($300) falls in the middle ground of acceptable camp chair weight. Thankfully, this chair features a locking mechanism that keeps the chair from shifting about as young ones wiggle around in it, and it’s easy enough for small fingers to operate once it’s time to pack up camp. Make s’more time even more fun for your kids with this pint-sized REI Co-op Camp Chair ($40).
Overall, the Kijaro Dual Lock was the best value for the quality, ease of use, and comfort available out of all the camp chairs we reviewed. The angle of the back panel to the seat panel on the Kijaro Dual Lock is designed to produce a “correct” posture, which provides lumbar support and helps with back pain. This portable camping chair was an absolute favorite for those who prefer a better posture, no-sag seats, and sturdy construction.