When considering camp chairs, we looked at materials and frame constructions. Our winners were all constructed with quality materials and designed to handle uneven terrain, bear weight evenly and securely, and withstand wear and tear from a variety of climates and ecosystems. Therefore, materials and frame constructions were high on our list of priorities. While some of our choices were certainly not weight-conscious (Our Heavy-Duty pick weighs 13 pounds!), we did consider weight (our lightweight choice is only 1.1 pounds!). Our choices had to be within a reasonable amount of weight to transport—easy to stow in the car, in the RV, in a backpack, or just to carry down to the beach. On the other hand, we were also conscious of the weight ratings of each chair.
The packed-down size can also be important for those with limited storage space. If you plan on backpacking or hiking into camp, then a small, lightweight chair will serve you best. If you’re car camping or hanging in the backyard, go for maximum comfort and features. No one wants to spend 20 minutes fighting to set up their camp chair — or worse, trying to wrangle it back into its carrying bag. We want to be able to set up and take down the chair without instructions or excessive time dedicated to the task.
Whether you enjoy car camping, backpacking, soccer game viewing, backyard barbecuing, or some mix of it all, it helps to have a clear idea of how you’ll use your camping chair. It will help you narrow down which of the other factors are most important. It doesn’t pack down particularly coleman cooler small or include a carrying case, but it’s easy enough to carry around the campsite or backyard. At 4 pounds, it’s light enough for even young children to drag into place. And with a seat height of 11 inches off the ground, it works well for a range of children.
If you’re planning to use the camp chair often, it’s worth investing in one of the mid-to-higher end camping chairs, which are designed with more durable materials. We chose our finalists for their versatility across the board; we wanted chairs that you could take with you just coleman canopy about anywhere to do just about anything. We searched for chairs that you can toss in your car and have for any occasion. But when deciding the best camp chair for you, we developed a set of questions to help you find features or additions to your chair that are important.
Note that some higher-end chairs, like the Nemo Stargaze, are made with aeronautical grade aluminum vs. some of the lower-end chairs. The most common complaint—only one cup holder (and we kind of agree)! But, of course, comfort and luxury come with a price, and we have a hard time recommending someone spend this much on a camp chair. On road trips across the country to visit multiple friends, we were pleasantly surprised to see this camp chair in multiple outdoors people’s backyards for use as everyday patio furniture in the summer. Whether friends are having a backyard campfire or watching the sunset from the porch, the Kelty Low Loveseat seems to double as many people’s favorite home patio furniture, too.
Weighing in at a negligible 8lbs 2oz, the Cooler Quad won’t punish you for parking a little ways away from your intended destination. When you consider this in tandem with the carrying sleeve, the Cooler Quad lies somewhere on the more portable end of the full-sized camp chair spectrum. The Helinox Chair One weighs about 2 pounds, compresses smaller than a 2-liter bottle of soda, and is the most comfortable and easy to stow of the three top backpacking chairs we tested.
Its recycled polyester seat fabric is also treated with a durable water-repellent finish allowing it to stand up to the elements. Its frame is constructed of coated aluminum to keep the total weight of the chair down, and the chair feels overall sturdy and well-constructed, with REI boasting a 300-pound weight capacity to boot. And while this design is tailored to rocking, it’s not a good choice if you prefer to sit up straight. But if you’re looking for a unique chair and don’t mind making the investment, the Stargaze will serve you well. If a hammock and a camp chair had a baby, it would be the NEMO Stargaze Recliner ($300).
It’s the ultimate relax and watch the sunset chair that will make you the envy of the campground. Always have a cold drink within easy reach at the campsite, tailgate, or kids’ ball game thanks to the cooler built into the armrest of the camping chair with a built-in 4-can cooler. The fully cushioned seat and back mean you’ll enjoy hours of relaxing comfort. Some of our editors have used their choice camp chair across every season for many years with no sign of deterioration or a desire to switch.
This suspended chair allows for rocking on any type of terrain, and the tall back provides full neck support. In addition to camping, we’ve used this chair for many months as a daily office spot. It folds up easily and packs into a carry bag complete with backpack straps. The Lockdown feature on the back of the chair ensures it won’t accidentally fold up on you. If you’re worried about your camp chair blowing away, this robust ALPS Mountaineering chair is your go-to choice. And with super sturdy, tough feet, this chair is unlikely to topple over.
The cooler itself is an easy-access zippered pouch that hangs from the bottom of the left armrest. We found the Coleman Kickback Breeze Chair to be a simple yet very comfortable seat, though women liked it coleman canopy more than men did (many of them judged it to be too snug). Anecdotally, we found that this chair category in general is more popular among women than among men, who generally prefer a higher, upright seat.