And if you go too quick, you can pinch your fingers — like if you’re trying to quickly hop out of your chair if flighty embers kick up out of the campfire, which happened to us. But in a calm setting where being nimble isn’t a priority, our crew all loved being able to lean back, look up at the sky, and simply rock. When we sit in this chair, it’s one of the most supportive, stiff options out there, which is great if your back is achy or for folks who prefer an upright brace. The King Kong chair back is also relatively high, and we really appreciate that extra backing when we’re feeling tired — plus the seat is deep, reinforcing our hamstrings.
Our testers liked the comfort and back support of the GCI Outdoor Everywhere Chair, as well as the ability to adjust it to sit on uneven ground. They also appreciated its cupholder (rare in chairs of this sort) and its quick close-up-and-carry design. The Coleman camping chair is big and durable, and of all the upright chairs that our panel of campers tested, it was the most comfortable. After a long day of outdoor adventuring, nothing hits the spot like relaxing by a campfire and enjoying the nature around us. T+L writers are shopping and product experts who score the market for the best of the best travel gear.
If you aren’t sure what exactly it is you’re looking for in your next chair beyond carrying capacity, take a look at our buyer’s guide for more information on the state of the industry. Also, be sure to check out our top picks of the season for an in-depth comparison between the best of the best. This coleman camping chair also did a great job staying dry when the sun came out, and I started to sweat. It never managed to soak through, though I doubt that would be the case in any kind of rain. Beyond this, it’s a cheap and cheerful camp chair that will give you everything you need and a little more, inarguably a bargain deal anyone shopping around should consider. As is the case with many mass-manufactured chairs, there tends to be some variance in quality over the years.
We tested one chair at a time, starting by setting them up for use and paying close attention to whether there was any guesswork or fumbling involved in assembly. To see how comfortable it was to use the chairs for extended periods of time, we sat in each for minutes, making sure to evaluate any extra features like tables, coolers, and cup holders. We also tested any adjustable features like recliners and armrests to see if those functions worked smoothly. The Trailhead is also on the heavier side for a camp chair, and it’s far from compact.
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 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.
The Everywhere Chair closes like a book—simply lift the padded strap and go. “This is the Platonic ideal of your camp chair,” one of our campers gushed. Portable outdoor chairs are also helpful for anyone who doesn’t have the room or budget for permanent backyard furniture. And they can save your back, make it easier to juggle a picnic plate and a cold beverage, and generally help you to relax comfortably outdoors. This low-profile chair is easy to carry, and it adjusts for uneven ground.
Camping trips, beach days, picnics in the park, outdoor movies and theater performances, a fresh-air get-together with friends—there are countless occasions when you might use a camp chair. For an ultra lightweight chair that’s ready to make your hiking breaks a breeze, opt for the Helinox Chair Zero. It has two open panels in the seat back for breathability, and when packed up in its ripstop polyester stuff sack, it’s totally tiny. This is a perfect option for throwing in a tote or backpack to take to the park and on hikes. We love that setup is quick and easy, because no one needs to struggle with poles after sweating it out on the trails. Its light weight also impressed — when we threw it around to assess its durability, the chair basically sailed like a feather.
Some come decked out in multiple cup holders, while others leave it up to you to cradle your beverage. First, consider the type of trips you’re looking to take your camp chair on. If you’re more of the light and fast type, you may be better suited to a backpacking chair. But if settling down in front of a campfire sounds like your type of evening, a camping chair is likely right up your alley.
Comfort varies from person to person and depends a lot on your size, build, and mobility. The new REI Co-op Wonderland Chair ($100) elevates the average camping chair to the next level. 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.
We also have a list of our favorite camp chairs across the board; check it out to see how the Cooler Quad stacks up against other top contenders. The Coleman Cooler Quad isn’t for trekking miles down the trail, but at the very least, coleman cooler you can throw it across your back on a sling and have your hands free to carry a few extra things to the campsite. Even though Coleman’s Cooler Quad is one of the larger chairs that we’ve tested, it’s by no means the heaviest.