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.
Then, there are folding-style chairs like the GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker Chair, which fold along a central axis and create a flat package for moving about. And finally, there are the DIY-style chairs, such as the ENO Lounger DL where some assembly is required, though at a great benefit to overall packability. The armrests are comfortable, and our testers like the adjustable head pillow.
The poles are quite thin, and despite having a steel frame, everything feels rather rickety. Ours also came with some sloppy seams, and the carry bag is very thin and fragile. Again, nothing broke on this chair during our few months of testing, but we are skeptical of its longevity. If you’re wondering what all goes into the perfect camp chair, our buyer’s guide can answer similar questions and more.
We’ve tried other camping stools and have found their seating size to be ahem inadequate for most adults who tried to sit in it. The REI Camp stool is much more accommodating and feels sturdy—as long as you’re below the 200 pound weight limit. If you don’t need a traditional camping chair but want to get off the ground, the affordable and compact REI Trail Stool does just the trick.
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). 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 up the back of the armrests had both ripped in half. We think the REI chair functions better and will last much longer than the similar chair from Walmart.
Those in the market for a new chair can head our top picks of the season for side-by-side comparisons of the latest and greatest models available. 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. When you’re searching for a new camp chair, sometimes you aren’t looking for the lightest possible option- you want the beefiest chair out there that can soak up as much strain as possible. Here’s a list of some of our top contenders in the durability category. For more details on what to look for in your next camp chair, head over to our buyer’s guide.
Check the weight of the camping chair, especially if you’ll be carrying it over long distances, such as from the car to a walk-in campground or from the distant parking lot to a music festival or sporting event. Lighter chairs are generally more packable and won’t add much weight to your overall gear. With as many options for folding camp chairs as there are, it’s no easy feat to wade coleman cooler through the data to find the best choice for your lifestyle. We researched for you, so you can spend less time poring over websites and more time kicking back in your new favorite chair. Perfect for kicking back after a long day on the trail, or even setting up for an afternoon concert, the Lounger DL chair was easily one of the most comfortable camping chairs we’ve tested to date.
While you sip on your favorite beverage, the comfortable head cushion only adds to your relaxation. If you want your hands free, the side pockets work nicely to store your book, magazine or some snacks. When the fun is done, the chair easily folds up into a carry bag for easy transport and storage. If there’s anything exceptional about the Cooler Quad chair, it’s the size. With the exception of REI’s Camp Xtra, it has the undisputed largest seat of any of the camping chairs we’ve tested.
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 coleman camping chair 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.