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When you think of Best Camping Chairs, you might picture $10 deals in front of a big-box store, but let’s set our sights a little higher. We expect a good car camping chair to be comfy, sturdy, and made to last, even in rough weather. It should also be able to fold up so it’s easy to carry. Here are our top picks for 2023. They range from chairs that are easy on the wallet to chairs that put comfort first to fun ones that rock and swivel.
Check out our full comparison table and buying tips below the picks to learn more. There are a lot of different kinds of movable chairs on the market, from small seats that are light enough for long hikes to heavy-duty rocking chairs that let you bring your living room to the campsite. After trying all kinds of chairs for portability, comfort, durability, and other things, our favorite is the Kijaro Dual Lock Camping Chair, which is a versatile, very comfortable folding chair with a lot of features for a low price.
Best Camping Chairs Comparison Table
Product | Weight (pounds) | Weight Capacity (pounds) | Foldable | Cup Holder | Storage Pocket | Adjustable Headrest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
REI Co-op Skyward Chair | 5.8 | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Alps Mountaineering King Kong | 13 | 800 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Kijaro Dual Lock Chair | 9.5 | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Kelty Lowdown Chair | 6.3 | 350 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Coleman Cooler Quad Chair | 8.82 | 325 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
GCI Outdoor Everywhere Chair | 6.8 | 250 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
YETI Trailhead | 13.8 | 500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
NEMO Stargaze | 6.2 | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
REI Co-op Skyward Chair
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Brand | REI Co-op |
Model | Skyward Chair |
Weight | 5.8 pounds |
Weight Capacity | 300 pounds |
Frame Material | Aluminum |
Seat Material | Nylon |
Foldable | Yes |
Cup Holder | Yes |
Storage Pocket | Yes |
Adjustable Headrest | Yes |
Color Options | Black, Blue, Green, Red |
Campers want a Best Camping Chairs that’s comfy, robust, portable, and has storage. For 2023, REI Co-op’s Skyward Chair replaces Camp X: The X-shaped webbing properly tensions the seat and backpanel to distribute weight uniformly, the steel frame is robust and confidence-inspiring, and the cup holder and drop-down pocket at either arm rest make it convenient to store a beverage and smaller items like your phone or keys. In warm weather, the mesh-heavy design breathes well and dries rapidly. That’s a lot of value for $60, a $10 increase over the previous model.
REI Skyward Chair drawbacks? Like its predecessor, the Skyward sits lower to the ground than most classic camping types (10.5 in. off the ground), and some may prefer the taller back heights of larger models like the Alps King Kong or Coleman Quad below. However, the King Kong and Quad are hefty when packed and take up a surprising lot of space in the back of your vehicle, especially if you are bringing numerous seats. In the end, the Skyward is a well-balanced, well-thought-out all-rounder.
The Good
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Built to last, with strong materials
The Bad
- Not many color choices
Alps Mountaineering King Kong
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Brand | Alps Mountaineering |
Model | King Kong Chair |
Weight | 13 pounds |
Weight Capacity | 800 pounds |
Frame Material | Powder-coated steel |
Seat Material | 600D polyester fabric |
Foldable | Yes |
Dimensions | 38 x 20 x 38 inches (unfolded) / 38 x 8 x 6 inches (folded) |
Cup Holder | Yes |
Storage Pocket | Yes |
Adjustable Headrest | No |
Color Options | Black, Blue, Khaki, Red, Salsa, Sturdy Brown, Steel Blue |
If comfort and durability are your main considerations in a camp chair, choose the Best Camping Chairs King Kong. This chair has a wide 24.5-inch seat, tall back, and tough 600-denier seat fabric. Alps’ 800-pound maximum seems more like a boast than a goal, but it still beats the competition (the REI Skyward above is rated at 300 lbs.). Finally, the King Kong is comfortable and affordable at $80 (colorways vary on Amazon) and often less on sale.
Minimalists should avoid the Alps Mountaineering King Kong. It’s one of the heaviest chairs on this list at over 13 pounds (six pounds more than the Skyward), takes up a lot of space in the back of your car or truck bed, and not everyone needs such a big seat (one of our 5’10” testers found his feet barely touched the ground). This chair is comfortable and big, however the Skyward above or the Kijaro Dual Lock or Coleman Quad below are cheaper and lighter.
The Good
- Sturdy and well-made for heavy-duty use.
- Large and able to hold a lot of weight.
The Bad
- Compared to other chairs, this one is big and heavy.
Kijaro Dual Lock Chair
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Brand | Kijaro |
Model | Dual Lock Chair |
Weight | 9.5 pounds |
Weight Capacity | 300 pounds |
Frame Material | Steel |
Seat Material | Ripstop polyester fabric |
Foldable | Yes |
Dimensions | 35.4 x 26 x 37.4 inches (unfolded) / 6.9 x 4.7 x 45.7 inches (folded) |
Cup Holder | Yes |
Storage Pocket | Yes |
Adjustable Headrest | No |
The Kijaro Dual Lock Camping Best Camping Chairs provides everything you require for a relaxing and enjoyable camping experience all in one convenient package. The immediate surprise was how comfortable and long-lasting this chair was. It fastens to maintain its tautness. We appreciated the armrests and how the seat was supportive while still being comfortable. It’s not often you see oversized chairs that are suitable for families. Even after six months of use and some rain showers, the chair has not suffered any significant damage.
Because it has a zipped pocket, a mesh mobile phone pouch, and two cup holders, the Kijaro is an excellent choice for beach days and tailgate parties. There are eleven distinct colors available to choose from. Both a shoulder strap and a carrying bag are included with the chair. It’s a steal for such a sturdy and cozy camp chair, which you may use for years to come.
The Good
- The dual lock system makes it more stable and stops it from folding by accident.
- Convenient side pockets and organizer for storage
The Bad
- Armrests are not adjustable
Kelty Lowdown Chair
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Brand | Kelty |
Model | Lowdown Chair |
Weight | 6.3 pounds |
Weight Capacity | 350 pounds |
Frame Material | Steel |
Seat Material | 600D polyester fabric |
Foldable | Yes |
Dimensions | 21 x 26 x 34 inches (unfolded) / 4.5 x 5.5 x 45.5 inches (folded) |
Cup Holder | Yes |
Storage Pocket | Yes |
Adjustable Headrest | No |
Color Options | Black, Canyon Brown, Dark Shadow, Deep Teal, Latigo Bay Blue |
Camp chairs are Kelty’s specialty. The Lowdown Camping Best Camping Chairs and Kelty’s two-person loveseat trounced fierce competition with exquisite workmanship, interesting features, and comfort that made our campers want to lounge all day. Camp chair packing difficulties? They’re done. The Kelty Lowdown Camping Chair comes in a quilted wrap with a soft shoulder strap. The wrap’s adjustable buckles make it ideal for storing gear, and its padding makes it a comfy dog bed or picnic blanket. Designers also prioritized style: The chair and roll-up tote come in three earthy colors.
The Kelty’s polyester seat cover combines a cloud-like cushion with a supportive feel that’s gentle to your back after a day of roughing it. Insulated cup holders on adjustable armrests fit large water bottles and mugs. This chair passed our durability test easily. If you’re prepared to try something different, this chair’s heavy-duty steel frame and durable fabric will last a lifetime of outdoor leisure. The Kelty Lowdown nearly missed our Best Overall pick because many campers prefer traditional-height chairs.
The Good
- The design is small and light to make it easy to carry.
- Low seat height for a comfortable place to sit
The Bad
- Not enough padding and cushioning
Coleman Cooler Quad Chair
Feature | Details |
Brand | Coleman |
Model | Cooler Quad Chair |
Weight | 8.82 pounds |
Weight Capacity | 325 pounds |
Frame Material | Steel |
Seat Material | 600D polyester fabric |
Foldable | Yes |
Dimensions | 24 x 37 x 40.5 inches (unfolded) / 24 x 38.2 x 6.1 inches (folded) |
Cup Holder | Yes |
Storage Cooler | Yes (built-in, holds up to 4 cans) |
Storage Pocket | Yes |
Adjustable Headrest | Yes |
Color Options | Black, Blue, Gray, Red |
There are Best Camping Chairs available for purchase that are quite comparable in style to the Coleman Cooler Quad Chair that can be found in every big-box and outdoor gear retailer. However, following three different group camping excursions and continuous use in the backyard for a period of six months, we came to the conclusion that the Coleman chair is far more durable than the least expensive chairs of this design.
In addition to this, it is more comfortable and practical than chairs of a comparable design that cost more than twice as much. This camping chair is the equivalent of the Ford F-150 in terms of size, sturdiness, and popularity since it has a large storage space for beverages, a wide seat that testers of all sizes praised, and an inexpensive price.
The Good
- A cooler bag is built in to keep drinks and snacks cold.
- For more storage, there are side pockets and a cup holder.
The Bad
- The cooler bag might not be able to hold bigger things.
GCI Outdoor Everywhere Chair
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Brand | GCI Outdoor |
Model | Everywhere Chair |
Weight | 6.8 pounds |
Weight Capacity | 250 pounds |
Frame Material | Powder-coated steel |
Seat Material | 600D polyester fabric |
Foldable | Yes |
Dimensions | 24.4 x 25.6 x 33.1 inches (unfolded) / 6.1 x 20.1 x 31.1 inches (folded) |
Cup Holder | Yes |
Storage Pocket | Yes |
Adjustable Headrest | No |
In situations when you do not want to obstruct the view of other attendees, such as during outdoor movies, concerts, or theatrical performances, a chair that is not too high off the ground can be an excellent choice. Our reviewers were impressed with the GCI Outdoor Everywhere Chair’s comfort and back support, as well as the chair’s capacity to be adjusted to accommodate sitting on uneven ground.
They also liked that it quickly folded up and could be carried, as well as the fact that it had a cupholder, which is unusual in chairs of this type. The unique strap and buckle mechanism of this foldable, portable, and outdoor chair with an adjustable backrest allows the chair to conform to uneven terrain and provide a secure sitting wherever. Integrated cup holder keeps drinks close at hand, and mesh paneling improves airflow for vented seats that keeps occupants cool even on scorching days.
The Good
- Small and light so it’s easy to carry
- BackComfort technology, which has been patented, gives great support.
The Bad
- When you sit for a long time on a seat, the fabric may feel less cushioned.
YETI Trailhead
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Brand | YETI |
Model | Trailhead |
Weight | 13.8 pounds |
Weight Capacity | 500 pounds |
Frame Material | Aluminum |
Seat Material | 100% breathable mesh |
Foldable | Yes |
Dimensions | 26.5 x 36 x 40 inches (unfolded) / 6 x 6 x 42 inches (folded) |
Cup Holder | Yes |
Storage Pocket | Yes |
Adjustable Headrest | Yes |
Color Options | Charcoal, Navy |
The YETI Trailhead is, without a doubt, the most luxurious and high-quality camping chair that we’ve examined and tried out. It is supportive while also being soft and springy, which allows it to retain you in an upright relaxed position while cradling your contours without exerting any pressure. Additionally, the material is very light and airy, making it a pleasant choice to wear on hot days. When we initially saw the pricing of the Trailhead Chair, we experienced a brief case of sticker shock. We’re not going to lie about that.
However, after putting our hands on it, we discovered that it is constructed to last and is well worth the money if you plan to use it frequently. In addition to being quick and simple to fold, the well-padded backpack case makes it a breeze to carry even if it is somewhat heavier than some of its competitors. We are confident in recommending the Trailhead Camp Chair to anyone who is searching for a chair that is both durable and comfy and who is also ready to pay for the very finest option.
The Good
- High-quality building with materials that last
- Design that is comfortable and sturdy
The Bad
- The price is higher than other chairs.
NEMO Stargaze
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Brand | NEMO |
Model | Stargaze |
Weight | 6.2 pounds |
Weight Capacity | 300 pounds |
Frame Material | Aluminum |
Seat Material | 300D polyester fabric |
Foldable | Yes |
Dimensions | 26 x 36 x 45 inches (unfolded) / 6 x 6 x 23 inches (folded) |
Cup Holder | Yes |
Storage Pocket | Yes |
Adjustable Headrest | Yes |
Color Options | Birch Leaf Green, Graphite, Smoke |
The unparalleled level of comfort offered by the swing-like NEMO Stargaze Chair, which also enables you to float, rock, and recline in any environment, is unmatched. In addition to this, the pole structure of the lounger can be folded up, making it one of the very few luxury loungers on the market that does not require a great deal of room in your automobile. The most recent iteration of the Stargaze Recliner includes a number of highly useful enhancements. A larger pillow that adds height and neck support, as well as padding over the webbing and buckles, are some of the improvements that have been made.
Other enhancements include a wider and curved frame that provides more room for the elbows, a larger pillow that provides height support, and so on. Additionally, we adore how easy it is to disassemble the new chair and how much more space it saves when it is packed away. It is important that the bag itself be constructed of mesh so that the material may breathe in the event that the chair is damp when it is being stored.
The Good
- Swinging and reclining in a unique way to help you relax the most
- The suspended design makes you feel comfortable and light.
The Bad
- Needs a strong tree or anchor point to be used.
FAQs
A: While most camping chairs are designed to be used on various terrains, it’s essential to choose a chair with sturdy legs and a stable base. Some chairs even have specialized features like adjustable feet or reinforced legs for better stability on uneven surfaces.
A: Yes, many camping chairs are designed to accommodate different weight capacities. Look for chairs with higher weight limits and reinforced frames for added support and stability.
A: Traditional camping chairs may not be suitable for backpacking due to their bulkiness and weight. However, there are lightweight and compact options available specifically designed for backpacking, such as portable stools or chairs with collapsible frames.