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Ah, camping in the great outdoors. It’s an activity and adventure unlike anything else. When planning a camping trip, the essentials are usually the first on the list– tent, sleeping bag, food. Comfortable seating should also go on that list, and fortunately for you, we’ve put together the best camping chairs out there.
Camping with comfort is easy, especially with our picks. Why roast marshmallows while sitting on a stump when you can relax in a recliner? The options for comfort are seemingly endless, and we’re here to help you make the most of your next camping trip.
Our Top Pick
ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair
With five stars and nearly 2,000 rave reviews, the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair is the epitome of a fine camping chair. Sturdy, supportive, affordable, this chair provides the basics in the best, most comfortable way possible. No wonder it’s a bestseller.
Other Great Picks
GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair
Luxury camping chairs that also serve as a rocking chair are a fairly new phenomenon on the market, but for a great reason. You get the comfort and relaxation that comes with lounging in a rocking chair, but this time, you get to surround yourself in nature.
Patented with Eazy-Fold technology and Spring-Action Rocking Technology, the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Portable Camping Chair is a compact, easy way to get the most out of comfort while you camp.
Kelty Low Loveseat Camping Chair
Want to cozy up next to your loved ones while you camp? The Kelty Loveseat Camping Chair is the perfect option for couples, families, and close friends. Double wide, supportive, adjustable, and nearly indestructible with 600D weight polyester fabric, this unique loveseat opens up a space for cuddles while you camp. The Kelty Loveseat Camping Chair has five stars across the board.
Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping Chair
The Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping Chair is a great, lightweight option for bringing comfort to the campsite. With no-sag seating and a breathable mesh seat back, 2 cup holders, an organizer with zipping and mesh pockets, and a carry bag, this highly recommended camping chair is the perfect grab and go option.
Coleman Big-N-Tall Quad Camping Chair
Coleman is a leader in the camping space, with reliable, affordable equipment. The Coleman Big-N-Tall Quad Camping Chair is a chair made for all bodies of all sizes. The strong steel frame supports up to 600 pounds. Another five star option, this chair is very versatile and spacious– perfect for accomodating just about anyone.
Coleman Camping Chair With Side Table
Coleman certainly knows how to make camping equipment that is functional and comfortable. This camping chair, with its flip-up side table, is designed with ultimate convenience in mind. The angled seat, padded armrests, cup holder, and cushioned back are a few reasons why our staff recommends the Coleman Camping Chair with Side Table for your next trip.
Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Camping Chair
The Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Camp Chair makes looking at the stars an indulgence. With a pillowed headrest and the chair’s signature deep reclining motion, the Nemo Stargaze allows you to rest comfortably, swing effortlessly, and recline back with your natural bodyweight so you have the best seat in the house.
AmazonBasics Portable Camping Chair
The AmazonBasics Portable Camping Chair is a reliable and affordable option. Amazon has made its way into the camping market with their own merchandise, and the basic design is perfect for the outdoors. Its simple steel frame is collapsable, making travel easy. Fun additional features include an integrated cup holder and a pouch for magazines and personal belongings. When you want to sit comfortably but have a tight budget, this is a great chair for you.
Caravan Canopy Infinity Zero Gravity Chair
The Caravan Canopy Infinity Zero Gravity Chair is a perfect blend of camping chair convenience with beach chair ease. This affordable, highly recommended camping chair is suspended by a double bungee system and offers a smooth recline that you can lock in any position. This way, you’re always going back to your perfect seat. With over 5,000 reviews and a five star rating, our staff is confident that the Caravan Canopy Infinity Zero Gravity Chair is one of the best out there.
Helinox Chair One
Helinox has a few different versions of their lightweight chair, but one thing remains the same– the portable camping chair offers a very roomy seat and ample elbow room. If you are looking for a chair that is incredibly easy to carry, the Helinox is a great choice, especially with its removable, UV-resistant, machine washable seat.
What Is A Camping Chair?
Camping chairs are a versatile, folding piece of furniture that is typically lightweight and portable. Designed for camping and outdoor activity, a camping chair serves as a comfortable, easy-to-use option when sitting around a campfire, eating dinner, or simply gazing at the stars.
Equipment used for camping is usually very easy to carry and store since many camping trips start with either packing a car full of essentials, or backpacking and carrying your belongings with you. Camping chairs are created with these commonalities in mind.
Why Do I Need A Camping Chair?
Of course, you can sit on a log or on the ground while you camp, but why sacrifice comfort when you don’t have to? A camping chair is a very affordable accessory that will take your camping trip to the next level.
Not all camping chairs are created equal, but the many that are true quality (such as those on this list) are designed to take away the distractions of discomfort so you can focus on the things that matter. Think of camping chairs as a very humble, affordable luxury.
What Are Camping Chair Made Of?
Many camping chairs are made from a material that can not only withstand a fair amount of body weight but is also water and sun resistant. On this list, the majority of the models we chose have a durable, strong steel frame and a seat crafted of either synthetic, nylon and mesh fabric or rip-stop polyester.
These fabrics are long-lasting, outdoor grade fabric that is very easy to clean and is remarkably strong, with some seats able to hold up to 600 pounds. The collapsible steel frame of camping chairs makes accordion-style assembly very simple and convenient. The sturdy base of camping chairs is made to sit securely on most natural surfaces (i.e. dirt, sand, gravel).
How Much Weight Can A Camping Chair Hold?
Depending on the brand and model of camping chair, some chairs can hold up to 600 pounds, while the average chair supports 225 to 320 pounds. There are various chairs made for more body weight and larger body sizes, such as the Coleman Big-N-Tall Quad Camping Chair.
The design and material of camping chairs are lightweight and uncomplicated, and they are made to accommodate the majority of body types. Certain chairs are made for bigger and taller individuals who may need more support. It’s best to choose chairs designed for your weight range so you can be sure that your new favorite chair will last for many camping trips.
Do Camping Chairs Come In Different Sizes?
There are a handful of different models and brands of camping chairs, as well as a number of different sizes. Many camping chairs sit fairly low to the ground, hovering a foot or so above, with the seat size varying.
The average size of an open camping chair seat is between 21 and 24 inches wide and between 17 and 25 inches high. Camping chairs made for more than one person, such as the Kelty Low Loveseat Camping Chair, are a bit larger, with 42 inches of seating space. Because camping chairs are made to be portable, the smaller the size, the easier to carry. This is one reason camping chairs are lower and seemingly smaller than a standard house chair.
Do Camping Chairs Belong In The Tent?
You may think that creating a living room in your tent is a good idea, but it also may wind up being an expensive idea. The feet of a camping chair are made to rest securely on the natural ground, and not necessarily on fabric. The aluminum legs and rubber ends to the chair tend to dig into the ground, with the additional body weight securing the lightweight seat down even more.
The last thing you will want to do is rip a hole in the bottom of your camping tent, so we advise that you take precautionary measures if putting your camping chair in a tent. Make sure to put a folded tarp or a steady flat base between your camping chair and the floor of your tent.
Are Camping Chairs Portable?
Camping chairs are designed with practicality in mind first and foremost, and they are arguably the most portable type of chair. All of the chairs on this list fold up in accordion-style and are extremely easy to carry and store in their fitted case.
The minimal ornamentation and very straightforward accessories make camping chairs effortless when it comes to portability and ease of travel. Between 5 and 13 pounds is the average weight of a folding camping chair, with chairs on the lighter side made for backpacking and frequent on-person carrying.
Can I Sleep In A Camping Chair?
We wouldn’t recommend sleeping a full night in a camping chair. Their upright design, even the reclining models, are made for relaxed seating and will not provide healthy physical support for laying down.
That being said, if you’re basking in the sun next to your tent in your camping chair, a cat nap is more than acceptable. For those who nap frequently, a reclining or rocking chair such as the Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Camping Chair would be a really great, comfortable choice, when it comes to rest and relaxation in a natural position.
How Do I Wash A Camping Chair?
Camping chairs are made to be used outdoors, so it’s a great thing that cleaning your chair is a very simple process. After purchasing your new chair, you should check the cleaning instructions since the best method varies from chair to chair.
Many chairs with removable fabric seating are machine washable (air dry to follow) but for the one-unit models, warm water, soap, and a cloth or a water and vinegar solution with a damp cloth or light bristle brush, are very easy, effective methods for cleaning your chair. Because the fabric is water-resistant, you’ll find cleaning it a light, simple task.
How Much Do Camping Chairs Cost?
The cost of camping chairs varies depending on the brand, size, and additional features. For a classic, simple design, camping chairs can run you as low as $40. Camping chairs that have unique, extra features could cost upwards of $250.
It all depends on personal taste and what you are looking for when it comes to your new camping chair. If you’re on a budget, we are sure that you can find a chair that fits within your means and will still provide you with ample support and a luxurious camping experience.
How Do I Choose The Best Camping Chair For Me?
With the many reliable, affordable, quality options for camping chairs out there, there is much reward and not a ton of risk when it comes to choosing a camping chair. Our list of the best camping chairs takes into consideration comfort, cost, quality, accessibility, versatility, and more. The important detail to take notice of is its size to make sure you will be comfortable in your new chair.
Do you love the motion of a rocking chair or recliner? Exploring the options for camping chairs with those features could elevate your camping experience unlike anything else. Always have a drink handy? Make sure your camping chair has a cup holder or even a small side table.
The Best Camping Chairs
There you have it – our picks for the best camping chairs. There are a ton of great options to choose from, all designed to provide comfort and relaxation during your next camping trip. Be sure to check out our other reviews, such as the best backpacks, to make sure you have everything you need.