They carefully evaluated the comfort, durability, portability, and value of each chair to put together this list of the best options for camping. She also tested several chairs during camping excursions of her own. Generally speaking, the lightest chairs out there won’t deliver as plush of a sitting experience as bulkier products that weren’t meant to accompany you on backpacking adventures. If you’re looking for a chair to take on the move, opt for something weighing under 2 pounds that can be stored as compactly as possible. These no-frills seats are more tolerable for resting your terrain-tested feet than for enjoying multiple meals, drinks, and the company of other campers around a fire.
If lumbar support is a must, it could be worth transporting a bit of extra weight to have a super sturdy chair on your site. 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. However, if you’re setting up camp for an extended stay, having home-furniture level comfort — and a whooping 500-pound weight capacity — could be worth the extra effort in transport.
The right armrest has a mug-compatible cup holder, while the left armrest’s unique drop-down pocket can be secured with a drawstring to make sure your valuables stay put. The pocket is especially handy for keeping track of your phone or other small items you want to access easily. After six months of use, we love storing this chair in our car trunk for easy access.
Coleman’s heavy-duty outdoor chair with a side table can transform your camping mealtimes. An aluminum side table flips up when you’re ready to feast and includes a cup holder. The chair’s ozark trail canopy backrest is slightly angled, and those who prefer firm support enjoyed the strong, taut fabric. Thanks to the extra space for cup handles, mugs easily fit in the beverage slot.
If you camp near a lake, river, or ocean, you could even carry the canopy between the beach and campsite as needed. As its product name promises, the tent is large enough to sleep eight campers, but imagine what you can do with the space if there are fewer people! It’s great for adding extra chairs, rugs, luggage, and other items, particularly if you’re glamping. 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. While most of the furniture you can buy online today comes to you unassembled, that’s rarely the case for things like camp chairs. If you order one of these, it will arrive ready to go right out of the box.