Senior editor Kalee Thompson, who wrote a previous version of this guide, has been regularly using the Coleman chair she originally tested in 2016. Aside from the color fading and the cooler pouch deteriorating, her chair has held up to years of backyard hangs and camping trips. In summer 2023, she bought a newer Coleman Cooler Quad Chair to compare to her 2016 model, and she found them to be more or less the same. If you’re looking for highly specialized or ultra-lightweight chairs for backpacking, our recommendations are probably not for you.
In spring 2021, I tested four additional beach-friendly wagons during several trips from my home in Santa Monica to the beach (10 blocks away) and back. I hauled both of my sons along with beach gear like boogie boards, coolers, chairs, and endless amounts of sand toys. The combination of their light weight and a fold-down frame makes folding wagons especially handy for everyday use, including getting in and out of a car or on and off public transportation.
We had to wrestle the cover onto the bulky rectangle and tug it down to get it on. One of the wheels came loose when one of our testers was carrying about 100 pounds of gear, which is well under the stated weight capacity. The Mac Sports wagon’s skinny rubber wheels, compared with larger-wheeled models we tested, sunk into the sand a bit during testing. This wasn’t too problematic when the wagon was carrying an average load (beach chairs, towels, drinks, and snacks). But with a kid or two added to the mix, this wagon’s wheels started to drag deeper. We think the Mac Sports wagon is fine for occasional beach use, especially if your gear is more bulky than heavy and you don’t have to travel too far to your spot.
Contrary to its name, the Hydro Flask cooler cup is designed for both hot and cold beverages. The discounted colorways are vibrant, meaning you’ll never lose them, and the 12-ounce size is perfect for keeping stewed lentils warm during a hike. I love enjoying a hard-earned meal at the top of a mountain and this product is at the top of my wishlist. I’ll probably keep one of them in my car at all times — just in case I need a backup seat.
Pick what kind of shape you want your tent in, Ozark Trails will have it. Of course, like every Ozark Trail tent, it comes with electrical ports so you can charge your phones at night. This tent is heavy (near 50 lbs), but for all of its size, it’s not that bad. The final tent I’ll review today is Ozark Trail’s largest – their 14 person, 4-room tent. The best part of this camping tent is that the three rooms make sense. It doesn’t feel like they just slapped some room dividers into the tent.
One of my favorite parts of camping is sitting back and enjoying a meal with friends by the fire.Thankfully, the Big Agnes camp chair is 46% off and packs up into a neat tube. It’s a breeze to set up and is designed with a wide seat and tall back, so you can really sink into the great outdoors. As someone who used to rummage endlessly for flatware in my camping box, ozark trail backpack one of my best investments was a cutlery set that can be neatly stored together. The Full Windsor magnetic flatware set is a great option, and an affordable one at 31% off. The set is made with strong aluminum that’s lightweight yet durable. Since they snap together magnetically, you can rest assured you’ll never have to search too long for that one spoon..