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We tested 47 camping chairs to find the most comfortable and portable options to get you off the ground. Folding Party Chairs
Rather than relying on a dirty picnic table at a campsite or sitting on a sharp log, camping chairs can make a night in the woods much more comfortable and enjoyable. They also offer some much needed respite from all the activities associated with camping, from pitching your tent to gathering firewood. Even backpackers — notoriously picky about what they carry — should consider a lightweight camping chair to offer some solace and rest after a miles-long slog.
When selecting the optimal chair, consider how you’ll use it: car campers who travel nominal distances from their vehicle to the campsite can go with a heavier model outfitted with cool features, while hikers and backpackers should hone in on ultralight models, and those who plan to use the chair in a neighborhood park or at a concert can likely split the difference. There are even camp couches and loveseats, expanding your options to turn your campsite into a makeshift living room.
During our selection process, we tested a lot of camping chairs — 47 in total, over the course of two years — with a special emphasis on how easy they were to use, portability, durability, and value. Here are our top picks, which we will continue to test for another six months on as many camping trips as we can.
The chair proved easy to set up, store, and carry, and the materials feel durable enough to handle several seasons of constant use.
People with knee problems or limited leg strength may not like that the chair sits lower to the ground.
We found that the Alps Mountaineering Getaway Chair proved to be easy to both set up — just pull it out of the bag and spread the armrests until the legs fully extend — and to quickly store in the included carrying bag, which comes with two straps so you can haul the eight-pound chair on one or both shoulders. The lightness comes, in part, from the shorter-than-average legs, which increase the chair’s versatility and make it suitable for a campsite, concert, or festival. We also found that you don’t have to sacrifice durability for lightness; the frame is constructed from durable, powder-coated steel. Large pads under each chair leg helps keep the chair stable in loose dirt, uneven grass, and sand. Nylon mesh backing at the seat improves breathability and will dry quickly if it gets caught in a rainstorm. We also liked how the seat configured our knees slightly up and reduced pressure on our back. It felt just as comfortable for our shorter team members as it did for one of our six-foot-five friends. It also comes with a beverage holder and a small cooler (measuring 2.5 x 8 x 8 inches) integrated into the left arm, which we used to keep our smartphone, wallet, and keys out of the sun — though it has enough space to accommodate a small ice pack and two cans of your preferred beverage.
The Details: 8 pounds | 19 x 17 x 12 inches | 19-inch seat width | 300-pound weight capacity
If you’re looking for an upright chair that’s reliably secure and sturdy, this one hits the mark.
The carrying bag only has one strap, so you can’t wear it as a backpack.
If you don’t want a low-to-the-ground chair like our best overall option, we also loved this chair that was a little higher up off the ground. Unlike lesser camp chairs, the Kijaro Dual Lock Folding Chair locks into position to assure that it’ll never collapse on you. The fully upright chair is easy to set up, and once you locate the lock, it’s easy to collapse and store in the included carrying bag — though the bag only has one strap, so you can’t wear it as a backpack. Weighing in at nine pounds, it’s a bit heavier than some competitors, but that trade-off affords one of the most stable seating surfaces available, with ample support on the armrests and wide, padded leg tips that provide a secure seat on a variety of mixed terrain. Breathable mesh ripstop poly in the back will stand up to serious abuse, and Kijaro also packed in loads of add-ons, including two cup holders, a zippered pocket, and a mesh pocket.
The Details: 9 pounds | 26 x 35.5 x 37 inches | 22-inch seat width | 300-pound weight capacity
Weighing in at a feathery two pounds, this is a great chair for hiking, backpacking, and other activities for which weight is a key consideration.
The small carrying case makes it a bit difficult to pack.
With a chair cover constructed of 900D Oxford ripstop ballistic nylon outfitted with double seams and an aircraft-grade aluminum frame, the Moon Lence Camping Chairs Compact Backpacking Chair is incredibly strong and very lightweight. Newly designed leg tips work with a wider, square-shaped base frame to provide stability in a variety of conditions. And though the frame architecture looks a bit complicated, we found the set-up to be intuitive and fast. We also loved how many straps line the carrying case, including nylon webbing with multiple loops so you can attach it to a carabiner or weave it through a backpack’s straps. When sitting in the chair, we found that the frame flexes a bit, and the fabric has some give, which makes the chair comfortable, with an almost cushion-like sitting experience. Otherwise, this chair keeps things simple, with two small Velcro pockets on the arms and two slits on either side to add breathability. It is, however, kind of a pain to pack it back into the compact carrying case; you have to collapse the frame, and then roll the chair around the poles before sliding everything inside. The compact size and two-pound weight makes it worth it if you’re going on a backpacking trip with limited carrying space.
The Details: 2 pounds | 19.7 x 16.9 x 26.4 inches | 16.9-inch seat width | 400-pound weight capacity
This stable chair can hold up to 500 pounds of weight.
Given that the chair weighs 10 pounds, it’s best suited for shorter-distance transport.
Designed to handle up to 500 pounds, the LivingXL Capacity Heavy-duty Portable Chair comes with a 22-millimeter tubed frame that integrates a center frame support and 600-denier, fully padded, polyester seat to provide one of the most stable chairs available. Weighing 10 pounds, it’s not a chair you’d want to carry on long hauls, but for car camping it’s fantastic, and it includes a carrying case with a shoulder strap to make transport easier. We found it to be one of the most durable and comfortable chairs in our tests, and little details like two cup holders and a side pocket round out the features. And set-up was a breeze: take out the chair and simply pull it open. It also fits nicely in the carrying case, with no fuddling to get the chair back into the bag. You can attach a shade canopy to the back for sun protection (sold separately).
The Details: 10 pounds | 23.5 x 19.5 x 37 inches | 24-inch seat width | 500-pound weight capacity
Thanks to twin spring-loaded shocks, this chair provides rocking comfort and stability on a variety of uneven surfaces.
It doesn’t come with a carrying bag — just a strap — so hauling it longer distances can be burdensome.
Rather than using a traditional curved design, the GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker Chair employs two patented spring-loaded shocks to create a rocking action, which drastically improves the chair’s stability on all sorts of variable terrain. We even tested it on a steep hill and was able to sit comfortably without issue. Setting the chair up was easy, and it has a closure strap to keep things secured when you collapse the chair — interestingly, it doesn’t come with a carrying bag, but a carrying strap on the chair makes hauling it short distances pretty easy. Weighing in at 10 pounds, it’s a bit heavier than most camping chairs, but that’s the tradeoff you have to endure to get the comfort of using a rocking chair, as opposed to one with four fixed legs. We found that the rocking motion proved reliable while sitting on grass and other outdoor surfaces and that it provided a lot of comfort for long periods of sitting. And we also loved that it includes a phone case and an oversized cup holder generous enough to hold taller bottles.
The Details: 10.6 pounds | 31.4 x 27.2 x 32.5 inches | 32.5-inch seat width | 250-pound weight capacity
Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale
Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale
Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale
Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale
Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale
Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale
Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale
This lightweight chair was plenty comfortable and durable despite weighing only one pound — and it’s easy to collapse and store in a pack.
It’s a bit pricey and doesn’t include any add-ons like a cup holder or storage pocket.
We love it when a product is so easy to use that it doesn’t come with instructions — and that’s just one of the things that sets the REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair apart from other hiking-focused camp chairs. Set-up was simple, as was collapsing it down and rolling it up to fit into the carrying case. The one-pound chair features a durable aluminum frame and a ripstop nylon seat that’s plenty durable — but it really wins points for being so portable, and it is small enough to store in a backpack for long hikes. We found that the seat almost cradles you while sitting, and it flexes a bit to avoid feeling too rigid. As with most ultra-light hiking/backpacking equipment, the chair is streamlined and does not have any accessories like a cup holder or an additional pocket, which may turn off more casual hikers. However, this could be a good option if you need a gift for an outdoorsman,
The Details: 1 pound | 25 x 20 x 20 inches | 20-inch seat width | 250-pound weight capacity
This chair is a great, no-frills option that’ll hold up to years of light-to-moderate use, and the cup holders and side pocket are super-handy.
The included carrying case is very flimsy, which makes packing the chair a chore.
If you don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars on a camping chair that you won’t use that often, this is a solid affordable option for casual campers. We found that we could set up the Embark Outdoor Portable Mesh Chair easily with one hand, and it was lightweight enough to haul a decent distance thanks to the generous shoulder strap on the carrying case. But the case itself was made of nearly paper-thin material that likely won’t stand up to serious abuse and that also made it a pain to slide the chair inside. Overall, the chair was comfortable, with ample stability and a back mesh panel to help airflow. It also comes with a storage pocket hanging off the right arm and two mesh cup holders, though that material also feels subpar, and may not hold up for serious campers. If you don’t camp often and don’t want to invest in something more heavy-duty, we think this would be a nice choice. It comes in two colors: a muted orange as well as tan.
The Details: 5.87 pounds | 37.6 x 28.7 x 21.5 inches | 20.9-inch seat width | 250-pound weight capacity
Lightweight and easy to carry thanks to two adjustable shoulder straps, this chair doesn’t complicate things with a hard-to-use carrying case.
Neither the seat or the back panel have padding, so it becomes uncomfortable during prolonged use.
Constructed from heavy-duty 300-denier, water-repellent ripstop polyester and coated aluminum, the REI Co-op Outward Low Lawn Chair has two wide, adjustable backpack straps that make hauling the six-pound chair a breeze. And set-up couldn’t be simpler — detach the secure strap and push down on the armrests, and you’re set. The bifold design also lets you nestle blankets and towels into the chair and carry them as a catch-all by closing the seat around your camping items. We found that the low-profile design allowed it to remain stable on all types of uneven terrain, with two curved support bars running between the front and back legs to improve stability and handle loose sand. Still, a bit of padding would be nice for prolonged use.
The Details: 6.6 pounds | 23 x 24 x 26.5 inches | 24-inches seat width | 250-pound weight capacity
Designed to put you in a slightly reclined position, this two-person chair provides ample comfort for multiple people.
Weighing more than 15 pounds, it’s a bit heavy.
If you’re camping with multiple people and want to feel right at home, the Kelty Low Loveseat is plenty comfortable for two people to sit in thanks to its low-to-the-ground architecture and a slightly reclined back panel. The durable, powder-coated steel frame pops together in seconds, and the 600D polyester comes with quilted padding to further amp the comfort level.
Each camper also gets an adjustable armrest with an insulated, adjustable beverage holder. The chair also won us over in its simple-to-use “carry wrap” design, which surrounds the chair once it’s been folded up, allowing you to nestle in other items inside before pulling the adjustable straps tight and carrying it on a padded, adjustable shoulder strap — no fussing with tight-fitting, bag-style carrying cases.
It’s a little heavy to carry, but it makes a fun loveseat addition to any campsite — perfect for cuddling up in front of an outdoor projector for movie night. We even loved the fun color options, like the bright blue seat outfitted with a contrasting red frame.
The Details: 15.38 pounds | 44 x 23.5 x 31.5 inches | 44-inch seat width | 400-pound weight capacity
Ideal for car camping — or a backyard fire pit — this couch provides plenty of seating space and a comfortable, reclined low-profile design.
As expected, the 20-pound couch is heavy, though the padded shoulder strap and the wrap-around configuration makes it easy to haul over short distances.
If your ideal camping set-up resembles that of an outdoor living room, you need the Kelty Lowdown Couch to complete your kit. Even larger than the loveseat above, it provides ample sitting space for up to three adults, with a durable 600D polyester seat that’s padded for added comfort and a slightly reclined, low-to-the-ground design. The whole thing pops up smoothly thanks to a strong, powder-coated steel frame — and we were able to set it up with just one person on their own. We also loved the design of the wrap-around carrying configuration, which lets you place other items inside the adjustable straps and then haul everything with the padded, adjustable shoulder strap. Each arm rest is adjustable, and you can resize the mesh cup holders to fit whatever you need close by, including beverages or your phone. Yes, at more than 20 pounds, it’s kind of heavy, but you also get three seats, so it’s a fair trade-off, especially for car camping. But if you’re thinking you can use this couch as a camping bed, think again — it’s effectively three attached chairs and not one flat surface, so lying comfortably isn’t in the cards.
The Details: 20.94 pounds | 64 x 23.5 x 80 inches | 64-inch seat width | 600-pound weight capacity
GCI Outdoor Freeform Zero Gravity Lounger: Weighing in at 20 pounds, this was one of the heavier chairs we tested and, even worse, didn’t have any sort of carrying strap or storage bag, making any transport a two-handed affair. That said, once in place, the chair provides all-day comfort, and the adjustable pillow adds to an overall plush experience.
Outdoor Living Suntime Sofa Chair: The plush, padded chair proved to be comfortable, and the 600D cationic fabric does wick sweat, but a lack of mesh panels or any sort of venting means things can get sweaty in hotter climates.
Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair: We liked that this Yeti chair is rated to hold up to 500 pounds, and the flexible fabric was comfortable, but the chair was heavy to carry and felt a bit bulky and big. It also cost considerably more than any other chair we tested.
Coleman Broadband Mesh Quad Chair: Though this affordable Coleman chair was easy to assemble and repack, the overall large package didn’t lend itself to transporting while carrying multiple items. We also found that the chair was a bit unstable on sand or loose dirt unless you push the legs into surfaces.
Eno Lounger DL Chair: This chair really packs in the extra features, including a cushioned headrest, a high and reclined back, a cup holder, and two slip pockets, but the thing was a bear to get back into the carrying case. The headrest is also fixed and not adjustable, so it’s better suited for taller campers.
We tested 47 camping chairs over the course of two years, with the first batch in our New York City lab and the second batch out in the real world. Each chair was evaluated on ease-of-use and set-up, including how easy it was to get the chair back into the carrying case (when one was included); the comfort level while sitting for long durations on variable terrain (including uneven surfaces and loose dirt and sand); and the overall value— whether the asking price was a worth investment based on the wider experience of using the chair.
We also paid attention to the weight and size of each chair to see how portable they felt and how easy they were to transport over various distances. We will continue to test each chair in real camping scenarios after our initial tests for at least six more months to make sure they remain durable and withstand the rigors of long-term use. We will continue to update this article as we test more camping chairs.
As a general rule, just like with a hammock, camping chairs are designed for most people, regardless of height or weight. But if you weigh more than average, be sure you check the chair’s weight capacity, which can range from 200-500 pounds so that you’re confident the chair can handle your load.
In terms of your height, standard-height chairs (the distance from the ground to the seat top) typically hover around 18-20 inches, but if you are on the shorter side and don’t want your feet to dangle, consider a chair with a lower seat configuration, which puts you closer to the ground. Shorter chairs also position your knees slightly higher, which can reduce the pressure on your back, and they’re also great for concerts or festivals, since you don’t sit as high and won’t block other people’s views. Conversely, if you’re quite tall, you might not want a lower chair, which may position your knees higher than is comfortable, and may prove to be a struggle to stand.
When it comes to camping chairs and reclining camping chairs, weight can range from one pound to up to more than 20 pounds if you go with a camp couch, and, in general, the heavier chairs will have more features — stronger frames; larger weight capacity; the ability to rock; customizable adjustments; padding; and add-ons like cup holders, pockets, or coolers. But even the most minimal camp chairs are still more comfortable than sitting on the ground.
When considering which one works for you, first think about how you’d use it. If you plan to toss it in your backpack and use it as a respite mid-hike or while backpacking, go with an ultralight model that’ll provide you some comfort and get you off the ground, but won’t weigh you down. Car campers can go heavier, especially if the distance traveled can be measured in a few dozen feet rather than miles. But if you envision using the chairs for more remote camping, hauling it to the beach, or at festivals or concerts, target one that you can carry for 15-30 minutes.
This one’s a no-brainer. Ideally you want a seat for everyone in your camping crew — no one wants to be stuck sitting on the ground or isolated to some moss-covered, wooden picnic table. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you need a chair for every camper. If you plan on camping often with your family or a larger group of friends, you could also explore getting a two-seater, or even a three-seat camping couch. And don’t forget your dog, either!
Most camping chairs are ready to handle the scrapes, dirt, and rain that is part of the camping experience, and some boast DWR-treated fabrics to fend off moisture penetration. But for light cleaning, you can use a mild soap detergent and wipe away any dirt or debris. Cleaning the mesh panels can be a bit trickier and would require a bit more time and effort.
Most camping chairs come with a carrying bag that can double as a storage bag for when not in use, and all of them collapse down. Just be sure the chair is entirely dry before storing it to avoid any mold build-up.
In most cases, the answer is yes — camping chairs can be at home on the beach. The only caveat is if the camping chair has very narrow legs without any sort of wider toe pads, which typically allow the chair to nestle into loose surfaces like sand or dirt without sinking. If the tip of the chair legs are narrow, you risk sinking into the sand on a beach. We also have a list of our top beach chair recommendations.
Nathan Borchelt is a life-long camper and backpacker, and is a huge advocate for using camp chairs — so much so that he successfully lobbied an ultralight-obsessed thru-hiker to add a lightweight camp chair to his kit. In preparing this article, he worked with a team of T+L experts who tested a total of 47 chairs in both real-world and lab scenarios, sorting through testing feedback to choose the best of the bet.
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