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Add some extra cush for your tush to keep you cheering through overtime. Shiatsu Massage Pad With Heat Function
Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer.
All it takes is one trip to an arena to learn that most stadium seats are about as bare bones as it gets. If you’re spectating in a less professional setting, sometimes seating isn’t even provided at all. This is when it pays to pack your own portable stadium seat — and even more to know what type is best for your needs.
Whether you have season passes to home games, one-time tickets for your favorite artist, or want to be the unofficial cheerleader at your child’s sporting events, a portable stadium seat may just be the most essential accessory of your weekend activities. We researched dozens of models and chose the best options for comfort, portability, value, and other added features to make sure you’ve got the perfect seat to keep you comfortable — even in overtime.
It flaunts thick padding, waterproof fabric, and convenient cupholders.
It may not be the best option for those looking for stiff back support.
This thick-cushioned folding stadium seat checks all of our boxes when it comes to comfort, adjustability, and features. The polyvinyl chloride frame is sturdy and designed to hold up to 440 pounds (the highest of any single seat on this list), and the 600D polyester outer fabric ensures the chair is waterproof. The bottom of the seat is coated in a waterproof PVC to add friction that helps keep the seat in place and there’s also a bar that hooks onto the bleacher below for added security — so you don’t have to worry about losing your seat when you’re rocking out or cheering.
We love the extra-thick cushioning on the armrests, back, and bottom, and that you can adjust the seat to recline to six different levels, including completely flat. There are also several pockets for storage, including a built-in cupholder, an exterior zippered pocket (stash some face sunscreen for touch-ups throughout the day), and a stash pouch for your cell phone or other valuables on the inside of the armrest. The seat is a comfortable 21 inches wide, but you’ll also be able to add four more inches of seat room if you pop down the armrests (just note that this will limit storage pockets to just one on the back). It also comes in five bright colors as well as black, and can be carried hands-free on your back with the included backpack straps.
The Details: 14 x 17 x 21 inches | 7 pounds | Polyester, PVC, polyvinyl chloride frame
The closed-cell foam material makes it virtually indestructible.
It’s just a simple bottom cushion without extra features.
The Therm-a-rest Z-seat Pad is a simple but comfortable seating pad that can be used directly on the ground (even over pebbles or sticks), or laid over a stadium bench. The closed-cell foam design resembles an egg crate and is extremely durable. This mat folds up like an accordion and takes up minimal storage space, so you can easily leave it in your trunk, strap it to your day pack, or find a spot for it in the garage. We love it for picnics and instant seating for impromptu games on the grass or off the trail. It comes in four colors and can be purchased with an added coating that absorbs and holds the sun’s warmth, keeping you comfortably warm during long events.
The Details: 16 x 13 x 0.75 inches | 0.13 pounds | Closed-cell foam
It can be used as a single seat or laid flat as a double-seater bench cushion.
We wish it had either anti-slip grips or other security features to keep it strapped to bleacher seats.
The Coleman Portable Stadium Seat Cushion weighs just over one pound, making it a great lightweight stadium seat option for those just looking for a bit of added comfort. The built-in shoulder strap provides hands-free carrying, and is compact enough to store in the trunk or smaller space at home. The back and bottom cushion are water-resistant, but the seat is not waterproof and may require drying if you’re caught in a storm. There’s a back mesh storage pocket, and you’ll be able to adjust the recline via the side straps. Something we love is that this seat can be used as a double-cushion bench seat when laid flat — perfect for sharing. While this may not be the best pick for folks who plan on cheering from the stands regularly, it certainly comes in handy as a grab-and-go seat for occasional use.
The Details: 18.25 x 18 x 1.9 inches | 1.25 pounds | Vinyl and foam
It has three different temperature settings that are controlled by the push of a button.
There is no battery pack or powerbank included.
This heated folding stadium seat can support up to 330 pounds and features a thick padded seat cushion, armrests, and back support for ultimate comfort. The heating mechanism is in the bottom cushion and has three levels that heat between 95-115 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat options are controlled via a button built into the armrest. However, you’ll need to supply your own powerbank (with USB connectivity) to power the heat.
Storage options include a mesh cup holder and four pockets for essentials, including a zippered pocket to hold your battery pack. Six different recline levels help to find the perfect angle for back comfort, and the 600D polyester material is also waterproof so you don’t have to worry about damaging the heating mechanism if you get caught in rain or spill your drink. It also folds flat and includes a built-in backpack strap so you can carry it hands-free to and from the car.
The Details: 20 x 16 x 20 inches | 8.8 pounds | 600D polyester
It uses a built-in foot pump to inflate.
It may be best used when sitting on the ground as the back support relies on your own body weight to keep you lifted; if you lean forward there is no support.
This self-inflating seat is a lightweight option that is perfect for local fields and concerts that may not have a ton of seating provided. The built-in foot pump for inflating spares your lungs a workout, and the TPU-coated nylon keeps it protected on rainy days or in wet grass. There’s also a layer of extra cushioning that helps keep you lifted. Deflating is as easy as folding the top over the bottom and then rolling to get the air out. Afterward, just tuck it into the included carrying case with stitched handles. While there are no armrests or storage pockets, you can still get an adjustable level of recline thanks to the side straps.
The Details: 24 x 15.5 x 18 inches | 2.14 pounds | Nylon with TPU coating
The raised bottom keeps you above any cold or hot seating.
The canvas material is water-resistant, but may need to be thoroughly dried before storing to prevent possible mold.
This folding seat is a go-to pick for parents watching school sports from wooden or metal bleachers. An included shoulder strap makes for hands-free transport from the car to the field, and the armless design allows for frequent clapping, cheering, and standing up and down without raised sides getting in the way. There’s a light layer of polyethylene foam padding on the seat that pairs with the stretch canvas to create a resilient cradling effect that keeps you elevated above the bleacher or bench seating.
The water-resistant material is good for rainy days, but you’ll want to make sure the wet areas are thoroughly dried before storing so it doesn’t mold. It’s also available with a thicker bottom cushion and in a wide version that adds three inches of seat width.
The Details: 14 x 20 x 17 | 5.3 pounds | Canvas and aluminum
It’s a great convertible option with added armrests and back support that you can choose to use or not, depending on your event.
It folds down flat, which may make it awkward to carry as a backpack for shorter people.
This folding stadium seat comes with options to set it up with or without the padded armrests. Folding down the armrests means you’ll lose your storage pockets, but you’ll gain a few extra inches of seat width. With armrests, the interior seat width is 17 inches, which may be snug for some, though it’s worth noting that many professional stadiums only permit 18 inches per seat anyway.
The 600D polyester fabric is waterproof and rip-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about handling this seat with too much care. There’s a wide slip pocket on the back, but the remaining storage pockets can only be used with the armrests up, including the zip pocket on the interior of one armrest, a positioning that gives an added level of security when stashing valuables like your phone or keys. This seat also tackles overall seat shifting in three ways: an anti-slip textured fabric on the seat bottom, a security hook, and a security strap. We love that this seat can slide off your back and transform into a thick-padded seat with a quick bend and click into place, and you can adjust the back recline.
The Details: 22 x 32 x 2.6 inches | 2.2 pounds | Polyester, nylon
The wide back and lightweight design give this an extra level of comfort and portability.
It doesn’t have any type of carry strap.
This lightweight folding seat comes in five solid colors and features a waterproof, stretched nylon fabric that is breathable and comfortable despite not being padded. It’s also made of strong, reliable materials like alloy steel and can hold up to 330 pounds, plus the security hook is thicker than most other chairs, giving us more stay-put confidence. We like that we don’t have to sacrifice having armrests (even if they aren’t padded) and that the seat folds down into a mere seven inches thick. Unfortunately, there’s no strap or handle so it’s not as convenient to transport as other options. The wider 22.8-inch seat offers more room, but it may not be regulation size for some stadiums.
The Details: 23.6 x 22.8 x 16.3 | 4.2 pounds | Aluminum, nylon, alloy steel frame
It helps bring the comfort of the couch to the bleachers.
It doesn’t have a security bar to help stabilize the seat.
This double-seated stadium seat lets you bring the comfort of the living room to your next get together or game. The thick, high-density foam cushioning, padded armrests (each with a cup holder pouch), and the easy-buckle security strap on the bottom creates a sturdy, couch-like seating for two on the sidelines or up in the nosebleeds.
The backrest has six reclining positions, including flat, and the single back cushion means the selected reclining position applies to both seats. When the game is over, just fold and toss over your shoulder to carry hands-free via the included shoulder strap. The durable fabric is waterproof, yet breathable, and the thick cushion rebounds, even after long sits.
The Details: 15 x 43 x 13 inches | 13.2 pounds | Polyester, high-density foam
The ergonomic design helps keep you comfortable through long events.
Storage pockets hang off the front bottom of the seat, which can be an awkward location for accessing items.
If you’re prone to back, hip, or knee pain (or all three!), grab this unique ergonomic folding stadium seat. The Strongback Stadium Seat has a curved-back design that gives your spine top-notch support and helps keep your body aligned to relieve pressure on joints affected by the seating posture. Plus, you’ll have 10 position options. The back is lightly padded with extra support in the lumbar area and the bottom is made of a bouncy, stretched fabric. The strong powder-coated steel frame can hold up to 300 pounds, and there’s a stability hook on the bottom for extra security.
While we appreciate the built-in cupholder and slip pocket, it’s somewhat awkwardly placed at the front of the seat by your knees, so you’ll have to sit with your legs apart. Still, this seat is great for long games or events and can be used directly on the ground, too.
The Details: 15.5 x 21.8 x 17 inches | 5 pounds | Powdered steel frame
You can recharge the pad with 1-2 hours in a freezer or a plunge into cold water.
This is a seat pad that doesn’t provide any back or arm support.
The Glacier Tek Stadium Pad maintains a 59-degree Fahrenheit temperature and keeps its cool in 100-degree weather for up to two hours. We love that all it takes to recharge is a couple of hours in the freezer or a dunk into cold water (though using the water-dunk method isn’t cold enough for it to reach its full cooling potential).
This seat is an essential stadium item for outdoor summer arena shows or games when you’re expecting hot metal bleachers. It bypasses the burn as soon as it’s laid down — or it can be used on top of your usual stadium seating when needed. The compact and roll-up design makes it easy to bring along with other game-day gear, just in case. The inner material remains malleable even after freezing, so the pad stays cushy, and the exterior doesn’t stick to the skin.
The Details: 0.5 x 9.5 x 17 inches | 2.3 pounds | Nylon and recycled materials
It’s loaded with features, including heat capabilities, storage, backpack carry straps, and a battery.
The materials and additional features give the chair noticeable weight.
This stadium seat is all about bonus features with six reclining positions, four storage areas, four points for heat or massage (with three levels for each), two built-in armrests, and one included 10,000mAh battery power bank. These components are in addition to a stabilizing under-seat hook, extra-thick padding, and waterproof 600D polyester fabric. The two lumbar massage points can work in tandem or separate from the two heating points in the bottom cushion as well. Each has three settings to keep you comfortable through sports games or multi-act productions.
It’s a heavy option at nearly 12 pounds, but the built-in padded backpack keeps the weight on your back when transporting, leaving your hands free to carry other essentials, like a soft cooler. If you’re a frequent or an all-seasons stadium-goer, this well-made, durable seat is worth the higher price tag and extra pounds.
The Details: 17.7 x 24.8 x 2.3 inches | 11.58 pounds | Polyvinyl chloride, 600D polyester, foam
The adjustable recline straps allow for an ultra-custom recline.
The seat isn’t as padded as other options.
The Crazy Creek Original Chair is a featherweight stadium chair coming in at just one pound. At its heart, it’s the simplest of folding chairs: two squares connected by two sturdy straps — but built tough with either 450D (11 solid colors) or 600D (two patterned options) polyester and carbon fiber. This seat is easy to transport either via the tote hands or on your back and can be used on any type of stadium seating surface and several types of outdoor terrain.
We love that even though you’ll have to sacrifice some luxe features found on other stadium seats, like an extra-padded cushion and armrests, you’re still able to customize the recline of the backrest via adjustable buckle connector straps. This chair also has a 250-pound weight limit, closed-cell foam, and is water-resistant.
The Details: 16.5 x 15.5 x 16.5 inches | 1 pound | Nylon, polyester, and carbon fiber
The cover stands up against spills, wet grass, and rain.
It’s quite large when folded down.
Need a seat that is as versatile as the events in your calendar? The Alpcour Deluxe Outdoor Cushion Chair puts some comfy, colorful cushion under you and gives you that much-needed back support to hang in through halftime. Weighing around four pounds, this foam-padded, folded chair comes with a shoulder strap that makes it a cinch to carry from the car to your seat.
The durable polyester cover repels water (key for rainy days, cheer-induced spills, or when you’re sitting in dewy grass) but remains breathable for your back and bum on hot days. Set up is a snap — just unfold, wait for the click into place, and pick one of six seat-back positions. This chair is armless, folds flat, and supports up to 400 pounds. There’s also a mesh back storage pocket, though we suggest not using it to store anything valuable since it sits behind you, out of sight.
The Details: 14 x 21 x 17 inches | 4.2 pounds | 600D polyester, foam
Not all stadium seats are the same, so we suggest keeping the type of event and available seat base (metal or concrete bleachers, grass, etc.) at the front of your mind. Some stadiums may have rules around the types of stadium seating that can be used while others may not allow them at all. Always check with your stadium to find out any specifics you’ll have to consider when choosing which seat to bring.
While comfort is the number one goal, don’t overlook the importance of a stadium seat that is easily portable; look for one with a shoulder strap or that can be worn as a backpack. This way, you’ll keep your hands free to carry other event essentials and quickly access any tickets. Some seats also have tote handles, which can be a good option for lighter chairs.
Temperature plays a big part when it comes to comfort while watching a game or concert. If you know you can expect hot weather, focus on seats that have breathable, water-resistant (sweat-resistant) materials. Consider that high temperatures can also make stadium bleachers hotter, so bringing a seat that is slightly raised or has thick cushioning can spare you from getting burnt. In cold weather, you may want to think about heated seat options, softer seat materials, and waterproof materials so you can stay comfortable in case of snow or rain.
Only you know what you need when it comes to a comfortable seat — and it’s up to you to prioritize stadium seats that deliver based on your needs. Bad back? Get one with lumbar support. Need access to several accessories, like a water bottle, throughout the game? Check out which seats have the most pockets and how secure and accessible they are. If you know you have a tendency to lean back or rock in your seat, go for the seats with the added security hooks and straps that will help keep you from toppling over or shifting around.
Materials used for stadium seats should be water-resistant or waterproof and durable, like polyester. A good frame material for portable stadium seating should be lightweight and rustproof, such as aluminum or brushed stainless steel. Plastic is a good budget option for stadium seating since it’s lightweight and waterproof, but it may not be as durable as other materials.
The best way to make standard stadium seating more comfortable is to bring a portable cushion or clip-on stadium seat with you to your event. You can even make your event a luxurious experience by opting for a portable seat that has a battery-powered fan, built-in heating pad, or even warming features.
For this story, Katherine Alex Beaven researched all types of stadium seats, keeping comfort, features, portability, and durability in mind. She also relied on the hard lessons learned from her own experience cheering from the best (and worst) seats on the sidelines.
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