Which camping chair is best

Would sacrifice this chair to the festival gods again. This chair has solid armrests that make it so much easier to sit in and get out of. Very comfortable to sit in and the hard padded armrests are awesome! The chair was super-comfortable and easily transported … the concert was good too! You really appreciate being able to put your feet up sometimes. When folded, this aluminum camping chair is the size of a water bottle, which makes it the most compact and portable option on this list.

Totally worth the money for the convenience. This padded camping chair is so comfortable that it has converted dozens of reviewers from the anti-camping-chair camp. I struggle with back pain from being in a few car accidents, so it was very important to me that I find a chair I can lounge in comfortably. While this camping chair comes in several size and padding options, reviewers were most impressed by the extra-large padded version, which comfortably sits large and tall adults.

Padding, great construction, little cooler, and cupholder. Lots of customers say they can comfortably share this double camping chair with partners, children, and even dogs. Big and tall reviewers say this camping chair is supportive and strong. When I saw this chair and the price, I was skeptical about its quality. When considering comfort, we looked at seat-back height, width, materials, and overall design.

Comfort varies from person to person and depends a lot on your size, build, and mobility. No one wants to spend 20 minutes fighting to set up their camp chair — or worse, trying to wrangle it back into its carrying bag.

We want to be able to set up and take down the chair without instructions or excessive time dedicated to the task. All of the chairs included here are easy to set up. Some simply fold open, whereas others take a couple of minutes to assemble. But we were able to do it without reading the directions, and the trade-off for the fun, rocking chair feature is worth it.

The height from the ground to the bottom of the seat is an often overlooked yet extremely important consideration. This dictates not only how bent your legs will be but also makes a chair easier or more difficult to get out of. In general, those with knee issues or mobility concerns will have an easier time getting out of taller chairs.

Sitting around the campfire should be a relaxing time. A wider leg base provides extra stability but often comes at the cost of weight and pack size. Drink-holders, pockets, carrying bags, and more — these extra features may seem inconsequential, but they can really take a camp chair from OK to awesome.

Throw a fresh log on the fire, pull up a chair, and enjoy an evening under the stars. The most comfortable camping chair varies from person to person and depends largely on your body type and height. Our testers gave the YETI Trailhead extremely high marks for comfort and stability, although that does come with a price tradeoff.

The REI X chair is also quite comfortable. If you plan on backpacking or hiking into camp, then a small, lightweight chair will serve you best. You may also want to consider your mobility and height. Lower chairs can be more challenging to get in and out of if you have knee issues or any other mobility concerns. Taller people also tend to prefer a chair with a bit more height to it. Last, think about the features you would enjoy. Is a cupholder important?

Or maybe you really want a rocking camp chair? Whatever it is, chances are you can find a camp chair that perfectly suits your outdoor-loving needs. All the camping chairs on this list can get wet. Some will dry more quickly than others, but none of them will be damaged by a little rain. The weight and packed size relate to how portable a chair is. For car camping, this mainly matters for fitting everything in your vehicle and carrying it short distances.

Although the Flexlite had the advantage of being slightly lighter than the Chair One a factor that could be key for hikers who are planning on carrying their chair miles into the backcountry , we otherwise found a number of small details that were superior on the Chair One. Most important: Although the dimensions of the two seats are almost identical, the fabric on the Helinox seat had a cut that made it feel roomier and more comfortable to anyone with anything other than a pencil-thin behind.

Also, after several months of use, some of the paint on the legs of the Flexlite has scraped off. The Chair One is rated to hold up to pounds, versus pounds for the Flexlite and for the third chair we tested, the Alite Monarch Chair the latter chair is no longer available, as Alite went out of business in late Aside from testing 11 chairs to determine our regular picks, we also spent several hours researching kid-specific camp chairs, after which we narrowed the field to five favorite child-size models and then compared them over three camping trips that involved a total of 16 little kids.

We also let two boys, ages 1 and 5, play with them and sit on them in the backyard for six months. The box-shaped cupholder is a little roomier than the round cupholders on the Coleman and the L.

Bean Base Camp chairs—better for stubby water bottles or mugs of hot chocolate around the campfire. We found that the cheaply constructed Walmart chair had a cupholder that was too small for a soda can, or any of the hard-plastic or metal water bottles that the kids we know brought on a camping trip. The 4-pound, steel-construction REI chair has an attached carry strap, rather than a carry bag like the other chairs.

After a couple of camping trips, we concluded that a strap is more convenient than a bag—the quicker and easier for a kid to grab the chair and go, without parental help. The REI chair is rated to hold up to pounds, the same as the L. Bean and Walmart chairs. We think the REI chair is most appropriate for toddlers and kids up to about 7 or 8 years old, though reviews reveal that some small adults have found this to be their favorite seat. It comes in bright red or blue, and as of this writing it gets 4.

We think the REI chair functions better and will last much longer than the similar chair from Walmart. But the price difference is significant—and after six months of near-constant outdoor use, the Walmart chair was still in decent shape. If you are looking for an ultracheap choice, the Walmart chair is one.

The Ozark Trail Oversized Mesh Chair from Walmart, although similar to our pick in size, was far less comfortable, with rough-feeling material that was obviously of lower quality.

We later found, after six months of frequent use, that the stitching along one arm had come unravelled and that the small straps holding up the back of the armrests had both ripped in half.

We found the Coleman Kickback Breeze Chair to be a simple yet very comfortable seat, though women liked it more than men did many of them judged it to be too snug. Anecdotally, we found that this chair category in general is more popular among women than among men, who generally prefer a higher, upright seat. The design, size, and weight is nearly identical, but the nylon fabric has been replaced with polyester.

The Alite Monarch was the original design in a line of chairs that grew to encompass several models, including the taller and heavier Calpine Chair, the three-legged Mayfly Chair, and the four-legged Mantis Chair. At just 21 ounces, the Monarch is the lightest of the three chairs we tested in this category, as well as the most compact, but its two-legged design requires your own legs to serve as the third leg of the stool.

Also, Alite went out of business in late The cheaply constructed Walmart chair had a cupholder that was too small for a soda can or a hard-plastic or metal water bottle. The cupholders on the L. But we found that most kids, like adults, choose a bigger chair when given the option. With a surprising level of portability for a chair of its size, the Helinox Beach Chair combines impressive comfort and durability.

We loved that the storage sack can be easily stuffed and attached as a pillow for whatever height you need, or simply stuck on the back to not get lost. The flat legs keep you well above the sand to enjoy your beach day and make fond, comfortable memories. This chair sits relatively low to the ground, which may pose a challenge for some taller folks.

It also is a bit of a challenge to put together, which involves a little bit of a learning curve. The price tag is also hefty, and you can expect to pay even more if you want the all-mesh version.

If you're on the hunt for the ideal beach chair, though, we think that this model is the best choice for your days spent on the sand. Read review: Helinox Beach Chair. For anyone sick of that sports chair slouch, the Kijaro is the model you've been waiting for.

By locking open, the frame holds the seat and back fabric taut to give a firm foundation and one of the tallest seat heights that we tested. A comfortably angled back panel helps this chair retain a cozy feeling rather than a severe rigid feel. All this added support and height make it among the most natural chairs to get back out. And feel free to leave the annoying carry bag at home. This chair has an adjustable shoulder carry strap attached to the back.

Once locked closed, it's a simple matter to hoist it up and head out without the need to carry an additional storage bag. This interesting design makes the folded package exceptionally long - just shy of four feet. This length makes it less ideal for stuffing in the trunk, though probably not a deal-breaker. It's also not remarkably durable. We had issues with a broken lock mechanism and a gradual loosening of the frame of poles.

That combined with some sloppy seams, oddly pliable frame joints, and a readiness to stain at the slightest hint of dirt, we're not sure this chair is up to the task of time. But it does offer some excellent support and might be precisely the type of comfort you've been missing on your outdoor excursions. A rocking chair that doesn't make you feel every stick, rock, and bump in the ground? Yes, it's true, the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker can be set up on just about any reasonably level outdoor surface and still give a smooth, gliding ride with its spring-loaded rockers.

Furthermore, it's a wide, stable chair that testers of all sizes found comfortable, stable, and easy to get in and out. Set it up in the shade, or take this chair with you to your next hangout spot with a single, natural motion and a simple carry handle attached to the frame.

This model also features a cup holder on the front of the frame and mesh backing to help keep you cool. And the relatively low price for this comfortable rocking chair doesn't hurt either.

If you're in the market for a slouchy chair to melt into on a hot day, this isn't it, as the seat and back are both a bit stiff and relatively upright. We don't recommend leaving this chair outside in direct sunlight for long periods, as our model received substantial sun damage throughout a summer sitting outdoors. You can also expect to add the occasional oil to the rockers to keep it gliding smoothly and without noisy complaining.

However, the GCI Freestyle Rocker is a suitable option if you've been dying to have a rocking chair outside. Teaming up to bring you this review is Senior Review Editor Maggie Brandenburg and her laidback gang of testers. She is a seasoned multi-sport athlete and appreciates gear that makes for high-quality downtime when it's time to kick back for a while in camp or the backyard.

Maggie has taught workshops and guided extensively worldwide and on topics as diverse as snow camping and expedition kayaking. She has spent extended amounts of time living out of backpacks and her teardrop trailer, arrangements where packable comfort items go a long way. Maggie pulls in the help of friends and family to test and judge chairs. This crowd includes children, numerous people over 6 feet tall, several dogs, a dozen senior citizens, and a flock of Girl Scouts, spanning ages 12 to 80 years old.

During our neverending search for the very best camping chairs, we've researched and considered more than 80 different models. We purchase every chair and use them to hang out with our friends for months of use. We cart them on weekend camping trips, set them up at family reunions, spend late nights around the fire pit, watch sporting events, and hang out at all-day backyard barbecues. We pay attention to details that matter in a camp chair, like how well the cup holders and pockets work.

If left out in a rainstorm, does the chair drain or become an unappealing birdbath? We weighed and measured them, carried them for several blocks, and jumped into them to see what they can handle.

What follows is a comprehensive discussion of our in-depth findings from nearly a decade of lounging. Camping chairs are a useful luxury item that can be used while camping and as additional seating for a barbecue, hanging out at the sidelines of a soccer game, on the beach, or tailgating and enjoying outdoor concerts.

However, not all chairs are made for the same style of use or comfort. We evaluated each model across myriad tests in four mutually exclusive, thorough metrics. How each one performs in every test then determines its score for that metric. Here we break down their performances by metric to get down to the specifics of which ones perform best. Related: Buying Advice for Camping Chairs.

Though some gear seems to display a fairly linear correlation between price and performance, we don't find this to be the case for camping chairs. Some of the best-performing models have moderate price tags, while some of the most expensive options didn't score as well as anticipated.

Both of these chairs provide above-average comfort for a below-average price. Though it costs more, it's an investment that pays off in its serious comfort and exceptional durability. Comfort is our most highly weighted metric, accounting for nearly half of the overall score. After all, deciding to buy a chair instead of sitting on a log or the ground means you probably value comfort. So don't waste your money on a chair that isn't comfortable. Factors we considered when evaluating comfort were armrests, lumbar support, a headrest, back ventilation, and the overall design of the chair.