Best Camping Chairs 2017

It has a mesh cup holder, so hey, actually you could keep 5 drinks with you all at one time!

Lots of reviewers and users claim this is the most comfortable camping chair they have found. This is the perfect quality folding camp chair with its comfortable padded seat, tall back, and roomy seat. For the price tag, you are getting pretty good quality materials that will last a long time if well taken care of.

The Coleman Oversized Quad Chair is one of the only folding camping chairs to have a built-in cooler bag. It will potentially lose one can if you decide to put some type of ice bag or ice in there. It also includes a mesh pocket for storing your phone, keys, headlamp, or whatever you want to keep in there. It is a very stable chair and it keeps your amenities close by while keeping your body comfortable.

There are less expensive knock-offs by REI and Wal-Mart, but the quality difference is very clear when you look at them side by side. The Coleman is worth the extra few bucks in that it will last longer.

The fade resistance of the Coleman is also pretty staggering. Kelly of Camp Addict has had a Coleman folding camping chair since 2002, and it has YET to show any signs of fading.

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Coleman Oversized Quad Chair Features and Specs:

Cupholders are not why you buy this ultralight camping chair. Instead, its main purpose is to be as comfortable and as light and one of the smallest camp chairs as possible. It does the job very well.

We chose the Helinox Chair One over the Helinox Chair Zero as currently, we are more of an RVing site, at least at this point, than we are a backpacker site. If you are a hardcore backpacker, you likely already know about the Helinox Chair Zero and how light it is. The Helinox Chair One is a little more comfortable and less expensive than the Helinox Chair Zero. They are both very cool camp chairs.

This camping chair is actually quite comfortable. However, some campers under 5'8 say that the sides of the back of the chair squeezes their shoulders a bit. Larger campers don't have this issue. ​Clearly, there's nowhere to rest your head, but many camping chairs go without this feature and people are more than comfortable.

The legs of the Chair One are made out of adonized DAC aluminum​ pole technology. They are strong and durable, and they won't eventually rust. They are linked with shock cord so the poles slip right into their intended destinations.

Sold separately is a ground sheet to help keep the legs from sinking into soft ground.​

Helinox Ground Sheet

This little powerhouse can hold up to 320 lbs despite its tiny frame. The balancing of the chair might come into play with some people. It doesn't have the widest base of support, so be aware.

If you want one of the smallest camp chairs but aren't willing to go quite so minimal and want a little more support and don't mind a little more weight, you can go with the Helinox Chair Two. It boasts the same tent pole technology and relatively small size but is a little wider, and more comfortable. This model qualifies as a high back camp chair. You can purchase separately rocking legs and/or a ground sheet AND a head rest for the Helinox Chair Two. Instantly you have a camping rocking chair!

Helinox also makes a seat warmer for the Chair One​ if you will be in cold areas.

(See Amanda Watson's testimonial in the Guide section of this page, below)​

Helinox Chair One Features and Specs:

• Fully assembled size: 20" wide X 20" deep X 25 " high
• Packs down to 14" x 4" x 5"/ 35 x 10 x 12 cm. (Smaller than the Sunday Times)
• Material: 600d Polyester
• Frame: Advanced TH72M alloy by DAC
• Weight: Setup=1.96 lbs Packed=2.1
• Warranty: 5 years
• One of the smallest camping chairs you can get

Still, if you're not that hardcore and want to take it for a day hike, the swivel feature is certainly a fun and useful amenity for a camp chair.

Some campers under 5'8 might find that their shoulders get a smidge cramped by the back of the Helinox Swivel Chair. Otherwise, most seem to like the way this chair feels. It's surprisingly comfortable for such a small camp chair.

If you are by the fire and are working dinner, the swivel comes in handy. You can have tables on both sides of your chair, and you can keep an eye on your kids (behind you) all without getting up. Kids also love this chair. ​

This chair would also be handy for photographers, birders, artists, and more. It comes with a case that has a webbing ladder to attach to the outside of your backpack if desired. The Helinox Swivel Chair also comes with the option to purchase the duck feather seat warmer. ​

Helinox Swivel Chair Features and Specs:

• Quick and easy setup: Assembles quickly using self-locating shock cord technology
• Weight Rating: Up to 265 lbs
• Weight: 2.82 lbs
• Warranty: 5 years
• Frame: Advanced TH72M alloy by DAC
• Dimensions: 28 x 20 x 21 inches
• Material: 600D polyester
• One of the smallest camping chairs you can get

It offers plenty of storage with 2 cup holders, 2 side pockets, and storage built into the head rest. It is heavier than most of our reviewed chairs at 13 lbs but this is to be expected for the quality needed to be this rugged.

This folding camping chair is slightly padded, making it even a little easier on the bum.

The only downside we found with this heavy-duty camping chair is that sometimes when smaller people use it, they sink down into the seat, causing their legs to push into the front of the chair. For some, their legs will start going to sleep due to loss of circulation. Because of this, we would only recommend this chair for truly big and tall people.

The 600D polyester fabric is taut and supportive. It comes with a carrying bag that has two straps to fit you like a backpack leaving your arms totally free to carry other items. Carrying case dimensions are 7 x 41"

The legs of the King Kong Chair are made out of steel. ​

Setup and breakdown couldn't be simpler with this folding camping chair. Simply fold it up or expand it out when you want to use it or break it down. It's a little challenging to get back into the carrying bag, but this is a pretty universal issue with folding camping chairs. It is not unique to this one.

The only downside we found about this heavy-duty camping chair is that the material is so thick that it will hold water after a rainstorm. This is only an issue if you leave it outside when it rains. (So, don't leave it outside in the rain!) Moreover, the padding in the material was still seen as a positive thing. ​

Alps Mountaineering King Kong Chair Features and Specs:

• Dimensions: (Set Up) 38 x 20 x 38 Folded down: 5 x 5 x 38
• Weight: 13 lbs
• Leg Material: Steel
• Material: 600D Polyester
• Side pockets for storage
• Weight capacity: 800 lbs

It's a pretty ingenious design as there are no 'wasted' parts i.e. a separate bag that is useless when the chair is in use.

Instead, the bag becomes the topper which again becomes the bag when putting it away. The topper can be overhead while in use or it can be stored away behind the chair. You don't even have to get up to put the shade up or back down.

The chair is spacious and comfortable, sporting two drink holders and 16mm wide thickness in the legs, much sturdier than any other chairs on the market. We suppose this chair should be able to compete with the King Kong chair, but somehow it is only rated for 350 lbs compared to the King Kong's 800 lbs.

The actual bag also comes with storage space, both for when you are using it as a carrying case and also for things like your spare keys for underneath the canopy. Pretty slick!

They now offer a hide-a-way footrest sold separately as well and they claim it is easy to install. This way you can have a shaded camp chair with footrest!

Also offered are detachable side flaps for the awning for further sun protection.

Renetto Original Canopy Chair Features and Specs:

• Weight: 15 lbs
• Back Height: 21"
• Seat Depth: 19"
• Ground to seat: 18"
• Chair to canopy head room: 35"
• Backpack dimensions: 38"x9"x9"
• Pole thickness: 16mm
• 100% UV and water-resistant

Even Kelly of Camp Addict likes her camping chairs, but she cannot stay in them for long without using a pillow at her lower back. The Strong Back would eliminate the need for this and keep her back in a supported position.

​The company claims that their patented lumbar support aligns your body posture. This should ease neck tension and provide relaxation of the muscles of the body. Makes sense.

The Strongback Elite is relatively light though it's not the lightest chair on the block. The backpack style carry bag is very helpful, adding to its mobility. ​

It's not the cheapest chair on the block either, but if you spend a good deal of time in a camping chair, this model could save you money on the chiropractor. Who wants to have a painful back? If you don't, this could be the camping chair for you.

The legs are made with silver powder coated ​steel. The material is a heavy duty Polyester 600D wear and tear resistant fabric. This chair should last you for a long time.

Strongback Elite Chair Features and Specs:

• Dual shoulder straps
• 600D polyester
• Silver powder coated steel legs
• Weight: 11.9 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
• Chair Size in Use: 28.5" x 27" x 36.5"
• Chair Size Folded: 11" x 6" x 44"

The chairs do have cup holders for your kid's drink and the fabric is water-resistant

The edges are reinforced to prevent tearing and the material is fade resistant. These Melissa and Doug Chairs are good for children, depending on their size, to up to 7 years old.

The material is made to be easy to clean in case of spills. The chair is low enough to the ground for your child to easily get in and out of by themselves. ​

Features and Specs: