Best Camping Chairs in 2019
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Aah, camping. RVing. The great outdoors.
As much as we love the great outdoors, we also certainly love to have a place to sit while we aren't hiking.
Photo By J9b2adventures
What better place to sit than a nice cozy rock? Pfffffff.
Camping chairs are great for chilling around a campfire with friends or family, eating lunch or working up some s'mores.
Of course, you want to find the best camp chair. Not all camping chairs are created equal, however.
Camping chairs are designed for different needs. Also, the comfort factor of the seat is somewhat in they eye of the bum that sits in it.
Let's learn a few things about the differences in camping chairs and what you may and may not be looking for.
Already know all about this subject? Just looking for the reviews? Click the button below to jump down to the product reviews.
Camping Chair Guide
Camping chairs come in all shapes and sizes. They are made for specific different purposes and needs.
Some people want super wide chairs with all sorts of 'amenities' such as umbrellas, storage bags, tables, and cup holders/coolers built-in.
On the other end of the spectrum, backpackers need their chair to be as light as humanly possible and they aren't looking for frills. They want a compact camping chair.
Chairs have been made with every need in mind. Here we cover the ins and the outs of what's out there for you to consider.
Generally, chairs will be made to fit into one of these categories:
Things to Look For In A Camping Chair
Well, how will you be using it? Backpacking? Hanging around the fire? Working outdoors daily on your computer?
Before you jump into buying a chair, know how you will mostly be using your camping chair.
Photo courtesy: Brock Brinkerhoff
Portability (Backpacking Chairs)
If you are going to be hiking a lot with your chair for long distances, or even short ones for that matter, you are not going to be happy with an 8 lb chair.
This means you are likely not going to want a traditional chair that tends to come with lots of features and there is not much consideration for size or weight.
There are now camping chairs that can pack as small as a 2 liter bottle and weigh around one pound.
If you are only going to be using your chair around a campfire, then a traditional chair may work better for you, although many of the small portable camping chairs are quite comfortable as well.
The smallest and lightest have legs that are made by DAC, who also makes the lightest aluminum tent poles.
The construction is made to be easy to put together with the shock cord on the insides much like tent poles.
DAC technology- Helinox Chairs
They almost put themselves together.
There aren't many parts and set up takes a little under 2 minutes. These tiny chairs fit easily in your backpack.
Strap-N-Carry Camp Chair Shoulder Strap
Stuffing your camp chair back into the carry bag it came with can be a bit of a pain. Or how about if you lose the carry bag?
Then you have to grab the potentially awkward chair in your hand, or stuff it under your arm, to carry it.
There's a better solution! The Strap-N-Carry camping chair shoulder strap allows you to carry your camp chair over your shoulder with ease.
Made from rubber, the Strap-N-Carry fits over both ends of your chair and allows you to sling it over your shoulder. Comes in a set of two.
Strap-N-Carry
Strap-N-Carry detail
Strap-N-Carry in use
Strap-N-Carry (Set of 2)
Durability
Sure, pretty much anything we purchase we want to be as durable as possible.
Not all camping chairs are the same in this regard, either. However, most chairs out there are quite durable.
They must be, considering how much wear and tear they receive.
Getting thrown in the back of trucks, getting burned from embers, deterioration from the sun, and more.
However, if you go out and get a $10 camp chair from the drugstore, don't expect that one to be comfortable or to last long.
They are made cheaply TO be cheap.
Kelly's fading Cabela's chair. Needed the pillow for back support. Kelly now has a Chair One. Her old Cabela's chair has a new home.
Back Support
Honestly, not many camping chairs can boast this feature.
Many camp chairs are quite sunken around the back area and this might not work very well if you have back issues.
They offer no support whatsoever. Therefore, you end up sinking into the camp chair with a rounded lower back.
This won't bode well for those with any kind of back issue. If you sit in it enough, you could even create back issues for yourself.
You have a couple of choices in this matter.
You can either get our recommended chair that does have back support, or you can always have a pillow on hand to use at your lower back while using your chair.
Photo By J9b2adventures
Comfort
This is a top priority for pretty much any camp chair, regardless of the other features you may want it to have.
Again, luckily many of the camp chairs out there are quite cozy due to today's technology and materials.
Still, some camping chairs win over the others in this category, regardless of size. Who doesn't want to be comfortable while camping?
Keeping your butt back in the seat will help your back with support.
The smaller backpacking chairs are fairly supportive in this regard as is the Strongback Chair that we recommend.
Still, most of our picks are rated as quite comfortable by most users.
Amanda Watson
Watsons Wander
I've tried nearly every kind of camp chair out there.
Zero gravity chairs that allow you to recline and snooze, canvas folding chairs with built-in footstools and drink holders, retro folding camp chairs, and even a camp chair with straps so I could wear it on my back.
Eventually, they all failed me. They were too heavy, too cheaply made, or simply too uncomfortable.
After struggling to find a chair that fit all my needs, last summer I finally broke down and shelled out the bucks for a Helinox Chair One.
It only took a week of use to realize that all my chair dreams came true with the Helinox. This chair is well made, lightweight, easy to set up and take down, and best of all... incredibly comfortable!
Aside from the comfort, my favorite feature is how portable this chair is.
I can put it in my backpack, my kayak, or throw it in a canvas tote along with a bottle of wine and some munchies for happy hour at the neighbor's RV.
One thing to note: The Chair One is not the best choice for tall people. My husband is 6'4" and finds that the back of the chair is too short and the fact that it's so low to the ground makes it hard to get out of.
Fortunately, he found a solution in the Helinox Sunset Chair. With a taller back and a higher ground clearance, this chair is tall person approved!
Shade
There are a few camping chairs out there that come with a built-in shade.
This is great for those who need to be out of the sun or are using a computer and need the shade so they can see their computer screen.
We all know that skin cancer can be caused by sun exposure, so having the convenient shade built-in to your chair makes it that much easier to keep yourself cancer-free.
It's not always possible to stay under an awning or to wear a hat. For times like these, having an umbrella of sorts above you will help you stay in the shade.
Summary
As you can see, there are many different things to consider when looking for a new camping chair.
The way you camp, your bodily needs, and durability are just three of the things you should consider before making a buying decision.
If you are in the market for a new chair, read on below for our camping chair reviews. We found the best overall, best for bad backs, best for larger people and much more.
We have tried out most of these chairs, but not all of them. Some we have narrowed down the competition just through logic, reviews, and friend's opinions.
Still, the final decision is going to be your own butt in the seat. Too bad we can't try out sitting in them over the internet.
Camping Chair Reviews
We wanted to pick out the best camping chair out there for you but we found that 'best' depends on the needs of the individual.
There is no one best camp chair. There are types and general favorites but there is no fits-all-needs-and-wants chair for everyone.
Therefore we decided to find the general 'greatest hits' best camp chair for you but your own butt is going to have to be the chooser for your best camp chair.
It's too bad that we can't try a chair over the internet yet. Maybe, someday...
We chose what we thought would be the most sought-after categories for folding camping chairs.
Best Overall Camping Chair
Coleman Oversized Quad Chair With Built-In Cooler
Pros
Cons
The Coleman Oversized Quad Chair is a super popular folding camping chair among campers due to its low price and superior comfort/durability. The attached 'cooler' also makes it a hit among users.
Continue Reading Coleman Oversized Quad Chair Review
Best Super Compact / Lightweight Camping Chair
Helinox Chair One
Pros
Cons
The Helinox Chair One is one of the lightest ultralight camping chairs on the market today. This is a best bet for backpackers who need an ultralight backpacking chair. It's one of the smallest camp chairs out there.
Other Helinox Chair One Sizes
Helinox offers three sizes of their Chair One lightweight camping chairs. To view the other two sizes (other than the original size reviewed here), click on 'Continue Reading..." directly below to open up the Helinox Chair One review and scroll to the bottom of it.
Continue Reading Helinox Chair One Review
Best Backpacking Chair with Swivel
Helinox Swivel Chair
Pros
Cons
The Helinox Swivel Chair is exactly the same as the Helinox Chair One except that is swivels. It's still an ultralight camping chair compared to most camp chairs on the market.
Continue Reading Helinox Swivel Chair Review
Best Camp Chair for Big and Tall People
Alps Mountaineering King Kong
Pros
Cons
The Alps Mountaineering King Kong camping chair is a heavy-duty camping chair made for durability and ruggedness. The frame can support up to an impressive 800 lbs.
Continue Reading Alps Mountaineering King Kong Chair Review
Best Camping Chair with Canopy
Renetto Original Canopy Chair 3.5
Pros
Cons
If your primary goal in a chair is to stay out of the sun, THIS is the chair you have been looking for. The Renetto camping chair comes with an attached bag that doubles as a shade for overhead.
Continue Reading Renetto Original Canopy Chair Review
Best Camping Chair with Back Support
The Strongback Elite
Pros
Cons
It's true that not many camping chairs have good, or even ANY lower back support. This camp chair has excellent lower back support that can keep you more comfortable for longer.
Choose Color
Other Strongback Chairs
Strongback offers other folding camping chairs besides the Elite (their flagship product). Click on 'Continue Reading..." directly below to open up the StrongBack Elite Chair review and scroll to the bottom of it for additional StrongBack Chair options.
Continue Reading Strongback Elite Chair Review
Best Camping Chair for Little Kids
Melissa And Doug Line Of Chairs
Pros
Cons
The Melissa and Doug line of compact camping chairs for kids couldn't be any cuter! Your little ones will know which chair is theirs for sure and they will love their cute design. They have designs modeled for boys and for girls.
Continue Reading Melissa and Doug Kids Chairs Review
Conclusion
Your preferences are going to determine what kind of camp chair you will want to have.
Simply decide how you are going to use it and then look for the features that you want.
There is no one-size-fits-all chair in terms of features, unfortunately, so you may need more than one for your different occasions.
Whatever you decide, just get out there into nature. We hope we have helped you find the best camping chair for YOU.
Camp on, Addicts!
Authors: Kelly Beasley & Marshall Wendler
Kelly Beasley
Kelly Beasley is co-founder of Camp Addict and loves sharing her enthusiasm for the RVing lifestyle. As a full-time RVer since May 2015, Kelly's playful writing style helps make learning about the sometimes dull subject of RV products a bit more interesting.
Marshall Wendler
Camp Addict co-founder Marshall Wendler brings his technical expertise to help explain RV products in an easy to understand fashion. Full-time RVing since April 2014, Marshall loves sharing his knowledge of the RV lifestyle.
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I too have tried a number of chairs- some too low, some a total trip hazard when trying to get in or out, some too heavy, some too bulky. Best ones I have found so far, and the ones I buy again are the GCI rocker chairs. They rock on any surface due to the rocker shock system and hold up well. The only issue is storage. The folding ones are really long and the director style folds flat but requires the space of a flat directors chair. Love them so much have gotten rid of all other styles to fit in our storage bay.
Oooh, yes, those are nice! It all depends on the user’s needs. For me, I got so tired of finding a place to store my two ‘regular’ chairs and hated having to move them any time I needed to get into the back of my truck.
Now, I have the Helinox Chair One. I can easily store it under my bed it’s so small! Still not as ideal as others as far as setting it up.
Sometimes I wish for a more ‘luxurious’ seat, too. But I am not willing to have two chairs. So for now, the Helinox is for me! Glad you found your “best butt”. 😂
We’re on our second set of Alps Mountaineering chairs. The first set we purchased in Moab about 3 years ago. We abuse chairs! We leave them out in the sun, snow and rain and these still lasted 3 years! We just purchased another set of Alps Mountaineering chairs, this time we went big and got the King Kong models in Blue a month ago. Way more comfortable than the previous ones! We’d buy these again. I’ve tried the strongback chair, it’s ok but double the price and for me it’s harder to pack up. i just make my own lumbar support using an outdoor pillow.
Hey Paul!
Great to hear you like your Alps Mountaineering Kongs! Those chairs are BEASTS! I have done the same- put a pillow in the chair for my back. It gets really testy at times, so I sure do like the Strongbacks, too.
Thanks for the input on these chairs for others to read. A little social proof goes a long way!
See you guys down the road! 😙
You need to try the Kijaro Dual Lock chair. Hands down the most comfortable chair I’ve ever sat in. It locks open so you don’t sag down in the seat and make it easy to get out of the chair as well. Lots of vibrant colors to choose from.
Where can I buy just the cloth part. I have a perfectly good extra large
frame & a torn cloth .
Hi Ed,
At this time we are not aware of any seller of just the cloth parts of a camping chair. Anyone else have any information on this? We welcome your input to help Ed out!
I suggest to go to a fabric store, or search online for outdoor fabric. Look for an outdoor upholstery material that will have UV-resistance and/ or mildew resistance. Awning-type material and backpack cordura is a good start. Get a yard or two and patch your chair using a needle and dental floss. It might not be pretty, but a DIY repair job might work on an injured chair.
Look into the fire pit rocker by GCI outdoors. Sturdy frame and comfortable. Not a chair you want to be lugging into the woods but for RV camping it is great. When we found this chair we have showed all of our camping friends. Now all of our camping friends have bought their own. They are a bit expensive as far as camp chairs go but worth every penny.
Hi Ryan,
Yes, that’s a pretty good/comfortable/unique product for sure! If you want a rocking chair at your campsite, these are great! Thanks for the input so others can benefit, and Camp On!
our campfire is party central so we carry 8 chairs for guests. Most of us have knee, hip or back issues and all prefer strong and solid arm rests that can carry full body weight when getting in or our. Nobody Like’s the fabric slings
Wow, Don, you do it up right! Eight chairs? ?
I can only handle sitting in my chairs for a little bit. Time to invest in something comfy so my body stops screaming at me every time I get up out of my chair.
Keep enjoying those party central campfires and Camp On!
You should try the STRONGBACK Elite. With its solid arms with padding, lumbar support that is superb and way better than any chair I have tried.