Camping Panda
Among the many things you need while camping, one of the most important is the chair. Because you can’t relax properly while sitting on a quilt placed on the ground. The best camping chair not only provides you with adequate support. It also offers a place to keep your beverage, and maybe it even has a table. When it comes to choosing, the market truly spoils with choices.
But if you don’t want to spend ages looking at features, check out the best camping chairs in our rundown.
Comfort
Is it designed for comfort?
Ergonomic
Is it designed for healthy posture?
Construction
Is it designed for uneven terrain?
Usability
Is it easy to fold?
Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Weight Limit
Is it built to hold?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
18
Hours Researched
20
Products Evaluated
6k
Reviews Considered
4
Sources Researched
Camping chairs come in all styles and sizes, but nothing can beat the comfort delivered by a rocking chair. This model from GCI Outdoors features a patented rocking mechanism that can easily add a five-star experience to your camping trip.
Rocking apart, the chair also impresses with its unrivaled quality. A strong, folding frame supports up to 250 pounds, while the breathable canvas and mesh seat will keep you dry even in high heat. The chair also comes with a cup holder and folds compactly for storage and transport. No doubt, the best camping chair for most campers.
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Boasting an aluminum rather than steel frame, the Coleman Camping Chair is lighter and easier to carry than the GCI Rocking chair. This may come as an advantage if you have to walk to the campsite, but the weight limit is also lower, at only 225 pounds.
A regular deck chair at first site, the Coleman surprises with a handy side table. You can fold it in not in use, or unfold it to hold your snacks and drinks. As you can expect, the chair folds flat for easy transport, and it comes at a price that won’t break the bank.
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If you’re looking for a truly heavy-duty camping chair capable to hold two people or a heavier user, the Kelty Loveseat might be it. This loveseat-style chair can hold up to 500 pounds and is made to last for a long time.
Besides a strong, steel construction, we like the nearly indestructible polyester fabric that resists all elements. Fully padded handles and two cup holders enhance versatility. The back offers a comfortable position while lounging, and we also like the choice of colors. Sure, this chair is heavier than most camping chairs around, but it could be your best bet for car camping and tailgating.
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The Nemo Stargaze Recliner can be defined as the ultimate camp chair, as long as you don’t mind its eye-watering price tag. Although expensive, it does bring a wealth of benefits. The feature we like most is its multi-position backrest and swinging function, that lets you use it as a rocking chair even on rocky terrain.
Supporting up to 300 pounds, it’s an excellent choice for most users. Another highlight is the aircraft-grade aluminum frame, that’s as strong as steel but more lightweight. Packing compactly and fairly easy to carry, it’s a great choice for car camping as well as hiking.
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This heavy-duty camping chair by Mossy Oak is a perfect choice for casual camping, as well as anglers and hunters looking for a high-quality, low price option.Despite looking as a regular chair, you’ll actually find a wealth of hidden features.
One we particularly like is the built-in cooler – an insulated compartment designed to keep your drinks cold, but that works equally well for keeping your hot drinks warm for longer. An oversized cup holder and angled backseat are other highlights. The chair is suitable to use in all seasons and provides stability on all kinds of terrain.
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Moving forward with our list of best camping chairs, the Timber Ridge comes as an alternative to those looking for a compact chair with high weight limit. Although it can withstand 400 pounds, the size might not be the most comfortable for larger users, though.
We like the overall quality of the chair, including the strong fabric and heavy-duty frame. Another highlight is the foldable and rotatable cup holder, that won’t be troublesome to pack.
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Why settle for either folding table or beverage cooler on your camping chair when you can have both? Designed with ultimate comfort in mind, the Timber Ridge Laurel features a comfortable table with cup holder on one side, and a large insulated compartment with cup holder measuring 15″ x 9″ x 6.1″ on the other side.
The chair boasts a lightweight, aluminum frame and folds almost flat for transport and storage. We also like the padded arm rests and back, that enhance comfort. Looking just like a movie set director chair, this camping chair can easily satisfy even the most demanding users.
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The Coleman Big-N-Tall is the kind of chair that lives up to expectations. It is both big and tall, just as its name suggests. A seat height of 18 inches may make it a bit awkward for shorter users to sit in it, but it’s undeniably a great choice for taller and larger campers alike.
Made from sturdy stainless steel and polyester fabric, the chair also impresses with flat feet that enhance stability on all kinds of terrains. No bar at the front makes it comfortable, but don’t expect outstanding back support. All in all, though, the Big-N-Tall is a valid options for those who need a big camping chair at an attractive price point.
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Another chair from Timber Ridge that has made it to our list is this camping folding chair that looks good enough to use both while camping and on the porch. Made from aluminum, it boasts a sturdy construction and comes with a more rigid seat that provides plenty of support.
The ABS arm rests come as a great alternative to the padded ones, enhancing comfort along their entire length. Like most camping chairs, it also has a cup holder. Furthermore, it folds almost flat for super-easy storage and transport.
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Ending our rundown, the Outdoor Living Suntime Sofa Chair is indeed as comfortable as a sofa. It boasts a large, moon shape seat that provides plenty of lounging space. Thick padding and the lack of a front bar also enhance comfort.
It has no particular bells and whistles other than the wide, cozy seat. You won’t get a cup holder, table, or anything like that. However, those are only add-ons, and all in all, this chair is undeniably a good investment.
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Lounging in a comfortable camping chair after a daylong hike along the trail is unbeatable, but what is the best camping chair for the money? Outdoor gear brands have gone a little wild in the recent years, creating a confusing range of chair styles. Let’s check them out and see what important features to consider before buying.
The most important thing to decide when buying a camp chair is the style you want to buy. Below, a list of the most popular options:
Are you car camping or backpacking? In the former instance, you don’t really have to bother with these numbers, unless your car has a very tiny trunk and you need compact chairs. If you’re backpacking, you should go for a three-legged chair or one that is very lightweight and minimal, such as the Coleman Camping Chair.
Typically, a backpacking chair should weigh under 7 pounds and be compact enough to carry comfortable for longer stretches of land.
The weight capacity of a camping chair is often correlated to the actual weight of the chair you want to buy. Indeed, heavier chairs are typically made from sturdier materials and can hold heavier weights.
An average camp chair has a weight capacity of around 250 pounds; however, some of the best camping chairs can hold up to 400 pounds and are ideal for bigger campers – a good example is the Mossy Oak Heavy Duty Folding Chair.
Lovebird chairs also have high weight capacity, usually 600 pounds or over. However, these chairs are usually made of steel rather than aluminum, so they aren’t the lightest out there.
There are two things to pay attention to, the materials the frame is made of as well as the materials and padding used for the seat and back.
As far as the frame materials are concerned, you can typically choose from aluminum and steel:
The seat and backrest are often made of ripstop polyester, canvas, or mesh. Mesh chairs – or a combination of mesh and polyester – are ideal for summer camping. This material is breathable and also dries quickly, but it isn’t the most durable.
Canvas and polyester chairs are the most resistant. Some manufacturers add some padding under the fabric to enhance comfort, but keep in mind that these chairs can get really hot in summer.
If you decide to buy such a chair, make sure the fabric is water and stain resistant and that is detachable so you can wash it if needed.
Last but not least, consider the overall comfort of the chair. Can you sit properly? Is it wide enough for you? Is the backrest comfortable?
A few other things that can enhance comfort include a cup holder, usually at armrest level, as well as pockets for your gadgets or magazine and books. Some chairs even have folding tables which are ideal if you want to sketch a sunset or keep a bag of snacks near you.
No matter what you need, finding the best camping chair for you shouldn’t be too hard. With these tips in mind, check our list above to find the most appropriate one.
If you’re looking for versatility and comfort alike, the Kelty Low Loveseat is unbeatable. This rocking chair provides excellent support, the fabric is breathable, and overall, the chair is very comfortable. For lounging, the Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Camp Chair is a great alternative if you don’t mind breaking the bank.
Finding the best camping chair is far from easy, but the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Folding Rocking Chair has it all. This rocking camp chair delivers comfort, is easy to carry, and even has a convenient cup holder. The Coleman Camping Chair with Side Table is an affordable but equally valid solution, impressing with a folding side table. For larger gangs or larger users, the Kelty Low Loveseat might be your best bet.
The best outdoor folding chairs are those camping chairs that are sturdy yet lightweight. A good chair should also provide adequate back support.
You can buy camping chairs in most outdoor stores or online. If you already know what model you want, buying on Amazon could be cheaper. On the other hand, buying in-store gives you a possibility to try the chair before buying.
Undeniably, your best bet if you want to buy a cheap camping chair is to buy it on Amazon. Sellers on the marketplace offer periodical discounts, and you can often use vouchers to cut off the price even more.
