ozark trail hammock chairThis model was very stable, with a lower seating height than most traditional camping chairs. While the feet of our shorter testers rested comfortably on the ground, Kelty also makes a version that’s several inches taller. Made of durable materials, this chair can stand up to the trials of seating multiple people and even dogs for extended periods. After three straight years of regular use and some severe sun exposure, it’s fading a bit but is still as comfortable as the first day we got it. This chair has grown on our lead tester the longer she has owned it, a credit to its impressive longevity and comfort.
The seating platform also sits somewhat low to the ground, which could be an issue for taller folks. This isn’t the most supportive chair, with a typical seat slouch and an upright back. Still, we think this is an impressively versatile, comfortable, portable chair that also happens to be one of the most affordable options we tested.
Time to ditch those chairs that promote slouching and experience the comfort of ergonomic and upright support the Kijaro is known for. Two chairs that we specifically wanted to call out in this category are the ENO Lounger DL and Nemo Stargaze Luxury Recliner. These chairs have several poles in an odd configuration that we found complicated. It was always a long process to get everything to fit back into its designated storage bags, and it never quite went how we wanted.
ozark trail lounge chairThe ALPS Mountaineering King Kong is our favorite camping chair and one of two we deem the most comfortable. The King Kong has consistently been the first chair snagged whenever our test team gathers around a campfire. The slightly padded fabric makes it ideal for long lounging sessions, and the seat itself is exceptionally roomy — if a bit slouchy — with an incredibly stable frame.
Fortunately, most of the chairs we tested were reasonably straightforward — even the more complex packable chairs were a cinch after a small learning curve. Like most things you spend money on, you want your chair to be made from high-quality materials and thusly durable. To properly test these chairs’ ability to stand up to real-life abuse, we stood on them and plopped very heavily into them.