While not as packable considering weights that exceed 13 pounds, the Yeti Trailhead and ALPS Mountaineering King Kong also feature a backpack-style carry bag that makes portability a bit easier. If you have an oversized tumbler you like to drink from, there’s nowhere to stash it on the Comfort Pro. Additionally, there are no large pockets for snacks, books, or magazines — just a single small pocket that’s sized to hold your smartphone.
If you need a comfy chair or use a camping-specific chair regularly and don’t mind a bit of bulk, we highly recommend the King Kong. Generally speaking, the lightest chairs out there won’t deliver as plush of a sitting experience as bulkier products that weren’t meant to accompany you on backpacking adventures. If you’re looking for a chair to take on the move, opt for something weighing under 2 pounds that can be stored as compactly as possible. These no-frills seats are more tolerable for resting your terrain-tested feet than for enjoying multiple meals, drinks, and the company of other campers around a fire. Testers considered whether the chairs would be too heavy, bulky, or awkward to carry for either a long distance or simply from a house to a car trunk.
There’s even a bottle opener attached to the inside of the cooler to cover all the bases for chillin’ and grillin’ outside. On the back is an elastic slot and Velcro bands to secure an overhead umbrella, and underneath the seat is a strap that collapses the chair for easy transport. Some of the 29 chairs we tested had unique features that set them apart from the crowd but fell short in categories that kept their score too low to make our list of recommendations. Still, you may find these options to be well-suited for your specific camping needs. We tested 29 of the best camping chairs on the market to find the perfect option for everyone.
ozark trail hammock chairYou may doubt a chair this light and compact could also be sturdy, but it held up beautifully to all the plopping, dropping, and throwing they could put it through. PRICE – You don’t have to break the bank to get a great camping chair, but we find that spending a little more is often well worth the cost for the increase in comfort, durability, and convenience. We recommend chairs at a variety of price points below to make it easy to find a great option that fits your budget. Like most chairs of this type, the Coleman Oversized Quad comes with an over-the-shoulder carry bag. The TikTok version of the chair is adorably summer-themed, featuring nostalgia-inducing red, white, and blue popsicle designs all over the seat. There’s a cupholder on the right arm and a built-in cooler on the left that can hold a six-pack of drinks (or more, if you dare).
ozark trail hammock chairThis ultra-durable and ergonomic design features maximum comfort, making our testers want to trade this camp chair for their office chairs. The FlexGrid fabric is supportive of the body while also allowing for breathability due to the perforated material. T+L writers are shopping and product experts who score the market for the best of the best travel gear. For this article, lifelong camper Lydia Price joined a group of other editors to put 29 outdoor chairs to the test in our New York City lab. They carefully evaluated the comfort, durability, portability, and value of each chair to put together this list of the best options for camping.
Though it costs more, it’s an investment that pays off in its serious comfort and exceptional durability. Finally, the Kelty Low Loveseat is worth a mention; despite a higher price point, it provides not one but two seats, upping its value by decreasing the price-per-seat cost. Maggie is a seasoned multi-sport athlete and appreciates gear that makes for high-quality downtime when it’s time to kick back and relax. She has taught workshops and guided extensively worldwide on topics as diverse as snow camping and expedition kayaking. Over the years, Maggie has spent extended amounts of time living out of backpacks and her teardrop trailer, arrangements where packable comfort items go a long way. Trish spent years living out of a popup camper and can appreciate durable gear that saves space without sacrificing optimal performance.