The makings of great camping chairs aren’t all that complicated, and Coleman’s Cooler Quad hits the nail on the head. The tall back, wide seat, and subtle-yet-serviceable padding let me feel like I could really relax and forget momentarily that I was supposed to find things to criticize. There’s no reinventing the wheel here, just a few decades of practice that have culminated in a really good product. In previous years, whenever we had occasion to use camping chairs, we would just borrow an old set from my parents. They weren’t exactly the best chairs but at the same time Eden and I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on chairs that we would likely use a maximum of twice a year.
Those curious should head over to our buyer’s guide for everything you need to know about what your criteria should be. From there, our best camp chairs of the season can give you side-by-side comparisons of some of the top picks across the industry. If you’re in the market for a new camp chair and aren’t sure where to coleman sleeping bag start, our buyer’s guide has a ton of resources to help you get started. To see our favorite picks from Coleman and more, take a look at our top camp chairs article to see what else is out there. As is the case with any outdoor gear, you want to make sure that you store the chair somewhere dark and dry when not in use.
A close-to-the-ground chair is often the ideal choice for outdoor concerts, movies, theater performances, and other events where you will be concerned about blocking other people’s view. Overwhelmingly, the Coleman came out on top, with campers praising its comfort and stability. After six months of regularly using the Coleman Cooler Quad Chair, we think it’s the best choice for most people who are seeking an upright chair for car camping, tailgating, and outdoor gatherings. coleman canopy We noticed during the first of our three camping trips—a weekend in California’s Joshua Tree National Park, with a total of seven families—that, given the choice, campers prefer to take the biggest seat. When we set up a dozen chairs around the campfire without comment, people consistently claimed them from largest to smallest. The Coleman camping chair is big and durable, and of all the upright chairs that our panel of campers tested, it was the most comfortable.
If you’re wondering what all goes into the perfect camp chair, our buyer’s guide can answer similar questions and more. Those in the market for a new chair can head our top picks of the season for side-by-side comparisons of the latest and greatest models available. Folding up a Coleman camp chair is easier than you might think, regardless of how many pockets, coolers, or other fancy features they may have. All you need to do is grab onto the armrests and draw them towards the center, and the rest of the chair should collapse. After this, you’ll want to slide the folded chair into the carrying sling, and then you can be on your way.
Unlike other portable chairs, the Everywhere Chair is designed to sit on uneven slopes; this can be handy when space is limited at a fireworks show or an outdoor theater performance. Our panel of testers at the Wheeler Gorge Campground deemed the Everywhere Chair to be the most comfortable of the three low-to-the-ground chairs we tested. Portable outdoor chairs are also helpful for anyone who doesn’t have the room or budget for permanent backyard furniture. And they can save your back, make it easier to juggle a picnic plate and a cold beverage, and generally help you to relax comfortably outdoors. If you’re after a novelty chair with an included cooler, you’ve found it. But if you want something comfortable enough to watch an all-day soccer tournament and durable enough to bring back every season, we don’t think this one is a winner.
This chair had us impressed on all ends, and with its wide availability, the Cooler Quad is a stalwart defender of Coleman’s reputation as a king of camping. We found the Coleman Kickback Breeze Chair to be a simple yet very comfortable seat, though women liked it more than men did (many of them judged it to be too snug). Anecdotally, we found that this chair category in general is more popular among women than among men, who generally prefer a higher, upright seat. The strap that supports the back (and doubles as a carry strap) allows adjustments to control your angle of recline, from upright to a stargazing-appropriate angle.
I haven’t experienced any issues with mine despite pushing the weight limit and the cooler capacity up to the limit, but there is enough evidence floating around to question the integrity of the joints. Take comfort with you to the campsite, BBQ or picnic with a Coleman® Quad Chair. The mesh back allows the breeze to cool you on hot days while you enjoy a refreshing drink from the convenient mesh cup holder. The strong steel frame will make sure you’ll always have a great seat, season after relaxing season.
Camping trips, beach days, picnics in the park, outdoor movies and theater performances, a fresh-air get-together with friends—there are countless occasions when you might use a camp chair. We aren’t particularly impressed by the durability of this chair either. Nothing broke during our testing, but we have some serious doubts about this chair’s ability to last for years. The poles are quite thin, and despite having a steel frame, everything feels rather rickety. Ours also came with some sloppy seams, and the carry bag is very thin and fragile.