I’m a writer for Wirecutter covering outdoors and travel gear. I’ve lived in Southern California, Washington, and the home state of Vermont. I’ve camped throughout those regions and everywhere in between, toting gear to mountains, forests, beaches, and deserts. Wherever I go, a crucial piece of the camping setup is a stable, comfortable chair. Comes with the same compact bag with a shoulder strap for carrying.
According to recent industry studies in camping demographics, there are over 77 million households in the United States alone that have at least one person that camps on at least a semi-regular basis. In 2018, there were an average of 4 million people that tried camping for the first time, and those numbers have shot up dramatically in the last two years. Because getting outside has proven to be a great way for people to get out of the house, something that has been proven medically to be a necessity lately.
The monument is also home to a quaint ozark trail chair park with hiking trails and a small museum dedicated to the famous inventor. There’s no better way to melt away stress than a visit to Neosho, aka the City of Springs. Neosho is famous for its abundance of natural hot springs, many of which are located in Big Spring Park. The park is fantastic for soaking in crystal-clear, naturally hot spring water or hiking in its lush, green forests.
The 4-pound, steel-framed REI chair has an attached carry strap, rather than a carry bag (which the other chairs have). After a couple of camping trips, we concluded that a strap is more convenient than a bag—it’s quicker and easier for a kid to grab the chair and go, without parental help. Other chairs we tested sacrificed too much comfort in order to shave mere ounces off of their weights, and we don’t think the trade-off was worth it. Keep in mind that lightweight chairs won’t be nearly as comfortable as traditional camping chairs, so take the word comfortable with a grain of salt. It has the most comfortable and supportive seat shape of any chair we tested.
No other chair in our testing pool—except perhaps the extremely pricey Yeti Trailhead—came close to matching the King Kong’s build quality. The Coleman Cooler Quad has been our pick since 2016, through numerous camping trips and several testing sessions. It’s perfect for tall individuals due to the longer back and head rest panel which gives stability and ample back support to the chair.
For a supermarket brand, the Ozark Trail Outdoor Equipment series offers great value with good quality products and a large range of camping essentials available from tents to sleeping bags. Weighing just 6.9 pounds, this chair is easy to carry and transport. The built-in carry strap allows for quick folding and hassle-free mobility. Surrounded by natural beauty, there are a host of spots worth checking out on your stay in Weston. Head to the Weston Red Barn Farm to purchase locally crafted goods and fresh produce. The farm comes alive in the fall and offers hayrides, pumpkin patches, and apple picking!
The ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot is available for under $60. This is a simple strong design that is sure to keep you comfortable for years to come. The Helinox Cot One convertible is an aluminum framed cot with a wide frame that can accommodate most wide sleeping bags.
We look forward to having a testing panel compare it to our top lightweight pick. This wider and longer set will provide support for larger adults with the same upright style as the traditional bagged camping chair. Has been rated for 300 pounds, but can hold more weight comfortably. Double cup holders are also extra large to hold bigger drinks. With its breathable mesh cot material and lightweight aluminum tent pole design, the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryLite mesh cot is perfect for those hot summer months of camping. The breathable material is strong yet light enough so that you don’t overheat and the slim tool-free design means setup and takedown is super easy.
“I love how “extra” it is! It’s a generously sized chair made comfortable for everyone.” – Aaron M. Cots generally have a lot of space underneath them compared to other sleeping options. This means that cold air will be able to draft underneath your cot and usually through the mesh bottom of it and this will eventually reach you.