They’re all designed to stand being outside and can handle some rain and sun exposure. The best chairs (and the wons we chose as winners) all have water-resistant and quick-drying materials. This was especially important for camping in wet climates in the Pacific Northwest and humid environments in the Northeast. But no matter where you camp, you can ensure the longest life of your chairs by storing them indoors and in a dry place when you’re not actively using them. Our Backpacking Pick, the Helinox Zero, is lightweight, folds down to a slim tube, and is easy to stow and set up.
The convenience continues with two side pockets that function as cup holders or storage for other provisions. The chair is comfy enough for all-day sitting, and we appreciated that the back was higher on this chair than the other lightweight options we evaluated. Mesh side panels provide breathability that’s perfect for warm weather, but if you’d like to use this chair at the beach or on other soft grounds, we recommend getting a Trekology sand cover to avoid sinkage. The chair comes in black, red, blue, and green, and you can save a few dollars per chair by purchasing a pack of two on the Trekology website. While few people fret over the weight and packed size of a camping chair (camping gear in general is bulky and comfort-oriented), backpacking-ready chairs are a lesson in creative packaging.
If you plan to haul your chair into the woods or even the backcountry on occasion, the Chair Zero’s low weight and easy portability are hard to beat. Many camping chairs come with added features you might want to look out for, like cupholders, storage pouches, and even zip-up cooler bags. If you’re car camping, RVing, or heading to the lake for the day, then a folding collapsible chair (like our Overall Pick) might be perfect for you. Weight most likely won’t be an issue in these circumstances, and the plush additions (built-in cooler, cup holders, footrests, etc.) can be just the ticket for a relaxing evening at the campground. Invest in a camping chair that is made of durable materials such as aluminum or steel frames and high-quality fabric.
The cooler is also easy to use, with a handy pull-on top that unzips both sides simultaneously. A small patch of velcro is all that’s left between you and your cold beverages. The cooler in the armrest sticks out at an odd angle and resists being squeezed back into a sack that’s barely large enough to hold it. Beyond the cooler, the Quad has a single mesh cup holder that’s just barely wide enough to squeeze in an iPhone 8+ and a side seat pocket with one large pocket and two smaller mesh pockets to keep you organized. Certainly an unorthodox approach to camping chairs, the Trippy Outdoors Dreamer is the option for those who need flat storage (or to feel a little bit like a hipster). Despite the weight, I could easily hold it in one hand as I walked, though it may be more difficult for longer journeys.
Follow her on Instagram at @HikeUpYourSkirt or find more of her work at suziedundas.com. But again—that low height made it easier to reach over to the cooler on the sand. We were concerned it would be difficult to fasten the seat-hammock to the base, but it was secure and easy to set up. The newest version has been engineered to be even easier to lock into place. These chairs are really funky looking with a fresh design and we love the bright colours.
And although its thinness may cause you concern, it has proved to be durably and sturdy after months of use. The right armrest has a mug-compatible cup holder, while the left armrest’s unique drop-down pocket can be secured with a drawstring to make sure your valuables stay put. The pocket is especially handy for keeping track of your phone or other small items you want to access easily. After six months of use, we love storing this chair in our car trunk for easy access.
The chair seemed surprisingly wear-resistant given how light it is and complimented the ball-and-socket joint system that helps the chair accommodate different body types. The Moonlite weighs under two pounds, folds into a compact position, and comes with coleman sleeping bag a zip-up carrying bag. We have no doubt the aluminum frame and UV-resistant polyester seat are designed to last through years upon years of outdoor seasons. The chair and sack are also machine washable, so you can always head out on a hike feeling fresh.
The box-shaped cupholder is a little roomier than the round cupholders on the Coleman and the L.L.Bean Base Camp chairs—better for stubby water bottles or mugs of hot chocolate around the campfire. We found that the cheaply constructed Walmart chair had a cupholder that was too small for a soda can, or any of the hard-plastic or metal water bottles that the kids we know brought on a camping trip. It will fit a Capri Sun pouch or a narrow, rectangular juice box, but that’s about it. 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. 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.
The best camping chair, therefore, is a gift for campers and weary sports fans alike. All of our chairs are designed to be enjoyed outside, which means they can withstand some level of wind, rain, and other elements. That said, some are sturdier than others, and some have thick fabric seats that will need to be fully dried before being packed away to prevent mildew. Chairs with steel bases will typically be a bit heavier than those with aluminum, but they will hold up better against heavy use. The setup is intuitive and fast, which is a bonus if you’re tired from a day on the trail.