Selecting the proper camp chair may not seem like a daunting task, until you walk the aisles of your local outdoor supply store looking at rows of different models, designs and features. At that point you will agree that selecting your first camp chair may be a bit more complicated than you expected. We are hoping to provide a little bit of assistance with a few tips and our review of some of the best camp chairs on the market.

Buying camping gear such as camping tents, camping stoves, camping lanterns and sleeping bags can be a whirling circle of colors, options and recommendations by store staff, enough to keep even a seasoned veteran away. If you are a novice going into your local outdoor store for the first time, it can cause you to run for the hills. To avoid spur of the moment purchases you will later regret it is best to do some research, have a plan and beeline straight to what you want.

Hopefully, the information we provide below will help you do just that.

Do You Need It or Do You Want It?

The first thing your must determine is “Do I need that piece of gear?” When it comes to camp chairs the answer is “No”. But I think that after spending a weekend (or longer) sitting on the wet ground, sleeping in a sleeping bag, a slippery stump or other uninviting surface you will agree it is something you will want. This does not mean that the purchase is ill advised, it just places it a little bit lower on the “must have list”.

Now that you have decided to purchase a camp chair you need to figure out what you need and balance it against what you want. This includes size, material and possible features. Depending on how often you will be using the chair some features may be overkill, others will be sorely missed if you do not get them when you have the chance.

Available Features

There are several available features you will want to consider when selecting your “perfect” camp chair.

Size Style Materials Additional Features Obviously, larger or taller users will place this high on their list of needs. However, even the average sized camper will want to consider a larger, roomier design. Having a little extra wiggle room will not only add to the chair’s overall comfort but will assist in getting in/out of it and help prevent clothing or gear becoming snagged while doing so. Selecting the style of chair is not a matter of fashion but instead a consideration of its overall functionality. Traditional camp chairs resemble the normal deck chairs you probably have around your deck or patio, except they are constructed of lighter weight materials and usually utilize a sling style seat. The other type of chair is a more portable design with shorter legs, which places it very close to the ground, resembling a beach chair. Most users prefer the traditional design, especially full-sized adults, as they are more comfortable and easier to sit in for extended periods. What your chair is constructed of will determine not only the level of comfort it is able to provide but also, it’s durability and life expectancy. Gone are the days of light weight aluminum frames with woven nylon strips for the seat. Today’s chairs used a wide variety of metals frame material and polyester or cotton canvas for the seat sling. In most cases steel or composite frame material and heavy-duty canvas will provide the best support and longest life expectancy, however, they will weigh more as well. Once you have decided on an overall chair it is time to determine which add-ons you will want to include. Unlike many pieces of equipment you purchase it is difficult to add features to your chair after purchase- if you want something it needs to be included in the original design. Some of the more popular features include cup holders, mesh organizer pouches and additional storage for larger items such as phones or books. Some manufacturers will also offer mesh sections within the seat sling for ventilation, extra cushioning for seat or armrests and even sun screens. Some of these features are very handy and will likely be used every time you are in the field. Others not so much and may actually interfere with the overall functionality of the chair.

This chair was rated Outdoor Lab’s Editor’s Choice Award runner-up, after testers rated it “the most comfortable chair tested.” There is no doubt that this was a matter of design and that comfort of the user was high on the list of designers from the start. This is accomplished through a combination of a wide, roomy seating area, extra support where it is needed and a breathable mesh fabric for additional ventilation. But the features do not stop with comfort. This chair utilizes a tube frame and sling canvas seat to provide an end product that is also durable, plus it is easy to assemble and stylish as well.

Unfortunately, there are few perfect items in the world and Eureka did not hit all the marks with this chair either. While the overall design is extremely comfortable the arm rests seem as if they were an afterthought. Their narrow, under padded surfaces provide little support. Plus, the dual side pouches may be well suited for keeping a book or cellphone close at hand they fail in their second function as cup holders.

PROS Overall comfort and support is top notch.

Ventilation is a nice feature, especially after a long hike or day in the sun.

Very durable and able to provide more than one season of use. CONS Bulky and heavier than many other models, making a true camp chair and not something you will hike farther than necessary.

Cup holders are unstable and difficult to reach

Armrests are all but useless and offer not support or comfort.

Coleman is a leader in quality, budget priced camping gear and one would expect any chair baring their name would be well constructed and functional. But that does not keep this chair from being a surprise. It is more than functional, it is exceptional and offers features you would expect to pay far more for.

The extra large seating area provides plenty of room, even for larger users, and the 325 lb capacity allows everyone to enjoy its comfort. The full cushioned seat & back provide additional comfort & support. With adjustable arm rests and a full height design a wide range of users will find this seat to be the perfect fit.

Plus, this chair offers additional sought after features too. Not only are there two cup holders, one in the armrest and one on the side, there is also a built in 4 can cooler as well. A side mesh pouch provides an excellent place to store keys, wallets, a book , phone or anything else you wish to keep close at hand.

PROS Heavy duty steel and canvas construction with a 325 lb. weight limit.

Oversized design makes entry and exit easy even if you are a larger/taller user.

Affordable price means you can equip your entire camp for little more than what you would spend for a single chair. CONS While the extra cushioning does increase support level, it is not located where many users found beneficial.

While the extra cushioning does increase support level, it is not located where many users found beneficial.

Rivet attachments are prone to snagging on clothing and gear.

Buy Coleman Oversized Quad Camping Chair on Amazon

ALPS advertises the King Kong as “the strongest, most reliable and durable quad chair you can find.” This is a bold statement, and one most would believe the result of marketing rather than honesty, but that would be incorrect. Countless reviewers, testers and industry experts have back up this claim time and again – and so does the chair itself.

A sturdy steel frame supports a traditional sling style seat constructed of 600D polyester canvas. Powder coating protects the metal from corrosion and solid plastic foot pads provide a steady platform on a variety of terrains. This combination of quality materials and superior construction provides an unheard-of capacity of 800lbs, far more than any user will actually need. Plus, it is back by a lifetime warranty.

Do not worry, this beast is teamed with some beauty as well. There are three color choices (Khaki, salsa and blue), two cup holders and a mesh organizer pouch. This could be the last camp chair you ever buy.

PROS Lifetime warranty, just in case you find a way to damage it

Extremely durable construction allows for extreme use season after season

No assembly required- unpack, unfold and it is ready to use.

Oversized design makes entry and exit easy even if you are a larger/taller user.

Affordable price means you can equip your entire camp for little more than what you would spend for a single chair. CONS Very heavy- at 13 lbs. this is a chair you will not want to carry too far from the car.

Pricey. While hardened outdoor enthusiasts will see this as an investment, occasional users will see it as hard to experience a return on that investment.

While the extra cushioning does increase support level, it is not located where many users found beneficial.

Rivet attachments are prone to snagging on clothing and gear.

Buy ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Camping Chair on Amazon

Have you ever experienced your camp chair unexpectedly folding when you tried to sit in it? How about unfolding as you were carrying it to the car, hands full and hardly moving to begin with? When this happens, it is inconvenient at best, an injury in the making at best. Kiljaro has set out to eliminate this from ever happening to you again with the Dual Lock Chair.

Whether you are locking it open for use or closed for storage & transport the chair assembly system locks in place, so it will not surprise you with the unexpected.

But the good features do not stop there. The chair is constructed a little wider than normal, providing a seating area which is easy to get into and offers snag free use. A slightly reclined position offers extra posture position, a feature those with back injury appreciate. The mesh material offers cooling ventilation after a hot day. Plus, there are two cup holders, a mesh organizer for keeping odds & ends at hand and the 300 lb. weight limit means a wide range of users can enjoy this chair worry free.

PROS Solid construction and dual locking system, provides a reliable, stable platform.

300 lb. weigh limit allows for use by a wide range of users and lets children sit on parents’ lap.

Offers plenty of the features you are looking for including cup holders and mesh organizer. CONS Heavy. At 12 lbs. this chair is too heavy for the trail or being trekked to far away campsites.

Some customers complained of loose screws and rivets. It is recommended you check prior to warranty expiring.

Buy Kiljaro Dual Lock Camping Chair on Amazon

Sometimes a name is marketing hype, sometimes it is a true description of what you are getting. When it comes to this chair it is definitely a case of the latter. The Strongback Elite is an unusual camp chair because it is not only designed to be comfortable, it is specifically designed to provide additional lumbar support. This may not seem like a big deal, but if you suffer from back pain you know how difficult it can be to sit in a soft sling style seat for any period of time. This chair is the answer to that.

With award winning, patented lumbar support you will enjoy better alignment. The result is a more relaxing, tension releasing experience than you will find with the average folding chair. Plus, the oversized ergonomic seat is also designed to better align your hips and provide an easy in/out experience. The durable design and 300 lb weight limit means a wide range of users can enjoy this chair and the support it offers. The collapsible cup holder means that your cold drink will never be far away either.

PROS Extra lumbar support is perfect for those with back pain or who just find traditional sling seats unbearable.

300 lb. weight limit and oversized design makes this an excellent choice for big or tall users

Heavy duty 600D polyester fabric and powder coated frame is strong & tear/rust resistant

Backpack style storage bag makes carrying easy & secure CONS Awkward collapsed shape makes transport and storage a bit more difficult than many other designs.

Smaller feet can make it difficult to use this chair on sand or soft terrain surfaces

Buy Strongback Elite Camping Chair on Amazon

Sometimes no matter how well made your traditional sling chair is or how many features it has it is not enough. At the end of a hard day enjoying camp what you want is a simple place to relax. If this is what you are looking for in your next camp chair the Caravan Sports Infinity Zero just might be the chair for you. To honest, this is not the best built or more durable chair you can buy. Nor is it the easiest to carry to and from camp- its bulky and does not have a built-in carry strap.

So why does it make the list of best camp chairs? For the same reason it has made similar lists since its release – it true zero gravity seating in a portable design that can be enjoyed on the deck, at the beach or by the camp fire. Plus, it has a price tag that is low enough to allow you to purchase several for the price many competitors charge. Many users have agreed that the ability to recline by the fire and the relaxation doing so offers is worth giving up some of the other features you would normally look for in a camp chair.

PROS Zero gravity design- the ability to recline in camp cannot be praised enough.

Low price means this chair can be purchased for a fraction of what most others cost.

Bungee cord attachments provide a floating feeling when sitting in this non-traditional chair.

Adjustable, removable headrest CONS Not the easiest chair to move from car to camp- bulky and heavy

Design does not fit big or tall users very well

Armrests are hard plastic, not as comfortable or inviting as you may want.

Buy Caravan Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Camping Chair on Amazon

Conclusion

While this is not an all-inclusive list of every quality camp chair on the market, it does include the best of the best. Hopefully you will find one of these models not only meets your needs but will be able to provide you with years of worry free service. If not, we hope that it will at least give you the information you need to start your search on the right foot.

Good luck and good camping!

Review Rating [Total: 1 Average: 5 ]