What Is The Best Camping Chair

What is the best chair to bring on your camping trip? It’s a simple enough question. How difficult of a decision can it be really? If it has four legs and has an aesthetically pleasing color then it works for me, right? Well, if you are only camping for one weekend out of your life then you might be correct. Any old folding chair buried at the back of your garage will probably suffice. However, if you are the type of person who makes it a point to spend quality time in the great outdoors multiple times a year, then you will need to take some extra consideration when selecting a camping chair. In this article, we break down everything you need to know about selecting the perfect camping chair and we’ll offer you some of our top picks for the best camping chairs on the market.

What to know before selecting a camping chair

There are several things to consider when purchasing a chair to take on your camping trip. Ultimately the relevance of these will depend on you and what type of camper you are. However, we will lay out the main points of consideration so that you can make an informed decision when selecting your camping chair.

Time Spent Sitting – Before you invest in a state of the art camping chair, you will need to ask yourself one question: How much time will I actually be sitting during my camping trip. Some campers spend more time than others. If you will be spending much of your time hiking through the woods and searching for adventure, then it makes no sense for you to overthink your chair purchase. Furthermore, you certainly shouldn’t break the bank when buying a camping chair if you really don’t plan to spend much time sitting down. However, if you are going to be spending a lot of time fishing for food and need a place to sit, or, if you will be cooking your food by a campfire and need a comfortable place to rest while doing it, then you may want to invest in a comfortable camping chair.

No legs, three legs or four – it a serious thing to consider. How many legs are you seeking in a camping chair? This will fall back on the degree of comfort you are seeking which is directly proportional to the amount of time you plan to spend seated while camping. For campers who can make do with squatting on a log or a flat rock, it might be enough to purchase a foldout stadium seat. You’ve probably seen them while attending a sporting event. These are little fold out cushions with seatbacks that you can sit on a bleacher and convert it into a semi-comfortable chair.

If you are going to be hiking in the woods and only need a temporary place to rest periodically, then a foldout three-legged stool with a cloth seat might be the way to go. These are extremely compact and make a nice place to rest while traveling in the wilderness. However, spending long periods of time on these can uncomfortable on your back and your rear.

If you are going to be spending extended periods of time sitting and conversing with fellow capers or if you will be sitting for long periods of time in general, then a four-legged camping chair would be best for you. For maximum comfort in the way of back support and cushioning for your butt, there is no better choice than a four-legged camping chair.

Accessories – Once you’ve narrowed down the style of camping chair you would like to purchase, you now have to decide on what, if any, accessories you would like to have on your camping chair. Do you need cup holders built into the arms of the chair? Would a storage pack attached to the underside of the chair be beneficial to for storing your wallet and car keys? The sky is the limit when you are selecting a chair for camping. However, with added features comes an added price. Be sure to really evaluate your needs before you overspend on a chair that offers more than you actually need.

What is the best camping chair?

The following are our top picks for the best camping chairs in the business based on overall comfort, affordability, and useful accessories.

KingCamp Heavy Duty Folding Mesh Chair (Amazon ASIN: B073GR2Z17 )–

If you are looking for a camping chair that is equal parts comfortable and durable, look no further than the KingCamp Heavy Duty Compact Camping Folding Mesh Chair with side table and handle. The steel frame of this chair can support up to 300 lbs and can fold into a flat package the size of an average novel. The legs of the chair wrap around to form two parallel rails that evenly distribute your weight along the ground. This is helpful in areas of softer soil and mud. The chair won’t sink into the ground as easily as a chair with four individual pointed legs. The convenient side table is also a nice amenity for placing your plate while eating. Additionally, the built-in cup holder will prevent your drink from sliding off of the tray itself. The mesh fabric of this chair is extremely comfortable and actually wicks away moisture so you won’t have to worry about soaking it while sitting in wet clothing.

Coleman Big-N-Tall Quad Camping Chair (Amazon ASIN: B01C361AZW ) –

If you have been camping for any period of time then odds are you have probably heard of Coleman. They are a leader in camping gear and their camping chairs certainly live up to their name. This chair is constructed with a steel frame that is durable enough to support up to 600 lbs. The oversized feet offer exceptional stability, which is a must when placing your camping chair on uneven terrain. This model even has a “seat drain system” which aid in the disbursement of water that collects in the seat. Like many other models, this seat has a built-in cup holder to manage your cold drink while sitting.

Alpha Camp Oversized Camping Chair (Amazon ASIN: B0759PH7XD ) –

When comfort is everything, you cannot go wrong with this camping chair. This camping chair was designed with luxury in mind. The seat itself and the backrest are thoroughly padded for optimal comfort. Weighing only 13.9 lbs, this chair comes equipped with a carrying bag that will make it extra easy to bring to your campsite. The durable oxford fabric and sturdy frame can support up to 500 lbs which makes this camping chair a top pick for anyone who wants to stay comfortable while camping.

Sportneer Portable Folding Camping Chair (Amazon ASIN: B01N67GCKW) –

This camping chair is truly ideal for anyone who will be on the move throughout their camping trip. For the camper who will be embarking on long hiking or backpacking trips, this is the chair for you. What makes this chair so convenient is its ability to be broken down into a 14” x 5.5” carrying bag. This makes it extra easy to stuff this chair into your backpack for easy carrying. When you’re ready to assemble the chair, the aluminum shock-cord pole structure allows for a quick and easy setup. The aluminum capacity can support up to 350 lbs. The expert camper would be wise to have this chair on their list of “must-haves” for their next camping trip.

TravelChair Slacker Chair (Amazon ASIN: B0019N36B2 ) –

For the camper on the move who just needs a place to pop a quick squat while camping, this little tripod is what you are looking for. The tripod itself folds up into the size of a rolled-up newspaper and only weighs 2.2 lbs. When unfolded, this unit can support up to 275 lbs. If you are going to be moving around a lot while camping or possibly hiking, you are going to want one of these tripods nearby in order to get a quick rest while keeping your butt out of the dirt.

Home-Complete Wide Stadium Seat Chair (Amazon ASIN: B01CBKHJIC ) –

If you’re looking to go bare minimum for your camping trip, you can always use a cushioned stadium seat. This particular seat is actually rated for camping and outdoor activities. Just post it up on top of a log or sturdy rock and presto, you have a comfy seat to sit in.