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. The canopy quickly and easily transforms into a carrying case—just wrap it around the chair and snap it closed with two plastic buckles, and you can carry the whole thing on your back like an oblong backpack. We brought this chair to a dense Los Angeles neighborhood to watch Fourth of July fireworks.
The new REI Co-op Wonderland Chair ($100) elevates the average camping chair to the next level. It may be overkill for a quick, casual campout, but if you want a super-comfortable, super-stable chair, this is it. When grilling out with Grandpa or offering Mom a spot coleman canopy to relax by the fire, this is the chair we reach for. The carrying bag simply clips around the chair and has a comfortable carrying strap. You wouldn’t want to hike any distance with this, but for campfire nights or outdoor concerts, the Low Loveseat is a top pick.
So you can easily misplace a carry sack on a dark night in a crowded field, especially if you’re in a large group or have a lot of stuff. At a fireworks show and at the beach, we appreciated a chair that was ready to go without even 30 seconds of hassle. The Everywhere Chair closes like a book—simply lift the padded strap and go. Camping trips, beach days, picnics in coleman camping chair 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. It kind of goes without saying, but a good camping chair should have at least one drink holder. Although not an essential criteria to be awarded a winner, you may find that certain feature are Must Haves for you.
After a long day of outdoor adventuring, nothing hits the spot like relaxing by a campfire and enjoying the nature around us. When we’re looking for a good camping chair, we like to balance the features it has with the overall complexity. It’s easy to pile on extra features, but annoying to have to extract yourself from a cocoon of cupholders, pockets, and straps. In general, one cupholder will do you, as well as a single accessory pocket to securely stash your keys. Folding-style chairs typically don’t come with a carrying bag at all, and you’ll have to wrestle them around yourself. Collapsable chairs, like the ENO Lounger DL Chair, will come with a bag that will pack away everything needed to set them up once you hit camp.
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). The Ozark Trail Oversized Mesh Chair from Walmart, although similar to our pick in size, was far less comfortable, with rough-feeling material that was obviously of lower quality. We later found, after six months of frequent use, that the stitching along one arm had come unravelled and that the small straps holding up the back of the armrests had both ripped in half. We think the REI chair functions better and will last much longer than the similar chair from Walmart.
Today’s specialty backpacking chairs are impressively small and light. They’re also far more expensive and significantly less comfortable than typical full-size camp chairs. We recommend buying this type only if you intend to carry your chair long distances, whether you’re backpacking or trekking across Central Park. If you do need a fits-in-a-knapsack chair, we recommend the Helinox Chair One. We found this model to be slightly more comfortable and easier to pack than other, similar chairs. Some camping chairs come with a dedicated carry bag or storage sack.
If you’re spending a lot of time at the ball field, you may want a camp chair you can carry hands-free. Many of our top choices for camp chairs come with an included carry case for convenience. Most of those bags have a single strap to sling over your shoulder, but the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong carry-case has two backpack straps for even more aid.
While you sip on your favorite beverage, the fully cushioned seat and back only adds to your relaxation. Enjoy extra room and ruggedness as you relax at the campsite, BBQ or picnic with a Coleman® Quad-Style Arm Chair. 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.
Understanding the chair’s intended use will help you choose one that suits your specific needs. For example, if you’re primarily using the chair for festivals, you may want a low-chair as many concerts have height restrictions. Consider chairs with sturdy frames and wide coleman canopy bases for enhanced stability, especially if you’ll be sitting on uneven or rugged terrain such as the beach or a particularly rocky campsite. Similarly, it’s worth being extra careful about stability if you anticipate coming close to the weight limit on your chair.