Keep in mind while you shop that not all camping chairs are created equal, even ones that look similar. Adult chairs can hold 225 pounds and greater, and some are designed to be oversized to provide a roomier seat for larger people. Though the weight capacity may seem like enough, having a greater capacity than you think you need might be something you want to consider, just to be safe. The actual seat is important — you’ll want it to be made of a material that’s not only comfortable but durable as well — but what else does it have? Some designs feature cup holders in the arms, perfect for keeping your favorite beverage close.
But if you want something comfortable enough to watch an all-day soccer tournament and durable enough to bring back every season, we don’t think this one is a winner. It had some thickness, with at least a couple layers of fabric making up the body, but this doesn’t help the integrity. The armrests are technically adjustable, though they are only attached through round discs, making it easy to accidentally push them down with your elbow during a routine readjustment. Coleman advertises this chair as having a headrest, which we think is a bit of a stretch. The back of the chair does go up behind where a head could theoretically be (based on height and posture).
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. The Renetto Original Canopy Chair, a cleverly designed specialty coleman cooler seat, is ideal for anyone who wants sun protection and doesn’t mind a heavier, bulkier chair. Despite the Renetto’s weight, our testers found it easy to carry and simple to set up and adjust. We discovered that even though most testers had not previously considered a shade-equipped camp chair, once they used one they appreciated the comfort and convenience of built-in sun blocking.
Camping trips, beach days, picnics in 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. 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. Perfect for camping, picnics, cookouts, BBQ, concerts, back yard or any other activities! This cozy chair sets up quickly, can be opened and folded in just seconds and packs easily back into its carry bag for storage or travel.
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 coleman camping chair squeeze in an iPhone 8+ and a side seat pocket with one large pocket and two smaller mesh pockets to keep you organized. For more details on what to look for in your next camp chair, head over to our buyer’s guide. And to see how the above-listed stack up, our top chairs page offers a detailed comparison.