Note that some higher-end chairs, like the Nemo Stargaze, are made with aeronautical grade aluminum vs. some of the lower-end chairs. One bonus that we love is that the roll-tote is padded (for durability) and can double as a firewood or gear tote. The strap is wide, which is comfortable for that stroll down to the riverside or across a field to a coleman chair picnic. The sturdy aircraft-grade parts and clever folding design make it more expensive than other chairs. However, we found we were more likely to reach for this chair than others we tested because of its comfort and ease of set-up and break-down. Although we’ve only tested it for six months, we can easily imagine it lasting years of heavy use.
Double chairs are predictably much heavier than their single-person counterparts (the Kelty Low Loveseat comes in at 15 lb. 6 oz.), which makes them bulky for hauling. We’ve only included one double camping chair on our list due to the overall lack of utility—we’d rather purchase two separate single-seaters and save a few bucks in the process. Yeti changed the cooler game with their luxury coolers, and they’ve done it again with camp chairs. While paying premium prices for a camping chair when you only make it to the wilderness a couple times of year may not seem practical, good portable seating can be an invaluable addition to your home life too. If your chair has pole legs, just make sure that you bring along a ground sheet if you may be encountering soft surfaces like sand. Because people use outdoor chairs for an array of purposes and have different preferences when it comes to comfort, it was almost impossible to choose just one best chair.
For $60, REI’s Co-op Skyward Camp Chair is a super reliable option that will last you for years. It has all the basics of a good chair, including a strong steel base that quickly and easily unfolds in an umbrella-like motion. It packs up easily into the included sleeve and has convenient additional features like a cup holder and drop-down pocket for items like your phone or a bottle opener.
Another point on the comfort level is the shape of the bit you sit on (the bum rest). Instead of it being completely flat, it curves downwards as it heads towards the back of your knees. This means that it follows the contour of your legs better and is much more comfortable than other chairs we have tried. They have a mesh back on them so that they don’t give you a sweaty back in the hot weather. The back support section has bungee cord integrated into it, and they really do offer a high level of support and comfort.
All this adds up to a solid chair and a reasonable price that looks good and won’t let you down. For an extra-roomy, portable perch, look to the Kijaro XXL camping chair, which offers a 25.5-inch-wide seat and a maximum capacity of 400 pounds. It locks easily in place once it’s unfolded and locks in its collapsed position once you’re done.
REI’s Flexlite Chair has been replaced by an entire flock of Flexlite chairs; the one that is the closest to replacing the original Flexlite in the lineup is the Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair. The design, size, and weight is nearly identical, but the nylon fabric has been replaced with polyester. But after half a dozen excursions, we found—as we had with the Renetto Original Canopy Chair—that having a chair coleman chair you can easily carry without a bag is preferable. In real-world conditions, you’re often packing up fast to try to get ahead of crowds or traffic. 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.
Coleman, a renowned brand with a rich heritage, has been synonymous with outdoor adventures for decades. Established with a vision to provide quality outdoor gear, Coleman has become a trusted companion for camping enthusiasts, hikers, and explorers worldwide. With a commitment to innovation, durability, and comfort, Coleman has continuously pushed the boundaries of outdoor equipment.
The chair comes with a carrying bag but also has a shoulder strap attached directly to its frame in case you want to ditch the sack. All this at a good price, making it an incredible value for a comfy camp chair that’s built to last through countless seasons. Many camp chair manufacturers provide a “weight capacity,” which can helpful in a number of ways. At the high end of the spectrum, the burly Alps Mountaineering King Kong has a very healthy 800-pound maximum, while the lightweight Helinox Chair Zero is listed at just 265 pounds.
Our winners were all constructed with quality materials and designed to handle uneven terrain, bear weight evenly and securely, and withstand wear and tear from a variety of climates and ecosystems. Therefore, materials and frame constructions were high on our list of priorities. While some of our choices were certainly not weight-conscious (Our Heavy-Duty pick weighs 13 pounds!), we did consider weight (our lightweight choice is only 1.1 pounds!).
While they don’t provide support, they do add a bit of padding, so your arms aren’t digging into the sides of the fabric. Both our shorter testers found it comfortable, though our 6-foot-1 tester with longer legs reported that his knees felt a little too close to his chest when sitting. Another favorite among our testers, the Deluxe has a wide and broad sitting area that doesn’t pinch or press into your hamstrings, shoulders, or hips.