Camping provides the perfect opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life, allowing us to unwind and spend quality time with friends and family. While outdoor adventures like hiking and biking are exhilarating, one of the highlights of camping is gathering around the campfire with loved ones. As children, a simple blanket sufficed, but as adults, investing in a reliable camping chair significantly enhances the experience.
A comfortable camping chair elevates every aspect of the trip, making relaxation and enjoyment effortless. Despite the additional weight to carry, having a designated spot to rest weary legs is invaluable. Fortunately, the market offers a plethora of options, ranging from luxurious thrones to lightweight stools, and even portable couches.
After putting the best camping chairs of 2024 to the test in diverse locations like Hawaii, Colorado, and California, we’ve identified our top picks and honorable mentions. For a detailed comparison, refer to our Comparison Table. Additionally, if you’re curious about what qualities to prioritize when selecting a camping chair, consult our Buyer’s Guide for expert advice.
QUICK LIST
Last update on 2024-03-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
Top 5 Best Camping Chairs In 2024
1.ALPS Mountaineering Getaway Chair
- Sturdy, powder-coated steel frame provides lasting strength and stability
- Breathable, quick-drying nylon mesh fabric is ideal for warmer weather
- Arm cooler pocket and beverage holder
Last update on 2024-03-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
Despite initial reservations, the ALPS Mountaineering Getaway Chair pleasantly surprised us during testing, offering everything we could desire in a camping chair and more.
Featuring a compact and foldable powder-coated steel frame, the Getaway Chair is both sturdy and portable. Its breathable mesh fabric is quick-drying, ideal for those frequently transitioning between land and water activities. Additionally, the chair boasts convenient features such as a cup holder and a built-in arm cooler pocket, perfectly sized for storing beverages.
At the end of the day, the chair easily packs into a backpack-style carrying pack, simplifying transportation. While its low seating position may not suit everyone, it posed no issue for us during testing. Overall, the ALPS Mountaineering Getaway Chair exceeded our expectations, proving to be a versatile and practical choice for camping adventures.
Pros
- Built-in arm cooler pocket
- Breathable mesh fabric
Cons
- Sits low to the ground
2.NEMO Moonlite Reclining Camp Chair
- Seamless Seat – Relaxing comfort for every body. Seamless seat design is made possible by custom-engineered mesh that conforms better to different body shapes to give you a feeling of weightlessness when dining or star gazing
- Trusted Intuitive Design – The only chair of its kind with adjustable seating position, the Nemo Moonlite camping chair is made with shock-corded frame components and satisfying ball-and-socket seat attachments that avoid pressure points and keep you relaxed and supported
- Strong and Durable – Built for stability, each pole in the chair frame has a unique diameter and shape optimized for weight and strength while still remaining lightweight
Last update on 2024-03-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
The NEMO Moonlite Reclining Camp Chair is an excellent choice for those seeking comfort and packability, especially for backcountry adventures. Crafted with oversized tubes, forged aluminum hubs, and a seamless seat design, its quality is evident from the outset. Additionally, the chair features a simple reclining system for added relaxation.
What sets this chair apart is its commitment to sustainability, using 100% post-consumer recycled materials in the mesh, edge binding, and webbing. While setup may initially pose a challenge, it becomes straightforward with practice. Moreover, the chair conveniently packs into a zippered case after use.
Although lightweight camping chairs often compromise on comfort, the NEMO Moonlite Reclining Camp Chair stands out in its class. Its comfort level surpasses many alternatives, making it suitable for both backpacking and car camping adventures.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Made from recycled materials
Cons
- Challenging to set up at first
3.YETI Trailhead Chair
- This fireside, tailgating, concert-going, best-in-class folding chair is designed down to a science for unrivaled durability, hardcore comfort, and hands-free portability
- CARRY BAG INCLUDED – A strong two-strap carry bag you can sling over your shoulder or wear as a backpack
- FLEXGRID FABRIC – Conforms to your natural curvature, eliminates pressure points, and supports up to 500 lbs. of weight
Last update on 2024-03-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
The YETI Trailhead Chair offers the quality and comfort of a home chair in a portable design. Its lightweight crossover frame ensures easy packing and transportation, while the UV-resistant FlexGrid fabric can support up to 500 pounds. Although it doesn’t pack down small, the chair includes a two-strap carry bag for convenient transport. Additionally, it features a cupholder for enjoying beverages while relaxing outdoors.
This chair impresses with its durability, comfort, and overall craftsmanship. While it’s perfect for car camping, it may not be ideal for trips involving extensive walking due to its less compact design. However, its high price point and limited packability compared to other options are notable drawbacks. Overall, the YETI Trailhead Chair is an excellent choice for those prioritizing comfort and durability during outdoor adventures.
Pros
- Incredibly durable
Cons
- Expensive
- Doesn’t pack down small
4.Coleman Broadband Mesh Quad Chair
- Cooling mesh back
- Mesh cup holder
- Strong steel frame
Last update on 2024-03-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
Coleman’s Broadband Mesh Quad Chair is a straightforward, no-frills option that offers functionality and reliability. With a sturdy steel frame capable of supporting up to 250 pounds, a convenient cup holder, and a breathable mesh back, this chair is well-suited for warmer climates.
After use, the chair conveniently packs into an included carrying bag for hassle-free transportation. While budget-oriented camping chairs like the Broadband Mesh Quad Chair may lack durability compared to higher-end options, proper care can extend their lifespan. Additionally, the chair is backed by a one-year warranty for added peace of mind.
Pros
- Mesh back
- Built-in cupholder
Cons
- Not the most durable option
5.NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair
Last update on 2024-03-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
The NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair offers the comfort of a hammock with the convenience of a chair. Its unique design features tensioned straps supporting the seating area, allowing for a reclining and swinging motion. With a padded headrest and adjustable reclining angle, this chair ensures superior comfort.
While the swing-like design enhances comfort, it may pose a tipping hazard if not used cautiously, and it may be challenging for older individuals to get out of. Nonetheless, the chair is easy to set up and conveniently packs down into a carrying case with an adjustable strap for portability.
Despite its generous size when set up, the aluminum frame helps maintain a lightweight design. Although the price is high, the NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair stands out as one of the more unique and comfortable options tested, making it a worthwhile investment for outdoor enthusiasts.
Pros
- Reclines
- Padded headrest
Cons
- Expensive
- Hard to get out of
Best Camping Chairs Buyer’s Guide
Types of Camping Chairs
Classic Camping Chairs
Traditional camping chairs typically have a somewhat higher weight—five pounds or more. Generally speaking, the greatest places to use them are the back patio of your house, automobile camping excursions, and the kid’s baseball and soccer events. Added features like cup holders, padded carrying bags, or integrated coolers and storage are frequently included. A classic camping chair is a better alternative than ones made to minimize weight and comes with all the bells and whistles that might enhance the experience, if space and weight are not concerns.
Lightweight Camping Chairs
What distinguishes a lightweight camping chair from a traditional, comfort-focused camping chair is not always clear-cut. However, a lightweight chair will normally weigh five pounds or less (generally between one and two pounds). Chairs that are lightweight, fold up little, and are very portable. In general, lightweight chairs lack embellishments and frills and are not as comfy as their heavier counterparts.
What to Look for in a Camping Chair
Comfort
One of our main concerns when choosing a camping chair is comfort. Since the floor is free, if we are going to spend money, we want a chair that we will enjoy sitting in and that will be cozy to collapse into after a tiring day of exploring. With taller backs, more solid legs, and other frills, classic camping chairs are more comfortable than lightweight ones.
The largest comfort game-changers are a high-back and a headrest, if available, which allow you to fully recline and relieve pressure points. It’s also important to determine (for yourself) if you want chairs that are higher up or lower to the floor. Although they are more comfortable, low camp chairs make it difficult to sit at a table with a regular height.
Set-Up
You might not realize how much work goes into moving and assembling chairs. You would usually be correct. However, some of these seats are more difficult to use than others. Our preference is for a chair that is effortless to assemble and collapse, eliminating the need to force it back into its carrying case at the conclusion of an extended journey. A proper camping chair (as opposed to a lightweight or backpacking chair) excels in this situation because it often only takes one move to unfurl. However, lightweight camp chairs typically need to be set up like a tent (hub-and-pole style).
Portability
The portability of a camping chair versus a hiking chair differs significantly. While a camping chair might be slightly larger, a backpacking chair must be extremely lightweight and packable. But we usually bring a lot of gear with us when we go camping, so we don’t want anything too heavy. Here’s when a good carrybag typically comes in handy. We normally choose the latter option because it’s annoying to have to force a chair back into a badly made bag rather than leaving it out to cause trouble later.
conclusion
As avid surfers and outdoor enthusiasts, we’ve logged countless hours lounging in various camp chairs, gaining invaluable insights into what makes for a comfortable and reliable seating option. Drawing on our expertise, we meticulously selected a range of camping chairs to put to the test for this review.
Our testing methodology was simple yet effective: we spent ample time sitting in each chair, whether gathered around campfires or relaxing on back porches. Conducting side-by-side comparisons, we evaluated factors such as comfort, portability, and ease of use to determine each chair’s performance.
To ensure comprehensive testing, we conducted our trials in diverse climates and locations, ranging from the tropical paradise of Oahu in Hawaii to the rugged mountains of Colorado and the picturesque landscapes of California, spanning from the Sierra Nevada to the coastline. By immersing ourselves in various outdoor settings, we were able to provide thorough and informed assessments of each camping chair.