Thoughts of camping are often associated with $9.99 specials out front a major box retailer, but if you want to get the most possible comfort, reorient yourself to a slightly higher standard.
The most important requirements for camping chair are to not only fold up for easy transport but to be supportive, comfortable in any weather. All of our top picks for 2019 have these advantages. To be clear: there is no one “best” camp chair for all. Its usage depends on the category: camping, backpacking, or everyday (this grouping includes anything from outdoor concerts to beach days). Taking into consideration these distinctions along with different camping chairs features we composed this comparison table and buying advice.
1. REI Co-op Camp X
Category: Camping/everyday
Dimensions: 20 x 31.25 x 31 in.
Weight: 7 lb. 3 oz.
What we like: Breathable and quick dry fabrics, quality construction.
What we don’t: Back height is a touch short for our tastes.
From foundation camping to the beach, the REI Camp X Chair is as well-rounded of a camp seat as they come. Folding seats for informal outdoor use don’t necessarily need to be light-and at 7+ pounds it’s not a featherweight-but this chair greatest balances features, comfort, and sturdiness while remaining easy to carry. The mesh cloth doesn’t sag and is plenty tough-we’ve experienced absolutely zero sturdiness problems after years of use-and breathes much better than chairs with solid materials in warm weather. Should the chair get wet, it also dries extremely quickly-something the solid fabrics in the Quad Seat and King Kong below fail to do nearly as well.
Exactly what are the downsides of the Camp X? Value generally is an REI solid suit, but the Coleman below, which sometimes scoops into the low $20s on Amazon, is the deal (although you sacrifice some in build quality). Further, the chair rests relatively low towards the surface and some may choose the taller back height that you receive with the Alps Alpinism below. But the exceptional stability, comfort, and light-weight versatility from the Camp Back button gets it our best spot for 2019.
2. Coleman Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler
Category: Camping/everyday
Dimensions: 24 x 37 x 40.5 in.
Weight: 9 lb. 14 oz.
What we like: Cheap, comfy, drink cooler.
What we don’t: Steel can rust over time.
The popular Coleman Oversized Quad bank checks off all necessary containers that make up a quality camp chair: the padded seat and chair back are comfortable, there is a tall as well as large bottom for easy lying down, and it’s easy to collapse up and carry. When you have been tempted by cheapy $10 camp chairs, trust all of us, the additional money this costs to get the Coleman will be worthy of it. The steel body and burly fabric can outlast its flimsy competition by years. And who are able to argue with a pre-installed cooler? Throwing in an ice pack will decrease the 4-can storage space but will keep drinks cool enough to end up being ready when called upon.
Complaints about the Coleman Oversized Quad? At the price, you can’t expect top-notch materials and the steel frame will certainly start to rust if you don’t take good care of it. But this chair outperforms its price, falling only a little short overall in comfort to the more expensive King Kong and Camp X from REI.
3. REI Co-op Flex Lite
Category: Backpacking/everyday
Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 26 in.
Weight: 1 lb. 10 oz.
What we like: Lightweight, compact, and a good value for a backpacking chair.
What we don’t: Limited back support.
There are some inherent compromises in choosing a lightweight and packable chair, including features (say goodbye to a glass holder), the height associated with the seat bottom plus all-around as well as throat assistance. Nevertheless, the REI Bend Lite is really a sub-2-pound method to getting you away from the ground no issue where your travels consider you. An 11-inch chair height is tall sufficient for many (and is effective at some concert venues), even though it is a small more challenging to obtain out and in of than the standard camping model.
Among backpacking-ready options, we give the edge in overall comfort to the REI on the Helinox Camp Zero and Alite Monarch below, and the Flexilite is the clear winner in value. For the price, weight, packed size, and a design that can go anywhere, it’s a great choice. In addition, REI recently expanded the Flexlite line to include the low-slung Flexlite Low and Flexlite Macro, which has a wider and tall seat back.
4. Alps Mountaineering King Kong
Category: Camping/everyday
Dimensions: 20 x 38 x 38 in.
Weight: 13 lb.
What we like: Padded, comfortable elegance.
What we don’t: Overkill for the average camper.
We can’t think of a better name for this chair from Alps Mountaineering than the King Kong. For one, it’s the largest and most padded chair on this list. Our assumption is that the listed 800-pound limit was more a result of building a burly chair rather than a target number they set out to hit. That said, it’s 2 to 3 times the weight capacity of the competition, and feels it, with fabric that is taut and supportive.
But all of this does beg the question: is the King Kong necessary? Don’t get us wrong, it’s a supremely comfortable and large chair that definitely has its appeals. But not everyone needs such a huge seat, and we’d rather save a few bucks and choose the Coleman or even REI for our everyday camping needs.
5. Helinox Chair Zero
Category: Backpacking
Dimensions: 20.5 x 18.9 x 25.2 in.
Weight: 1 lb. 1 oz.
What we like: Incredibly lightweight and packable.
What we don’t: Expensive.
With all the superlight Chair Zero, Helinox is so that it is that very much better to justify hauling a chair into the backcountry. Weighing an impressively low 17 ounces, the Helinox remains surprisingly strong thanks a lot to an aluminum framework with poles from extremely regarded DAC (the same DAC that make poles for several of the best lightweight backpacking tents). The shock-cord design also signifies that the Chair Zero packages down to a tight size that fits inside or outside of a back pack.
Exactly what are you sacrificing with the minimalist Chair Zero? To begin, we recommend this seat just for backpackers or those that want to keep weight for an absolute minimum—overall comfort just can’t contend with a standard camping chair. The good information is that the Seat Zero is merely slightly less comfortable than the REI Flex Lite above—although not everyone loves the Helinox’s upright seating position and narrow dimensions—and undercuts it in weight by nine ounces. The most important question is actually or not it’s worth the $120 price tag. Casual backpackers are probably best conserving the $40 with the REI model, but the Chair Zero undoubtedly is an impressive part of light-weight tech.
Conclusion
Hope, this review was helpful for you. Use it as a buying guide and select your best camping chair. Actually, there are 3 main points you should pay attention to: end use, size, design preferences. You can find a variety of styles and models. Read the parameters and measurements so you will find the appropriate chair.
