We’ve rounded up this year’s best camping chairs to guide you through the different ways you can comfortably kick back in nature. At a minimum, we looked for camp chairs that are lightweight, easy to pack down and provide a comfortable seat. We’ve included many different types of chairs on this list for every type of camper, from self-inflating seats to big comfortable reclining chairs.
Our coveted Best Overall camping chair pick is the Big Agnes Mica Basin Camp Chair for its combination of lightweight materials, packability, durability, and comfort. In addition, we love that it sits high off the ground and is super easy to assemble. Below, we’ll go through our other top choices for camping chairs, as well as a buying guide to help you choose the right one for you.
Best Overall Camping Chair
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Get the ultimate comfort when you’re camping with the Big Agnes Mica Basin Armchair. This lightweight (2 lb 13 oz) but spacious camp chair sits high off the ground for maximum comfort, and also has two cupholders. It’s also ultra-compact and easy to pack down into its stuff sack.
With a hubless colour-coded frame, it’s not only lightweight but also easy to assemble. You can be confident that the durable polyester material with a water-resistant coating will last a long time as well. On the downside, it may still be too heavy for a multi-day trek.
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Other Favourites
The Directors XL chair is sturdy and comfortable. It is capable of supporting up to 350 pounds.
Sit back in this cushioned chair and enjoy your favorite beverage, right from the built-in cooler that holds nine cans. Meanwhile, your phone is safely tucked away in the side storage pocket.
When the fire dies down quietly and it's time to go home, the chair folds up compactly for easy transport. This Coleman model is ideal for camping, but impractical for hiking, considering its weight and size.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Designed for sandy terrain
- UV/weather-resistant
- Sturdy
- Pillow
Cons
- Heavy
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Ultralight, equipped with a carrying bag and foldable, the Tagalong Comfort Chair from Eureka will follow you on camping trips as well as festivals or beach days. With its wide legs and minimalist design, it is as practical as it is comfortable and can support up to 330 pounds. It is the perfect chair to follow you on all your adventures!
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Plenty of sitting room
- Sturdy
- Padded back and seat
- Affordable
Cons
- Too large for backpacking
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Possibly the most unique model available, the Trekker Chair from Therm-a-Rest is not actually a chair! Instead, it's an ultra-lightweight accessory that allows you to convert your floor mat into a chair in no time. It features elastic sleeves that stretch to accommodate your self-inflating mats.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Super durable
- Highly portable
- Suited to backpacking
Cons
- Sitting on the ground isn't for everybody
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This simple folding chair stores and unfolds easily, and offers all the features you need for comfort while camping, at the festival, or at the neighbors' barbecue.
Quality materials, drink holders, armrests... It's all there!
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Easy to pack
- Durable
Cons
- A bit heavy
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Here it is, the world's first reclining camping chair! You read that right: this chair is as easy to disassemble and transport as any other, plus it offers the option of reclining comfortably like a good old La-Z-Boy.
Go join friends at the campsite, sunbathe at the beach, listen to music at the festival... and find the PERFECT angle to relax.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Sturdy build
- Recliner design
Cons
- A bit big
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Maximum comfort, minimum volume. That's the motto of the One Mini from Helinox. And with a maximum capacity of 200 pounds, it's not just for kids and lightweights!
Designed as a cross between a chair and a bench, it's quick to set up and easy to transport, and you don't mind taking it with you because it's so compact.
It's a great option for bike tourers and even hikers.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight
- Very compact
Cons
- Fabric is rather thin
- Questionable durability
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What to Look for When Buying a Camping Chair
Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a camping chair:
Style
Camping chairs come in three main styles or types. These are chairs, stools, and pad converters. Let’s take a look at what distinguishes one from the other, and the advantages of each.
Stools
A stool is a chair minus a backrest (who knew, right?). Because of this, camping stools are typically lighter than camping chairs. Their frames are also made of lightweight metal or carbon.
While stools are a lighter and more compact option, keep in mind that they won’t offer the same degree of lumbar support.
Chairs
Easily the most recognizable style of the bunch, camping chairs are composed of two parts: a seat and a frame. The frame which holds the chair together is usually made of a durable and lightweight metal or carbon.
For frameless chairs (like the Sea-to-Summit Deluxe Delta Core V Self-Inflating Seat), the back can be folded down to create a thicker seat, or opened to lean against a hard surface. Chairs can also take the form of a hammock, such as the ENO AirPod Hanging Chair.
Pad Converters
Pad converters are lightweight contraptions designed to transform a sleeping pad into a chair. They are generally frameless, instead relying on durable fabrics to hold the sleeping pad in place, with adjustable straps to create a chair-like angle (think Sea-to-Summit Air Chair).
Packability & Size
When it comes to camping chairs, you can find very affordable options at your local big box store—no doubt an economic choice for car camping. But, for those seeking a hiker-friendly alternative, you’ll have to look to the real outdoor companies listed above.
Always check the dimensions for the camping chair you fancy both when packed and when set-up. Cross-check this against how much room you have in your backpack.
Weight
Both the weight of the chair and the weight capacity of the chair are important metrics to consider. The former refers to the item’s mass, while the latter tells you how much it can support.
By choosing something that can tolerate a weight greater than your own, you can be sure it will maintain its shape over time and never break under your butt.
Features
Things like can and bottle holders are common in traditional camping chairs; however, ultralight versions of camping chairs are more minimalistic with their features, mostly foregoing arms altogether.
Occasionally you’ll find a camping chair with a head or footrest, which can be a nice touch. Otherwise, most features are limited to pure functionality, like locking mechanisms, height adjustment, and high-tech materials.
FAQS FOR CAMPING CHAIRS
How much weight can a camping chair hold?
Always check the specs listed online or on the product tag.
How heavy is too heavy for a camping chair?
This all depends on how far you’ll be rucking it around and how much weight you can handle. Some camping stools are less than a pound, which is ideal for ultralighters on the move.
How do you clean a camping chair?
Most camping chairs have been weather-proofed. As such, it’s generally not recommended to throw it in a washing machine, as this can remove the coating or shrink the material.
Instead, a simple rinse under warm water with a light soap (think Dr. Bronner’s Original) will usually do the trick. You can also use a toothbrush dipped in a water-vinegar solution for especially tough stains and caked-on dirt.
CONCLUSION
Technological advances in material science have revolutionized the camping chair (who’d’ve thunk?). Now, what was once a glamping luxury is an ultralight essential for any happy outdoor adventure.
For its all-around versatility as a comfortable, lightweight, durable, and portable camping chair, we recommend the Big Agnes Mica Basin Camp Chair.
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