SerpApi.Org
Whether you’re grilling by your camper, fishing by the lake, or setting up for a few days off the grid for your next camping trip, there’s no need for uncomfortable seating. Sure, you could rough it on a log or sit at a hard picnic table. But with so many affordable, reliable, and most of all, comfortable camp chairs available, why would you?
Camp chairs are a relatively broad category, encompassing everything from stools you can carry in one hand to luxurious two-person loveseats with thick, cushioned seats. I focused on traditional camp chairs that are useful both at the campsite and in day-to-day life. A good camping chair, regardless of design, should at the very least be comfortable enough to sit in for a meal or an evening by the campfire.
To help you narrow your search, I and our testers researched and then tested a selection of camp chairs, from the ultralight to the plush. Read on for the best camping chairs we recommend, along with what to consider before buying.
The Best Camp Chairs
- Best Overall: Yeti Trailhead Collapsible Camp Chair
- Best Budget: Coleman Chair with Built-In Cooler
- Best Ultralight: Helinox Chair One (re) Camping Chair
- Best Rocker: GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker
- Best Portable: Yeti Trailhead Field Chair
Best Overall
Best Budget
Best Ultralight
Best Rocker
Best Portable
Best Padded
Best Backrest
What to Consider
Durability
When gauging a camp chair’s durability, you need to look at the frame, the material of the seat and back, and overall weather-resistance. Most of the camp chairs we write about are made with steel tubing that’s powder-coated to resist rust and corrosion. This style of frame holds several hundred pounds without any bowing or bending and is still light enough to carry in your hands.
However, each chair on this list has a much different weight capacity so make sure to double check before you make your final purchase.
Similarly, seat durability relies on sturdy materials. Woven polyester is one of the most common options. Camp chair materials are often combined with a water-resistant coating so any spilled drinks or rain drops don't damage the fabric. This also protects any interior cushioning from absorbing water.
Great camping chairs are also treated to resist UV light. This can help prevent the fabric from fading over time. Similar to the metal frame, the fabric should also be strong enough to offer a weight capacity of 300 pounds at minimum.
While the most durable options (like the best overall Yeti Trailhead) tend to be more expensive, think about upfront cost in relation to long-term use. If the chair lasts for several years, the initial cost is well worth it in comparison to a cheaper camp chair that might tear or break after just a couple of seasons.
Think of it this way: Would you rather pay $30 every year for five years, or $110 once?
Portability
Camp chairs are specifically designed to be portable. That said, the relative portability between them can range drastically.
Small, lightweight camp chairs pack down for easy transport and work well for backpackers or anyone traveling by foot. These typically come with carrying straps or collapse small enough to latch onto or pack into a large backpack. Ideally, they should weigh less than eight or nine pounds.
Larger chairs can weigh more than 10 pounds, which makes them far more cumbersome to carry and better suited to car camping and backyard lounging. What you get with that added size and weight, though, significantly more comfort afforded by a wider seat with more cushioning and a potentially higher weight limit.
Regardless of size, many camp chairs come with shoulder straps or carrying cases to make travel easier.
Use and Extra Features
Camp chairs aren’t exclusively for camping, nor is all camping the same. If you simply want a chair for watching your kid’s soccer game or relaxing in the backyard, prioritize comfort above portability.
The more of an emphasis you put on comfort, the more added features are available to you. Many camping chairs come with foldout side tables, integrated cupholders, storage pouches, and even zip-up cooler bags.
For hikers and backpackers, smaller, lighter chairs are the obvious choices. If you’re using the chair for the beach, weather- and UV-resistance generally increase its longevity. It's also worth considering chairs with shorter legs so you can stretch out your own in the sand.
How We Selected and Tested
We carried the camp chairs through a park, taking note of how heavy they felt and whether they were cumbersome to transport up small hills and over boulders. After setting them up on grass and dirt patches to see how they balanced on uneven terrain, we took a seat, judging each by its relative comfort. Our testers spanned a range of heights and body weights so we could get a variety of impressions.
We have cumulative years with some chairs—including the Kelty Deluxe Lounge Chair and GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker. And they still rank among the best. But for this most recent update, we added the Yeti Trailhead Field and the Coleman Forester Sling. We evaluated each on its weight, stability, comfort, ease of setup, and durability.
Every chair on this list is one that we have personally tested over the past several years, so you can trust that each choice is based on real experience. We also made sure to keep price in mind.
