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Camping chairs are as varied as individual camping experiences and budgets. While you may be able to have a stellar night camping even when sitting around the fire on the ground or a natural bench like a log, a camping chair adds an additional element of comfort and relaxation.

Some camping chairs, though, can make the ground look luxurious. The wrong chair provides uncomfortable lumbar support, and can even numb your legs and bum after some time being seated. To help prevent you from investing in a lousy camp chair, I’ve rounded up my top picks for the best camping chairs.

How We Picked The Best Camping Chairs

When choosing the best camping chairs to put on my list, I looked at several factors, including:

  • Comfort: There’s no point in hauling a chair out into the woods with you if it’s not going to be comfortable. All the chairs on this list were picked because, to put it simply, they’re comfy camping chairs. I kept an eye out for features like lumbar support, a footrest, or neck support.
  • Stability: Unless you’re in your favorite rocking chair, you don’t want to be swaying back and forth. I chose models that offered a broad base or crossbars that provide the support needed to keep you in place.
  • Durability: For a chair to hold up on the trail, it must be tough. I chose models built with rugged materials that can handle the wear and tear that often comes with rough use in a wilderness setting. I looked for durable fabrics like 600 denier polyester and rip-stop mesh materials.
  • Frame Construction: Materials vary, but better camping chairs will use aluminum alloy or steel. Aluminum is lighter, but steel tends to be stronger. I avoided chairs with cheap plastic connectors or weight-bearing fabric connections. This ensured the frame was up to the task at hand, whether that was featherweight construction for backpacking or a bulletproof build to accommodate larger folks.
  • Weight/Packed Size: I only selected chairs that were portable enough to be stuffed into a pack or take up little space in a car trunk, truck bed, or recreational vehicle.
  • Value: Just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it is the best. I reviewed all these choices to ensure that they gave excellent bang for your buck. Outdoor equipment is best seen as an investment, and the long-life span of these chairs ensures they provide great value.
  • Warranty and Sustainability Ethics: Even though I selected chairs that should last a long time, things happen. If your chair fails, you want to know the company will stand behind it. I chose chairs with good warranties, built by companies with strong sustainability ethics.

Other considerations, such as the company’s reputation for reliability, were also taken into account.

Best Camping Chairs: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Lightweight: Helinox Chair Zero

Why It Made the Cut: Comfort doesn’t have to be isolated to car camping and RVing, and that’s why the Helinox Chair Zero is ranked our best lightweight camping chair. It is a compact, durable, and comfortable chair that is light enough to bring backpacking. 

Key Features

  • Weight: 1 pound
  • Weight Capacity: 265 pounds
  • Dimensions: 20.5” x 18.9” x 25.2”

Pros

  • Incredibly lightweight
  • Small and packable 
  • Comfortable for a chair its size
  • Durable and strong 

Cons 

  • Expensive 
  • Short and close to the ground

Helinox has dominated the best camping chairs for backpacking for quite some time, and for good reason. They are the most durable, comfortable, and lightest-weight camping chairs on the market. While a few competitors may be more affordable, the Helinox Chair Zero seems to be priced fairly when you consider the chair’s portability, weight, and durability. 

It is surprisingly comfortable for a chair its size. Although you will be closer to the ground than when using a standard folding chair, the seat is thoughtfully designed. Weighing in at just one pound, it is surprisingly sturdy because of the aluminum alloy frame. The chair comfortably supports campers up to 265 pounds and fits most people under six feet. Taller campers can use the chair, but it may not support their back as well. If that’s the case, look into a Helinox Sunset Chair. The Helinox offers similar qualities but is better suited to taller folks, at the expense of added weight.

If you have an avid backpacker in your life, a high-quality backpacking chair is one of the best camping gifts around.

Best for Tall People: Kijaro Dual Lock Folding Chair

Why It Made the Cut: I ranked the Kijaro Dual Lock Folding Chair as one of the best camping chairs for tall people because of its seat height of 20 inches. It is a comfortable chair with durable construction that helps keep tall folks from slouching around the fire.

Key Features

  • Weight: 9 pounds 8 ounces
  • Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
  • Dimensions: 26” x 35.5” x 37”

Pros

  • Seat height of 20 inches
  • Large seat
  • Comfortable 
  • Locks open and shut 

Cons 

  • Seat height can be too tall for some people

At first glance, the Kijaro Dual Lock Folding Chair is a basic camp chair with two cup holders and a breathable mesh back. The stand-out feature is its tall seat height when compared to other chairs of a similar design. This can be seen as a pro and con, pending your height and body size. 

Not only does it provide a comfortable camping chair experience for tall people, but it is also easy to secure with the dual locking system. You won’t have to worry about the chair collapsing or slipping when sitting in or transporting it as it locks both open and closed. An easy carry case with a strap is also included. 

Just under 10 pounds, this camp chair is only really suitable for car camping or RVing, not backpacking. However, it does fit the bill with overall value and versatility. The Kijaro Dual Lock Folding Chair can be used for other ventures such as fishing, tailgating, picnicking, and even as a chair to bring to outdoor sporting events.

Best with Footrest: ALPS Mountaineering Escape Camp Chair

Why It Made the Cut: The ALPS Mountaineering Escape Chair combines portability with comfort, making it the best camping chair with a footrest. You get the best bang for your buck in adjustability, durability, portability, and overall camp comfort. 

Key Features

  • Weight: 10 pounds
  • Weight Capacity: 225 pounds
  • Dimensions: 32” x 26” x 41”

Pros

  • Affordable 
  • Comfortable
  • Adjustable footrest 
  • More portable than zero-gravity chairs

Cons 

  • Long when packed
  • Heavy to carry long distances

While the king of patio and glamping lounge chairs may be a zero-gravity model, they are not always practical to bring on a camping trip. The ALPS Mountaineering Escape Chair combines the comfort of a footrest with portability. The result is an easy-to-transport camp chair that has a greater comfort level than a standard model. 

The ALPS Mountaineering Escape Chair has sturdy construction with a powder-coated steel frame. All of the poles that support the chair structure are crossed, so you have multiple X-shaped profiles that make it stronger and more supportive. The seat and ottoman fabric are made from durable 600-denier polyester, so it can withstand outdoor elements. 

While it is ranked as the best camping chair with a footrest, some readers may be pleased to find that the footrest is removable and adjustable. The adjustability and ability to either have or take off the footrest adds an element of versatility to the chair use. That way, you can lounge in comfort at the end of the day, or you can pull the chair up to the table for a card game or during meal prep.

Best with Side Table: GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Director’s Chair

Why It Made the Cut: Having a camping chair with a cup holder is a standard feature that we all expect, but sometimes having a sturdy side table serves a greater purpose when camping. GCI Outdoors constructed a director’s chair that is easy to collapse, carry, has a strong side table, and is sturdy enough to be used for years to come. 

Key Features

  • Weight: 11.7 pounds
  • Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
  • Dimensions: 23.4” x 21.3” x 37.8”

Pros

  • Easy, slim folding
  • Durable, breathable fabric
  • Sturdy and solid side table
  • Carrying handle

Cons 

  • Only folds flat, does not collapse to fit into a carry bag
  • A bit heavy and large for transport

The GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Director Chair won the title of the best camping chair with a side table because of its sturdy and durable table design. And it does so while being 40 percent smaller than chairs of a similar design.

The director chair design gives it a sturdy structure, and the base crossbars help keep it from sinking into the ground. The slim-fold technology allows the chair to be collapsed flat, and the table folds in with the chair. While it is easy to open and close, it only stores flat and cannot be collapsed like a smaller, standard folding chair. Once folded, it is easy to transport with a carrying handle built into the side. 

The fabric is polyester with a mesh backing to help with breathability during hot summer days. The frame utilizes a steel construction for durability and strength, but be aware that it could be prone to rust if left out in wet conditions for too long. 

Overall, this chair is one that you can trust to safely hold your drinks, food, and anything else when you set it up at camp, tailgating, backyard BBQ, or a sporting event. If a chair with a side table feels a bit overkill, check out some of the best camping tables to pair with simpler chair options.

Most Comfortable: YETI Trailhead Camp Chair

Why It Made the Cut: The YETI Trailhead Camp Chair is a robust, sturdy design that brings luxury camp comfort in a portable package. While it may be heavier and more expensive than other chair options, it is one of the longest-lasting and most comfortable camp chairs you’ll find.

Key Features

  • Weight: 13 lbs
  • Weight Capacity: 500 lbs
  • Dimensions: 10″ x 8″ x 43″

Pros

  • Easy to set up
  • UV ray-protected fabric
  • Very sturdy design
  • Unique curvature for comfort

Cons 

  • Expensive
  • Not built for tall people

If comfort is your number one priority, the YETI Trailhead Camp Chair is well worth the investment. If you are taller than the average adult though, this chair may not be quite as comfortable for you due to the seat height. For everyone else, this chair makes car camping feel a lot more like glamping. Since the materials are built to last, it won’t be the lightest chair on our list.

It has a weight capacity of up to 500 lbs, and the flexgrid fabric gives a unique yet durable feel as it conforms to your body’s curves. Although it is big and comfy when opened up, it can still fold down to a nice size for travel. It comes with a carrying case with two shoulder straps to wear it like a backpack, which is great when carrying it longer distances.

You should feel secure when sitting in this chair as it locks in place when set up correctly, and it comes with extra-wide feet grips to keep you steady on most terrain. While there are many great things about this chair, its durability may be my favorite. The fabric is strong in general, but since it is meant to be used outside, there is added UV protection so it won’t break down as fast as other camp chairs, even if you leave it out on the patio. Overall, this is a luxury camping chair you’ll want to lounge in when camping and on the porch at home.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Camping Chair

With the number of camping chair options available, it can be tricky to narrow things down. While we have some excellent choices on our list, use our buying considerations below to help you select your next camp chair.

Intended Use

As with any piece of camping gear, how you plan to use your camping chair matters. If you’re going backpacking, you’ll need an ultralight chair. If you plan on car camping or traveling in an RV, you have a little more flexibility with size and weight requirements.

Within this consideration, the product’s durability and quality should also be noticed. While I would never encourage people to buy low-quality products, if you are someone who only camps once or twice a year and you don’t use the chairs for anything else, a lower-priced chair makes sense. In this case, you could also consider borrowing chairs instead of buying new ones.

Ease of Set-Up

Don’t cut into much-needed R&R time setting up your chair. You should be able to take the chair out of the carrying case or unfold it and plop down to relax. Chairs with more features may require a bit more set-up, but if it just takes a couple of extra moments to add a canopy or a footrest, it may be well worth it.

Seat Height

How high a chair sits above the ground directly affects comfort, especially if you’re tall. Too close to the ground, and your knees are bent the entire time; too high, and you almost have to jump to get on. Make sure you pick a chair with the correct height for you so it’s easy to get into and out of.

Many lightweight backpacking chairs are designed close to the ground to cut weight and make them more packable. If you’re looking for a car camping or RV chair, having a more standard seat height may make more sense.

Added Features

Sure, you can hold your beverage the entire time you’re watching the fire. But having a convenient place to stash your drink while making s’mores makes life easier. While things like cup holders, side tables, and footrests aren’t necessary, they can make your leisure time more enjoyable. In my experience, the most comfortable camping chairs have thoughtful and easy-to-use features.

Remember that any added features shouldn’t take you much longer to set up or take down the chair. If you’re unsure, read through verified customer reviews to see how long it takes to set up and the overall durability of those features. With many chairs, the additional features give out first, and we are looking at the product’s overall durability.

FAQs

Q: Are Helinox camping chairs worth it?

Helinox chairs revolutionized backpacking chairs and are often seen as the leader in lightweight chair design. But if you only use your Helinox chair once a year, it may be hard to justify the expense. However, Helinox makes one of the most durable, reliable, and lightweight chairs available. If you backpack often, it’s worth the added coin.

Q: Are Yeti camping chairs worth it?

Yeti chairs are worth it if you plan to use them for car camping, RVing, or tailgating. They are far too big and far too heavy for other types of camping, but they are one of the most comfortable folding chairs available. They are more expensive than other camp chair options, but they tend to be more durable and comfortable, which makes them worth the price in the long run.

Q: What is the lightest camping chair?

It depends on how you categorize a camping chair, but the lightest weight option for a seat on the trail is the AceCamp 3940, weighing in at 1.6 ounces. The 3940 is simply a pad you sit on while you are on the ground, though. 
 
If you’re looking for a seat that will raise you off the ground, then the Helinox Chair Zero is the lightest, weighing 16 ounces. The Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool comes in close behind at 18 ounces, but it has no backrest.

Q: Are camping chairs waterproof?

In general, camp chairs are designed to be water-resistant, not necessarily waterproof. This means that most camping chairs can get wet, but they may take some time to dry. Look for coated and mesh fabrics that are designed for moisture-wicking or quick drying.

Q: What are the best camping chairs?

The best camping chairs are comfortable, durable, and easy to use. Not everyone will buy the same chair because not everyone has the same needs or desires for camping comfort or style. First, identify your intended use and personal preferences to find the best camping chair for you.

Final Thoughts

After considering several camping chair options, the Helinox Chair Zero is my selection for the best camping chair overall. The lightweight and compact design means you never have to leave it behind when you hit the trail or the road. The sturdy construction will survive the bumps and bruises along the way, so it will be with you for a long time.