Ready for comfort and tired of being a numb ass? In the last eight years, we have purchased and evaluated nearly forty different camping chairs; the top 17 models on the market right now are covered in this article. For months, our team of specialists in lounging and lovers of leisure painstakingly tested each model side by side. In our evaluations, comfort rankings were given the greatest weight; however, we also took into account other aspects including packability and use. These chairs have been camping with us in the desert, loaded into automobiles, transported to family get-togethers, and used for beach napping. Whether you’re looking for a sideline seat or a reading chair, we have the ideal model for both your needs and budget.
It’s enjoyable to spend a night in the woods any way you look at it, but it’s even better with the right camping gear and one of our favorite tents. Whether you’re seeking the best camping stove and the best camping cookware for your kitchen kit or a cushy camping mattress and travel-sized pillow for a good night’s rest, we’ve got you covered. We’ve also tested the best backpacking chairs if you need to go lighter and smaller than what this review covers.
1.ALPS Getaway Chair
We weren’t sure we would adore the ALPS Mountaineering Getaway Chair at first. However, testing reveals that it has all the features we could ask for in a camping chair—and then some.
The powder-coated steel frame of the Getaway Chair is small and collapsible. Being quick dry and breathable, the mesh fabric is a huge benefit for us since we are in and out of the water a lot. The Getaway Chair has an integrated arm cooler pocket that is ideal for holding a few drinks, in addition to a cup holder. Upon completion, everything neatly folds into a carrying bag akin to a backpack, rendering transportation effortless. The chair has a somewhat low seat to the ground, which could be a problem for some but was a non-issue for us.
If you do a lot of your camping near water or an area that is especially warm, you will love the breathability of the Getaway Chair. Plus, the low-to-the-ground design allows you to really lean back, relax, and drink in the view. In the end, the features plus the great price on this ALPS Mountaineering Getaway Chair made it our top pick.
2.NEMO Moonlight reclining Camp chair
The NEMO Moonlite Reclining Camp Chair blends comfort and packability into a single lightweight chair, making it perfect for lounging around campfires far out in the bush. The chair’s smooth seat design, forged metal hubs, large tubes, and straightforward reclining mechanism all immediately attest to its high quality.
To make the chair as sustainable as feasible, the mesh, edge binding, and webbing are made entirely of recycled post-consumer materials. The setup was a little difficult at first, but it was manageable after we figured it out. The chair folds up neatly into a zippered case after disassembly.
Unless we’re trekking and need to reduce weight, we generally don’t like the comfort compromises that lightweight camping chairs make, but the NEMO Moonlight Reclining Camp chair was definitely more comfortable than most of its class and is a great option for backpacking as well as car camping.
If you’re looking for luxury, you should opt for a different chair. But, if you’re tight on space or want a chair that’s easy to pack and carry, the Reclining Camp Chair is sufficiently comfortable and incredibly lightweight.
3.YETI Trailhead Chair
With the luxury and comfort of an at-home chair, the YETI Trailhead Chair is now portable. The chair’s lightweight crossover frame facilitates easy packing and transportation, and its 500-pound weight capacity FlexGrid fabric resists UV rays. Although this chair is not very compact, it does come with a carry case with two straps to make transportation easier. In addition, the Trailhead Chair has a cupholder so you may relax and enjoy a refreshing beverage.
We adore how well-built, sturdy, and cozy this chair is; but, even though it’s excellent for car camping, we wouldn’t use it for any walks. Because to its superior design, the YETI Trailhead Chair came in only behind the ALPS Mountaineering Getaway Chair less packable and due to the very high price point.
If you’re looking for a super sturdy chair that is sure to last for years to come, the Trailhead Chair is a good pick. Unlike some camping chairs, it sits high up off the ground, so you are guaranteed to be comfortable and have a good view.
4.Colemans Broadband Mesh Quad Chair
Colemans Broadband Mesh Quad Chair is your classic camping chair. It doesn’t have any frills, but it gets the job done. The steel frame can support up to 250 pounds, has a cup holder, and the mesh back allows the breeze to pass through, a key feature in hotter weather. At the end of the day, the chair packs into an included carrying bag for easy transport.
Where the Broadband Mesh Quad Chair (and any budget-oriented camping chair, really) suffers is in the durability department. However, with the proper care (a.k.a. not leaving it out in the elements for months on end), these chairs can stand the test of time, and if anything happens prematurely, they’re backed by a one-year warranty. The Broadband is by no means a luxury chair, but it’s a classic camping chair that’s comfortable and by far the most affordable of all the chairs on our list.
This chair has a rather average slouchy seat in terms of comfort. The body was made up of at least two layers of fabric, giving it considerable thickness, although this didn’t improve the integrity. Although the armrests may be adjusted, it is simple to inadvertently push them down with your elbow during a routine adjustments because they are simply connected by spherical discs. The headrest that Coleman claims this chair has is a bit of a stretch, in our opinion. In theory, a head might be behind the back of the chair (depending on height and posture). Nevertheless, the unsupported fabric does little to hold your head up unless you find the perfect posture.
5.Nemo Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair
With only a few notable advancements each year, the camping chair market is generally stagnant; however, Nemo, based in New Hampshire, created the extremely interesting Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair. The Stargaze, now in its second version, provides a hammock-like feeling that can be rocked or reclined based on how your feet and back are positioned. After more than a year of use, the most recent version has received mixed reviews: It’s really entertaining and useful, but we had trouble sitting up straight without feeling pushed forward. Nemo did simplify the setup procedure and expand the seat to suit large shoulders, two popular issues with the first model, We’ve outlined our Stargaze experiences below.
The unabashedly luxurious Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair from Nemo prioritizes comfort above all else. With a largely mesh body suspended above an aluminum frame that lets you swing back and forth, tilt back, or sit upright depending on where you set your feet and back, it essentially combines the capabilities of a rocking chair, hammock, and recliner all in one. Leaning back and fully stretching out is not too difficult, and the broad headrest provides adequate support and is beautifully padded. An extra plus is that it is simple to move up or down thanks to its Velcro backing. Lastly, the body’s mesh is robust but remarkably breathable. It should be noted that more mesh was used in the previous version The unabashedly luxurious Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair from Nemo prioritizes comfort above all else. With a largely mesh body suspended above an aluminum frame that lets you swing back and forth, tilt back, or sit upright depending on where you set your feet and back, it essentially combines the capabilities of a rocking chair, hammock, and recliner all in one. Leaning back and fully stretching out is not too difficult, and the broad headrest provides adequate support and is beautifully padded. An extra plus is that it is simple to move up or down thanks to its Velcro backing. Lastly, the body’s mesh is robust but remarkably breathable. It should be noted that more mesh was used in the previous version.
How We Test Camping Chairs
Our never-ending hunt for the greatest camping chairs has seen us study and weigh dozens of types. Every chair we buy is used for months at a time to hang out with friends. We load them up for weekend camping excursions, put them up for family get-togethers, spend late evenings by the fire pit, watch sports, and linger out for the whole day at backyard cookouts. We were very attentive to elements that are important in a camp chair throughout our testing phase, such as the functionality of the pockets and cup holders. We measured and weighed them, lifted and carried them, and then dove into them to see how far we could go. Here’s a detailed analysis of our extensive research after months of idling.