Camping chairs don't seem essential when planning a trip, but by day 3, you will be wishing you had the best camping chair on the market.
Weighing only 9.5 pounds and able to support 300 pounds, the Kijaro is my go-to for your everyday camping needs.
Looking to keep the romance going on your next camping adventure? Check out the Kelty Low Loveseat for a 2-seater, luxury camping chair.
When on the move a lot while camping, it's better to have something small and quick. The Helinox is a lightweight, compact, collapsible camping chair.
Below is a list of the top 5 camping chairs, so you can choose which chair is best for you.
Best Camping Chairs (Top Picks)
Best Overall
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Most Comfortable
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Best Value
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Best Camping Chairs (Detailed Reviews)
We reviewed over 20 camping chairs for this article. Below are the top 5 best camping chairs that made our short list.
- Kijaro Dual Lock Portable - Best Overall
- ALPS Mountaineering King Kong
- Helinox Chair One - Best Value
- Kelty Low Loveseat - Most Comfortable
- Coleman Camping Chair
Read our complete buyers guide for the Best Camping Chairs below.
Best Camping Chairs (Top Picks)
1. Kijaro Dual Lock Portable
The Kijaro Dual Lock Portable manages to incorporate support, durability and comfort. Although its an inexpensive portable chair, its quality has not beeb sacrificed: it is a rather sturdy and comfortable option.
Its 300 pound limit and weight of 9.5 pounds makes it one of the more lightweight options.
Thankfully, it is made from ripstop polyester fabric. A durable mesh insert is included in the design of the backrest, to give you the comfort of ventilation on warmer days.
The Dual Lock component means that the chair is reinforced with additional stability. We like the fact that it is secured when opened, and it locks for storage purposes.
It also has a handy carry-strap attached for its easier transport.
Overall, its design gives you good back support and allows your skin to breath when in contact with the back of the chair, while providing significant storage space with two cup-holders and an organiser.
Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeway
The Kijaro Dual Lock Portable is a truly comfortable chair. It is good value for money and provides good support for numerous activities outdoors. The dual-lock feature works to provide you with added support and peace of mind.
2. ALPS Mountaineering King Kong
4.7/5 Overall Rating
The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong is strengthened with thick steel tubing and the 600-denier polyester fabric. This ensures that your chair is comfortable and lasts longer.
With a generous weight capacity of 800 pounds, this seat’s versatility is streaks ahead. The chair itself weighs around 13 pounds with a shoulder carry bag, which should make transport easier.
The chair has a simplicity to its design with adjustable armrests, two cup-holders and enough storage space adding to its appeal.
The taut and supportive fabric intends to provide the best possible seating arrangement without the precariousness of the conditions.
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Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong is ideal for bigger campers who want some peace of mind provided by a comfortable, well-designed seat. A perfect option if lots of space is what you are looking for and can transport it in a vehicle rather than on your back.
3. Helinox Chair One
A good versatile Helinox Chair One that can comfortably take you from the campsite to the seaside.
Weighing in at just over 7 pounds, the chair provides you with balance, durability and comfort, which can be transported on your shoulders.
It is good for your camping experience and your pocket.
The chair sits lower to the ground and does not have as high a backrest but it is relatively portable, breathable and comfortable. The nylon mesh material ensures a long-lasting seat, that distributes weight evenly.
Thanks to the mesh design it is lighter and tends to cater to more activities outdoors.
With its breathability and durability in check, it’s useful to note that it is relatively quick drying too, which is essential for odor-prevention on the hot summer days.
Additionally, the fabric does not sag or give in, so it can last.
Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
The nylon mesh construction of the Helinox Chair One makes it a more breathable and comfortable option. It does not have as much of a long-lasting capacity as the other options because the fabric is not reinforced with padding, but it can be transported on your back given that it only weighs 7lbs.
4. Kelty Low Loveseat
The design of the Kelty Low Loveseat makes us enjoy the idea of sharing a seat with a fellow camper. We love this design that aims to get you all snuggled and bundled with someone else.
What’s more, it has comfortable padding, durable exterior and is rather easy in putting together and folding away.
It has two cup-holders.
However, due to its size, it is portable only in a vehicle.
It is particularly useful for families with younger kids or parents who want to enjoy the little moments together.
Made from 600-denier quilted polyester, it is sturdy and can help you enjoy many camping trips.
Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
It not the easiest seat to transport and thus is not the most versatile, but the Kelty Low Loveseat does give you the added touch of a space to share together. Great for camping or RV holidays, where transport isn't an issue.
5. Coleman Camping Chair
4.7/5 Overall Rating
The design of the Coleman Camping Chair has a relatively upright position with a padded polyester fabric which makes it more durable and last longer.
An interesting addition to this seat is a four-can cooler pocket on one armrest and a cup holder on the other. With a mesh organizer that is zippered you can be certain that your belongings have a safer stow away.
The tall backrest gives you a comfortable lounging position with easy set up and storage capacity, this is a sure-fire campground win.
Its steel frame and strong material gives the seat good endurance.
Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
The Coleman Camping Chair provides you with a good back support and ample storage space. You can keep drinks nearby for convenience. This bang for your buck option does not leave you sacrificing the comfort you want outdoors.
Camping Chair - Buyer's Guide (Key Features)
In order to understand chair features that would provide the best experience, consider the following list of things to pay attention to before purchasing.
Material
The material that the chair is made of is one of the determining factors in terms of its durability.
Steel or aluminum frames are used in more sturdy chairs that will most likely last.
The kind of fabric that is used for the seating is of importance too, because there is no use having a sturdy frame with flimsy seat material. The advantage of ripstop nylon and polyester is that the fabric is made to go the distance.
Nylon is preferable choice because it is dependable, resistant to water and easy to use. Polyester, a common outdoor fabric, has a touch of durability issues but with proper handling the chair should also last.
There are additional qualities to consider, like extra padding on the seat or mesh at the back for ventilation.
Materials that are easier to dry make wet conditions easier to manage and seats with mesh inserts encourage airflow and breathability if your trip is during warmer months.
Size and Weight
Here is where it helps to consider the purpose of your trip. On a backpacking excursion you wouldn’t necessarily want to be burdened by a cumbersome, heavier chair.
Car camping and other low-intensity activities allow for some more leeway in terms of the size and weight of the chair.
This is of particular importance if you want the advantage of space and leisure that only bigger chairs tend to offer.
Lightweight chairs are best for variable outdoor activities where you are required to carry your chair.
Capacity
When considering a camping chair, it is useful to understand the maximum weight that the seat is designed to support.
There is more often than not a correlation between the chair’s own weight and size, i.e. the weight it is able to carry comfortably. So, smaller more lightweight chairs, are better suited to smaller people, while sturdier, bigger chairs, suit the needs of larger campers.
Use Versatility
Depending on the purpose of the trip, additional features that the chair offers may end up being a liability rather than an advantage.
If the occasion does not necessarily call for the extra festivities, it is advised to choose something practical and simple.
You wouldn’t want to waste the energy lugging a seat around with various storage compartments, cup-holders and other niceties if you don’t really have the need for them.
However, usually camping calls for some extra features and here is where the advantages would come in. If, for example, you have to carry your chair, easy storage or ability to transport it on your back would be of benefit to you. Therefore the seats that have handles attached for easy portability or those with shoulder bags help you manage your movements a lot easier.
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