There’s nothing like sitting out by a campfire under the stars in your trusty camp chair. If you’re looking for the best camping chairs for chillin’ outside, the choices can be overwhelming. There are thousands of options to choose from!
As someone who’s currently living the vanlife, and who’s spent the better part of a decade hiking and camping, I’ve spent a significant portion of my life sitting in camping chairs. I’ve used cheapo Walmart chairs, overbuilt luxury recliners, and ultralight backpacking stools. I’ve tested dozens of different chairs, and I’m picky when it comes to comfort and functionality.
Finding the right camp chair is a very subjective choice. You need one that fits you comfortably and that works for how you want to use it, whether that’s lounging outside your RV or hiking deep into the backcountry.
I’ll show you the 20 best camp chairs I’ve found, and help you decide which is best for you.
How to Choose the Best Camping Chairs
There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a camp chair. Do you want light and compact or big and sturdy? Do you want a cup holder? extra pockets? a reclining backrest? How much are you willing to spend? Here is a full guide to help you make sure you find your new favorite camping chair.
Types of Camp Chairs
Most camp chairs can be divided into three categories: scissor folding chairs, flat folding chairs, and compact collapsible chairs. Which one you get will depend on what you need it for and how often you use it.
Scissor Folding Chairs
This is the most common type, and if you imagine a stereotypical camp chair, this is probably what you think of. Scissor folding camping chairs are made up of a fabric seat and backrest stretched between several metal tubes in a criss-cross pattern. This lets them fold into a relatively small package, and most slide into a tube-shaped carrying bag.
These folding camping chairs are great for ease of use: you just pull the chair out, unfold it, and you’re ready to go.
Flat Folding Chairs
Flat folding chairs are the bulkiest, heaviest, and strongest type of chair. Imagine a classic beach chair or lawn chair. Rather than folding into a narrow tube-like shape, these chairs just fold into a flat rectangle.
That means they are much less portable than other camping chairs. They also take up more room in your car or in storage.
The tradeoff is that they are typically the most supportive and can be made with some awesome features like footrests or full reclining positions.
Flat folding chairs are typically best if you aren’t limited on space and won’t be carrying them very far.
Compact Collapsible Chairs
Compact collapsible chairs are the newest variety, introduced with the Helinox Chair One in 2012. These chairs are usually made of two pieces: 1) a lightweight aluminum frame that comes apart like tent poles, and 2) a fabric or mesh seat that attaches to the frame.
This design made it possible to create a chair that was a fraction of the size and weight of a standard folding camp chair.
Because you have to put different pieces together, these aren’t as good in terms of ease of use, but they are still pretty quick to assemble.
Compact collapsible chairs are best for backpacking and for anyone who wants to carry a chair with them in a backpack or take up less space in their car.
Personally, I think these chairs are more comfortable than standard folding camping chairs.
Materials and Durability
Once you know what type of camp chair you want, it’s important to consider the materials and durability. Sure, you can buy the cheapest one on Amazon, but it probably won’t last very long (and it isn’t very comfy).
Look for chairs that have durable fabrics like ripstop nylon or polyester. Because your chair may spend a lot of time in the sun, UV-resistance is also a big plus.
A good camp chair will also have a sturdy metal frame. Aluminum is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, while steel is the best for sheer strength.
Ease of Use
Trust me, you don’t want to be spending precious time trying to figure out how to set up your chair.
Cheap carry bags are a pet peeve of mine. Many folding chairs come with cheap floppy fabric drawstring bags that barely fit the chair. Look for something like the YETI Trailhead Camp Chair that comes with a more structured bag that opens wide.
Packed Size and Weight
Even if you aren’t going on a long backcountry backpacking trip, size and weight matter. Camping chairs can take up a lot of space in your car, and on camping trips, every inch counts.
In general, when in doubt, choose a smaller chair. Compact chairs are just more versatile. You can throw them in a backpack, they take up less space in your car, and the good ones are still very comfortable. I use my Chair Zero from Helinox for everything, backpacking, car camping, and hanging out at the RV.
If you know you won’t ever want to take your chair hiking, something bulkier but much sturdier like the YETI Trailhead Camp Chair may be more to your liking.
Features
A camp chair can be much more than just a place to put your butt. Additional features can increase the comfort, versatility, and ease of use of your chair. Just know that additional features will often also increase the weight and potentially the price tag.
Here are a few camp chair features you may want to look for:
- Cup holder to keep drinks handy and off the ground
- Extra pockets for your phone, a book, or snacks
- Reclining positions so you can lean back and relax
- Headrest for better comfort and support
- Padded seat and backrest
- Ventilated mesh to prevent the dreaded sweaty butt
- Rocking chair design like the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker
Why Trust TravelFreak?
So why should you trust us? Our entire business is based on giving you the best information possible to help you get outside and enjoy the journey, and we want to make sure we get it right. We don’t use a fancy test lab; we use the real world to test products on our own travels. And we only recommend gear we would actually want to use ourselves.
I’ve been camping since before I could walk, and I’ve sat in hundreds of camping chairs over the years. I’ve tested everything from the burliest heavy-duty loungers to featherweight backpacking chairs. I’ve even broken my fair share of chairs (can I get a rhyming award for that?).
All the camp chairs on this list are the absolute best in their specific niche. I’ve tested them in real life to find the best chair for each purpose.
