If you plan on spending any amount of time outdoors this summer, investing in a good camping chair is crucial. Whether you’re relaxing at your campsite after a long day on the trail or setting up for an outdoor music jamming session, or even making some S’mores around the campfire, the camping chair will definitely make your life easier and your time outside more enjoyable.
No matter where you plan on spending your time, there are some features that you should desire out of a camping chair and some that each camping chair should include. You might be looking for camping chairs that have a reclining feature that allows full leg extension, or you are probably looking for the best back support folding chair that provides a sturdy frame designed to keep your spine aligned or the best cup holding chair. Whichever your criteria, we have found some very good camping chairs in our best-of list below.
- Our Top Picks
- 1. GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Portable Folding Rocking Chair
- 2. Helinox Chair Zero Ultralight Compact Camping Chair
- 3. YETI Trailhead Collapsible Camp Chai
- 4. Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping and Sports Chair
- 5. ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair
- 6. Big Agnes Big Six Camp Chair
- 7. MARCHWAY Ultralight Folding Camping Chair
- 8. Cascade Mountain Tech Camping Chair
- 9. PHI VILLA Padded Zero Gravity Lounge
- 10. Nemo Equipment Unisex Stargaze Recliner Luxury Camping Chair
- Features to look for before buying a camping chair
- Type of Use
- Value
- Comfort
- Weight and Packed Dimensions
- Ease of Setup
- Height
- Stability
- Features
- FAQ
Our Top Picks
1. GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Portable Folding Rocking Chair
- Portable outdoor rocking chair quickly and easily folds flat for storage and transportation
- Sturdy powder-coated steel frame supports up to 250 pounds includes padded arm rests and built-in beverage holder
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ has a cupholder | ❌ It’s pretty big |
| ✔️ Easy fold-up | ❌ not so portable |
| ✔️ Rocker |
Specifications
- Dimensions: 24 x 25 x 34.8 inches when open, folds to 24 x 4.9 x 34.8 inches
- Weight:12.1 pounds
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Weight Limit: 250 Pounds
On the top of our list, we have the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker. It is a surprisingly good rocking chair that you can use on just about any surface. Its wide, supportive design and tall seat height make it an excellent choice for those who want to get back the feeling of being rocked by their parents when they were young or really enjoy sitting upright in a comfortable position while still giving themselves some fidgeting room within arm’s reach.
The GCI Rocker camping chair has a relatively simple design that’s both supportive and wide. The fabric may be stiff by some people’s reckoning, but it holds up well for many different-sized folks.
The compact camping chair has a mesh back which provides breathability; the 14-inch seat height makes getting in and out of this chair easy while also giving head support to keep your spine aligned with an upright posture when sitting at tables or desks. It is pretty different from the other camping chairs. It’s more than a simple chair.
2. Helinox Chair Zero Ultralight Compact Camping Chair
- Ultralight, compact camping and backpacking chair weighs just 1.1 pounds and packs smaller than a bottle of water (measures 4 x 4 x 13.5 inches packed)
- Lightweight, folding chair frame is constructed from advanced DAC aluminum alloy to provide maximum strength at a minimum weight; holds up to 265 pounds
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Lightweight | ❌ It’s a bit expensive |
| ✔️ Extremely Portable | ❌ Pretty Small |
| ✔️ Washable Material | |
| ✔️ Fast Set-Up |
Specifications
- Dimensions: 20.5W x 19D x 25H inches when open, folds to 4 x 4 x 13.5 inches
- Weight: 1.2 pounds
- Material: Polyester
- Weight Limit: 265 pounds
The Chair Zero is a lightweight, portable camping chair that crams down into the size of a 1-liter coke bottle. This revolutionary design has been ideal for outdoor activities like camping, backpacking, hiking, and biking, where weight is critical. The Helinox Chair Zero packs up small enough to fit in your backpack so you can easily bring along an extra seat on every hike without worrying about adding bulk or weight – perfect for when there are too many people at camp!
A downside of this chair is that the lack of stability may make it less comfortable for those over 265 pounds or 6 feet. Additionally, the compact camping chair is low to the ground; therefore, sometimes, getting in and out of the chair could be challenging.
Nonetheless, we would say that it’s the best lightweight camping chair.
Further information
3. YETI Trailhead Collapsible Camp Chai
- This fireside, tailgating, concert-going, best-in-class folding chair is designed down to a science for unrivaled durability, hardcore comfort, and hands-free portability
- CARRY BAG INCLUDED - A strong two-strap carry bag you can sling over your shoulder or wear as a backpack
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Stable | ❌ It’s Quite Expensive |
| ✔️ Comfy | ❌ Heavy |
| ✔️ Easy To Pack |
Specifications
- Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 43.3 inches
- Weight: 18.2 Pounds
- Material: V UV-RATED
- Weight Limit: 500 pounds
YETI is a well-known brand known for its high quality and innovative design. With the YETI Trailhead Camp Chair, you can enjoy an incredibly comfortable seat while out on your next camping trip. The chair has been designed with all of the typical features that one might expect from this company, including durable construction materials like FlexGrid fabric, which makes it UV resistant and breathable in hot environments.
At 18.2 pounds, the YETI Trailhead falls in the middle ground of acceptable camp chair weights, and it features a solid two-strap carry bag you can sling over your shoulder or wear as a backpack. We agree that the folding camping chair is not that lightweight; consequently, it provides more stability, mainly because of its lockdown feature at the back of the chair’s frame.
4. Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping and Sports Chair
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Price | ❌ Durability |
| ✔️ Stability | ❌ Portability |
| ✔️ Easy To Set Up |
Specifications
- Dimensions: 26 x 35.4 x 45.7 inches
- Weight: 9.4 Pounds
- Material: Metal
- Weight Limit: 300 pounds
The Kijaro Dual Lock chair is a supportive and tall camping chair. It has a locking mechanism that keeps it pulled open and carefully closed, depending on your needs. It comes with a carry bag and features a shoulder strap on the back of the chair itself.
It also has two holders and a small side pocket for your keys, phone, wallet, and so on. Additionally, the taller seat height, spacious width, and supportive fabric armrests provide comfortable seating all day.
The Kijaro camping chair also has a ventilated back mesh panel. This feature makes long sitting sessions under the sun much more breezy and comfortable.
5. ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair
- Our Extra Wide King Kong Folding Camp Chair brings plus size support and comfort wherever it goes
- To the beach or in the backyard, this chair is ready for whatever the outdoors can conjure up.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Comfort | ❌ Not So Adjustable |
| ✔️ Durability | |
| ✔️ Easy To Set Up | |
| ✔️ Value | |
| ✔️ Brand Readability |
Specifications
- Dimensions: 38″ W x 20″ D x 38″ H inches
- Weight: 12.5 Pounds
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Weight Limit: 800 pounds
The first thing you’ll notice when seeing the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong chair for the first time is that it looks like a director’s chair. The amount of user weight the chair can support is beyond impressive (800 pounds!), but there’s a single catch to consider. While the seat width is undoubtedly generous, you’re almost certain to need a wider seat if you weigh anywhere close to that limit.
Moreover, nothing about the ALPS King Kong camping chair is adjustable. You simply unfold it and have a seat. That’s it. As camping chairs go, it’s not the most comfortable camping chair, but it’s certainly not bad. The seatback is quilted and offers a decent amount of padding.
Additionally, you’ll find a handy storage bag next to each arm that comes in handy for storing snacks, keys, books, or just about anything else.
6. Big Agnes Big Six Camp Chair
- LUXURY ON THE FLY - If deluxe camp chillin’ is your jam, the Big Six is your dream come true; It’s lightweight, comfortable as all get out, and packable enough to stash in your truck, trunk,...
- CAMP COMFORT - The Big Six has a deeper, comfier seat than other lightweight camp chairs, with premium pre-bent poles creating a wide and stable structure that sits you 20” off the ground; It’s so...
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Stability | ❌ Expensive |
| ✔️ Spacious | ❌ Takes Some Time To Set Up |
| ✔️ Comfort | |
| ✔️ Tall Back |
Specifications
- Dimensions: 40.16 x 27.95 x 25.2 inches
- Weight: 3 Pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight Limit: 300 pounds
The Big Six provides significant comfort. Its wide seat feels spacious and cozy for smaller users while being accommodating to larger ones as well! The high back with a headrest makes it even more comfortable than your own bed – which is perfect if you’re camping out in the wilderness this summer.
The height off the ground is a feature that makes the Big Six camp chair special. The Big Six folding camping chair measures 12 inches high. It’s considerably easier to get in and out of this chair. Though the height is a positive for most people, folks under 5’5″ may find this advantage a bit uncomfortable. Another downside is that your arms may feel trapped in this chair. It doesn’t have an armrest; therefore, you’ll either have to tuck your elbows in or rest your arms on a ridge of fabric that isn’t that soft.
Additionally, it doesn’t have any pockets nor a cup holder, and the bum pocket doesn’t put your back in the optimal position.
7. MARCHWAY Ultralight Folding Camping Chair
No products found.| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Ultralight | ❌ No Arm Rests |
| ✔️ Good Price | ❌ Low To The Ground |
| ✔️ Ultra-compact | ❌ Small Size |
| ✔️ Plenty Of Color Options | ❌ Not Foldable |
| ❌ Short Back |
Specifications
- Dimensions: 13.8 x 5.2 x 4 inches
- Weight: 2 Pounds
- Material: Nylon, Aluminum
- Weight Limit: 250 Pounds
Here we have a collapsible outdoor camping chair with some genuinely great features. The term “folding” implies that it needs a simple assembly, so this is not your typical folding chair as it’s written in the title above. But you only need to attach its sling to its shock-corded frame and remove any excess slack from the cord. F
or those looking for an ultralight experience (2 pounds) this is the one. This collapsible backpacking chair comes with a small carry bag, is portable, and is easy to store. You can put it into your backpack or attach it to your pack
8. Cascade Mountain Tech Camping Chair
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Good Value | ❌ The Plastic Can Warp In Extreme Heat |
| ✔️ Ultra-Compact | ❌ Tall And Heavy People Might Not Find It Comfortable |
| ❌ Too Low | |
| ❌ Not So Durable |
Specifications
- Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 21 inches
- Weight: 6.9 Pounds
- Material: Polyester, Strong steel and aluminum frame
- Weight Limit: 250 Pounds
Due to its lightweight design, this folding chair is decent for camping trips and outdoor music festivals. The low-profile camping chair has been designed so that it meets the requirements of most such events. It can support up to 250 lbs.
All in all, being that versatile, it comes with a few downsides.. It has many serious flaws that prevent it from being at the top of the list of camping chairs above. Nevertheless, for many people, it will do just fine.
9. PHI VILLA Padded Zero Gravity Lounge
- Padded Seat & Back: Fully padded seat suspended by double bungee system provides more comfort and durability. Extralarge armrest provide more comfort. Cup tray is included for holding drinks or food
- Zero Gravity Reclining Chairs: The Length of extra long chair when fully reclined is large enough for big and tall people 62. Strong double bungee rope and stainless steel tube frame are durable for...
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Recliner | ❌ Heavy |
| ✔️ Comfort | ❌ Useless Cheap Plastic Tray |
| ✔️ Great Back Support | ❌ Not So Portable |
| ✔️ Nap Friendly | ❌ Defective Design |
| ❌ Price |
Specifications
- Dimensions: 9.9 x 13.82 x 17.41 inches
- Weight: 21 Pounds
- Material: Textile, Oxford
- Weight Limit: 300 Pounds
Let’s be honest, this chair is designed for people who are looking for luxury. The overall comfort levels are quite decent, especially because of the 3-layer cushioning. It also offers excellent support for the lumbar region.
It’s most likely one of the best camping chairs for back support in the market.
Among the other features, there’s an elastomer clip system for providing firm support, a detachable Comfort seat pad for cleaning, and did we mention the breathability of the fabric keeps you comfortable under the sun?
However, the material isn’t waterproof, but that is luckily countered by it drying pretty quickly.
The steel frame brings in some robustness to the camping chair. But the lack of padding on the armrests can get pretty annoying after some time.
At 21 pounds, this isn’t the chair you’ll be carrying along. But it’s a good option for car-camping trips.
On the whole, if you’re looking for a reclining camping chair that’s nap-ready and don’t mind the high price tag, it’s a good choice
10. Nemo Equipment Unisex Stargaze Recliner Luxury Camping Chair
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Comfort | ❌ Pricey |
| ✔️ Mesh Body | ❌ Bulky When Packed Down |
| ✔️ Sturdy Design | ❌ Getting In And Out Of The Chair Is A Bit Difficult |
| ✔️ Good Build Quality | ❌ Not Easy To Pack Up |
Specifications
- Dimensions: 25 x 14 x 8 inches
- Weight: 7 Pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight Limit: 300 Pounds
The Nemo Stargaze recliner camp chair is a premium piece that makes you feel like royalty, I guess. This compact camping chair is designed to combine the functionality of a hammock, rocking chair, and recliner in one with an aluminum frame so it can swing back and forth as well as sit upright depending on where your feet are placed.
The Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Camp Chair provides ultimate comfort by combining features from different types of furniture: A rocker-type seat suspended over an aluminum base, which allows for rearwards movement or sitting up straight if desired – even when it’s not tilted backward! The mesh body construction also maximizes breathability while providing full support thanks to its foam cushions & straps.
However, The Stargaze’s leg design sacrifices some stability to allow the rocking function. Also, when it comes to packability, the Stargaze camping chair takes up a pretty considerable amount of space when stuffed away.
Features to look for before buying a camping chair
Now that we’ve listed all the best camping chairs for 2023, it’s time to know how to choose a camping chair that suits you. There are eight factors that you need to consider before purchasing.
Type of Use
It’s important to know what you’re mainly gonna use it for, car camping, backpacking, casually watching your kids miserably losing in their baseball match, or for chilling in the backyard making some good barbecue.
Value
This is kind of connected with the previous point, you’re going to use it daily, monthly, occasionally? Because in the end, you’ll know whether it’s worth getting a certain chair for a certain price for that certain occasion.
Comfort
Of course, measures of comfort differ from person to person, so you have to make sure to personalize the purchase as much as possible.
Weight and Packed Dimensions
If your answer for the first criteria was car camping, then you probably wouldn’t care much (maybe make sure it fits in the car). However, if you’re a backpacker, you should make sure it won’t be an obstacle for you when walking long distances.
Ease of Setup
Nobody likes to spend time setting up a chair after a long hike and fighting with metals when assembling chairs together. That’s why make sure parts are easily assembled.
Height
It’s good to know the height of the chair from the ground because if you’re a tall person and the chair is somewhat close to the ground, it wouldn’t be comfortable to sit, and eventually, legs will hurt.
Stability
In case you fought with your chair when assembling, at least you want to make sure that after all that effort, the chair is stable on the ground and does not feel like it’s your last day.
Features
Depending on your preferences, whether you want a simple chair to just sit and relax, or have pockets and cup holders on the side.
