The 10 Best Camping Chairs for Every Kind of Camping

There are many styles of camping. Some people go off the grid in South America. Others park their van and camp wherever they can find a parking spot with a view.

But no matter what, at the end of a long day of backpacking, fishing, hunting or even just swimming in the lake nearby, every camper likes to take a load off and the cold, hard ground won’t cut it. Thankfully, there’s a camp chair for everyone; collapsible seating ranges from heavy, relatively luxurious chairs you’ll need a car to tote around to ultralight chairs that can slot snugly into a backpack.

What to Look for in a Camp Chair

Camping chairs come in many forms: there are comfort-oriented thrones, lightweight options and budget-friendly picks, to name a few. Whatever the cost or size, two of the most common fabrics used in camp chairs are polyester and ripstop nylon, which are valued for their durability, water resistance and availability. Many chairs also come with closed-cell foam padding in the arms, upping comfort in the wild.

When you’re shopping for the perfect camp chair to take on life’s adventures, consider the following: weight, packed dimensions and comfort. If you’re a car camper and have the extra space for a bulky (and maybe more padded, more comfortable) beach chair, go ahead and splurge. If you’re an ounce counter and lightness is a priority, make sure you’re packing a chair that can fit in your pack.

When opting for a lighter chair, you’ll start to notice the fabrics become thinner, the accessories like cup holders and back pocket pouches disappear and frames lose weight — these chairs aren’t as comfortable as their more robust car camping counterparts, but when weight is a priority, comfort takes a backseat. As with many items, build quality decreases with price, so if you’re in the market for a budget-friendly option, be aware you may also be sacrificing quality, comfort and durability.

With that in mind, here are 10 of our favorite camping chairs that run the gamut from minimalist to ultra-luxe.

How We Tested

Backcountry

BEST OVERALL CHAIR

Helinox Chair One Camp Chair

• $110.00 at

• Weight: 2 pounds 2 ounces
• Materials: ripstop polyester, anodized DAC aluminum
• Seat Height: 11 inches
• Packed Dimensions: 3.5 x 4.5 x 13.5 inches
• Weight Capacity: 320 pounds
• Assembly: Easy

If Helinox’s Chair One had been in the Three Bears’s cabin, Goldilocks’s choice would’ve been a cinch. It’s the camp chair that sets the standard for all four-legged adventure seats, with its lightweight fabric and aluminum construction. It weighs in at just over two pounds and offers a seating height of 11 inches, which is plenty of space between your rear and the cold, hard ground.

Not only does it collapse to a size small enough to carry in a backpack, but the Chair One is also extremely easy to set up: its frame is made from one tent-style, shock-cord pole apparatus and the seat itself is one piece of ripstop polyester. Our testers continually come back to this chair and attest to its comfort and size for day trips to swimming holes, canoe camping trips, backpacking trips and even car camping trips where you could get away with something bigger.

L.L.Bean

BEST SPLURGE CHAIR

Nemo Moonlite Reclining Camp Chair

• $160.00 at nemoequipment.com

• Weight: 1 pound 14 ounces
• Materials: polyester, anodized DAC aluminum
• Seat Height: 11 inches
• Packed Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 14 inches
• Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
• Assembly: Easy

Like our more affordable “Best Overall” pick, Nemo Equipment’s Moonlite combines a fabric seat with a tentpole-style collapsible aluminum frame for packable, off-the-ground seating. There are, however, notable differences. One is that the Moonlite is lighter; at one pound 14 ounces, it’s among the lightest camping chairs on our list. It’s a bit more packable, too.

But the standout feature is the strap system that allows you to adjust the chairback’s recline just like you would backpack straps. We’ve found in our testing that there’s no downside to it — it doesn’t slip at all while you’re seated, even over long periods. We should also mention the seamless mesh seat, which is far more comfortable than we expected. And comfort is what the Moonlite is all about in the end; that the chair is lighter and smaller at the same time is a bonus that we think is worth the extra money.

The Moonlight Reclining Camp Chair proved incredibly intuitive and easy to set up, requiring about a minute with no instructions. Disassembly into the carry case was similarly easy. It felt sturdy to sit in and easy to adjust. Straps let you tweak the seat position. The ball and socket design allows the chair to move with you. And the mesh material of the chair gives a slight bit to conform around your body. Our tester found the chair a bit tricky to get in and out of. And the tops of the chair dug into his armpits a bit during extended seatings.

REI

BEST WALLET-FRIENDLY CHAIR

REI Co-op Skyward Chair

• $31.00 at REI

• Weight: 7 pounds 3 ounces
• Materials: polyester, nylon mesh
• Seat Height: 10.5 inches
• Packed Dimensions: 7 x 33 inches
• Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
• Assembly: Moderate

Even at its most affordable, the classic camp chair doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or feature-free. And while it isn’t lightweight enough to bring on a backpacking trip, REI’s wallet-friendly Camp X Chair packs plenty to like, from an integrated cup holder and pouch to a supportive fabric seat made of webbing and mesh. This chair also comes with a stuff sack for convenient packing and storage.

Snow Peak

MOST STYLISH CAMPING CHAIR

Snow Peak Red Folding Chair

• $120.00 at

• Weight: 7.7 lbs ( 3.5 kg)
• Materials: Body: Aluminum Alloy Fabric: Polyester Canvas Armrest: Polyester Canvas, Urethane Foam
• Seat Height: 18 inches
• Packed Dimensions: 27.2 x 22.9 x 4 inches
• Weight Capacity: n/a
• Assembly: Easy

Do you prefer your campsite to be as clean and sophisticated as your home? This red folding chair is the epitome of good design: it’s useful and understandable (and easy on the eyes, to boot). This red folding chair is comfortable without the frills — you won’t see any cupholders dangling off the sides here.

Our tester likes it for its bold colorway, easy folding design and portability. She and her family have been using their set for over four years, and the red fabric is just as vibrant as when they used the chairs for the first time — in other words, you won’t see much fabric fade here. If you’d like somewhere to set your drinks or seat a companion, you’re in luck: Snow Peak also offers a Red Lounge Set option, which comes with two chairs and a sleek, foldable side table for drinks, snacks or a game of cards.

REI

Best Camping Chair for Backpacking

REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair

• $100.00 at REI

The reason to buy this chair is that it’s light. Freakishly light. Weighing in at less than a bottle of beer, it feels a little surreal to lift. Still, the construction is solid and assembly is easy (and satisfying).

Amazon

BEST Ultralight Camping Chair

Therm-a-Rest Trekker Chair

• $65.00 at Amazon

• Weight: 10 ounces
• Materials: polyester
• Seat Height: 4 inches
• Packed Dimensions: 4 x 20 inches
• Assembly: Easy

Most self-affirmed ultralight backpackers wouldn’t even consider bringing along something so luxurious and unnecessary as a chair, but Therm-a-Rest’s Trekker Chair isn’t really a chair at all. It’s more of a sling that turns the sleeping pad that’s already in your pack into a chair. The Trekker Chair is made with 100 percent polyester ripstop fabric that protects your pad from abrasions while keeping it folded up on itself in an L shape that’s perfect for sitting at the end of a long day. It packs down small and only weighs 10 ounces — surely even a pure minimalist could find room in an outside pocket to tote this chair along on the trail.

REI

Most Comfortable Camping Chair

Nemo Equipment Stargaze Luxury Recliner

• $162.00 at REI
  $250.00 (35% off)

• Weight: 6 pounds 5 ounces
• Materials: Water-resistant nylon mesh, aluminum
• Packed Dimensions: 7 x 24 inches
• Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
• Assembly: Moderate

Here it is, the Cadillac of camping chairs: the Stargaze Recliner Luxury. NEMO built its entire Stargaze line with comfort in mind — each one is a free-swinging seat suspended between a set of lightweight aluminum poles. The Luxury takes comfort to the max though, with a supportive headrest that’ll let you gaze into the depths of the Milky Way for hours without developing a crick in your neck. All that comfort comes at a price — our tester found that the Stargaze Luxury is too heavy for longer treks and took up plenty of space in their backpack, but it turned out to be great for car and boat camping where they didn’t have to worry about weight. It’s like a portable La-Z-Boy; don’t be surprised if you find yourself waking up in it in the morning.

The aircraft-grade aluminum suspension frame features hollow tubes that are wider than other easy-setup chairs like Helinox. But the footprint of the Nemo is just bigger, too. It has durable, thick feet (bigger than other options) that are less prone to sinking into loose ground. Setup is quick and intuitive — the Nemo comes in a compact bag and sets up in no time at all. Unlike other sling-type chairs, it doesn’t have four contact points for the seat. It has two that sit on curved upright poles — the seat itself just clips in. That allows you to rock, recline and have more movement than traditional chairs.

While it doesn’t have a leg rest, you can achieve a hammock-like sensation when reclining, looking up to the stars, sky or tree canopy. To allow for such extreme angles, the center of gravity is very low for this chair, which can be a challenge for some people to get into or out of. It has helpful grips/armrests that provide stability when getting into and out of the chair, but it may still be difficult for people with mobility issues. That said, it brings a level of comfort (bolstered by a padded headrest) that I haven’t experienced in packable camp chairs!

kel toy

BEST TWO-PERSON CAMPING CHAIR

Kelty Low Loveseat

• $140.00 at kelty.com

• Weight: 15 pounds 6 oz.
• Materials: 600D polyester
• Seat Height: 13.5 inches
• Assembled Dimensions: 44 x 23.5 x 31.5 inches
• Weight Capacity: 500 pounds
• Assembly: Moderate

Camping isn’t always a solo endeavor. In fact, it’s often double the fun with more than one buddy. If you happen to head out with your significant other, your patience might be tested and will leave you questioning, will this last the weekend? This chair is here to help. At the end of a long day of hiking, pull this loveseat out. While this isn’t the lightest of chairs, it’ll fit two people, and you both can lean back to enjoy the views, making it all the better to check out the sky and rest your achy legs and back.

Editor’s note: If your heart is set on the Deep Lake/Fallen Rock colorway shown at the top of this page, you can get it for $119.95 here.

SKU: 37060-GCIO001

Best Rocking Chair for Camping

GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Portable Rocking Chair

• $75.00 at gathroutdoors.com

• Weight: 12.1 pounds
• Materials: Powder-coated steel
• Seat Height: 19.7 inches
• Packed Dimensions: 25 x 4.9 x 34.8 inches
• Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
• Assembly: Moderate

Picture yourself sitting lakeside with a beer in hand, feeling tired, yet fulfilled after a successful long day of hiking. Are you sitting still or rocking back and forth? There’s something to be said about a rocker on a porch (or better yet, on a dock). While rocking chairs are definitely not for the carry-in, carry-out type, throw this in the back of your pick-up and enjoy a few calming undulations anywhere you go.

Yeti

Most Rugged Camping Chair

YETI Trailhead Camp Chair

• $300.00 at REI

• Weight: 13.3 pounds
• Materials: FlexGrid fabric, aluminum
• Seat Height: 16.75 inches
• Packed Dimensions: 11.75 x 43 x 9 inches
• Weight Capacity: 500 pounds
• Assembly: Moderate

The Trailhead isn’t taking home any prizes for being lightweight or affordable; that’s never been Yeti’s focus. The brand’s second chair follows many of the cues of its first, the Hondo Base Camp Chair. It’s ultra-durable and uses the same high-tension fabric (which can support up to 500 pounds). It’s also sturdy with a frame that locks into place and extra-wide feet that won’t sink into soft ground. Unlike the folding Hondo, the Trailhead accordions into a tight bundle that fits into an included carry bag.

Much like Yeti’s other products, this chair is very robust but also carries a hefty price tag. The frame on this chair has a crossover construction that allows it to fold up pretty easily and support up to 500 lbs. After a long day outside, you can definitely plop down comfortably and put a cold one in the cup holder.

Hillsound

Best Camping Stool

Hillsound BTR Stool

• $95.00 at Amazon

• Weight: 12.2 ounces (14-inch version), 14.1 ounces (17-inch version)
• Materials: nylon mesh, aluminum alloy
• Seat Height: 14 or 17 inches
• Packed Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 11.4 inches (14-inch version), 3 x 3 x 13.4 inches (17-inch version)
• Weight Capacity: 240 pounds
• Assembly: Easy

Minimalism and comfort combine in Hillsound’s BTR, a camping stool that packs down to a water bottle’s size. The genius of the BTR — short for “Better Than a Rock” — is in its telescoping legs and their integrated PhantomLock technology, which holds fast while you are seated but disengages when it’s time to pack it all up. The stool comes in two sizes, both of which can support up to 240 pounds.

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