When going through your checklist before a camping trip, you’ve probably included folding camping chairs. And if you need to go out and purchase some, you may be completely in the dark about what to look for.
It may seem simple– you just need a chair that folds, right? Unfortunately, there’s a bit more to consider here. Are you going to be carrying the chairs on foot and need them to be light? What material do you need to handle the weather conditions of your trip?
We put together a list of the best folding camp chairs on the market today. But first, let’s cover what to look for in a high quality (but affordable) camping chair.
Different Types of Camping Chairs
There are several different types of folding camp chairs for you to consider:
- Folding rocking camp chairs
- Double folding camping chairs
- Ultra-light camping chairs
- Backpack cooler chairs
- Camping loveseats
- Hammock-style seats
- Chairs with canopies
- Ergonomic champing chairs
- Hanging camping chairs
- Children-sized camping chairs
All of these different chairs differ significantly and depending on the conditions of your trip, you may need several. For example: If you’re traveling somewhere with rain, chairs with canopies would be ideal. Ultra-light camping chairs or backpack cooler chairs should be used if you plan on backpacking and will need to carry the chairs by foot.
Material Used in Camping Chairs
A variety of materials can be used to make folding camping chairs:
- Plastic, wood, metal, elastomeric mesh, nylon, and polyester mesh for the seats and backing. 600D polyester is the most common material used for its waterproof nature.
- Aluminum alloy, steel, wood, and plastic are often used for the framing of camping folding chairs. The bulk of a chair’s weight will come from the frame. Aluminum alloy is often the most lightweight, and steel is often the strongest.
How Much Do Camping Chairs Weigh?
This can differ significantly between brands and sizes.
Camping folding chairs typically weigh between 2 and 14 pounds. They are often made in a variety of styles, folding mechanisms, and components that greatly influence their weight. The average weight of a folding chair is around 8.5 pounds. However, backpackers may wish to find a folding chair that is closer to 5 pounds or less.
Top 5 Camping Chairs for Your Next Adventure
Coleman Portable Camping Quad Chair with 4-Can Cooler
This chair from Coleman is affordable and comes in a variety of colors. Made from polyester, this chair combines comfortable design with much-needed coolers under the armrests. The built-in cooler pouch is definitely a plus for minimalist campers. It also features a mesh cup holder, side pockets, and is fully collapsible.
The only real downside to this chair is not too lightweight at 8 pounds and the tubing of the frame has been noted to be very thin and unstable for some.
Timber Ridge Camping Chair with Ergonomic High Back Support
Timber Ridge’s mid-range camping chair is highly ergonomic and durable. With a weight limit of 300 pounds and an extra-sturdy steel frame, this chair is ideal for campers who are on the heavy side or have rambunctious kids. The oversized seating is also quite cozy. The seat is fully padded with foam and includes a cup holder, detachable padded armrests, and very simple collapsible functions that make it easy to set up and put away.
Unfortunately, this chair is not ideal for backpackers, as it weighs 13 pounds.
Timber Ridge Director’s Chair with Folding Aluminum Frame for Camping
Another gem from Timber Ridge is this director’s style camping chair with a bit more bells and whistles than other chairs. It comes in a variety of colors, supports 300 pounds, has a lightweight aluminum frame, and even comes with a flip-down side table with a cup holder. For minimalist campers, you won’t need to bring an extra table with this chair! It’s also only 11 pounds in total, so it could work as a backpacking chair for stronger campers.
The only downfall to this unique camping chair is that it does not offer very much back support and does not feature any padding.
Cascade Mountain Tech Compact Low Profile Outdoor Folding Camp Chair with Carrying Case
This chair from Cascade Mountain Tech is perfect for kids, as it is very low to the ground. The super-comfortable mesh fabric with cushioned armrests is perfect for sitting up by a campfire. Its design is very minimal and it is also extremely compact, making it a good choice for backpacking. It’s also one of the most lightweight chairs on our list, composed of aluminum and polyester and weighing in at only 6.5 pounds. This would be a good chair to purchase for families with children or for campers that prefer cooking by the campfire and need something closer to the ground for easy access to cooking utensils.
One downfall to this chair is it may not be very comfortable for older campers or campers with back problems.
NiceC Ultralight Portable Folding Camping Backpacking Chair
Looking for something a bit more modern and a little bit more aesthetically pleasing? More fashion-forward campers may just fall in love with this Nice C chair, which comes in a variety of colors and is made of lightweight materials including aviation-grade aluminum and 600D polyester for the seating.
This chair is orthopedic recommended, meaning that its ergonomic design gives campers a more comfortable seating experience. The mesh included is also very lightweight and breathable, and the chair itself is extremely portable at only 2.1 pounds.
One of just a few downfalls to this chair is that it is pretty small, making it not very ideal for big and tall campers.
