What Are the Best Camp Chairs? After a day in the woods, you deserve a place to sit comfortably. When you're sitting and watching the stars, you shouldn't have to think about what you're sitting on. For a folding metal-and-cloth contraption, the term “camping chair” covers a remarkably wide spectrum of outdoor furniture. On one end are the kind of lightweight options you might take on a multiday backpacking trip, and on the other are the lounger variety that probably won’t make it far from your car. Here we present our five favorites for their durability, ease of use, comfort, and portability.The TestWe started by setting up these chairs on the front patio for a week and invited people to sit, drink, eat, and ruminate on their favorite features. We then hiked seven rugged miles into Yosemite’s Upper Cherry Creek—a remote Class V+ California kayaking classic—to give a group of professional kayakers a comfortable place to sit on their overnight trip and get their opinions.
We threw the chairs off ledges and ran them over with a packed adventure trailer to test their durability and opened and closed them more than a dozen times to gauge their ease of use. Here’s what we found.Alite Mayfly ($100) Photo: AliteWeight: 1.6 poundsUnfolded Size: 20 x 20 x 15 inchesBest For: Traveling fast and lightThe Verdict: The deep seat of the tiny-statured Mayfly was surprisingly comfortable, despite testers having to bend into a full-on squat to get in and out. Testers also found they had to be diligent about cleaning sand from the bottom of this chair to keep the joints working properly. At 11.5 by 4 inches, the Mayfly packed down to the size of a large Chipotle burrito and is arguably lighter at 1.6 pounds.Therm-a-Rest Treo ($100) Photo: Therm-a-RestWeight: 2 pounds 6 ouncesUnfolded Size: 20 x 22 x 27 inchesBest For: Getting you off the ground for a low-weight buy-inThe Verdict: Therm-a-Rest did something brilliant by using a heavy-duty plastic tripod to anchor the folding base and double as a protective cover for the entire structure.
The result is an incredibly sturdy little container that we felt comfortable brutalizing when folded up. The tripod feature also gave the Treo an impressive (for the weight) 13-inch seat height, which was about six inches higher than other chairs in the light-chair category. Those six inches make a huge difference getting in and out on legs that are tired from hiking all day.Helinox Sunset Chair ($150) Photo: HelinoxWeight: 3.2 poundsUnfolded Size: 22.8 x 27.6 x 38.6 inchesBest For: All-around useThe Verdict: This chair gained only half a pound on the Treo, but it sat high and comfortable like a recliner. The Sunset doesn’t pack down much, and 3.2 pounds is a little heavy to bring on a backpacking trip, but we wouldn’t flinch about strapping it to a daypack. The aluminum tent pole–like system that creates the Sunset’s structure essentially puts itself together—one tester was able to assemble it with one hand—and the upper is deep and reclined, which made for an incredibly relaxing feel.
REI Camp X Chair ($40) Photo: REIWeight: 7.3 poundsUnfolded Size: 31 x 32.5 x 20 inchesBest For: Solid product for the valueThe Verdict: We strapped the Camp X to the top of our pack for a hike out of Upper Cherry; as a result, it saw the most abuse of any of the chairs in this test. I even threw the 70-plus pound pack down multiple 10-to-15-foot sheer granite drops so I could climb down unweighted, but the Camp X remained no worse for the wear. The upper of this traditional folding chair has ample lightweight mesh that proved plenty hardy for our heaviest testers, with the bonus of drying within an hour of getting drenched.Coleman Vertex Ultra Hard Armed Chair ($60) Photo: ColemanWeight: 8.4 poundsSize: 24 x 24 x 35 inchesBest For: Replacing your reclinerThe Verdict: The heavy-duty plastic arms, which connect to the chair structure when folded, added quite a bit of weight to this chair but also proved darn comfortable when kicking back with a cold beverage. The Vertex Ultra’s heavy-duty 600-denier polyester upper and steel frame ensure the chair will last for years of car camping.
Thoughtful details like the wide seat and high back were well appreciated by our lounge-expert testers. Bonus: This chair can hold two beers and a glass of wine in a holder that swings out of the body, meaning you can be the center of any camping party without having to get up for a new beverage.Camp chairs aren’t just for camping. Engineered to collapse into a bundle that can be stuffed into a backpack, these lightweight seats will save you from the hard, damp earth everywhere from junior-soccer-league games and Memorial Day parades to outdoor Shakespeare festivals and experimental operas. Often improbably comfortable, these chairs take shape from a mess of rods and swath of fabric in a variety of ways. Commonly, sections of metal tubing, strung on elastic shock cords, snap together with very little... The Moment Kim Jong Nam Was Attacked: CCTV Footage Light Plane Crashes Into Shopping Mall in Australia French Cafe Receives Michelin Star by Mistake Anti-Trump Message Projected on U.K. Parliament Building
A Child Is Pulled Alive From the Rubble in SyriaInvesting in a quality chair can mean the difference between a numb bottom and being able to kick back and relax around the campfire. Here are eight you can't go wrong with. 1. Alite Monarch Chair, £59.95 One of the best lightweight chairs on the market, the Monarch from Alite weighs in at an impressive 589g and is extremely comfortable thanks to its two-legged design - perfect for rocking. Fits easily inside your bag and can be used on both flat or sloping terrain. 2. Flocked Inflatable Camping Double Sofa, £29.99 If you're looking for something a little more fun, this inflatable double sofa should do the trick. Perfect for festivals or camping trips with friends, the sofa is easy to inflate and deflate and has a handy folding design for easy storage and transport. 3. Helinox One, £81 Helinox are well known for their camping supplies and their Helinox One camping chair doesn't disappoint. Comfortable and lightweight, it's a must have for serious campers everywhere.
4. Treo Chair, £85 Thermarest's innovative Treo Chair has a tripod base to ensure you don't slip - perfect for sloping or uneven terrain - and packs downwards into its own base for easy storage and travelling. 5. Thermarest Trekker Chair, £30 If you suffer from back or joint problems, the Thermarest Trekker Chair is what you need. Easy to carry and store, the robust seat has been designed specifically to prevent back ache. 6. Hanging Tent/Chair, £155 Invest in the cocoon hanging tent and chair for idyllic weekends spent by the lake with friends or family. Sturdy and easy to both hang and carry, you'll relax in style with this chair. 7. Eurohike Langdale Deluxe Folding Chair, £25 This portable chair from Eurohike has padded seating, a tall back for extra support, and drinks holder in the arm. A great budget, but comfortable, folding chair. 8. Castillo Camping Chair, £26.99 Lightweight, padded and deceptively sturdy, this model from Regatta is an chair ideal for camping, caravan trips and festivals - and won't put a dent in your pocket.