Camping just isn’t camping without a comfy place to park your tush around the campfire (also, it’s a heckuva lot better than sitting in the dirt). But not all camp chairs are created equal. So here are the best of the best, including camp chairs for every type of outdoorist, from lakeside loungers to backcountry explorers.
Listen, we know that not very camp chair is suitable to every outdoor enthusiast. Backpackers want something small and light. Car campers prefer somewhere to park their beverage. And stargazers need to be able to tilt back and appreciate the light show above. But no matter where you’re headed or what you’re doing out there in the great outdoors, there’s a perfect camp chair for you. And we are willing to bet it’s one of these. Find yours, then sit back and relax. Preferably by a campfire…
The Best Camp Chairs for Everyone
For the Stargazer: Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair
If your favorite thing about spending time in the outdoors is waiting for the sun to set and the Milky Way to rise, this is the chair for you. It’s not particularly light or small, so it’s not well suited for backpacking, but if you’re car camping or just pulling up to a dark sky park to marvel at the cosmos for the evening, you can’t beat the Nemo Stargaze Recliner. It weighs 7 lbs and can hold 300. Price: $219
For the Ultralight Backpacker: Helinox Chair Zero
Weighing in at 1 lb 2 oz, the Helinox Chair Zero is one of the lightest available on the market! And it packs up to just 13.5″ long, making it the ultimate ultralight chair for backpacking. But don’t let the ultralight designation fool you: this chair can hold up to 265 lbs. Price: $99.95
The Eco-Friendly Option: REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair and Flexlite Air Chair
Want to lighten your footprint (and your pack load) when choosing a camp chair? Go with the REI Co-op Flexlite Chair or Flexlite Air. Both are made with Bluesign approved materials (polyester and nylon, respectively). They both hold up to 250 lbs, but the Flexlight weighs 1 lb 11 oz while the Air weighs only 1 lb, making it a solid sustainable chair for backpacking! Price: $59.95, $99.95
For Fast and Easy Setup: CLIQ Chair
Look, we know all those shock cords in just about every camp chair can be a pain when it comes to setup and teardown. So if you prefer to just flick your wrist and take a seat, the CLIQ Chair is a wonder. You can set it up in 5 seconds (no joke) with just the push of a literal button and a sweep of some legs. Barely larger than a Nalgene, it can hold up to 300 lbs and weighs 3.65 lbs. Price: $129.99
For the lounger: Big Agnes Mica Basin Armchair
Most camp chairs designed for the outdoors (other than some of those heavy, bulky, not really all that comfortable folding deals you take to soccer games) don’t have room for beverage holders or armrests. But that’s not the case with the Big Agnes Mica Basin Armchair. With a drink holder on each side and little armrests for your elbows, it’s the perfect marriage of compact and functional. It sits a comfy 16″ off the ground, can hold up to 300 lbs, and weighs in at just under 3 lbs. Price: $169.95
The Budget Model: Ozark Trail Himont Compact Camp Lite Chair
Listen, we can’t all drop $80 or more on a camp chair. But if you still want a fairly lightweight, totally portable option (that even has a small pocket to stash stuff like headlamps or your trusty spork, the Ozark Trail Himont is your best bet. It weighs around 2 lbs and can hold up to 250. Price: $19.98
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Did you find the perfect camp chair for you? We sure hope so. Do you already own one of these rad pieces of gear that you absolutely love? Tell us about it! Then check out more of our gear roundups and recommendations here! Now get out there and wander on.
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Alisha is a freelance outdoor journalist and photographer based in Ogden, UT. She loves backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and snowboarding (even though she’s terrible at it). She’s also pretty sure she’s addicted to coffee. alishamcdarris.com