The Best Camp Chairs for Every Type of Outdoor Lover

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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 EVO-X Folding Reclining Camp 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 EVO-X Folding Reclining Camp Chair. It weighs more than other options, but the comfort factor is king. And compared to the original, it deploys and packs up fast and easy! Price: $179

For The Car Camper: Helinox Chair One High-Back (re)

If there’s any better time than fall to kick it around a campfire in a comfy chair, we can’t think of one. And one of our new favorite ultra-portable camp chairs is the Helinox Chair One High-Back (re). It packs down small, just a bit bigger than your average backpacking chair, but much smaller than the ubiquitous folding camp chair, making it a great option for road trips, fall camping, and afternoons by the water or in the woods. We especially love the high back that makes it easier to lean into comfort and relax and that it’s made of bluesign®-certified and recycled polyester. Price: $149

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: $79, $99.

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: $189.99

For the cup juggler: Big Agnes Big Six 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 Big Six 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 4 lbs. Price: $174.

Bottom Line

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, like our review of ultra comfy camping mattresses and roomy 3-person tents! Then get out there and wander on.