Sturdy, adjustable buckles allow you to choose just the right level of recline for whatever you’re using the chair for at any given time. The seat is made of a webbed mesh that comfortably conforms to your body and promotes airflow. The chair seemed surprisingly wear-resistant given how light it is and complimented the ball-and-socket joint system that helps the chair accommodate different body types. The Moonlite weighs under two pounds, folds into a compact position, and comes with a zip-up carrying bag.
Are you a car camper or do you plan on socializing in friends’ backyards? Besides that, you need to know if you have enough room in your vehicle to fit the chairs. Some fold up small enough to fit in backpacks, but you should double check how much these seating options weigh before buying them. A folding hammock chair is undoubtedly worth it if you value comfort and relaxation above all else. The durability of the seat materials is paramount, since a torn seat can render your chair useless.
Suzie co-authored Lonely Planet Sustainable Travel Guide and is the author of 2021’s “Hiking Lake Tahoe.” She has undergraduate degrees from the University of Maryland and an M.A. In media and political communication from George Washington University. Follow her on Instagram at @HikeUpYourSkirt or find more of her work at suziedundas.com. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions.
A few of the lightweights we tested were cozy enough to sleep in for some campers, while others found them to be too narrow to comfortably fit their shoulders. If lumbar support is a must, it could be worth transporting a bit of extra weight to have a super sturdy chair on your site. The industry is flooded with options for portable chairs, from compact seats that are light enough for extended treks to heavy-duty rocking chairs that let you recreate your living room on the campground. Each comes with a convenient carrying bag that you can sling over your shoulder.
The Coleman camping chair is big and durable, and of all the upright chairs that our panel of campers tested, it was the most comfortable. The Helinox Chair Zero L isn’t inexpensive, but that’s probably because it’s made with high-quality, ultralight materials. The camping chair weighs just over one pound, but the aluminum frame can hold up to 265 pounds. The steel frame allowed our testers to use the reclining back confidently and lounge in the chair at just about any angle. The adjustable cup holders accommodate anything from a soda can to a beer growler (yes, you can have up to 64 ounces of beer in your cup holder). Cooler aside, we also like the Coleman chair’s side pocket (don’t leave those bottle tops in the woods) and cushioned backrest.
Finally, we sent the chairs out to put them to the test on real campgrounds, hikes, and other outdoor events. Testers provide periodic updates to report on the chairs’ performances over the course of six months. Walk around any campground or tailgate party, and you’ll notice the popularity of this variety of accordion-style seat. You can pick one up at just about any big-box store (sometimes for as little as $10), order one with your favorite sports team’s logo, or pay a premium for a similar model from Cabela’s or REI. We found the Coleman Kickback Breeze Chair to be a simple yet very comfortable seat, though women liked it more than men did (many of them judged it to be too snug).
After six months of regularly using the Coleman Cooler Quad Chair, we think it’s the best choice for most people who are seeking an upright chair for car camping, tailgating, and outdoor gatherings. We noticed during the first of our three camping trips—a weekend in California’s Joshua Tree National Park, with a total of seven families—that, given the choice, campers prefer to take the biggest seat. When we set up a dozen chairs around the campfire without comment, people consistently ozark trail lounge chair claimed them from largest to smallest. A close-to-the-ground chair is often the ideal choice for outdoor concerts, movies, theater performances, and other events where you will be concerned about blocking other people’s view. They’re also far more expensive and significantly less comfortable than typical full-size camp chairs. We recommend buying this type only if you intend to carry your chair long distances, whether you’re backpacking or trekking across Central Park.
Camping chairs are a fairly broad category of products, and your average outdoor retailer likely has options ranging from stool-style chairs to luxurious two-person loveseats. To help you narrow your search, we tested and evaluated all types of portable outdoor seating, from ultralight camping chairs and plush recliners to two-seaters and swings. We tested one chair at a time, starting by setting them up for use and paying close attention to whether there was any guesswork or fumbling involved in assembly. To see how comfortable it was to use the chairs for extended periods of time, we sat in each for minutes, making sure to evaluate any extra features like tables, coolers, and cup holders.
Get comfortable with this Ozark Trail Classic Folding Camp Chairs Set of 4. It is an ideal solution for sitting and relaxing in comfort during outdoor activities. Bring these Ozark Trail camping chairs to a sporting event, a picnic, a camping trip or even just to the backyard. Each one features arm rests with a built-in cup holder for keeping beverages close at hand. Carrying bags are included to make it easy to pack up and carry the chairs for transport. Durable polyester fabric allows these folding chairs with cup holders to last for a long time and stand up to various conditions.
For hikers and walk-up campers, smaller, lighter chairs are the obvious choices to keep in mind. If you’re using the chair for the beach, weather and UV resistance will help it last longer. REI’s Flexlite Chair has been replaced by an entire flock of Flexlite chairs; the one that is the closest to replacing the original Flexlite ozark trail hammock chair in the lineup is the Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair. The design, size, and weight is nearly identical, but the nylon fabric has been replaced with polyester. The GCI Outdoor chair also has a pocket built into the back that can hold a phone or a book. This chair comes in green or blue and is rated to hold up to 250 pounds.