But it doesn’t stop at check-in; we’re here for you anytime to replenish supplies or pick out the perfect souvenir to inspire your next adventure. The REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair and the Flexlite Air (its featherweight sibling) are lighter than any other chairs in their category, but they felt less steady. We blame the crossbar design, which runs front to back rather than side to side; this creates a lot of wobble from right to left, especially ozark trail hammock chair if the chair is not on perfectly even ground. Its base design is the same as for other variations, the Flexlite Camp Dreamer and Flexlite Camp Boss. The box-shaped cupholder is a little roomier than the round cupholders on the Coleman and the L.L.Bean Base Camp chairs—better for stubby water bottles or mugs of hot chocolate around the campfire. You can stow this featherlight, compressible chair in a backpack or even a work bag.
Testers with knee and hip issues reported that when they were getting in and out of this chair, its armrests felt more stable than those of any other model. So they felt comfortable leaning onto the frame for extra support. After years of intermittently using the Renetto chair, one staffer said it has held up great. Another said it’s been an essential chair in their life and that it is still going strong after countless soccer games, birthday parties, beach trips, and school events. The Dual Lock seat’s name comes from a locking mechanism that secures the chair when it’s folded or expanded—releasing the lock is a matter of pushing a button on one of the legs.
When sitting in the chair, we found that the frame flexes a bit, and the fabric has some give, which makes the chair comfortable, with an almost cushion-like sitting experience. Otherwise, this chair keeps things simple, with two small Velcro pockets on the arms and two slits on either side to add breathability. It is, however, kind of a pain to pack it back into the compact carrying case; you have to collapse the frame, and then roll the chair around the poles before sliding everything inside. The compact size and two-pound weight makes it worth it if you’re going on a backpacking trip with limited carrying space. The 4-pound, steel-framed REI chair has an attached carry strap, rather than a carry bag (which the other chairs have).
Like others in its category, this chair comes with an over-the-shoulder carry bag, but some testers found it was light and compact enough to carry without the case. This highly rated compact camping chair is one of the best lightweight picks to consider. It weighs just a little over 1 pound and can be easily packed away in its small carrying sack. Additionally, it features ripstop polyester that has been designed to resist harsh weather conditions as well as UV rays. It has the highest weight capacity and largest seat of any chair we tested.
We found that the low-profile design allowed it to remain stable on all types of uneven terrain, with two curved support bars running between the front and back legs to improve stability and handle loose sand. If you’re planning a car-camping trip, you’ll probably want to bring camping chairs. And in situations where you need something that’s easy to move and set up (think backyard fire-pit hangs and playground birthday parties), camping chairs can also be reasonably priced, casual (albeit less comfy) alternatives to patio furniture. They’re also ideal for sporting events, field trips, outdoor concerts and movies, and picnics in the park. We tested 47 camping chairs over the course of two years, with the first batch in our New York City lab and the second batch out in the real world.
But even the most minimal camp chairs are still more comfortable than sitting on the ground. We love it when a product is so easy to use that it doesn’t come with instructions — and that’s just one of the things that sets the REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair apart from other hiking-focused camp chairs. Set-up was simple, as was collapsing it down and rolling ozark trail camping chair it up to fit into the carrying case. The one-pound chair features a durable aluminum frame and a ripstop nylon seat that’s plenty durable — but it really wins points for being so portable, and it is small enough to store in a backpack for long hikes. We found that the seat almost cradles you while sitting, and it flexes a bit to avoid feeling too rigid.
Testers consistently ranked this chair as one of the most comfortable models (typically second to the Yeti Trailhead, which costs almost four times as much). The few testers who didn’t like it often preferred the Kijaro Dual Lock XXL Chair, which costs a little bit more but provides a roomier seat. Constructed from heavy-duty 300-denier, water-repellent ripstop polyester and coated aluminum, the REI Co-op Outward Low Lawn Chair has two wide, adjustable backpack straps that make hauling the six-pound chair a breeze. And set-up couldn’t be simpler — detach the secure strap and push down on the armrests, and you’re set. The bifold design also lets you nestle blankets and towels into the chair and carry them as a catch-all by closing the seat around your camping items.
If you need any new Camping Chairs (AKA ballgame chairs for us!) you have to check out Walmart! I always have a few of these in the back of my car for ball games because you never know what fields will have stands until you get there. 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. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). The cupholders on the L.L.Bean Kids’ Base Camp Chair aren’t as roomy as those on our picks, and they’re not as adept at holding stubby water bottles or mugs of hot chocolate.