The canopy is big enough to block most, if not all, sunlight any time of day, and the chair’s seat has a strip of breathable mesh down the middle for airflow. Senior staff writer Lauren Dragan said the Renetto is her most comfortable camping chair. No other chair in our testing pool—except perhaps the extremely pricey Yeti Trailhead—came close to matching the King Kong’s build quality. And the 600-denier polyester seating fabric is tougher and more reinforced than that of any other chair we tested (the term “denier” refers to the thickness of the fibers in a fabric; the higher the denier number, the stronger the fabric). Our testers consistently said the King Kong chair was the most heavy-duty-feeling model of all the chairs we tested.
As a result, the chair feels grounded and less wobbly than its competitors. This was especially reassuring for testers with knee or hip issues, who noted that they felt confident using the Dual Lock seat’s armrests to stand up and get out of it. Stumps, stools, boulders, and picnic tables are fine for sitting briefly outdoors. But if you want to kick back and stay comfy, the right camping chair can make all the difference.
With a weight capacity of 500-lbs, it is perfect for adult use and the extra wide seating provides ample room to stretch out and unwind. We tested 29 of the best camping chairs on the market to find the perfect option for everyone. Nathan Borchelt is a life-long camper and backpacker, and is a huge advocate for using camp chairs — so much so that he successfully lobbied an ultralight-obsessed thru-hiker to add a lightweight camp chair to his kit. In preparing this article, he worked with a team of T+L experts who tested a total of 47 chairs in both real-world and lab scenarios, sorting through testing feedback to choose the best of the bet. Shorter chairs also position your knees slightly higher, which can reduce the pressure on your back, and they’re also great for concerts or festivals, since you don’t sit as high and won’t block other people’s views. Conversely, if you’re quite tall, you might not want a lower chair, which may position your knees higher than is comfortable, and may prove to be a struggle to stand.
If you’re camping with multiple people and want to feel right at home, the Kelty Low Loveseat is plenty comfortable for two people to sit in thanks to its low-to-the-ground architecture and a slightly reclined back panel. The durable, powder-coated steel frame pops together in seconds, and the 600D polyester comes with quilted padding to further amp the comfort level. Living in the south, spending time outside is practically second nature. Between barbecues, crawfish boils, and annual family reunions, the great outdoors sort of feels like my second home. I’ve learned that a comfortable folding chair is a must-have for easy, breezy summer hangs, and with so many to pick from, it can be hard to find the right one…unless social media comes wielding a lightning strike of inspiration. After spotting the Ozark Trail Oversized Mesh Cooler Chair on TikTok, I immediately knew I had to get my hands on it.
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 ozark trail camping chair 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.
If your ideal camping set-up resembles that of an outdoor living room, you need the Kelty Lowdown Couch to complete your kit. Even larger than the loveseat above, it provides ample sitting space for up to three adults, with a durable 600D polyester seat that’s padded for added comfort and a slightly reclined, low-to-the-ground design. The whole thing pops up smoothly thanks to a strong, powder-coated steel frame — and we were able to set it up with just one person on their own. We also loved the design of the wrap-around carrying configuration, which lets you place other items inside the adjustable straps and then haul everything with the padded, adjustable shoulder strap. Each arm rest is adjustable, and you can resize the mesh cup holders to fit whatever you need close by, including beverages or your phone. Yes, at more than 20 pounds, it’s kind of heavy, but you also get three seats, so it’s a fair trade-off, especially for car camping.