Most commonly utilized as a camping chair, these lightweight, foldable chairs are only a few pounds and can be easily carried over the shoulder, but not all folding chairs are created equal. While some have just the basics and serve their purpose as an outdoor chair, others have cup holders, footrests and lumbar support to keep you extra comfy. Other chairs we tested sacrificed too much comfort in order to shave mere ounces off of their weights, and we don’t think the trade-off was worth it. Keep in mind that lightweight chairs won’t be nearly as comfortable as traditional camping chairs, so take the word comfortable with a grain of salt.
During a camping trip, I sat in a friend’s REI Flexlite Camp Boss, which is a larger version of REI’s Flexlite line of chairs that we mention in the competition. It was surprisingly comfortable and more stable than the Flexlite and Flexlite Air that we tested. We look forward to having a testing panel compare it to our top lightweight pick.
At a whopping 28”, this chair can accommodate just about anyone. The good news is that there are options available, and the Ozark Trail XXL Director Chair is a great option. We’ll be quick to point out that it’s not perfect, but it definitely belongs on your shortlist of options to consider.
It’s more affordable than other chairs we tested of similar quality. Most other chairs in its price range don’t match its quality, features, or reputation. If you’re unsure which camping chair to buy, you can’t go wrong with the classic Coleman Cooler Quad Chair. 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.
Fayetteville is also the beginning of the Razorback Greenway, a 40-mile regional bike path that connects communities throughout Northwestern Arkansas. Senior editor Kalee Thompson, who wrote a previous version of this guide, has been regularly using the Coleman chair she originally tested in 2016. The chair has held up to years of ozark trail backpack backyard hangs and camping trips, although the cooler pouch has deteriorated, and some parts of the fabric close to the frame have frayed.
Many testers found other chairs more comfortable and easier to put together than the Nemo Moonlite Reclining Camp Chair. This is also the most expensive lightweight chair we tested, and we think the Chair One is a better value. The canopy is big enough to block most, if not all, ozark trail backpack 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. “These are fantastic chairs. Padded seat is super comfortable,” raved one shopper. “They fold up flat and are easy to carry. Much nicer than sling chairs, and easier to get in and out. They are perfect for watching high school sports and camping.”
The Ozark Trail XXL Director chair’s metal frame also has an all-business look about it too, which clearly sends the message that this is a go-anywhere chair. The Helinox Chair One is the best chair for anyone who needs a lightweight, portable chair. For many owners we’ve talked to, it’s been an essential chair for watching sporting events or any other time you’ll be in the direct sun for hours, like cookouts, picnics, birthday parties, and field trips. This chair’s big canopy provides ample sun protection at a campsite or sporting event, and it doubles as a backpack-strap-equipped carrying case. This chair costs slightly more than the Coleman Cooler Quad Chair, but it’s still a budget-friendly option. It delivers a solid baseline of build quality, comfort, and reliability that we didn’t find in other, similarly priced chairs.
A bit heavier around 13 lbs, this packable chair has an attached table for meals around the grill or campfire. Of the original 21 obelisks, only seven remain nationwide. This particular obelisk was originally placed in downtown Stroud, but once the route picked up traffic in the late 1920s, the monument was moved off the busy street to its current location closer to Davenport.
Originally constructed in 1923 as the first federal highway project built in Oklahoma, this truss bridge consisted of ten spans over the South Canadian River. It closed to traffic in 1963 and later lost two spans during a storm in 2013. Seven additional spans were also demolished for safety reasons, and the remaining span was donated to the City of Newcastle. The old bridge can be viewed as you cross the Canadian River on I-44, or take exit 108A off I-44 southbound and turn right onto Meridian Road.
Voted #1 Aerial Adventure Park in America 2019, 2020, 2022 by USA Today. Capacity XXL Director chair is a bit on the heavy side; it lacks any ozark trail chair built-in storage, and it’s only offered in two (bright) colors. If you’re looking for something a bit more subdued, that might be a little off-putting to you. We don’t regard any of these as outright deal-breakers, and at least where the storage issue is concerned, there’s an easy DIY fix. Weighing about 8 pounds, the Coleman chair is lighter than most traditional models, so it’s easier to grab from deep in a car trunk or to carry for long distances.