Capacity XXL Director chair is a bit heavy; it lacks any built-in storage and is only offered in two (bright) colors. If you’re looking for something more subdued, that might be a little off-putting. 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. We like almost everything about this sturdy little chair. Its best features are, in our view, the width of the seat, the generous amount of supported weight, and its surprisingly modest price. The XXL Director chair by Ozark Trail is not adjustable.
Wirecutter is the product ozark trail wagon 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). There are also chairs that are hybrids between categories, such as the Nemo Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair, which comes highly rated and recommended. GCI Outdoor makes several rocking chairs, and we plan to try more of them to see if they’re any better than the Freestyle Rocker, which we weren’t enthusiastic about.
The Chair One is rated to hold up to 320 pounds—more than any other lightweight chair we tested aside from the Moon Lence. It can hold a lot of supplies, and it’s easy to carry and set up. The King Kong chair has two cupholders and intuitively placed storage pouches under each armrest; unlike the Coleman chair, though, this one doesn’t have a cooler pouch. No other chair in our testing pool—except perhaps the extremely pricey Yeti Trailhead—came close to matching the King Kong’s build quality. Its steel frame doesn’t wobble when you get in or out. Several Wirecutter staffers have owned the Coleman chair for years, using it on camping trips, in backyards, and at sporting events.
The Ozark Trail XXL Director chair is a good, if somewhat basic, director’s style camp chair offered by a company with a solid reputation in the market. While it has a few shortcomings, these are generally easy to fix and overlook. If you want something easier to access, you could always drill a small hole in one corner of the tray table and affix the D-Ring there, but many people will balk at the idea of defacing their chair. Either way, adding a bit of storage is easy if you want or need it.
We also found that this extra head area gave the chair a more secure feeling and gave you confidence to lean back into the chair. The chair is longer and bulkier as a result of this, but if the main use of this chair is for the garden, outdoor picnics or spending time camping, then it’s the perfect choice. The Ozark Trail Camp Chair follows a similar model to most other standard camping chairs and is similar in size and standard features.
If you’re unsure which camping chair to buy, you can’t go wrong with the classic Coleman Cooler Quad Chair. This time-tested classic is reasonably priced, roomy, and dependable enough to last for years. It’s not our lightest, most comfortable, or toughest pick, but it’s close enough, and it’s reasonably priced. The chair is simple to use and functional, without all the bells and whistles of some of the more luxurious models out there. The frame is robust and both the arms and frame are sturdy enough to push yourself up from.
For the most part, it’s held up well, but one common quibble is that the seat bottom begins to sag after several years of use. The Coleman Cooler Quad has been our pick since 2016, through numerous camping trips and several testing sessions. It’s perfect for tall individuals due to the longer back and head rest panel which gives stability and ample back support to the chair. The wide seating area makes it comfortable for users of all heights and everyone can benefit from the longer back panel. One of the best features is the longer back panel which reaches up to the neck and allows for you to tip your head back and rest it on the lightly cushioned area for extra relaxation.