The 11 Best Camping Chairs for Sitting by a Fire This Summer

Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes a whole new season of outdoor adventures. Get ready for campfires, s’mores, and — most importantly — the essential camping chair. While you’re going off the grid this summer, it’s important to have a chair that’s not only comfortable but reliable too.

That’s why we’ve scoured the web for the best camping chairs to take on the trail. Relax those feet after a long hike with some of the highest-rated chairs on the market. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight and foldable backpacking chair or a budget-friendly Amazon camp chair, The Manual has all your bases covered.

Alps Mountaineering King Kong Chair

Alps Mountaineering’s King Kong camp chair tops most lists of the best camping chairs, and with good reason. The sturdy, powder-coated steel frame and 600D polyester fabric guarantee years of stability and durability. Each armrest has a cup holder and side pocket for added storage. Plus, the design packs down relatively small, and it’s surprisingly comfortable to boot. That it sells for less than $60 also makes this one of the best value camp chairs available.

GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair

For nature lovers, there are few things better in life than relaxing in a chair around a campfire. GCI Outdoor ups the ante with a legit rocking camp chair. The Freestyle Rocker Chair is one of the best portable outdoor rocking chairs we’ve ever seen. The twin rear shocks provide a smooth, consistent rocking motion on any surface, from hard-pack gravel to soft dirt. The powder-coated steel frame supports up to 250 pounds. Surprisingly, this camp rocker folds and packs down small for easy transport.

Moon Lence Ultralight Portable Camp Chair

At around $30, Moon Lence’s portable camp chair is one of the most affordable backpacker-friendly camp chairs available. It packs down incredibly small and weighs just 2 pounds but still manages to support almost 250 pounds. The breathable, soft mesh material is airy and comfortable even after a few hours around the campfire.

BCP Zero Gravity Lounge Chair

If space and weight aren’t an issue, nothing beats a proper lounge chair. BCP’s Zero Gravity Lounge Chair boasts all the features of more expensive “luxury” lounge chair models at half the price. It includes a high back with a headrest and neck pillow, is fully reclinable, and provides more leg support than most. At 17.5 pounds, it’s the bulkiest on this list, meaning it’s best for front country and car camping. But, at around $100 per pair, it’s hard to beat the Zero Gravity’s mix of portability, comfort, and price.

REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair

REI’s Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair strikes a good balance between comfort and packability. It’s lightweight and packs down incredibly small, making it an ideal solution for backpackers and minimalist campers. Setup takes a little longer than others on this list, but the Flexlite Camp Dreamer makes up for it with a high back and a big detachable pillow to maximize comfort. It lacks the armrest and cup holders found in fancier models, but the two small “wing” pockets provide a bit of space for stashing your must-have fireside essentials.

Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair

It’s like bringing a La-Z-Boy camping with you, but the Stargaze Recliner Luxury chair from Nemo is much more packable. The metal frame and hammocklike seat collapse down into a small bag with a shoulder strap, and the shock-corded frame sets back up in seconds. The seat is hung from the top of the frame, swinging between the two poles. A strap-and-pulley system lets you recline by just pushing back in the chair. Check out the stars or have a quick nap while your IPA is safe in the mesh cupholder.

Yeti Trailhead Collapsible Camp Chair

Cheap camp chairs usually don’t last long — maybe a handful of summers and then your friend who’s had a few too many ribeye burgers tears right through it. The Trailhead Collapsible Chair is built Yeti-style and likely could survive a grizzly attack (they make no claims of this, but the brand’s best coolers can). Diehard joints are built like a truck door hinge, and the frame is reinforced with two layers of age-hardened aluminum. Bonus points: The cup holder stays upright even when it’s folded.

Strongback Elite Chair

A camp chair with solid lumbar support can be a refuge for those with back pain, especially in the great outdoors. The aptly named Strongback Elite chair is a true oasis, with a wide, comfortable back and solid lumbar support that’s integrated into the frame. It can easily hold 300 pounds and packs up into a narrow bag with backpack straps. The tall seat keeps you high, so it’s not hard to get out of after lounging for too long.

Helinox One Original Camping Chair

Unless you’re bringing your grandma camping, you probably don’t have a rocking chair with you. But who doesn’t like a good rock by the fire? The Helinox Chair One is compact and collapsible. If the ground is too rough for rocking, just pop it off. Like the other crazy lightweight chairs from Helinox, the Chair One is only 2.1 pounds and packs up tiny into a carry case. For a seat with a plush headrest, check out this Sunset Chair by Helinox.

Coleman Cooler Quad Chair

Sometimes you just need a chair for a good price for the weekend. Coleman’s Cooler Quad chair delivers solid bang for your buck. This 24-inch folding chair holds 325 pounds, with a pocket on one side and a four-can cooler on the other. It’s great for friends who are too cheap to buy their own. Just make sure they bring their own drinks.

Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair

Big Agnes is a well-known outdoor brand with a deep catalog of quality products, and the Skyline UL camping chair can attest to that. This is the best lightweight and comfortable camp chair option at just over 1 pound. If you’re already carrying a lot of camping gear, having a small (yet sturdy) chair is your best option. Whether it’s your next camping trip or your socially distant meetup, this chair is compact enough to carry anywhere.

If you’re looking to spend a few nights in the wilderness, you can also check out our selection of the best sleeping bags and pads to bring to your next outdoor trip.

How Do I Choose a Camping Chair?

The right camping chair ultimately depends on your lifestyle and hobbies. Everyone is different. If you’re someone who likes to push it to the limits and backpack the wilderness, you’ll want to go with the Moon Lence Ultralight Portable Camp Chair or the REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair. Both chairs are lightweight and foldable — making them easy to fit into a backpack or camping bag.

You’ve probably heard of Yeti brand coolers, but what about Yeti chairs? The Yeti Trailhead Collapsible Camp Chair is built to the same strict standards as the coolers but designed to also keep your body safe and secure — and your drink too.

What Are the Most Comfortable Camping Chairs?

There’s a reason why they call these chairs “zero gravity”. When the BCP Zero Gravity Lounge Chair fully reclines, get ready to float off into space with a feeling of weightlessness. The chair also includes a headrest, so you don’t even need to worry about packing an extra pillow. Rocking chairs and nature go together like peanut butter and jelly. Get the best of both with the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair. With its twin rear shock setup, this chair is sure to get you relaxing.

However, if you’re looking for something more ergonomic for back pain, then the Strongback Elite Chair might be for you. With its wide, comfortable back and solid lumbar support, this comfortable camping chair is perfect for people with back problems.

Which Camping Chair Is Best?

Portability, comfort, and price — three important factors to consider when deciding on the best camping chair. You’ve got to find the best of all three worlds. That’s why The Manual decided on the Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair for its current favorite camping chair. Its hammock-style design mixed with the shoulder-strap portability — and combined with its middle-of-the-road price point — makes this chair hard to beat.

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