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Camping Chair Reviews and Buying Guide:

When it comes to camping, most of us are willing to "rough it" and go without our conveniences of home. Sleeping in a tent on the hard groud is tough enough, but not having a chair to sit in at the campsite is one thing most people will not do without. Camping chairs have become more popular over the last decade as campers realize they are portable enough to bring along for car camping and some of the newer models can be carried if you are backpacker out in the wilderness. The basic models provide a less than ideal seat to sit in, but at least it's not on the ground. The deluxe, or luxury, camping chairs are padded, have comfortable arm rests, cup holders, and some even recline. Those with durable and sturdy steel frames are the longest lasting, while some have footrests for the ultimate in relaxation around the campfire. I have even some inflatable camping chairs at Target that may be a little over the top for camping purposes. The kids travel or camping chairs are small, lightweight, and very portable so you can pack them up whenever you head outdoors.
camping chair



REI, Target, and general sporting good stores like Big 5 or Sports Authority will carry camping chairs. We found a nice selection online at Altrec.com and at Target.com with prices ranging from $30 to $150. The best ones are those that come with a carrying case for easy storage and transportability. If you wait until the off-season you can find good deals on camping gear like chairs since stores don't want to carry them all winter. I have owned camping chairs that have no cupholder and I must say that is an important feature that is a "must have". All the camping chairs we saw fold up, some better than others. Most are extremely lightweight, but not none are so heavy they are a burden. Lafuma, Coleman, NRS, and Crazy Creek make camping chairs and are carried online or in retail stores. The double camping chairs are nice, but certainly not a necessity when camping. I would look for a heavy-duty chair that drys fast in case it rains and can withstand a little punishment since it will be used outdoors. Although we could find no reviews on camping chairs in Consumer Reports, we did find some comments posted on camping forums online. We tried to break down the camping chairs into categories and list the top chair in each with websites and places to buy them (please see below). RECOMMENDED - We suggest shopping online at Amazon.com since they carry all the leading brand names and usually have the lowest prices on the Internet. You can browse their top selling camping chairs online here.

Best Camping Chair:

After reviewing several outdoor websites for their selection of camping chairs, we felt that the Travel Chair Ted's Portable Mesh Armchair listed on REI.com is the "best buy" you can make for under $30. It comes in blue, black, yellow, or lime colors and it weighs less than 10 lbs. The versatile mesh chair works great not only in campgrounds but users say they take it to the beach as well. The ballistic nylon mesh material make this chair lighter than canvas models and it drys extremely quick. The armrests are height adjustable and the beverage holder stores your favorite drink. Opens and fold up quickly and the nylon carrying bag has a shoulder strap and a drawstring closure. The steel tubing frame is certainly durable and sturdy in all conditions. RECOMMENDED - We like the Coleman Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler - which at $35 is a great deal. Has a padded seat and back and includes a built in mesh cup holder. The attached soft cooler holds up to 4 cans with an ice pack. The armrest are adjustable and it's quite durable.

Folding Camping Chair:

If comfort is the main concern when you go camping, then the Lounge Lizard Folding Recliner with Armrests ($150) is a solid folding camping chair available at Target.com. The open weave PVC coated waterproof fabric can withstand rainy weather and owners say it's simple to fold and unfold. The portable recliner camping chair adjusts into multiple positions for a relaxing rest. You have the option to go with hand-rubbed wood armrests or cushy foam. An adjustable pillow at head level adds to the overall comfort. The steel frame is sturdy and durable. One owner said they found this same model on sale at Home Depot for only $60 as a clearance sale item. Keep your eyes open for off-season specials and discounted pricing on camping gear. See all the top rated folding camping chairs on Amazon.com here.

Heavy Duty Camping Chair:

Looking for a heavy-duty camping chair? Target carries the Black Antartic Chair ($70) which is made with 19MM stainless steel and can hold up to 400 lbs. It's not a whole lot different than the first chair listed above, but reviewers say it's sturdier. RECOMMENDED - For something a little less expensive but still sturdy, consider the ALPS Mountaineering Camp Chair. Features heavy duty polyester fabric and can support up to 350 lbs. Reviews are very favorable on this model as it's considered versatile enough to go almost "anywhere" say a few owners. Perhaps the most durable camp chair you will find that is under $50.

Lounge Camping Chair:

The Therm-A-Rest Trekker Lounge Chair 25 ($40) is a perfect backpackers chair because it doubles as a campground chair and a sleeping pad at night. The new model has an integrated fleece Stuff-It pillow and the side straps are adjustable to get the perfect fit. We do feel that at $40 it's a little pricey, but when you are debating on whether to sits on rocks or on a comfortable lounge camping chair, money is not an object. The #1 selling factor is the fact that the chair converts from camp chair to mattress pad. RECOMMENDED - Another excellent option is the awarda winning WearEver LR-4 Deluxe Backpack Lounger with a fold out footrest and 4 position recline. Supports up to 250 pounds on a ruggest 600 denier polyester fabric. Features hardwood arms and a drink holder. Reviews mention that this chair is perfect on camping trips, at the beach, or even watching outdoor concerts. You'll truly be living in "luxury" on your next camping adventure.

Kids Camping Chair:

We found the best selection of kids size camping chairs at Targets online website. They carry a SpongeBob SquarePants Butterfly Chair for $20 and a Spider-Man Butterfly Chair for $15. On Backcountry.com you will find the Crazy Creek Crazy Kidz Chair ($23) which kids really like. It is simpler than the chairs that Target carries, but kids love them just the same.

Do you have a quality site or product that belongs in this guide? We are always happy to evaluate or review new products and websites. Feel free to contact us at the email address below and let us know about you. If you have a demo product you'd like us to look at, please contact us before sending anything. Thank you.


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