Choosing a camping chair is not as simple a decision as one would think. They are a lot of things to consider such as portability and durability, like many other pieces of camping equipment, but you also want to get a chair that is comfortable and functional. Remember, these are chairs that get totally abused from being dragged across campsites and beaches, being tossed in the back of the car and, when they aren’t in use, can be stored on the porch or garage. Despite their mistreatment, we then expect our camping chair to fold out and be comfortable. Here are few tips on picking out a great camping chair and a few reviews of some of the products out there now.
Most people think of a camping chair as a simple chair made of fabric that you can easily carry with you and is easy to set up. These days, those are the minimum standards for a camping chair. There are many choices on the market today with different types of features. So many in fact, that it may be difficult to pick the best one.
Different Ways We Use Camping Chairs Today
Tailgating and Car Camping
Tailgating and car camping do not require a lot of walking so the portability of the chairs is not as much of an issue but comfort is. Comfort is one of the most important features customers search for in a camping chair. Durability is also a necessity and a great price is always a bonus. If you are doing a lot of hiking or outdoor activities while camping, when you return to camp you definitely want a chair you can fall into and rest so you want to pick a chair that is the most comfortable. The Kijaro Dual Lock Folding chair is a popular model for relaxing and it offers superb back support. An affordable option is the Coleman Broadband Quad Chair which is a smaller camping chair that takes up less space than other camping chairs when you throw it in the back of your SUV with the rest of your camping or tailgating supplies. It’s also well-ventilated and has a great cup holder. A pricier option is the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong which is very cozy, especially after a long hike, but it is bulkier than the other camping chairs.
Beach Living
A favorite past time of many beachgoers is bringing their camping chair with them to lounge, read or sunbathe under the sun. If you are planning on using your camping chair at the beach a lot, you need a chair with a mesh fabric that will keep you well-ventilated while sunbathing. It’s also a good idea to choose a chair in a lighter color that won’t get as hot in the sun as a darker color chair. Make sure your chair is also pretty stable so it doesn’t wobble in the sand.
Next, consider what part of the beach you usually visit and how far the walk to the beach will be from your car. If you’re bringing the whole family with you, you’ll have a wagon full of beach supplies and sand toys so adding a cumbersome chair can slow you down. If your walk to the beach is short, then the Eureka Curvy High Back is a really comfortable chair to sit in for extended periods of time. It has a unique tall back design which provides great head support and well-ventilated fabric that will cool your body while you sit in the hot sun. It also features a big side pocket that can hold sunscreen, snacks and your reading material. If you usually have a farther walk, the Kelsyus Mesh Backpack Camp Chair is also great for lounging at the beach. It’s easy to carry, has a well-ventilated back and sit close to the ground.
Short Outdoor Trips
These trips can include any outdoor activities where you aren’t camping but you are still going backpacking or hiking. Or you’re going fishing for the day or to an outdoor concert and need something to sit on. For these activities, you need a comfortable, portable chair to sit on and relax once you reach your destination. A great chair for this type of scenario is the Texsport Portable Outdoor Folding Tripod Stool. It’s one of the smaller models of camping chairs and only weighs 2 pounds, however, one of its drawbacks is its lack of stability. Another more stable option is the Texsport Bazaar Folding Camp Picnic Outdoor Chair with Drink Holder, which weighs a little more, 5 pounds, and is still pretty portable for a camping chair. It’s very sturdy and great for lounging around or watching an outdoor concert.
Knowing What You Want
Now that you have considered how you will be using your camping chair you can start to decide what features are the most important in choosing a camping chair. Do you need a chair with ventilation when you will be sitting in direct sunlight? Do you like chairs that have extra storage areas for sunscreen and snacks? The Coleman Broadband Quad Chair has a great storage option for all of your necessities that is also portable and a great value. Older or taller individuals may prefer a chair that doesn’t sit as low to the ground and is easy to get out of like the Coleman Oversize Quad Chair with Cooler and the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong which have higher seats that are more ergonomic.
Camping Chairs Types
Camping chairs tend to fall in one of these two categories – portable and traditional.
Traditional Camp Chairs
Traditional camp chairs offer more back support and don’t sit as low to the ground so they are generally considered more comfortable. Since the seat is higher, they are easier to get in and out of and they are perfect for those that want to lounge around. They do take up more space and are heaving to carry so, if you don’t mind the extra weight, they are a great choice. Traditional camp chairs only take a few second to set up by pulling them opposite ends apart and it basically sets itself up.
Portable Camp Chairs
Obviously the portable camp chairs are the most portable. They tend to be smaller and lighter, the seat is lower to the ground and they take more time to put together. Portable camp chairs are also not as comfortable as the traditional models and they are also a lot less stable. However, if you have limited space and you have to carry the chair for quite a distance than they are the perfect chair for you. Of the portable chairs, the Texsport Bazaar Folding Camp Picnic Outdoor Chair with Drink Holder, was the most stable as well as the most comfortable of the portable camping chairs. The GCI Outdoor Quick-E Seat was modern and nice looking and includes a backrest and beverage holder. However, the Quick-E-Seat is based on three legs and can be unstable for sitting. One of the best choices for a portable chair is the Texsport Portable Outdoor Folding Tripod Stool which is a smaller model so it is easy to carry and is a little more stable.
Chairs for Backpacking
Chairs for backpacking tend to be lighter and easier to pack than a portable camping chair. If you are planning on hiking in the mountains, than you want a chair that has a low weight and is less bulky and less comfortable. Even the portable chairs discussed previously were still fairly comfortable and are definitely a little more heavier and bulkier than chairs for backpacking. The Therm-a-Rest Lite Seat is the most compact and light but it doesn’t have any back support and it has a pretty hard seat. The Alite monarch buttery is also light but it’s a compact chair that has a back. It weighs about a pound and it can fold up into the size of two soda can standing on top of one another so it can be easily be stored in a large purse or a small backpack.
Once you decide what type of chair you want, you can make the final decisions on the rest of its features. If you choose a portable chair, you generally won’t find additional features like storage pockets and cup holders but since the seats are lower, it’s easy to rest your drinks and sunscreen on the ground. Traditional camping chairs usually had at least one cup holder and a storage pocket wit some models having additional features like the Sport-Brella Recliner which not only has an umbrella but also a detachable footrest, cooler and bottle opener.
No matter what type of chair you choose or how you use it, you’ll soon be relaxing in the great outdoors in comfort with a durable chair you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come. Enjoy!
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