Camping Chairs: Choosing the Best One for Your Needs

Choosing the right camping chair may seem like a trivial matter, but it is easy to get confused by all of the choices. How do you decide between them all? Should you just go for the cheapest available, and wonder if it will fall apart at the campsite? Do you really need the fancy reclining one? Can you fit four of them in your trunk behind the cooler? Decisions, decisions.

To keep this "trivial" business from becoming a headache, there are a few things you should consider when trying to select the best camp chair for your needs.  Besides price, think about where you will be using the chair, how portable it needs to be, how long you expect it to last, and if you want any extra features that will make you more comfortable.

This may seem obvious to some: “at the campsite … duh!”  Camping chairs, however, are used in all kinds of environments.  You will likely want a different type of chair if you will be using it for tailgating than if you are out on the Appalachian Trail.  Many folks like to keep them handy to use on their deck or patio when they have a few extra guests. 

Even at the campsite itself, you will have different conditions.  If you are in an rv park, you just have to carry the chairs a few feet and set them up, often on concrete or hard, packed ground.  If you are hiking in the Rockies, you may have to haul your chair for many miles, and could have trouble finding a flat surface to set it up on. 

Under any circumstances, the amount of space available is a factor.  Sometimes, you will need a seat with a small “footprint” on those busy holiday weekends with a dozen or more people packed around the campfire.

If you have to lug your camping chair any significant distance, then you will be looking for one that is not too heavy or bulky. For backpackers, a simple folding stool may be the best choice. If you are only using the chair in your backyard, you can choose a heavier one that may have a built-in footstool and cup holders for added comfort and convenience. When you are grilling bratwurst in the stadium parking lot, a balance of portability and comfort is probably the way to go.

When considering the size of the chair, remember that you will have to store it somewhere when it is not in use. Buying folding camping chairs will help, but you will need to consider how much space they require in your garage, shed or closet. Also, think about how much room you have in your trunk for that weekend getaway after you have already loaded up coolers, grills, backpacks, tents, and so on.

When it comes to durability in camp chairs, you pretty much get what you pay for. If you are a large person or will be using the chair frequently in harsh environments (windswept cliffs and all-night parties both fall in this category!), then you may want to consider shelling out more cash for a chair with a stronger frame that is made from higher quality materials.

On the other hand, it may be just as cost-effective to go with the cheapest available chairs in these situations, and accept the fact that you will have to replace them more often. Even the most well-constructed camping chairs will suffer “accidents”, and it won’t hurt as much if you the pile of crumpled metal and fabric you carry out to the trash only cost $10 instead of $50.

All of us like to pamper ourselves from time to time.  Are you willing to pay a bit more for a few extra features on your camping chair?  Most of the so-called “quad” chairs, perhaps the most common type available, have one or two cup holders built into the armrests, so you can usually count on that.  Other chairs feature foot rests, storage pockets, canopies, and more.

If you are considering a few of these extras, remember that they almost always add extra weight and bulk, as well.  Keep this in mind when you start eyeing that reclining camp chair.

Finally, cost will be the ultimate factor in which camping chair you choose.  The range of prices may surprise you.  You can pay less than five dollars for a basic camp stool, or more than $150 for a fancy recliner.  Make sure you shop around.  Use the web to help you look the best deal.  Quite often, the lowest prices are not at the big discount retailers … it is definitely worth checking out the camping and sporting goods stores to see what they have on sale.

As mentioned before, searching for the best camp chair is certainly not like house hunting, but with all of the choices, it makes sense to think about what you are looking for a little bit before you buy.  Take a few moments to consider the factors described above first.  It will make it a lot easier to decide which chair to put in your shopping cart when the time comes.