Best Basic Camping Chairs

Nowadays, it seems like everybody wants a camping chair with a canopy, a built-in cooler, a foot massager, and a heater. Sometimes, you don’t want all the bells and whistles. Sometimes you just want a really comfortable, high-quality chair to sit on. And when you want a chair like this, you can count either of these chairs:

Zen Strongback Chair

Admittedly, most foldable camping chairs are made cheaply and poorly, which is why you immediately sink into the chair when you sit down. The Zen Strongback Chair features a curved bar in its’ design, which increases chair support to keep your back straighter.

The end result is that you sit taller, straighter, and have more support on your lower back. Zen offers two models right now – the Elite and the Zen. The only real difference is that the Elite is rated at a higher weight (up to 300 pounds) and it is slightly larger.

Either option is a solid choice and both chairs are perfect for your everyday lounging at the campsite.

Helinox Ground Chair

If you’re looking for a basic, ultra-lightweight, and ultra-comfortable chair, then look no further. The Helinox Ground Chair is arguably one of the most comfortable chairs you’ll ever sit on. Weighing at an astoundingly light 1.2 pounds, the Ground Chair folds down to roughly the fourth of the size of your average chair – and it even fits into its’ own bag.

The mesh panels make the Helinox Ground Chair one of the more breathable chairs we’ve found. There is one downside though. Since the chair sits so low, individuals with back problems or mobility issues will find this chair difficult to sit in.

However, for the average adult, the Ground Chair is the perfect chair for general lounging and it’s light weight is perfect for a when you’re hiking.

Best Camping Chairs for Kids

Although most parents already know their kids won’t actually sit down and relax, it’s still a good idea to have a camping chair for the kids as well. In the unlikely event your kids take some time to sit down and relax, these camping chairs are more than comfortable and sturdy enough to keep your children happy:

REI Kid’s Camp Chair 

There’s nothing really fancy or special about the REI Kid’s Camp Chair – it’s just a great portable and durable camping chair for kids. This small, foldable lightweight camping chair is perfect for any camping trip, sporting event, or barbeque.

A kid-friendly pocket on the right armrest can store beverages or valuables.

A shoulder strap enables an adult to carry the 4lb. chair with relative ease, and the heavy-steal frame is durable enough to last a lifetime. This char doesn’t have any crazy bells and whistles – it just knows how to get the job done.

Bass Pro Shops Deluxe Camp Chair for Kids 

Like the REI camping chair for kids, the Deluxe Camp Chair for Kids by Bass Pro Shops doesn’t necessarily do anything great, but it does do everything good.

The tough steel frame has “pinchproof” joints to keep your child’s fingers safe and a water-resistant polyester seat will keep the seat as dry as possible when your child inevitably leaves the chair out in the open during a summer thunderstorm.

The convenient cup holder can keep drinks close by, or it can store useful items like a phone, candy, or other important items.

Best of the Rest

If you’re not looking for a basic camping chair, and instead don’t mind shelling out some cash for a higher quality camping chair, then we’ve got you covered. Based on our research, these are some of the best overall camping chairs that combine comfort, portability, durability, and ease of setup

Eureka Curvy High Back 

The Curvy High Back chair from Eureka is an award-winning chair that features as you can probably imagine… a high back. This design is meant to provide you with complete back support, which is why it’s a popular choice for adults with back problems.

The breathable fabric provides adequate ventilation, and the chair is attractive, durable, and easy to set up.

If we had any complaint about the chair, it’s that the armrests and cup holders are inadequate. Still, the Curvy High Back chair manages to bring “home like comfort” to camping, and that’s something we think we can all agree on.

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong 

If you want a chair that has it all, then the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong is the perfect chair for you. This large, super-comfortable chair has a padded seat for added comfort and extra storage on the back and side to accommodate drinks, camping supplies, and more.

We can’t really stress how big the chair really is. It weighs a whopping 13 pounds, is three feet wide, and can hold up to 800lbs.

For some, this may be too much, but for the rest of us looking for the sturdiest, most comfortable camping chair on the market, the King Kong is probably it.

Just because you are outdoors doesn’t mean you can’t be comfortable. With our selection of camping chairs, you and your entire family will be comfortable, dry, and relaxed the next time you venture outdoors to spend time with Mother Nature.