The Best Camping Chairs - Our top 5 options
Being comfortable when outdoors is very important to us. Sitting around the campfire or just relaxing comfortably with a good book (or wine) is part of the camping experience. So what do we like and use? Find out below.
1. The Basic Chair
When you are new to camping, you may not want to spend a lot of money on some gear, and this humble camping chair is a good way to sit around the campsite and not be too precious with your gear.
Found at variety stores (eg. KMart, Big W) and camping stores this chair should not set you back more that $10. If you pay more for this chair, you have paid too much.
Benefits: Cheap, doesn't take up too much room in the car, you won't be too precious about it with dirt/rain/smoke etc. Readily available in many stores.
Cons: May not last long (some of our chairs lasted for years, others less than 12 months). Can be slightly uncomfortable depending on your build and your bottom. Basic.
2. Zulu Chair (by Planet Earth)
This chair is a lot more robust than the chair above, and more comfortable. You pay more, but you get more. It reminds me of our Helinox Chair One (but that chair is a lot lighter than this). We are always looking for gear that gives us more room in the car.
Benefits: Sturdy. Packs up to a smaller size (so great if you are trying to save space). Steel frame. Comfortable though it may not look it.
Cons: More expensive. Steel frame means not ideal for hikers. It requires you attaching the fabric to frame for each set up which some people may find tedious. You may feel it's a bit unstable when sitting on it - you do get used to it though.
3. The Glamping Chair - Darche Camping Chair
This is the chair for those who don't want to rough it. You want comfort and a place for your drink and dips! Car campers only for this chair. You will have to decided that you really enjoy camping before buying. Comfortable and padded, it's good for those of us who need that sort of comfort at the campsite.
Benefits: Comfortable. Steel frame. Storage pockets. Wide seating area. Not likely to tip over when in use as supports are good and stable.
Cons: Heavy (over 6kg) and bulky. Car campers only.
4. Hiking Chairs
Just because you are hiking, you shouldn't have to be uncomfortable. As mentioned earlier, the Helinox Chair One was one of the first hiking chairs we purchased in 2014 and it still is going strong today. It has been on many hikes and always coveted by those who are sitting on rocks/ground during the hike.
There are a variety of these chairs and the benefits are the same for all - lightweight, surprisingly sturdy construction, and comfortable after a days walk and pack up very small. The cons are the same for all - you pay for the design and technology so the cost is high (wide range of prices though). Because of the price, you do tend to be more protective of them.
Here are a few that we own and have used - we recommend all of these (there are a lot more on the market than just these, but we can only comment on chairs we try).
Helinox Ground Chair (640g) - we purchased this one when it came out to save on weight and also because it just seemed perfect for hiking. Whilst we use the Chair One for car camping if needed, this one tends to be hiking only.
Click here for availability and pricing
Click here for availability and pricing
The Thermarest Trekker 20 hiking chair sleeve is not your conventional chair but a sleeve that turns your Thermarest mattress into a chair.
If you are hiking and have your mattress, the sleeve gives you an option for using it when not sleeping on it! The video below is going to give you a guide on how to use it.
5. King Kokoda (by Oztent)
This chair is the sort of chair you can relax in for a while around a campfire. Very comfortable and high back, means you have a place to rest your head. Has adjustable lumbar support though I have never used it and handy side pockets to store all sorts of things in as you rest.
Benefits: Very comfortable and sturdy. High headrest is a feature that many chairs don't have. You feel stable in it.
Cons: Bulky and heavy (6+kg). Never seems to go back in the supplied bag as easily as it should!