Okay so camping chairs may not be the coolest bits of outdoor kit on the market, but if you spend a lot of time camping, especially as a family, they are a total game changer when it comes to comfort. There’s no more squatting down to cook dinner on the stove or sitting on cold picnic blankets outside your tent, and a foldable, portable camping chair is easily stowed in the car.
Not only will they improve your average camping weekend, but a set of decent camping chairs should last you for decades of adventures to come. There are all kinds of designs on the market aimed at different users – our buying guide explains what key features to look for. Read on, and we’ll also recommend six of the best, tried-and-tested chairs for everyone from lightweight backpackers to family campers.
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How to buy the best camping chair for you
What size chair should I pick?
It’s a case of horses for courses when it comes to picking a camping chair, so have a think about where you plan to use your chair before you invest. If you’re going for week-long summer camping trips with a big car boot, large comfortable chairs (which tend to be heavier) will be your best bet for comfort. If you’re heading into the backcountry or regularly moving camp, portable, lightweight chairs or camping stools will be easier to take with you.
Think about the different people in your group, too; there’s an option to suit everyone. We’ve included a double camping chair that couples will love, mini chairs for small campers and an oversized model for anyone who prefers a bit more wiggle room. It’s worth noting that more portable camping chairs tend to be low to the ground – if you’d find that a struggle then make sure you choose a model that’s as high as the chairs you find comfortable at home. If you plan to use your chairs to eat around a camping table make sure they sit at the right height for your chosen table, too.
What key features should I look out for?
Whatever kind of chair you go for there are some key factors to keep in mind. A good camping chair is lightweight but sturdy, easy to fold down small to stow away and made with tough, rugged and water-resistant materials. Some camping chairs use polyester material but we’d recommend picking a water-resistant material such as textaline instead. It may not be as soft but it’ll withstand a downpour, and will double up as sturdy garden furniture, which is handy when planning barbeques and garden parties.
If you only camp occasionally and casually you can get away with a cheap and cheerful fold-open chair of the kind you might find for sale in supermarkets and petrol stations for around £20. If you camp regularly, we’d recommend spending as much as you can afford to get better quality and comfort.
Any extra gadgets and gizmos after that are up to what you need – some chairs have headrests, cup holders and mesh compartments for storage, and we’d also recommend picking chairs with their own carry bags, as these are useful if you’re popping the chairs away in the garage for the winter and for carrying in and out of campsites.
We’d always recommend trying out a camping chair in person if you can – try different models out, have a go at unfolding and folding the one you choose and, of course, sit in it and check it suits you and feels like it takes your weight.
Once you own your perfect camping chair, look after it by giving it a wipe down after each trip and storing it somewhere dry. Happy camping!
The best camping chairs to buy from £10
1. Hi Gear Iowa stool: The best camping stool for wild camping
Price: £10 | Buy now from Go Outdoors
Camping stools won’t win any prizes for comfort, but they are by far the most portable and lightest way to take a chair with you on fast-paced adventures such as wild camping or bikepacking or trips where you need to pack your gear into a remote place, such as fishing.
This simple stool folds out into a sturdy rectangular seat and takes weight very well. Unlike other stools we tested, we found the material used for the seat to be tough, wipe-clean and water resistant, making this our top choice if you’re in the market for a stool rather than a chair.
Key specs - Materials: Polyester with steel legs; Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 43cm; Weight: 780g
2. Coleman low recliner: The best camping chair for small cars and sunbathing
Price: £40 | Buy now from Obelink
Anyone with jippy knees should look away now – you need to be reasonably limber to get up and down from a camping chair this low to the ground. The plus side is that Coleman’s recliner is lighter and more portable than a standard camping chair at 4kg, making it work well in smaller car boots.
It’s also a great choice if you’re keen for a bit of sunbathing on a sunny camping trip, as the back reclines into five different positions. There’s also a shoulder strap for easy carrying and a really comfortable padded neck support.
Key specs - Materials: Polyester with aluminium tube frame; Dimensions: 66 x 61 x 77cm; Weight: 3.2kg
3. Eurohike peak folding double chair: The best camping chair for couples
Price: £30 | Buy now from Blacks
Keep it cosy on camping trips for two by sharing this roomy loveseat. It comes at a very pocket-friendly price and it doubles up as a great portable bench for putting up in the back garden on sunny days. This is one for festivals and chilled-out camping trips, with drinks holders in each arm.
It weighs under 6kg but each seat can comfortably take 110Kg of weight, and it folds up pretty much as small as a one-person seat, fitting neatly into its own carry case. We reckon this is a bargain for the quality.
Key specs - Materials: Polyester with steel tube frame; Dimensions: 150 x 64 x 43cm; Weight: 5.6kg
4. Zempire Pluto camping chair: The best camping chair for stylish design
Price: £75 | Buy now from Zempire
Let’s be honest – most camping chairs aren’t much to look at when it comes to scoring design points. Not so the handsome Pluto from Zempire, which matches a lightweight and easy unfolding with good looks and great comfort. You really sink into its wide, quilted bowl-like design, and we reckon this is the comfiest chair we tested.
What’s more, the Pluto looks so nice it wouldn’t be out of place in a conservatory or even your sitting room. The legs may look flimsy but once folded open they lock in place and feel reliably sturdy. This one’s worth the extra dosh.
Key specs - Materials: Polyester with steel tube frame; Dimensions: 67 x 82 x 35cm; Weight: 4.5kg
5. Eurohike kids animal chairs: The best camping chair for kids
Price: £10 | Buy now from Millets
No-one under ten will be able to resist the charms of these super cute animal chairs – we especially like this cheerful hippo. They’re good quality too, which coupled with the fun design makes them an easy choice for keeping small campers happy.
The Eurohike chair packs into its own carry bag and is small and, at just 1.2Kg, light enough for little ones to carry themselves. And while it may be light, it can still take up to 56Kg in weight. At just a tenner per chair or two for £15, you can’t really go wrong.
Key specs - Materials: Polyester with steel frame; Dimensions: 66 x 61 x 77cm; Weight: 3.2kg
6. Vango Kraken 2 oversized chair: The best chair for campsite holidays
Price: £55 | Buy now from Vango
Big and beautiful is the name of the game with this oversized chair, making it a good choice for anyone on the bigger or heavier side who finds traditional camping chairs restrictive or flimsy. It can comfortably hold up to 180Kg and feels far sturdier than your normal camping seat, with legs that fold out into a geometric design that takes weight evenly. We like the arms, which are slim but comfortable to rest on, the comfortable padded back panels and the good-quality carry bag. A good choice for campervans or anyone who camps for weeks at a time.
Key specs - Materials: Duoweave with steel frame; Dimensions: 67 x 61 x 95cm; Weight: 4.8kg