Which is the Best Backpacking/Hiking/Camping Chair of 2020?

Camping in the great outdoors is a wonderful adventure. Nothing beats a weekend trip to the mountains to sleep out under the stars. When it comes to packing up to go camping, you need things that are portable and don’t take up a lot of space. If you will be car camping, you can carry a bit more than if you’re packing everything in on foot.

Getting back to nature and sleeping on the ground is great but, after a long day of hiking or birdwatching, you want a comfortable spot to sit down and rest your legs. Lawn chairs are sturdy but take up a lot of room and are too heavy to be carried for hiking or backpacking. There are several good camping and backpacking chairs that are small, lightweight, and portable  –  even for hikers.

What features do you need in a camping chair?

When it comes to choosing a camping chair, what features do you need or want it to have? Some chairs come with attached arm rests, drink holder, overhead umbrella (for shade or to keep the rain off), and a side table with cup holder and space for an attached cooler.

How do you plan to spend most of your time?

Will you be spending a lot of time in your camp or will you be out hiking, fishing, and exploring? If you will be out most of the day, you probably don’t need a lot of features, just something sturdy to sit on while cooking a meal or relaxing in front of the campfire.

If you will be spending the majority of your time in the camp, then you may want something a bit more comfortable  as you’ll be sitting in it a lot. A chair with a cup holder or umbrella for shade against the sun is nice if you just want a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy the beauty of nature with no plans at all.

What to Look for in a Camping Chair

1. Material
2. Portability
3. Product weight
4. Weight capacity
5. Price
6. Features

Why These are Important.  When choosing a camping, hiking, or backpacking chair you need to consider each of these important points

Material –. The material should be sturdy canvas or heavy-duty nylon that is durable and dries quickly.

Portability – for camping, is it lightweight and does it fold down to take up less room? For backpackers and hikers, is it small enough to be carried in your pack or attached to it without adding much weight?

Product weight – this is how much it weighs when set up. Camping chairs will weigh a bit more – up to 2 pounds, while backpacking chairs will be less.

Weight capacity – this refers to how much weight the chair can hold. The description should list the maximum weight capacity. Good quality camping chairs should be able to support 250 – 300 pounds or more. The two-seat, “loveseat” style, camping chairs can hold up to 800 pounds.

Price – can you fit it into your equipment budget? Is it affordable? You don’t necessarily have to buy the most expensive chair to get the best quality. Look for customer reviews and see what others who bought this product said about it. If the quality is good and it has a high number of positive reviews, then the question is can you afford it? If it won’t fit in your budget, keep looking until you find one that meets all of your requirements and is in the right price range.

Features – cup holders, headrests, footrests, umbrella or canopy, storage pockets, padded seats, and mesh panels all add comfort and functionality to a camping chair. Mesh is breathable and helps the fabric dry fast if you’re caught in the rain. A canopy or umbrella keeps the sun off of your face while relaxing on a sunny day and cup holders let you keep your favorite cold drinks within easy reach.

Which camping chair is best? Look over the description, size, and weight of each chair to decide Which chair meets your criteria and falls within your budget.

Top 5 Best Camping Chairs

 ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair

The Alps Mountaineering King Kong is the king of camping chairs. The ample seat allows you to sit comfortably in any setting. It is sturdy and durable, made of high -quality polyester fabric with a tough steel frame. It sets up and folds up quickly for easy grab-and-go adventures. The seat is 24.5 inches wide and the steel frame supports up to 800 pounds. It has two armrests, drink holders, and storage pockets to hold your reading material or cellphone. It is the largest camping chair and is listed as a bestseller on Amazon’s Best Sellers List.

Price: under $60. Weight: 13 lbs. Weight Capacity: 800 lbs. Color: Charcoal  

 Coleman Oversized Quad Chair

The Coleman Oversized Quad Chair has some nice features, like a built-in cooler that holds 4 cans. There is a mesh cup holder on the armrest for a cold drink and attached storage pockets to hold your accessories or personal items while you tend to the campfire. The seat is 24 inches in width and the sturdy steel constructed frame can hold up to 325 pounds. The chair folds down to fit most car trunks. It comes with a handy carrying bag for easy storage.

Price: under $60. Weight: 7.75 pounds. Weight Capacity: 325 pounds. Color: comes in blue, red, and gray. 

Quik Shade Canopy Folding Camp Chair

The Quik Shade Adjustable Canopy Folding Camp Chair is similar to the other camp chairs in that it has ample seat room, armrests, mesh cup holders, and an attached storage pocket to keep your valuables (keys, cellphone, travel map) while you’re relaxing. The overhead canopy keeps the sun off you while you enjoy the beautiful summer weather. The chair is made from sturdy polyester material and the steel frame holds up to 225 pounds.Price: under $108. Weight: 9 pounds. Weight Capacity: 225 pounds. Color: green. 

Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping and Sports Chair

The Kijaro Portable Camping Chair is durable and perfect for any type of sporting event. Camping, fishing, backyard BBQ, or sitting on the sidelines at a football game, this chair will give you lots of comfort and convenience. It folds out and locks into place to avoid accidents and comes with a carrying strap for easy transport. It is made of high-quality 600D polyester fabric and will hold up to 300 pounds. Comes with a carrying bag w/strap, mesh drink holder, and pocket organizer.

Price: under $60. Weight: 9 pounds. Weight Capacity: 300 pounds. Color: multiple color choices. 

KingCamp Lumbar Camping Chair

KingCamp Lumbar Camping Chair is perfect for camping, fishing and parties on the beach.  Made of sturdy 600D polyester fabric, the chair consists of a sturdy steel frame with contact points that evenly distribute the weight to keep the chair perfectly balanced. The chair comes with a mesh drink holder, cooler bag, side storage pocket, and attached storage pocket behind the headrest. It is portable and lightweight, weighing only 11 pounds and supports up to 353 pounds. The included carrying bag has a shoulder strap for easy transport.

Price: under $70. Weight: 11 pounds. Weight Capacity: 353 pounds. Color: black/white  

Top 5 Best Hiking/Backpacking Chairs

You might be asking yourself, “Is a backpacking chair worth it?” The newer models are lightweight and fold down into a bag the size of a shaving kit. Which backpacking chair should you choose? Have a look at these lightweight, portable options:

Sunyear Lightweight Compact Folding Camping Backpack Chairs

The Sunyear Lightweight Compact Folding Camping Backpack Chair is ultralight and compact by design. This portable camping chair weighs less than 3 pounds and packs down to 13. 8″ X 4.3 inches. It also includes a carrying bag for easy storage. You can take it in your backpack or just leave it in the car until needed. It is constructed from a heavy-duty aluminum alloy which is very durable and sturdy. The chair is roomy and comfortable for camping, hiking, backpacking and more.

Price: less than $40. Weight: 2.2 pounds. Weight Capacity: 250 pounds. Color: orange frame/black mesh    

Rock Cloud Ultralight Camping Chair

The Rock Cloud Ultralight Camping Chair sets up in minutes and weighs less than 2 pounds. Lightweight and sturdy, this chair is good for camping trips, backpacking, sporting events, and more. Made from sturdy 900D oxford seat fabric and a solid aluminum alloy, this little chair will let you relax at the end of a long day of walking in a chair that has breathable mesh panels, side pockets for storing personal items, and folds down small and compact.

Price: under $40. Weight: 1.98 pounds. Weight Capacity: 265 pounds. Color: multiple color choices. 

ALPS Mountaineering Rendezvous Chair

Another great chair for camping or backpacking. It sits low to the ground and lets you lean back in the seat to stretch your legs after a long day of adventure. It’s lightweight and sturdy (holds up to 300 pounds) and is great for camping, picnics, parties on the beach, or any sporting events. Comes with an included carrying bag and folds down small for easy carrying. Price: under $40. Weight: 6.8 pounds. Weight Capacity: 300 pounds. Color: rust   

ALPS Mountaineering Tri-Leg Stool

Like the larger backpacking chairs, this little 3-legged stool is made from 600D polyester fabric and sturdy aluminum alloy construction. Packs down small so you can carry it in your pack or use the included shoulder carrying bag for easy transport. Price: under $20. Weight: 2 pounds. Weight Capacity: 250 pounds. Color: rust  

TravelChair Slacker Chair

This lightweight camp chair folds down small and is comfortable and durable. Perfect for a day of fishing, hunting, backpacking or anywhere you want to take it. The stool weighs a mere 1.9 lbs. but can hold up to 275 lb. weight capacity. It’s easy to carry and sets up in minutes. When folded down in the carrying bag, it is the size of a rolled-up newspaper or umbrella. Price: under $30. Weight: 1.9 pounds. Weight Capacity: 275 pounds. Color: green. 

Conclusion

There are many styles of camp chairs that are functional and make a comfortable seat after a long day of hiking or exploring. When it comes down to it, there is no one chair that is best for everyone. Depending on your circumstances (whether you’re car camping or backpacking), and how much weight you can comfortably carry, choose a chair that is best for your camping or backpacking needs.