Camping Chairs: A Step by Step Buyers Guide

Shopping for the right camping chair can be exasperating if you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for or which chair is best for you. With a little determination, choosing the specific camping chair for your needs can be accomplished. The following guide should will help you brainstorm the kind of chair you’re looking for and point you in the right direction for making a good purchase.

How many camping chairs will you need? This is an important detail as the number can determine how much you want to spend for each camp chair you select.

There is a vast assortment of camp chairs to choose from. Therefore, you need to select a style based on ease of set-up, durability with regards to the frame as well as the fabric, and the type of amenities you want with your chair. Such accessory items include cup holders, a carrying case or bag, footrest, headrest, sunshade, umbrella, armrest, and security pockets.

Also think about the size and height of the person you are shopping for. They make heavy-duty chairs that can support up to 500lbs. Some chairs have adjustable armrests that can help with a height difference between campers. There is also a large variety of camping chairs for kids and even a good selection for pets.

Will you be using the chair for more practical purposes, like a camp stool, or are you going to be using it with a great deal of comfort and relaxation in mind, such as a recliner type camp chair? Will you require a traveling chair, which can be heavier, or do you need one you can carry along while hiking or backpacking? Is the chair going to be used while camping at the beach? Perhaps, then, you’ll need one that is not only a lounger but is a canopy lounger.

As already noted, there is a wide array of camp chairs to choose from. Some of the more popular types are listed below.

1. Folding camping chairs include lounge chairs, recliners, double camp chairs, portable deck chairs, backpacking chairs, quad chairs, butterfly chairs, rocking camp chairs and folding stools.

2. Other camping chairs include inflatable type chairs and hammock chairs.

Decide in advance how much you want to spend per chair, and when you’re shopping try to stick within your budget. Most camping chairs can be found in the $20 - $90 range. Like most everything else, you get what you pay for. However, if you are not a frequent camper, think hard before investing more than $40 in a camping chair.

Keep in mind that a folding camp chair as a lounge chair, recliner, loveseat, deck chair, quad chair or rocking chair is best suited while traveling by RV or similar transportation. These chairs allow for more ways to relax and are more preferable to those people who simply want to spend a good part of the day at the camp site. Hammock chairs are well-suited for this particular purpose too. Other chairs, such as backpacking chairs, butterfly chairs, and folding stools are good selections for those who prefer to hike or backpack.

You will obtain more in the way of reliability and satisfaction if you choose a trusted brand name. Some of the well-known companies are Coleman, Slumberjack, Blue Ridge, Crazy Creek, Kelty and GCI among others.

There’s a host of retailers that offer camping chairs. You’ll find many online as well as at brick and mortar locations. Although some of the retailers online may be a little higher priced, you have the advantage of a larger selection. Alternatively, if you choose a brick and mortar retailer, you do have the opportunity of testing out the chair with respect to comfort and construction.

Below we have included a video on REI's Comfort Camping Furniture collection - if comfort is high on your priority list, you may want to check it out!

The above tips can give you some basic guidance when shopping for any chair for your future camping needs. Once you've found the perfect chair, or set of chairs for the whole family, plan a trip and enjoy relaxing by the campfire in new found comfort!