Check for reinforced stitching and reliable construction to ensure the chair can withstand outdoor conditions, avoid rust, and can handle getting packed in-and-out of a car on a regular basis. The Coleman features a padded seat and back, adjustable armrests, mesh cup holders, a magazine or tablet side pocket, and a soft cooler pouch (large enough for a small ice pack and up to 4 cans!). At just under 11 pounds, it’s light enough to toss in the car or carry a few down to the fishing hole.
Like many ultralight chairs structured with a pole base, it will sink into soft ground like snow or sand, but Helinox makes a ground sheet you can buy to make the chair more versatile. If you’re a minimalist traveler, REI’s Co-op Flexlite Air Chair is the ideal type of camping gear for you. The 1-pound seat comes with a minuscule stuff sack that can easily be slipped into a backpack or suitcase.
The REI Camp stool is much more accommodating and feels sturdy—as long as you’re below the 200 pound weight limit. On road trips across the country to visit multiple friends, we were pleasantly surprised to see this camp chair in multiple outdoors people’s backyards for use as everyday patio furniture in the summer. Whether friends are having a backyard campfire or watching the sunset from the porch, the Kelty Low Loveseat seems to double as many people’s favorite home patio furniture, too. Whether you’re car camping, backpacking, concert-going, lakeside dozing, or barbecuing, there’s nothing like sitting down and taking it easy after a full day of activity. There are cheaper camping chairs on the market (and more expensive), but not many that can compare to these Coleman Bungee Camping Chairs.
With the exception of REI’s Camp Xtra, it has the undisputed largest seat of any of the camping chairs we’ve tested. I harp on being tall a lot in these reviews, but it’s not often that I come across a product that feels like it was built for big people. The length and width of the seat gave me plenty of space to be comfortable, and coleman canopy then some. Thoughts of camping chairs may conjure up images of $10 specials out front a big-box retailer, but let’s reorient ourselves to a slightly higher standard. We expect a proper car camping chair to not only fold up for easy transport, but to be comfortable, supportive, and made to last—even in rough and tumble weather.
Coleman, a renowned brand with a rich heritage, has been synonymous with outdoor adventures for decades. Established with a vision to provide quality outdoor gear, Coleman has become a trusted companion for camping enthusiasts, hikers, and explorers worldwide. With a commitment to innovation, durability, and comfort, Coleman has continuously pushed the boundaries of outdoor equipment.
For what it is worth, we’ve checked camp chairs as luggage many times and have had no issues (except that it can make staying under the weight limit difficult if packing it with other camping gear). What’s a camp chair worth if it’s not easy to store and take with you on your adventures? We searched for portable camping chairs that were easy to stow, didn’t take up too much space, and came with carrying cases for ease of transport and storage.
For $60, REI’s Co-op Skyward Camp Chair is a super reliable option that will last you for years. It has all the basics of a good chair, including a strong steel base that quickly and easily unfolds in an umbrella-like motion. It packs up easily into the included sleeve and has convenient additional features like a cup holder and drop-down pocket for items like your phone or a bottle opener.
The tall back, wide seat, and subtle-yet-serviceable padding let me feel like I could really relax and forget momentarily that I was supposed to find things to criticize. There’s no reinventing the wheel here, just a few decades of practice that have culminated in a really good product. coleman chair Eagles Nest Outfitters, better known as Eno, is a hammock company first, but that expertise has translated nicely with their Lounger DL Chair. Like the brand’s hammocks, the Lounger practically cradles you on all sides, with an aluminum frame that suspends the nylon seat.