We also liked the low height, which made it feel more stable on sand and it was easier to reach down to grab the beach towel or the sandwiches on the picnic blanket. The Helinox folding camping chair folds down to 4”x 4″x 14″ in its stuff sack — about the size coleman canopy of a Nalgene water bottle. The point of a great camping chair is to offer a light, portable place to sit when you need it. Whether you’re hanging out at the campfire or on the sidelines of your kid’s soccer game, standing around gets old really quick.
The two cupholders fit a drink or your phone and keys, and the little hanging organizer keeps sunglasses or bug repellent at the ready. The chair also comes in every color under the sun, so you can match your favorite sports team. For larger-bodied campers or people who require a stiffer chair for back support, the YETI Trailhead Camp Chair is our pick.
Walk around any campground or tailgate party, and you’ll notice the popularity of this variety of accordion-style seat. You can pick one up at just about any big-box store (sometimes for as little as $10), order one with your favorite sports team’s logo, or pay a premium for a similar model from Cabela’s or REI. The Renetto’s big, heavy canopy provides ample sun protection at a campsite or cookout and doubles as a backpack-strap-equipped carrying case.
It provides great back support, a mesh cup holder and side pocket for storing snacks or other go-to items, and — the ultimate feature — a cooler that accommodates up to four cans at once. You’ll never get thirsty when sitting in this coleman sleeping bag, whether you find yourself kicking back on the beach, at a tailgate party, or in the deep woods. Don’t worry about transporting this item — it comes with a carry bag that makes storage and transport a breeze. Although they’re designed with camping and backpacking in mind, camping chairs are more versatile than you may think.
If you’re planning to use the camp chair often, it’s worth investing in one of the mid-to-higher end camping chairs, which are designed with more durable materials. This helps keep the chair protected, organized, and makes it easier to carry. Look for chairs that include a bag or sack for convenient storage and transportation. The Stargaze also has luxurious features like a padded headrest, a deep no-spill cup holder, and a phone/stash pocket big enough to hold an iPad. However, we would’ve preferred the two-cup holder design found in other camp chairs (after all, a cupholder can usually fit a phone).
Each chair also has a fold away drinks holder, which is handy as we all know it is the law that you must have a beer or other alcoholic beverage when camping. Sadly it’s not big enough to hold a bottle of wine but apparently I am on my own thinking that this would be a good idea. Refunds are issued to the original form of payment, unless returned in store
where some exclusions may apply. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions.
For example, you can look at Nemo’s sustainability report to look at their impact as a brand, including carbon accountability. The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong also comes with dual cup holders, two storage side pockets, and a large storage pocket on the back. At 13.5”, it may be a little too tall to bring to a concert, coleman canopy but it’s perfect for beach nights, Fourth of July cookouts, car camping, lake days, date night under the stars, or family reunions. The Nemo Stargaze is a rocker/recliner, but it stands out due to its sturdy base that allows you to set up in rocky and sandy environments, which is rare for any camp chair.
Portable outdoor chairs are also helpful for anyone who doesn’t have the room or budget for permanent backyard furniture. And they can save your back, make it easier to juggle a picnic plate and a cold beverage, and generally help you to relax comfortably outdoors. If you notice some mildew on your chair or happened to enjoy a particularly muddy weekend, cleaning off your camp chair is a relatively straightforward process.