Normally, we’d caution against buying a chair with a seat that’s significantly wider than you need. In the case of a recliner or lounge chair, it matters because if the seat is too wide, you won’t be able to make effective use of more than one of the armrests. But where camp chairs are concerned, it’s not the end of the world. These are occasional seating options, and you won’t typically be spending such extended periods sitting in one that it starts to be an issue. Fun colors, light weight, compact, easy to set up and even a carry case for easy storage.
Senior editor Kalee Thompson, who wrote a previous version of this guide, has been regularly using the Coleman chair she originally tested in 2016. Aside from the color fading and the cooler pouch deteriorating, ozark trail camping chair her chair has held up to years of backyard hangs and camping trips. In summer 2023, she bought a newer Coleman Cooler Quad Chair to compare to her 2016 model, and she found them to be more or less the same.
The park is also next door to Tyson Research Center, where Ko is participating in a summer fellowship. Taum Sauk Trail, located about 100 miles south of WashU in Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, is a rugged 35-mile section of the much longer Ozark Trail. Those up for the challenge can expect some top-notch swimming holes and plenty of nearby camping destinations. The good news is that there are options available, and the Ozark Trail XXL Director Chair is a great option.
That term rarely applies to camp chairs anyway, but it’s actually not bad-looking. If you want something in camo, though, this isn’t your chair. Your only color options are red or blue, both with black trim.
This chair comes with a sturdy carrying case, with an over-the-shoulder strap, and it’s simple to expand and fold up accordion-style. No other chair in our testing pool—except perhaps the extremely pricey Yeti Trailhead—came close to matching the King Kong’s build quality. Its steel frame doesn’t wobble when you get in or out. Our testers consistently said the King Kong chair was the most heavy-duty-feeling model of all the chairs we tested. Moon Lence released a new generation of its Portable Camping Chair; this new version has a redesigned base and more mesh ventilation than its predecessor. It comes with a five-year warranty for its frame and a two-year warranty for its fabric; this rivals the warranty for our top lightweight pick.
Just unpack it, unfold it, and sit down—that’s all there is to it. In terms of extras, the Ozark Trail XXL Director camping chair comes with a fold-out side table attached to one of the chair arms. The table is big enough to hold a small plate, which makes camp dining convenient, and is big enough to hold a few miscellaneous supplies if and as needed. The XXL Director chair by Ozark Trail is not adjustable. However, it is marginally above average in terms of comfort compared to other camp chairs. It would be overselling it to call this a handsome chair.
GGO, founded at WashU in 2015, provides STEAM education and outdoor experiences for students in low-income public elementary schools in St. Louis and Chicago. Members of the WashU chapter volunteer in local schools giving lessons, chaperoning field trips and supporting camping trips throughout the semester. Capacity XXL Director chair is a bit on the heavy side; it lacks any built-in storage, and it’s only offered in two (bright) colors.
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). After eight years of consistent use by senior editor Kalee Thompson’s two young boys, the REI Co-op Camp Chair is, she reports, faded and worn but still holding up.
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