How to find the best camp chair
We’ve all had it happen: you’ve spent a long day driving to the campground, then spent another half-hour setting up camp and just want to sit down in that bargain-priced camp chair that you bought as a last-minute purchase from a department store. As you sit, you just keep on falling to the ground, the camp chair folding itself around you as it cannot support an adult’s weight. If you’re lucky, it will just be embarrassing. If you’re unlucky you could cop an injury.
When looking for a camp chair, there are a few governing factors, ranging from how compact the camp chair is when packed down, to the materials used in its construction, through to the very important weight rating of the camp chair. This may draw a small chuckle but the rated weight figure of a chair actually offers a great insight into the quality of construction – and durability – of said chair. For something that seems so simple (read: buy the cheapest, most compact chair and be happy with it), it really isn’t; being able to sit back and rest – or eat dinner comfortably – is one the basic tenets of enjoyable camping. You really need to look at three factors: ease of setup/packup, size when folded up, and durability of construction. So, yeah, it’s not dissimilar to buying that new lounge and chairs, but just a hell of a lot cheaper…
Styles
Camp chair styles range from basic fold-up-and-out designs with a flat seat and flat back (usually nylon material), connected by alloy tubing that also forms the four legs that are themselves all interconnected by hinges to assist in the fold-up/fold-out process. These will pack up the most compact, but these variants are also the least capable when it comes to bearing an adult’s weight. For kids, these are ideal, however, you can also opt for child-sized chairs if you wish. We’d advise opting for these lightest/cheapest of chairs for kids though; from age four up to around age 12, these are more than adequate and they won’t grow out of them sizing-wise before then either. The next step up in terms of style is the full-featured camp chair. This chair may include everything from bottle holders in the (often padded) arms and a sleeve at the back of the seat for magazines, through to a solid (fiberglass or alloy) fold-out table off the side of one of the chair arms. The base and back material in these models may also vary; the more heavy-duty camp chairs will feature rip-stop polycotton/canvas fabric that is treated against rot and mildew. These camp chairs will also feature sturdier metal tubing (alloy or steel) with larger/stronger hinges, bolts and attachment points, all with the design purpose of supporting an adult weighing up to 150kg in the case of some chair models.
Materials
The supermarket camp chair uses narrow-gauge aluminium (or sometimes even fibreglass – steer clear of these), along with harsh nylon and small (read: flimsy and weak) hinges, screws and other attachments.
Most popular camping brands (Coleman, Black Wolf, ARB, Ironman 4X4) offer a range of camp chair models using different materials, ranging from the aforementioned narrow-gauge aluminium and nylon fabric, through to wider gauge aluminium or steel for the frame and support parts, along with the more robust poly/cotton canvas fabric that has been treated to withstand rot, mildew and body sweat. This fabric combo is the one we favour: a supportive robust material that is weather resistant, durable and doesn’t stretch over time. Other materials used in the more luxurious chairs will include natural or synthetic material coverings, with the cushions filled with synthetic fibre, ala a lounge chair from home. Chair frames may also include powdercoated metals – again, these will be more expensive but well worth the extra coin as the powdercoating will protect against corrosion to some degree.
Pros and cons
The obvious positives in a camp chair is the fact it replicates the comforts of home – literally – and a decent camp chair, with a few pockets for drinks, magazines/books, etc., is worth its weight in gold when it comes to enjoying that down-time around camp. Camp chairs also mean it is easier to eat brekky/lunch/dinner either in the chair or at a camp table. The fact camp chairs fold up for storage is, of course, their big appeal; when you’re packing for a camping trip – whether a weekend or longer – storage space is always at a premium. Finally, if you look around enough and get the right one – as in, the most comfortable – you really will feel like you’re sitting in the armchair at home, just with a much better view.
The camp chair negatives list is decidedly short and is headed by the con that can sometimes cause serious blood pressure rises – the set-up process – especially if this involves more than a few folds, twists, or clamping-down steps along the way. The bigger, more highly featured the chair, generally the more complex the set-up. Some chairs simply pull out with the hinged braces underneath the legs straightening out and, under tension, ensuring the chair doesn’t collapse. Other chair set-ups can be longer and involve flipping over hinges, clamping on fold-out tables, and plenty more. Practice makes perfect, as they say. Just make sure you practice at home first.
Summary
The best advice we can give on camp chairs is the same we give for hiking boots, sleeping bags and other outdoor gear: try before you buy. Also make sure you get the sales assistant to run you through the set-up and pack-up process.
It doesn’t hurt to have an idea of just how much storage space you have for camp chairs in your vehicle – it is no use buying the biggest, burliest and most comfortable camp chair only for it to take up half your cargo area. The ideal camp chair should be one that is easy to set up and pack away, and also offers plenty of support when you’re seated. You’d be surprised just how much strain your bodyweight puts on those hinges and screws/bolts of a chair frame and how quickly they start to fail. Also ask fellow campers – years of camping experience means plenty of lessons learned that most of us are happy to pass on.
Price range
Camp chairs will range in price from a cheap $40 supermarket special (tip: don’t buy this one), through to over-engineered pews that will set you back around $120-160. Most reputable camping stores will have a wide range to try out and choose from.
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