If that sounds good, let’s jump right in and take a closer look. Many testers found other chairs more comfortable and easier to put together than the Nemo Moonlite Reclining Camp Chair. This is also the most expensive lightweight chair we tested, and we think the Chair One is a better value.
The association continues to maintain and expand the Ozark Trail. April 29th, 2006 was proclaimed “Ozark Trail Day” by Missouri’s governor, and in May 2008 a portion of the trail was designated a National Recreational Trail. In 2013 Missouri was named Best Trails State at the International Trails Symposium, due in part to the increasing popularity of the Ozark Trail.
They are lightweight and fold up for easy and compact storage when not in use. The 4-pound, steel-framed REI chair has an attached carry strap, rather than a carry bag (which the other chairs have). After a couple of camping trips, we concluded that a strap is more convenient than a bag—it’s quicker and easier for a kid to grab the chair and go, without parental help. Other chairs we tested sacrificed too much comfort in order to shave mere ounces off of their weights, and we don’t think the trade-off was worth it.
You have some basic choices for how you enjoy the night. You can sleep directly on the ground, which can be enjoyable, or miserable, depending upon you and the type of ground. You can use a sleeping pad that goes between you and the ground. This is popular and provides an insulating layer as well as a comfort layer between you and the ground.
Despite the Renetto chair’s weight and bulk, our testers found it simple to set up and adjust. The canopy quickly and easily transforms into a carrying case—just wrap it around the chair and snap it closed with two plastic buckles, and you can carry the whole thing on your back like an oblong backpack. Our testers consistently said the King Kong chair was the most heavy-duty-feeling model of all the chairs we tested. Convenient carrying bag makes is easy to keep in the trunk. Made with a ozark trail canopy steel frame and rated for up to 300 pounds. Higher back and a head rest that make it more comfortable.
We also don’t have suggestions for couch-style or loveseat chairs (we’d like to look at those someday, though). I’m a writer for Wirecutter covering outdoors and travel gear. I’ve lived in Southern California, Washington, and the home state of Vermont. I’ve camped throughout those regions and everywhere in between, toting gear to mountains, forests, beaches, and deserts. Wherever I go, a crucial piece of the camping setup is a stable, comfortable chair.
It’s the lightest, most portable chair that is still comfortable. The Helinox Chair One weighs about 2 pounds, compresses smaller than a 2-liter bottle of soda, and is our most lightweight pick. Testers consistently ranked this chair as one of the most comfortable models (typically second to the Yeti Trailhead, which costs almost four times as much). The few testers who didn’t like it often preferred the Kijaro Dual Lock XXL Chair, which costs a little bit more but provides a roomier seat. Of the chairs we tested, the Coleman chair was the only one that came with a built-in cooler bag, which can hold four standard-size beer or soda cans.
Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. 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). There are also chairs that are hybrids between categories, such as the Nemo Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair, which comes highly rated and recommended. GCI Outdoor makes several rocking chairs, and we plan to try more of them to see if they’re any better than the Freestyle Rocker, which we weren’t enthusiastic about.
This chair’s big canopy provides ample sun protection at a campsite or sporting event, and it doubles as a backpack-strap-equipped carrying case. Testers with knee and hip issues reported that when they were getting in and out of this chair, its armrests felt more stable than those of any other model. So they felt comfortable leaning onto the frame for extra support.
For the most part, it’s held up well, but one common quibble is that the seat bottom begins to sag after several years of use. The Coleman Cooler Quad has been our pick since 2016, through numerous camping trips and several testing sessions. It’s perfect for tall individuals due to the longer back and head rest panel which gives stability and ample back support to the chair. The wide seating area makes it comfortable for users of all heights and everyone can benefit from the longer back panel. One of the best features is the longer back panel which reaches up to the neck and allows for you to tip your head back and rest it on the lightly cushioned area for extra relaxation.