They are lightweight and fold up for easy and compact storage when not in use. 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. Keep in mind that lightweight chairs won’t be nearly as comfortable as traditional camping chairs, so take the word comfortable with a grain of salt. It has the most comfortable and supportive seat shape of any chair we tested. The Dual Lock chair has a firmer backrest and seat bottom than the competition.
These are occasional seating options, and you won’t typically spend such extended periods sitting in one that it starts to be an issue. 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 Chair One is rated to hold up to 320 pounds—more than any other lightweight chair we tested aside from the Moon Lence. 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 ozark trail tumbler testers consistently said the King Kong chair was the most heavy-duty-feeling model of all the chairs we tested. No other chair in our testing pool—except perhaps the extremely pricey Yeti Trailhead—came close to matching the King Kong’s build quality.
While it may be slightly heavier and bulkier than others, its performance and value for money outweigh any minor drawbacks. This chair’s sturdy frame and higher seat height made that precarious dance just a little bit easier. It’s heavier than its competitors and ozark trail chair not as easy to fold, but it has a carrying strap attached to the frame (something its competitors didn’t have). This chair’s weight capacity is 250 pounds—less than that of the ALPS Mountaineering Rendezvous low chair.
Most other chairs in its price range don’t match its quality, features, or reputation. Stumps, stools, boulders, and picnic tables are fine for sitting briefly outdoors. But if you want to kick back and stay comfy, the right camping chair can make all the difference.
Aside from the impressive amount of weight the chair can support, the thing we like best about the numbers above is the width of the seat. At a whopping 28”, this chair can accommodate just about anyone. The good news is that there are options available, and the Ozark Trail XXL Director Chair is a great option. We’ll be quick to point out that it’s not perfect, but it definitely belongs on your shortlist of options to consider. Renetto licenses its patent to a company called Kelsyus, which makes cheaper versions of the chair.
But keep in mind that your kid will eventually outgrow this one. Several Wirecutter staffers have owned the Coleman chair for years, using it on camping trips, in backyards, and at sporting events. 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. Like others in its category, this chair comes with an over-the-shoulder carry bag, but some testers found it was light and compact enough to carry without the case. The Coleman Cooler Quad has been our pick since 2016, through numerous camping trips and several testing sessions.