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A Guide On How To Choose The Best Camping Chair
Camping chairs aren't just for camping - they're also great for fishing, BBQs, parties, picnics, school concerts, sports days, the garden, watching outdoor sports, music and movies by moonlight. A portable chair can make all this so much more comfortable so you can sit back, relax and unwind. There are many ways to stay comfortable when camping, the easiest of which is to have the best camping chairs and stools for every member of your party. With the design choices and functionality of today's camp chairs, there's no end of options and uses for an excellent camp chair or stool, even away from the campsite at the local footy grounds or a picnic in the park. In order to choose a camp chair that will keep you (and your backside!) happy, there are some considerations you should take into account. This Buying Guide outlines the key things to consider to make choosing a camping chair easier.
Quick Links
- What Is The Best Camping Chair?
- Different Types Of Camping Chairs
- How Will You Be Using Your Camping Chair?
- The Size & Weight Of Your Camping Chair
- Why Quality Is Important
- The Portability Of A Camping Chair
- The Parts Of A Camping Chair
What Is The Best Camping Chair?
We're all different with different needs and wants, so the camping chair that's best for one person might not suit you. The best camping chair for you depends on your unique needs, such as:
- Where you'll be using the chair (at the beach, on rainy days, on cold or really hot days?)
- How comfortable you want it to be (are you prepared to spend more for extra comfort?)
- How often you'll be using it (only an hour here or there or for hours on end each time?)
- If you have health issues (do have a bad back or sore knees that make getting up hard?
- How tall you are (the height of the chair needs to be compatible with your height)
- Who will use the chair (it needs to be strong enough to support the heaviest person's weight)
- Whether you want extra design features (cup holder, side table , head rest, foot rest, pockets)
- How far you want to be able to carry it (it needs to be light enough for you to carry that far)
- How compact you want it to be (how much space do you want it to take up in the car?)
- How easy it needs to be to set up (in a couple of seconds or longer if it's for a few days?)
- How long you want it to last (for a few hours here and there, or for many years of camping?
Basic
Basic chairs include stools, compact folding chairs and beach chairs that sit just above sand height. Basic camping chairs are typically lightweight, foldable and portable. They commonly feature a sturdy frame, usually made of steel or aluminium, with a fabric seat and backrest. These chairs prioritise convenience and durability, offering a comfortable seating solution for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking or picnicking.
Mid-Range
Mid-range camping chairs include folding chairs, director’s chairs, moon chairs and bench seats, as well as purpose-designed high kid’s camping chairs. Mid-range camping chairs offer enhanced features compared to basic models. They often incorporate additional padding for increased comfort, adjustable components like armrests and reclining positions, and more durable materials such as ripstop polyester. These chairs strike a balance between affordability and comfort, suitable for longer outdoor stays and diverse terrains.
Luxury
Luxury camping chairs are super comfy options such as hammocks, rocking chairs, recliners and super-comfy chair designs with headrests, armrests and insulated pockets for food and drink, as well as dual-seater options and lounges. Luxury camping chairs epitomise comfort and convenience. Constructed from premium materials like high-grade aluminium or steel, they boast luxurious padding, ergonomic designs and advanced features such as built-in coolers, adjustable footrests and integrated side tables. These chairs offer a lavish outdoor seating experience tailored for leisurely camping adventures.
How Will You Be Using Your Camping Chair?
Think about how you'll be using your camping chair. How far will you have to carry it? How many hours or days will you be sitting in it for at a time? How comfortable do you want it to be?
What’s The Best Camping Chair For:
- Backpacking: Stools and compact folding chairs are great for backpacking. They're small and light so easy to carry, making them perfect for cooking and sitting by the fire.
- Camping: Fold-out chairs and benches are great for short-term camping trips. Recliners and loungers are bigger and heavier, so they are better suited for longer glamping trips.
- Fishing: Stools, folding chairs and recliners are perfect for fishing. Their size and weight vary. Arm and back rests keep you comfortable while waiting for the fish to bite.
- Outings: Stools and folding chairs are great for any kind of outing. An easy-to-carry bag makes them perfect for events and get-togethers.
- The Beach: Beach chairs are great for the beach and are low to the ground so won't blow away. Hammocks, recliners and loungers are great for longer stints at a beach house.
- Festivals: Beach chairs, stools and folding chairs are great for festivals. If you're carrying a camping chair there, think about how heavy it is to carry.
The Size & Weight Of Your Camping Chair
Who's going to use the chair - now and in the future? It needs to be strong enough for anyone who may sit in it (check the chair's maximum weight). It needs to be the right size for the person who'll sit in it (higher chairs are better for taller people) and light enough to be carried as far as you need to carry it (just to the car or for 20 mins?) It will also need to be the right height so it's easy to get in and out of (especially with knee or back problems) as well as the right height to fit under your camping table (if you have one or are getting a table.
Why Quality Is Important
Whatever the intended use for your camping chair, always choose something made from quality materials (you can rest assured knowing that all Anaconda camping chairs are high-quality, regardless of the price point). Avoid buying low-cost or 'bargain box' camping chairs from your local $2 store, even if you're just looking for a chair to road test on your next trip. These kinds of chairs are almost always made from cheap materials and use high-volume construction processes, which means they won't last very long and could even buckle under the pressure of just one camping trip; not to mention, provide inadequate body support, which could see you return home with added aches and pains. Check for the quality of construction materials used in the chair's frame, the material used for the seating and the stitching count for an accurate picture of its real strength. The better the construction of your camping chair and use of materials - like mesh inserts for breathability and reinforcement applied to pressure areas for back support and the seat area itself - the more relaxed you'll feel when putting your feet up for a rest, the more refreshed you'll feel after a sneaky afternoon nap and the more use you'll get from your camping chair over the long-term.
The Portability Of A Camping Chair
Many of today's camping chairs look fantastic, but sometimes the aesthetics can come at the expense of how simply it can fold down at the end of the day and how easily it can be carried and stored when you're not using it. Whether buying online or in-store, make sure you access information or find a demonstration of how the chair folds up after use, and how much room it's likely to take up in your car or 4X4 and while stored at home. A great option for portability is a camping stool. Camping stools may not be suitable for extended periods of time lounging, reading or napping but they can provide a good alternative for resting wearing legs if you're on a hike or attending an event where carrying a chair is just not feasible. Similarly, you might choose a soft camping chair without legs - like an event chair - although this kind of chair is only appropriate for those who can get up and down off the ground with ease. Many camping chairs come with their own carry bags to make transportation from the garage to the car to the campsite (and back, of course) hassle-free.
The Parts Of A Camping Chair
There are eight parts of a camping chair that you will need to consider which we will break down below:
1: Padding
Camping chairs with cushioned padding are more comfortable but they can take a while to dry if your padded chair gets wet. Padded camping chairs can also provide lumbar support if you have a bad back.
2: Rests
A head rest, leg rest and/or arm rests on a camping chair will provide extra comfort and support. Head rests can be removable or adjustable, and leg rests can usually be moved up and down or removed entirely.
3: Cup/Wine Glass Holders
Cup/wine glass holders will hold your drink when sitting comfortably so it doesn't get knocked over. These cup holders can also be insulated to keep your drink nice and cold, which is a big plus when outdoors during the summer.
4: Side Table
A camping chair with a built-in side table will be perfect for your drink, plate, book or magazine when lounging during your next outdoor adventure. Side tables can also take the place of a big, bulky camping table when wanting to camp light.
5: Pockets
Camping chairs with pockets are handy storage that keeps everything organised. Pockets are perfect for easily storing items such as your phone, sunscreen and bug spray while also keeping them within reach.
6: Carry Bag
Most camping chairs come with a carry bag. A carry bag with a strap makes your camping chair also very easy to carry as well. For a quick tip, you can also fill the carry bag with sand and use it as a beach pillow!
7: Frame
A frame creates the chair's structure and strength. A stronger camping chair is sturdier and lasts longer. Aluminium is lighter than steel (great for portability) - but steel is stronger (great for durability). Powder-coated steel lasts longer than regular steel and cross-bracing creates extra strength. Some camping chair frames have the ability to recline.
8: Fabric
Fabric covers the frame and contributes to your comfort level. Some fabrics can handle getting wet better than others. They should be fast-drying if used around water or on rainy days. Camping chairs with an open weave shed water and dry faster, and ones with mesh ventilation increase airflow and keep you cool. Fabric with light colours won't get as hot in the sun as dark colours. When it comes to materials, nylon is thin and light and deteriorates with sun exposure over time, whereas polyester is thicker, handles sun exposure better and lasts longer than nylon. When it comes to weight, the fabric's thickness is given in denier (D) - a lower denier is lighter but less durable and a higher denier fabric is longer lasting. In regards to durability, RipStop fabric helps prevent rips so your chair lasts longer.
Find The Best Camping Chairs At Anaconda Today
A reliable and comfortable camping chair makes spending time in nature so much more fun and relaxing, so it pays to put some thought into your purchase. Whether you're looking for something to store in your hiking pack or something more luxurious for sitting back and doing nothing in style, you'll find camping chairs for people of all sizes, budgets and leisure pursuits. Knowing what sets the good apart from the bad will save you both time and money, and increase the comfort factor of your next camping holiday, day trip or sporting event. Make sure you check out our Adventure Centre for more helpful tips and exciting destinations that you can visit with your friends, loved ones and family. If you liked our Camping Chairs Buying Guide, then you might also like some of our other articles for helpful fishing tips such as:
- Everything You Need For Festival Camping
- What To Bring Summer Camping
- Tents Buying Guide
- The Ultimate Checklist For Hiking Essentials
Find your local Anaconda store and check out our extensive camping chairs range for your next outdoor adventure
