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Search Newsletter Pop Mech Pro Subscribe Home and DIY Power Tools Cars Technology Military Science Adventure Sci-Fi Airplanes Space Gifts Deals Visual Stories Promotions Shop Follow My Bookmarks Privacy Notice Terms Of Use Skip to Content Newsletter sign in Subscribe Search sign in Subscribe Science Home & DIY Technology Gear Reviews Military Transportation Culture & Curiosities About My Bookmarks Newsletter Privacy Notice Terms Of Use sign in Subscribe Science Home & DIY Technology Gear Reviews Military Transportation Culture & Curiosities About More Adventure Outdoor and Adventure Gear The 7 Best Camping Chairs You’ll Be Happy to Sink Your Butt Into The 7 Best Camping Chairs You’ll Be Happy to Sink Your Butt Into Roughing it doesn't mean you need a rough landing. We got our hands on models from Yeti, Coleman, REI Co-op, and more. By Tom Price Updated: Sep 04, 2026 12:01 PM EDT Reviewed by Will Egensteiner Director of Product Content View Products Save Article Share Article Listen (3 min) 3 min Trevor Raab Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? The Best Camping Chairs Best Overall Best Value Best Upgrade Best Rocker Best Ultralight Best Padded Most Portable What to Consider How We Selected and Tested A camping chair is the way to go if you want a comfortable place to sit around the campfire on your next camping trip . A quality camping chair balances portability with comfort, and some have features like thick, cushioned seats, footrests, or rocking bases. There are even camping chairs that pack down so small that you can fit them in your backpack—ideal for park concerts or to take backcountry camping. Generally speaking, the most important things to look for are how easily the chair opens and collapses and how heavy or cumbersome it is to carry, along with the durability of the frame and seat material. Other considerations include weight capacity and the amount of support you get. For this story, we stuck mainly to the classic collapsible camping chairs that work just as well for a week in the woods as they do sitting on your back patio. To help you narrow your search, our testers and I researched and then tested a selection of camping chairs, from the ultralight to the plush. The Best Camping Chairs Best Overall: Yeti Trailhead Field Chair Best Value: Coleman Chair with Built-In Cooler Best Upgrade : Yeti Trailhead Collapsible Camping Chair Best Rocker: GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker Best Ultralight : Helinox Chair One (re) Camping Chair Photo by Suzie Dundas Camping chairs come in a variety of styles, from large and comfy models with armrests to ultralight bucket-style. Best Overall Best Overall Yeti Trailhead Field Chair, Black Best Overall Yeti Trailhead Field Chair, Black $225 Amazon Pros Smooth folding mechanism Comfortable, flexible material Cons Cupholder must be purchased separately Folded size 3.6 x 7 x 37 inches Seat height 17.5 inches Weight 9.5 lb Weight limit 350 lb The newest camping chair from Yeti offers all the same quality of the Trailhead in a smaller, lighter, and more affordable package. The Trailhead Field is built with portability in mind, but doesn’t sacrifice comfort to do it. The proprietary polyester blend Twilite fabric is flexible and smooth, while the aluminum frame sheds precious ounces without compromising too much durability. I actually enjoyed the Twilite fabric more than the the FlexGrid used in the original Trailhead. It has a bit more give and molded a bit better to my body, especially as I settled in. It’s worth noting that the camping chair is much smaller than the original Trailhead, making it a lot easier to bring with you in the trunk of a small sedan without taking up too much space. That said, if you want a cup holder, you’ll have to pay an additional 20 bucks for the luxury. Full Yeti Trailhead Field Chair Review Best Value Best Value Coleman Portable Quad Camping Chair Best Value Coleman Portable Quad Camping Chair Now 26% Off $54 $40 Amazon Also Consider $40 Walmart Pros Cooler sleeve on the left armrest Extra storage pocket Cons Hard to get back into stuff sack Key Specs Folded size 8.1 x 37.6 x 9.1 inches Seat height 17.5 inches Weight 8.8 lb Weight limit 325 lb. Thanks to this affordable camping chair’s built-in insulated, four-can cooler, you can leave the kombuchas in the heavy cooler in the shade while you stash a few beer cans and a handful of ice in your chair. Cooler sleeve aside, I also like this Coleman chair’s side pocket and cushioned backrest. The side pocket is big enough for books or tablets and has two mesh sections on the front for smaller items like bottle caps, keys, and a phone. It has an above-average 325-pound weight limit. And while it isn’t the lightest camping chair on this list, I found its 8.5 pounds reasonable to transport, especially considering the attachments. Make no mistake, this camping chair doesn’t lend itself well to extreme portability. But if you’re mostly car camping out of your truck or driving to a friend’s BBQ, you’ll love the extra size and support it offers. Best Upgrade Best Upgrade Yeti Trailhead Collapsible Camping Chair, Charcoal Best Upgrade Yeti Trailhead Collapsible Camping Chair, Charcoal Amazon Also Consider $840 Wayfair $300 Ace Hardware Credit: Tom Price Pros Comfortable, flexible fabric High weight capacity Carrying case has backpack straps Cons Only two color options Folded size 43 x 11.75 x 9 inches Seat height 16.75 inches Weight 13.3 lb Weight limit 500 lb Yeti’s Trailhead camping chair immediately stood out for its comfort. It’s made of a flexible, durable fabric that’s spread tight against the frame, with a weight limit of 500 pounds—the highest of any chair we tested. Despite its strength, the material wasn’t overly stiff either. There was enough give to cradle my legs and back, balancing out the support with softness. In fact, despite its lack of cushioning, I still found this to be one of the most comfortable. Beyond the seat comfort, I was impressed by the sturdiness of the frame. It’s made of alloy steel and held up against scratches, heavier body weights, and exposure to sun and water. I also appreciated its locking mechanism; it’s essentially a handle on the back of the chair that snaps the frame in place and keeps the material taut. While it takes some effort to put into place, it allows you to shift around and even set it up on uneven ground without risk of it tipping while you lounge. At more than 13 pounds, the Trailhead may be too heavy for some if there’s a long trek to camp. But its carrying case has backpack straps that are comfortable to wear, plus it keeps your arms free. Even on a walk of just around 10 to 15 minutes, I did feel its weight. It also isn’t cheap—it’s the most expensive camping chair we tested—and we wish it came in more than a couple colors, like Yeti’s impressive selection of coolers . Full Yeti Trailhead Camping Chair Review Best Rocker Best Rocker GCI Outdoor KickBack Rocker Chair Best Rocker GCI Outdoor KickBack Rocker Chair $70 Amazon Also Consider $75 Nordstrom Pros Easy carrying strap Built-in rocking legs Cons Heavy for its size Key Specs Folded Size 7.9 x 5.9 x 39 in. Seat Height 17 in. Weight 10 lb 8 oz Weight Limit 250 lb GCI has staked its claim as the king of camp comfort with its Rocker line of chairs. And the Kickback is Director of Product Content Will Egensteiner’s longtime favorite, keeping its spot on this list for close to six years now. Pistons on the back legs help with the rocking motion , and he found the resistance stiff enough that he wouldn’t accidentally tip the chair over backward—but not so aggressive that it felt like the Kickback was pitching him forward. Both Egensteiner, who’s 6-foot-2, and another 5-foot-5 tester liked the seat height and had no problems sitting down and standing up. Egensteiner also liked that it has the usual cup holder and phone pocket on the armrests. Despite that the chair is cumbersome to carry over a shoulder, the strap didn’t dig in. The Kickback is best for light activities such as car camping, backyard hangs, and picnics where you don’t have to lug it too far. Some padding in the seat and backrest would be nice, but the fabric has some slack that makes the Kickback comfortable to sit in. Plus, the rocker design provides a nice recline that takes you off your knees and feet. Full GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker Camping Chair Review Best Ultralight Best Ultralight Helinox Chair One (re) Camping Chair Best Ultralight Helinox Chair One (re) Camping Chair $140 Amazon Pros Packs down very small Taller back than previous Helinox model Cons Set up is more complicated than other options Key Specs Folded Size 14.6 x 4.7 x 4.3 in. Seat Height 15 in. Weight 2 lb 7.8 oz Weight Limit 320 lb What sets the Helinox Chair One (re) apart from others is how compactly it packs down. Like earlier generations, the newest version of this ultralight chair has tubing that disassembles similar to tent poles, so it fits inside a mid-size backpack with room to spare. Along with its economical size, it’s also the lightest chair we recommend by several pounds. That makes it a good choice for hikes and backpacking trips. During testing, I hauled the chair in its carrying pouch for close to half a mile on mixed terrain. Unlike some other options I tested, the Chair One (re) caused no strain at all. That said, most other chairs were also ready to go the second I got to my destination. This camping chair must be set up. I had to lock the frame poles in place and stretch the cover over four different holding points. This took less than five minutes, which isn't much time, but is certainly more than other models. Despite the small size, I actually found the chair incredibly comfortable. The design naturally provides a bit of recline and I was able to relax in it with ease. The material also offered a bit of give on the sides, which molded to my body. Full Helinox Chair One (re) Review Best Padded Best Padded REI Co-Op Westward Padded Folding Chair Best Padded REI Co-Op Westward Padded Folding Chair $130 REI Pros Backpack straps make it easy to carry with you Cup holder rotates out from under the seat Cons Much wider than collapsible options when folded Key Specs Folded Size 33 x 23 x 7 in. Seat Height 17 in. Weight 8 lb 8 oz Weight Limit 250 lb If a little extra comfort is a major priority, the REI Co-Op Westward padded camping chair is a great choice. The foldable chair has foam padding sewn into the polyester material that provides a slightly more forgiving feel as you sit down. This made a major difference for me as the seated hours began to add up. Instead of readjusting every 20 minutes or so, I was able to sink in comfortably and let the padding carry the extra weight. That said, my absolute favorite feature on the chair is the cup holder. The cup holder is built underneath the seat and swivels out when needed. That means I get the full arm rest for my arms and my drink is still inches away. The cup holder itself is also quite large, wide enough to fit my 32-ounce water bottle. Full REI Co-Op Westward Padded Chair Review Most Portable Most Portable Crazy Creek Inflatable AirCliner Camping Chair Most Portable Crazy Creek Inflatable AirCliner Camping Chair $125 Amazon Pros Rolls up and fits in a backpack Blows up in seconds Cons Requires a bit of balancing to find the sweet spot on the ground Key Specs Folded Size 20 x 2.7 in. Seat Height 0 in. Weight 1 lb 14 oz Weight Limit 250 lb If portability is your biggest concern, the Crazy Creek AirCliner is the only camping chair we’ve tested and deflates, rolls up, and fits in a backpack with ease. The inflatable chair is also deceptively comfortable. In fact, once you find the sweet spot (which admittedly takes a minute), it genuinely rivals any other chair on this list. Setup is also a breeze. After unclipping the latches and rolling out the chair, it takes just five full breaths to fully inflate it. One of the biggest concerns was that it would leak air over time, but after more than an hour of sitting, there was no noticeable softness or leakage. The obvious downside is that there’s no frame, so you’ll be sitting right on the ground with your legs in front of you. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s certainly something to consider What to Consider Durability A camping chair’s durability is evaluated based on the frame, the material of the seat and back, and overall weather-resistance. Most of the camping chairs we write about are made with steel tubing that’s powder-coated or treated to resist rust and corrosion. This style of frame holds several hundred pounds without any bowing or bending and is still light enough to carry in your hands. However, each chair on this list has a much different weight capacity so make sure to double check before you make your final purchase. Similarly, seat durability relies on sturdy materials. Woven polyester is one of the most common options. Camping chair materials are often combined with a water-resistant coating so any spilled drinks or rain drops don't damage the fabric. This also protects any interior cushioning from absorbing water. Great camping chairs are also treated to resist UV light. This helps prevent the fabric from fading over time. Similar to the metal frame, the fabric should also be strong enough to offer a weight capacity of 300 pounds at minimum. While the most durable options (like the Yeti Trailhead ) tend to be more expensive, think about upfront cost in relation to long-term use. If the chair lasts for several years, the initial cost is well worth it in comparison to a cheaper camping chair that might tear or break after just a couple of seasons. Portability Camping chairs are specifically designed to be portable. That said, the relative portability between them can range drastically. Small, lightweight camping chairs pack down for easy transport and work well for backpackers or anyone traveling by foot. These typically come with carrying straps or collapse small enough to latch onto or pack into a large backpack . Ideally, they should weigh less than eight or nine pounds. Larger chairs can weigh more than 10 pounds, which makes them far more cumbersome to carry and better suited to car camping and backyard lounging. What you get with that added size and weight, though, significantly more comfort afforded by a wider seat with more cushioning and a potentially higher weight limit. Regardless of size, many camping chairs come with shoulder straps or carrying cases to make travel easier. Use Cases and Extra Features Camping chairs aren’t exclusively for camping, nor is all camping the same. If you simply want a chair for watching your kid’s soccer game or relaxing in the backyard, prioritize comfort above portability. The more of an emphasis you put on comfort, the more added features are available to you. Many camping chairs come with foldout side tables, integrated cupholders, storage pouches, and even zip-up cooler bags. For hikers and backpackers, smaller, lighter chairs are the obvious choices. If you’re using the chair for the beach, weather- and UV-resistance generally increase its longevity. It's also worth considering chairs with shorter legs so you can stretch out your own in the sand. How We Selected and Tested We carried the camping chairs through a park, taking note of how heavy they felt and whether they were cumbersome to transport up small hills and over boulders. After setting them up on grass and dirt patches to see how they balanced on uneven terrain, we took a seat, judging each by its relative comfort. Our testers spanned a range of heights and body weights so we could get a variety of impressions. We have cumulative years with some chairs—including the Kelty Deluxe Lounge Chair and GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker . And they still rank among the best. In subsequent updates, we’ve added several new camping chairs, including the Yeti Trailhead Field Chair and the Crazy Creek AirCliner . We evaluated each on its weight, stability, comfort, ease of setup, and durability. Every chair on this list is one that we have personally tested over the past several years, so you can trust that each choice is based on real experience. We also made sure to keep price in mind. Tom Price Reviews Editor Tom Price is a reviews editor for Popular Mechanics while also contributing to Runner's World, Best Products, and Bicycling. Here at Popular Mechanics, Tom loves testing out home appliances, smart tech, gear for city life and outdoor adventures, small gadgets like watches and multitools, and anything else you can find piled up at his hoarder's nest of a desk. Prior to working here, Tom attended NYU, graduating with a degree in English and a minor in creative writing. He also wrote for Best Reviews, The Daily Beast, and other publications covering tech, fitness gear, gadgets, and lifestyle products. Furthermore, he covered startup news, pop culture, and even professional wrestling. To follow more of his work, check back here for new stories. Reviewed by Will Egensteiner Director of Product Content Will Egensteiner has been reviewing products for 10 years, testing and writing about everything from climbing gear to video game consoles to cars. He began his career as an intern at Popular Mechanics , then worked as an editor at Outside , spearheading the magazine's gear coverage and biannual Buyer's Guide. Now that he's back, he leads product reviews for PopMech , as well as Runner's World , Best Products , and Biography . His favorite stuff to review is still outdoors equipment, and he can tell you from memory what ePTFE stands for. Watch Next Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Product Reviews The 8 Best Space Heaters Wait, What Happened to the iPhone 18? 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