If you haven’t got room for two sets of chairs in your camping kit, you’ve probably had to compromise – a camping chair that’s not quite supportive and upright enough for eating at a table, and not quite slumpy enough for lazing with a book. So what’s the answer?
Any chair with this construction will sag in the seat…not good for bad backs.
Camping chairs to avoid
We thought we’d found a good compromise in Outwell’s Woodland Hills camping chairs. They felt comfortable in the shop and, with their black material, were a stylish change from all that camping khaki.
A week of sitting on them, though, and the lower back twinges kicked in. We found ourselves perching on the more solid front edge of fabric to eat at a table, but more often than not, we’d slump backwards and have to hold a plate on our knees.
So, we’d always avoid any chair where the seat material isn’t held completely taut. That applies to most camping chairs with this concertina-type fold. No-one wants a saggy bottom and a bad back.
The best camping chair
Coleman deck chair – comes in a sand colour too
We carried on looking and now have a £30-50-ish contender for the ‘best chair’ award – the Coleman deck chair
This chair just seems built to last. It’s smart, simple and very supportive. It has an aluminium frame, a sloping back and padded armrests, which incorporate carrying straps when it’s folded (to 13 x 53 x 75 cm).Weighs around 2.5kg and costs around £40.
Coleman deck chair with fold-out table
There’s a version with a fold-out table too. Around £50.
The taller back Sling chair.
We weren’t so keen on the taller back reclining version (the Sling chair), but we’ve spoken to a lot of campers who love it. It’s a little cumbersome and a teeny bit saggy on the seat, but pretty good for relaxing. Around £45.
MP Essentials chair with table and storage
One more option we’d recommend is the MP Essentials at around £35. It has a fold-out table and pocket storage. Aluminium construction plus nice padding and support. It’s a bit bigger so not as easy to store away, however.
Need to lounge?
Coleman’s Kickback
If you have the space (and the need to relax!), then an adjustable lounger is the answer.
Coleman make the neat Kickback reclining chair at around £70. It’s adjustable to seven positions and isn’t too bulky (though, obviously, high-back chairs take up more room). It folds to 14 x 13 x 68 cm and only weighs 2.5kg, though.
Kampa Firenze
Bigger people could consider the Kampa Firenze Luxury Plus, which has a wider seat and high back.
For ultimate loungeability, you’ll need a zero gravity chair. These are the ultimate in feet-up-snooze-and-relax, but although they’ll fold more or less flat, they’re weightier and bulkier. Price from around £40.
Legless comfort?
The Highlander legless chair.
We’ve tried a few of the floor chairs (like this Highlander at around £11) that have no legs and use your body weight and two straps to keep the back in place. They won’t suit you if you’re looking for absolute comfort, but they’re extremely lightweight and small and a great back-up chair (excuse the pun!).
Comfortable and adjustable – the Bonvivo floor chair
For an extra bit of cushioning, there are bulkier (and heavier) options like the BonVivo (around £40). This one is nice because, as well as having a few reclining positions, it can be used flat as a padded mat for lying on. It weighs around 3kg, though.
A floor seat with arms
The Ditu legless chair has arms and shoulder straps for carrying, but weighs a little more at 3.5kg. Costs around £45 and has a steel frame for a sturdy feel.
Avoid the Sunncamp Steel Deluxe Chairs. I purchased two whilst in Norwich and used them for the first time a few weeks ago only to have them break on myself and my partner. My chair snapped where the beams cross and have a metal stud going through the middle. My partners chair broke where the fabric is held by plastic.
70 quid down the drain for that rubbish!