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The best camping chairs for your campervan trips

  • Parkers know the importance of a good chair
  • What to look for when picking your campervanning camping chair
  • The best brands, including Outwell, Coleman and Helinox

Written by Chris Williams Updated: 23 May 2024

The great outdoors has beckoned, and you’ve answered the call, so it is time to shake off the workaday shackles and get back to basics with a camping trip. That doesn’t necessarily mean leaving all forms of comfort behind. With a good camping chair, you can soak up all that al fresco goodness while maintaining standards of comfort and, of course, decorum.

The best camping chairs are those that provide comfort and foldability and don’t take up too much valuable space when not in use. They provide a comfortable and convenient way to relax outdoors, whether you’re parked up enjoying the scenery in the Lake District, by the coastline in Cornwall, or exploring the highlands of Scotland. With the right camping chair, you can enjoy a cup of tea, read a book (of course, using your favourite rechargeable camping lantern) or simply stop and take in the views in comfort.

Whether you’re looking for a sturdy, weather-resistant model or a lightweight, foldable design that saves space in your campervan or caravan, there is something to suit you. Alternatively, your preference might be for something like an inflatable camping chair. Features like adjustable recline positions, built-in cup holders, and extra padding can make a big difference, adding just a little bit of luxury.

The best camping chairs at a glance:

Best camping chair: Timber Ridge camping chair – Buy now from Amazon UK
Editor’s choice: Outwell Catamarca XL – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best luxury camping chair: Zempire Halo Lounger- Buy now from Winfields

The best camping chairs in detail:

The Tiber Ridge chair certainly gives the impression of being tough and rugged, but it is lighter than it looks as it weighs just 3.3kg but will handle weights of up to 180kg. In the style of a director's chair, it has added armrests and a flip-down side table for phones and drinks, plus a side pocket for books and knickknacks. The chair is made of breathable fabric to keep you cool during those hot summer months.

Pros

  • Directors chair styling
  • Plenty of storage

Cons

  • No padding in seat
Weight 3.3kg
Max user weight 180kg
Pack size 91cm x 54cm x 21cm
Opened size 87cm x 63cm x 47cm
Editor's pick
Price: $140.99
Look no further for a sturdy and comfortable camping chair. The Catamarca XL has a solid steel frame for strength and a taut polyester fabric for comfort. Consequently, it has a maximum user weight limit of a massive 150 kilograms. At four kilograms, the chair itself is not lightweight, but the trade-off benefits are thoroughly worthwhile for relaxing summer campers.
Specs:

Pros

  • High maximum user weight
  • Comfortable upright posture

Cons

  • A bit heavy for backpacking
Weight 4.1kg
Max user weight 150kg
Pack size 96cm x 23cm x 20cm
Opened size 96cm x 90cm x 62cm

Best lightweight camping chair

Rrp: $109.95

Price: $99.95
Alternative Retailers
Outdoor Gear Exchange
$74.39
DICK'S Sporting Goods
$99.95
The Helinox Chair One is a highly regarded product in the camping market. This is because of its extremely lightweight design, which incorporates light but very strong steel tubes to build up the frame of the chair. The seat itself is very close to the ground, which also helps to reduce the amount of material needed for construction. The result is an item that folds down to a very small, hike-friendly package.
Specs:

Pros

  • Compact size
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Sits low to the ground
Weight 0.96kg
Max user weight 145kg
Pack size 35cm x 12cm x 10cm
Opened size 66cm x 52cm x 50cm

Best luxury camping chair
Given the renowned relaxed state of New Zealand (except at a rugby game), it's little surprise Kiwi camping brand Zempire produces a superb lounger. The Halo Lounger is something like a portable armchair. The fabric is suspended for supreme comfort and the recline is infinitely adjustable. There are even wooden armrests. It's collapsible but still a large chair, so it's best used at a campsite accessible via a vehicle or even in your own garden at home.

Pros

  • Recliner function
  • Side table

Cons

  • Only suitable for camper van or caravan use
Weight 9.98kg
Max user weight 180kg
Pack size 91cm x 65cm x 17cm
Opened size 109cm x 53cm x 54cm

Oh, it's Zempire again with another sumptuous camping chair. The Moonbase Chair really is the essence of Zempire: big, luxurious, and a real quality item. While it can't match the Outwell Catamarca XL chairs above in terms of weight limit (120 kilograms), it's quite a lot comfier. The Moonbase Chair also features a folding steel frame and durable yet highly padded 600D polyester fabric.

Pros

  • Easy, single-action assembly
  • Deep, comfy tub design

Cons

  • Still quite large when folded
Weight 6.92kg
Max user weight 120kg
Pack size 108cm x 48cm x 20cm
Opened size 89cm x 60cm x 60cm

Lightest camping chair
In total contrast (bar the quality) to the Zempire Moonbase Chair is the teeny tiny stool from Robens. It weighs less than half what the Helinox Chair One does and can still manage a maximum user weight of 120kgs. Abuse aside, expect longevity from this stool thanks to its aluminium frame and 600D Oxford fabric.

Pros

  • Small size
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Not so suitable for relaxing
Weight 0.34kg
Max user weight 120kg
Pack size 42cm x 7cm
Opened size 33cm x 33cm x 32cm

Coleman's Deck Chair is a great choice for those looking for a seat with taut fabric and long life. The design of the chair's frame ensures that the seat is tight even under the pressure of weight, and the thin padding adds a nice, if not excessive, bit of insulation into the mix. The rust-proof frame and 600D fabric should ensure this one lasts for many years to come.

Pros

  • Classic design
  • Upright seating position

Cons

  • Bulkier than expected when folded
Weight 2.6kg
Max user weight 113kg
Pack size 75cm x 53cm x 13cm
Opened size 78cm x 62cm x 53cm

What to look for in a new camping chair:

While the camping chair is, in many ways, a basic and simple object, there are a few key points to note when looking for a new one. The first thing to look for is fabric tautness, which dictates how much fabric sags when under a load – this sag can make or break a camping chair, so looking for a robust frame that’ll hold everything in place is key.

The second thing to note is the maximum capacity. Every outdoor chair carries varying maximum loads and exceeding these may damage the chair and the sitter.

The third thing to consider is chair weight and size – this will determine the activity a chair is best suited to. For example, the Helinox Chair One is ideal for those who wish to take it hiking too because it’s small, compact, and lightweight.

However, if you’re going to only use a chair in the garden or at a campsite within walking distance of your campervan, a large luxurious chair like the Zempire Halo Lounger will be a fine choice.

How we choose
All of these camping chairs have been hand-selected by our team of experts who have spent hours investigating and researching camping chairs to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we’d never recommend a product we don’t believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about.

Alex Boyd is a Commercial Content Writer for Parkers, specialising in power tools and pressure washers. In his spare time, he enjoys DIY, travel, gardening and music.

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