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There’s no getting around the fact that this model is substantially heavier than the superlight models on the market. That said, we all know that person willing to haul an extra pound or two to improve their camp amenities. If you don’t mind a bit of extra weight, Ozark Trail Camping Chairs this model offers unmatched comfort wrapped up in a reasonably small travel size. Our not-too-discriminating underage testers liked all the kids’ chairs, though over time we found several reasons to declare the REI Camp Chair the best of the bunch.
We look at the stability of each chair on a variety of surfaces, and we set up and packed away each one over and over to assess ease of use. Whether you’re heading deep into the backcountry or around the block to the park, we’ve got the perfect chair for you, so take a seat and read on. Today’s specialty backpacking chairs are impressively small Ozark Trail Canopies and light. They’re also far more expensive and significantly less comfortable than typical full-size camp chairs. We recommend buying this type only if you intend to carry your chair long distances, whether you’re backpacking or trekking across Central Park. If you do need a fits-in-a-knapsack chair, we recommend the Helinox Chair One.
Despite its simplicity, it offers exceptional value for its low price, extreme durability, minuscule weight, and versatility. Same goes for the Nemo Chipper which is even cheaper and made from reclaimed Ozark Trail Camping Chairs materials. For the most significant cost savings, look to the foam chairs, which are almost always less expensive than tent-style models but can still offer you a padded seat to comfort your derrière.
The Moon Lence Backpacking Chair is a value pick that outperforms its price point. It has a well-defined bucket seat that makes it lounge-worthy but not so deep that it’s hard to get out of it. The square base is also stable enough that we weren’t fearful of tipping over, and we appreciate the side pockets for phone and sunglasses storage. In terms of out-of-case performance, it stacks up well for its price point. Overwhelmingly, the Coleman came out on top, with campers praising its comfort and stability. The Renetto’s big, heavy canopy provides ample sun protection at a campsite or cookout and doubles as a backpack-strap-equipped carrying case.
We found this model to be slightly more comfortable and easier to pack than other, similar chairs. As a group of people who have wrestled with our share of outdoor equipment, we feel that the product you are willing to take with you will be one that doesn’t make you want to pull your hair out. Sometimes we may be willing to learn how to operate a more complicated piece of gear when the benefits balance out the struggle, but often we want to be able to pick it up and have it work. Setting up these backpacking chairs is by no means difficult, but some models have the setup dialed in.