The STRONGBACK chair was born when an outdoor and fitness enthusiast became frustrated with the sore back he got every time he sat in a camping chair. When he learned the majority of people find these chairs uncomfortable, he designed the STRONGBACK – a lightweight folding chair that offers long-lasting comfort, health, and relaxation. Of course, we want to be sure to include any possible downsides, and we think some of this chair’s features could be improved upon. For example, although the padded foam encased in nylon fabric provides comfort for prolonged relaxation sessions, this chair isn’t very breathable under-bottom. Additionally, while the chair seems to be sturdy and reliable for the long haul, the carrying bag that comes with it doesn’t hold up to the same quality. Still, we are fans of this model and recommend it to anyone seeking a solid camp chair.
However, the convenience of the lock and shoulder strap combined with the height and support still make the Kijaro a chair we often reach for when heading to barbecues and backyard hangouts. The Quik Shade MAX Shade Chair might be the most unique chair we tested in this whole review. Its standout feature, the fairly large canopy hanging out over the seat, is the main reason to consider this chair. While it seems gimmicky at first, the canopy is actually pretty nice, especially as the day heats up and shade becomes increasingly necessary.
And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. The sling is just plain canvas though, it isn’t waxed, which means it will absorb and hold onto water to some degree. So if the forecast calls for rain, you’ll want to fold these puppies up for storage. Item prices do not include fees for pickup, shipping or delivery (if applicable) unless noted in the item description.
Whether you’re on the hunt for a reading chair or a sideline seat, we’ve found the right model for your needs and wallet. The camp-style chairs, like the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong, Coleman Cooler Quad, and Kijaro Dual Lock, generally score the highest as they all packed into their own included outdoor patio furniture carrying bags. In the Kijaro’s case, you can skip the bag, as the chair itself has a shoulder strap on the frame that works well in conjunction with its namesake locking mechanism holding it closed in transit. However, its folded length is nearly 4 feet, which isn’t very compact nor convenient.
Each of our durable designs brings its own set of standout features, so there’s no wrong choice. Our assessments are chiefly based on four critical performance areas, including Comfort, Portability, Features, and Durability. Below, we discuss how each affects the overall performance of a quality lawn chair, and which models stood out as top performers in each area. On the downside, we wish that the drink tray was part of the chair, as when carting it around, it was easy for us to forget the tray in the car. We also would prefer that the powder-coated metal was a lighter color, because the black color gets super hot in the sun.
When we set up a dozen chairs around the campfire without comment, people consistently claimed them from largest to smallest. The REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Dreamer is similarly lightweight, weighing just a few ounces more and packing away into a case nearly as small. It’s fairly lightweight, and though it doesn’t fit into a small compact package, it has backpack straps for hands-free carrying. While not as packable considering weights that exceed 13 pounds, the Yeti Trailhead and ALPS Mountaineering King Kong also feature a backpack-style carry bag that makes portability a bit easier.