Camping seating and furniture

Camping furniture can transform your trip from a rugged to a relaxing experience. If you’re looking for the best camping chairs, hammocks, and tables to make your camping trip as comfortable as possible, read on for tips.

Camping chairs come in a dizzying array of styles these days, from zero-gravity to loveseats to ultralight backpacking stools.

When considering seating and furniture for camping, here are some of the factors you’ll want to look for:

• Durability
• Portability (weight, carrying case)
• Ease of use
• Fabric that dries easily
• Adequate weight capacity
• Reasonable price
• Bells and whistles like cup holders, coolers, and canopies
• Comfort

Comfort is of course the main point of having a chair. Some things to think about when choosing a comfortable camp chair:

• Select a chair that’s the right size for your body type—like an XL chair for wider folks or a chair with greater back height for taller folks
• Chairs that are higher off the ground tend to be more comfortable
• Padding makes for a cushier chair
• Consider investing in a chair with back support, head support, armrests, or a footrest
• Models with a canopy or umbrella will keep you cool in the sun
• A ground chair like the Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 is less comfortable than a regular chair, especially when the ground is wet or cold, but is lightweight and great for parents who want to sit at the same level as their toddlers
• Don’t forget comfort in terms of carrying the chair to your campsite, especially if you’re backpacking, in which case you should strive to pick a chair that’s about a pound or less

So what are some camp chair models to consider?

A regular, quad camp chair can range from $5.97 (Ozark Trail Chair) to $299.99 (Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair). Here are two good-quality, reasonably priced options:

• ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair – features some light padding, comes with carry bag, and is large, comfy, and not overly pricey, though not lightweight
• Kijaro Dual Lock Folding Chair – comfortable, good price, available in several colors, comes with carry bag, and available in an XL version

If you’d like to upgrade to a chair with extra features, here are some options to explore:

• Zero-gravity
  • Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair
• Luxury recliner
  • Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair
• Cooler chair
  • Coleman Portable Camping Quad Chair with 4-Can Cooler
• Rocker
  • GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker
• Chair with footrest
  • Alps Mountaineering Escape Camp Chair
• Loveseat
  • Kelty Discovery Low Loveseat
• Ground chair
  • Crazy Creek Hex 2.0
• Backpacking camp chair
  • Helinox Chair One
• Backpacking camp stool
  • REI Co-Op Camp Stool

As an alternative to chairs, hammocks for day use provide a super-comfy place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Try the Hummingbird Single, or the Wise Owl as a bargain choice. Also see our section on sleeping hammocks.

Many campers view tables as an essential piece of camping furniture. While picnic tables are often present at developed campsites, you definitely won’t find tables at dispersed sites.

Camping tables come in several different styles. We briefly outline them below, paired with some models you may want to look at. When choosing a camping table, bear in mind its intended use size, weight, versatility, sturdiness, durability, ease of set up, weight capacity, and price.

• Utility tables – simple and flat (also helpful at home)
  • Lifetime 4428 Height Adjustable Folding Utility Table
  • Coleman 4-in-1 Adjustable Height Folding Table

• Dining tables – a little higher to accommodate chairs
  • ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table

• Cooking station tables – designed for food preparation
  • Camp Chef Sherpa Table and Organizer
  • o   GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Cook Station

• Side/accessory tables – ‘nuff said
  • Trekology Portable Camping Side Table with Aluminum Table Top