A Guide On How To Choose The Best Camping Chair

Camping chairs aren't just for camping - they're also great for fishing, BBQs, parties, picnics, school concerts, sports days, the garden and watching outdoor sports, music or movies by moonlight. A portable chair can make all this so much more comfortable so you can sit back, relax and unwind. There are many ways to stay comfy when camping, the easiest of which is to have the best camping chairs and stools for every member of your party.

With the design choices and functionality of today's camp chairs, there's no end of options and uses for an excellent camp chair or stool, even away from the campsite at the local footy grounds or at a picnic in the park. To choose a camp chair that will keep you (and your backside!) happy, there are some considerations you should take into account. This Buying Guide outlines the key things to consider to make choosing a camping chair easier.

Quick Links:

• What Should You Look For In A Camping Chair?
• Different Types Of Camping Chairs
• What Parts & Features Of A Camping Chair Should You Consider?
• The Size & Weight Of Your Camping Chair
• Why Choose A Quality Camping Chair?
• The Portability Of A Camping Chair
• What's The Best Camping Chair For Each Activity?
• How To Find The Most Comfortable Camping Chair

What Should You Look For In A Camping Chair?

When you are choosing your camping chair, there are many aspects you must consider. These include:

• Comfort: A camping chair must be comfortable when you sit in it. The more features such as extra padding and lumbar support the chair has, the more comfortable it will be.
• Portability: Is the chair easy to carry and lightweight? You could be trekking with your equipment, so an easily portable chair is necessary on your adventures.
• Durability: Consider the environment you'll be using your chair in. If it'll regularly be used in rugged conditions, it's best to opt for a more durable chair.
• Storage: If space is an issue for transporting or storing your chair, you may want to choose a more compact model.
• Set up: Camping chairs should be simple to set up and require little effort after a long day of travelling.
• Features: The chair can come with those extra touches of luxury such as cup holders, side tables or storage pockets to make your experience a little better.

Different Types Of Camping Chairs

Beach Chairs

Beach chairs are lightweight and low to the ground, making them perfect for lounging on the sand by the waves. They are constructed from durable, breathable fabrics and fold for easy transportation.

Director's Chairs

Director's chairs like the Dune 4WD Directors Chair with Side Table are sturdy upright chairs with hard armrests, making them great for outdoor dining or lounging outside by the campfire.

Flat Fold Chairs

Flat fold chairs can be folded to be slim, compact and easy to store. Despite their foldability, these chairs are comfortable to sit in for your camping adventure.

Hiking Chairs

Hiking chairs are ultra-light, compact and easy to carry in backpack as you hike. They are simple to set up and can provide quick and easy comfort on the trail.

Lounge Recliners

Reclining lounge camping chairs provide the ultimate relaxation outdoors. They're cushioned and can recline, making them perfect to kick back as you sit around the fire, and they fold flat for easy storage and transport.

Quad Fold Chairs

Quad fold chairs are classic camping gear, with a foldable frame for portability and convenience. They come complete with armrests and cup holders for the quintessential camping experience.

Camping Stools

Camping stools are minimalist and portable seats that are great for quick rests as you travel. The are super compact and great for those packing light or going to festivals.

Kids Camping Chairs

Kids camping chairs are a must have for those enjoying the outdoors with little ones. Kids camping chairs are a smaller size designed for comfort and practicality when camping or enjoying the outdoors.

What Parts & Features Of A Camping Chair Should You Consider?

There are eight parts of a camping chair you will need to consider, which we will break down below:

1: Padding

Camping chairs with cushioned padding are more comfortable but they can take a while to dry if they get wet. Padded camping chairs can also provide lumbar support if you have a bad back.

2: Rests

The arm rests on a camping chair not only provide extra comfort and support, but they also make it easier to get in and out of the chair by giving you a point to push yourself up from. Head rests make it easier to relax in the chair, and may be removable or adjustable.

3: Cup & Wine Glass Holders

Cup holders and wine glass holders will hold your drink when you're sitting comfortably so it doesn't get knocked over. These cup holders can also be insulated to keep your drink nice and cold, which is a big plus when outdoors during the summer.

4: Side Table

A camping chair with a built-in side table will be perfect for placing your drink, plate, book or magazine on when you're lounging during your next outdoor adventure. Side tables can also take the place of a big, bulky camping table when you want to travel light.

5: Pockets

Camping chairs with pockets provide handy storage that keeps everything organised. Pockets are perfect for easily storing items such as your phone, sunscreen and bug spray while also keeping them within reach.

6: Carry Bag

Most camping chairs come with a bag to pack them away in when the chair's not in use. A carry bag with a strap makes your camping chair very easy to transport.

7: Frame

A frame gives the chair structure and strength, making it sturdier and longer lasting. Aluminium is lighter than steel (great for portability) - but steel is stronger (great for durability). Powder-coated steel lasts longer than regular steel, and cross-bracing adds extra strength.

8: Fabric

Fabric covers the frame and contributes to your comfort level. Some fabrics can handle getting wet better than others. They should be fast-drying if used around water or on rainy days. Camping chairs with an open weave shed water and dry faster, while ones with mesh ventilation increase airflow to keep you cool. Fabric with light colours won't get as hot in the sun as dark colours. When it comes to materials, nylon is thin and light but can deteriorate with sun exposure over time, whereas polyester is thicker, handles sun exposure better and lasts longer than nylon. When it comes to weight, the fabric's thickness is given in denier (D) - a lower denier fabric is lighter but less durable and a higher denier is longer lasting.

The Size & Weight Capacity Of Your Camping Chair

Before choosing a chair, it's a good idea to think about who's going to use it, and how. Consider if the chair's weight capacity will be sufficient, if it's big enough and a suitable height for the user, and how heavy it is - a chair that weighs a bit more is ok if you're camping next to your vehicle, but if you're going to be carrying it far you'll want one that's lightweight.

Why Choose A Quality Camping Chair?

Whatever the intended use for your camping chair, always choose something made from quality materials - all Anaconda camping chairs are made to the highest standards, regardless of the price point. Choosing a well-made chair means you'll be able to continue enjoying it for many years to come. Getting the right one comes down to paying attention to the details - check for the quality of construction materials used in the chair's frame, the material used for the seating and the stitching count to get an accurate picture of its real strength. The better the construction of your camping chair and use of materials (like mesh inserts for breathability and reinforcement on pressure areas for back support and the seating area itself), the more relaxed you'll feel when putting your feet up for a rest, the more refreshed you'll feel after a sneaky afternoon nap and the more use you'll get from your camping chair over the long-term.

The Portability Of A Camping Chair

Many of today's camping chairs look fantastic, but sometimes aesthetics can come at the expense of how simply they can fold down at the end of the day and how easily they can be carried and stored when you're not using them. Whether buying online or in-store, make sure you access information or find a demonstration of how the chair folds up after use, and how much room it's likely to take up in your car or 4WD and while stored at home. A great option for portability is a camping stool. Camping stools may not be suitable for extended periods of lounging, reading or napping, but they can provide a good alternative for resting wearing legs if you're on a hike or attending an event where carrying a chair is just not feasible. Similarly, you might choose a soft camping chair without legs - like an event chair - although this kind of chair is only appropriate for those who can get up and down off the ground with ease. Many camping chairs come with carry bags to make transportation from the garage to the car to the campsite (and back, of course) hassle-free.

What's The Best Camping Chair For Each Activity?

• Backpacking: Stools and compact folding chairs are great for backpacking. They're small and light so easy to carry, making them perfect for cooking and sitting by the fire.
• Camping: Fold-out chairs and benches are great for short-term camping trips. Recliners and loungers are bigger and heavier, so they're better suited for longer glamping trips.
• Fishing: Stools, folding chairs and recliners are perfect for fishing. Their size and weight varies. Their arms and backrests keep you comfortable while you're waiting for bites.
• Outings: Stools and folding chairs are great for any kind of outing. An easy-to-carry bag makes them perfect for events and get-togethers.
• The Beach: Beach chairs are great for the beach and are low to the ground so they won't blow away. Hammocks, recliners and loungers are great for longer stints at a beach house.
• Festivals: Beach chairs, stools and folding chairs are great for festivals. If you're carrying a camping chair there, think about how heavy it will be to lug along.

How To Find The Most Comfortable Camping Chair

Finding the most comfortable camping chair is all about tailoring it to your adventure. Look for a chair that's supportive, portable and durable but also suitable for your trip. For example, if you're relaxing by the campfire, go for a more padded design that reclines to give you maximum comfort. But if you're on a hiking trip, you will need a more lightweight and compact chair so that it's practical as you hike and comfortable when you rest.

Find The Best Camping Chairs At Anaconda Today

A reliable and comfortable camping chair makes spending time in nature so much more fun and relaxing, so it pays to put some thought into your purchase. Whether you're looking for something to store in your hiking pack or something more luxurious for sitting back and doing nothing in style, you'll find camping chairs for people of all sizes, budgets and leisure pursuits. Knowing what sets the good apart from the bad will save you both time and money, and increase the comfort factor of your next camping holiday, day trip or sporting event. Make sure you check out our Adventure Centre for more helpful tips and exciting destinations that you can visit with your friends, loved ones and family. If you liked our Camping Chairs Buying Guide, then you might also like some of our other articles for helpful fishing tips such as:

• Everything You Need For Festival Camping
• What To Bring Summer Camping
• Tents Buying Guide
• The Ultimate Checklist For Hiking Essentials

Find your local Anaconda store and check out our extensive camping chair range for your next outdoor adventure.