8 Best Camping Chairs for Every Camper

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Are you fond of the outdoors? Do you often find yourself camping and backpacking? Do you lead the nomadic life in your RV? If so, you’ll probably need a lightweight, yet durable camping chair, something you can sit on when setting up camp.

RV camping chairs are lightweight and foldable and can easily be carried in an RV or on your back. They are made of durable fabrics that are breathable and weather-resistant, so they can withstand most any outdoor conditions. And they usually come with features like carrying bags, foldable legs, etc, to increase portability.

Camping chairs are usually used by people while camping, backpacking, or simply those who live in RVs. During the day, you can simply place the camping chair outside, perhaps under a canopy, and make a quick seating space for yourself.

There are a number of great camping chairs for RVs on the market. Some camping provide support for bad backs, some are specifically for tall people, some come with shades, and others are especially lightweight.

With all these different types of camping chairs for RVs on the market, it might be hard to decide which one is most suitable for your needs. To help I’ll be giving you a detailed unbiased review of some of the best camping chairs for RVs.

There are a number of reasons why you might need an RV camping chair:

  1. Do you lead a nomadic life in an RV? If so, you cannot carry regular pieces of furniture as they take up a lot of space and add weight. RV camping chairs can easily be folded so they don’t occupy space, and they can be unfolded and placed outside the RV when necessary, providing functionality and convenience.
  2. Do you often go hiking or camping in the woods? If so, an RV camping chair will allow you to set up camp and a seating space for yourself, perhaps around a campfire.
  3. These chairs are made of durable mesh fabric and materials that can withstand harsh weather conditions like rain. This ensures that you can use them outdoors without worrying about them getting ruined.
  4. Most RV camping chairs can simply be put into a carrying bag and strapped to your back, making them extremely convenient to carry.

All the camping chairs in this article have been personally vetted and examined by me. Read on to find out about the best camping chairs for RVs.

Best Camping Chairs for Bad Backs

1. Coleman Portable Camping Quad Chair

The Coleman Portable Camping Quad Chair is one of the most popular camping chairs for bad backs due to its affordability and quality. It has an 18-inch seating height, which is also suitable for tall people. Furthermore, it can support up to 325 pounds of weight, so it can be used by anyone.

This camping chair is a huge hit because of the number of beverages it can hold. For one, it has an attached “cooler” compartment that can hold up to four beverages. Aside from that, there’s a cup holder compartment on the armrest. It can technically hold five cups of beverages. In addition to the cooler, the chair also comes with a mesh pocket that can hold your phone, keys, and other accessories, thereby keeping everything within arm’s reach, so you don’t have to get up at any point.

The tall backrest means that it provides support for your entire back. It also has lumbar support so your lower back isn’t rounded. The seats are well padded so you can continue sitting on them for extended periods of time. I was also impressed by its fade-resistance. I exposed my Coleman Portable camping chair to a lot of water followed quickly by direct sunlight. Even after several rounds of wet and dry exposure, and weeks of continued use, it didn’t fade.

This camping chair comes with a carrying bag. However, I was a little annoyed while trying to get it back into the bag. I don’t know how the manufacturers stuffed it into the bag, but I could only get it in about 90% of the way. And the closure string ended up snapping within a single day. The bag is definitely not made of the same durable material as the chair. I had to eventually buy a separate bag for the chair. This is my biggest issue with this otherwise perfect camping chair.

Another minor issue with this chair is its steel legs. They are perfectly durable and easily foldable; however, I have heard from several users that after about a year of use — through continued exposure to humidity — the steel legs start rusting. This happens after over a year, and only for some users, so I’m not too bothered about it.

Pros

  • Has an inbuilt cooler pouch that can accommodate 4 beverages.
  • Extremely comfortable with strong lumbar and back support.
  • Budget-friendly.
  • Durable materials.
  • Doesn’t fade, even after regular washing.
  • The legs are firm and stable, yet easily foldable at the joints.
  • The armrest is adjustable.

Cons

  •  The quality of the carrying bag is very poor. Furthermore, the camping chair doesn’t even fit into the bag. You’ll have to purchase a separate bag.
  • The additional features increased the weight slightly. Might be difficult to carry for long distances.
  •  If exposed to humidity over time, the steel legs might start rusting.

 

2. STRONGBACK Camping Chair with Lumbar Support

 

This STRONGBACK Camping Chair with Lumbar Support is perfect for those who care about their backs. It has a strong and firm backrest that doesn’t sag over time and lumbar support to keep your lower back from slouching. At 11.9 pounds, it is lightweight. It can be used by individuals who weigh up to 300 pounds, which is alright, but it doesn’t bode well for the heavier-set folk, especially since you shouldn’t test these camping chairs to their uppermost weight limit anyway. The seat is 18” high, so it can be used by tall people comfortably.

Most camping chairs are only comfortable for a short while. Eventually, you’ll end up using a pillow to support the lower back. Otherwise, your back will play havoc on your body. However, this STRONGBACK camping chair has good lumbar support so you can remain seated for hours at a stretch, and it won’t affect your back at all. The backrest is also firm enough so that it doesn’t sag, ensuring your posture is maintained. And it’s high enough that your neck has support and doesn’t tense up.

This is certainly not the lightest chair around, especially since a firm material is used for the backrest. However, it’s fairly light and comes with an extremely efficient carrying bag for increased portability. The bag is designed like a backpack with dual shoulder straps so the weight of the camping chair is evenly distributed between both your shoulders.

The legs on this camping chair are made of silver powder coated steel. The fabric is heavy duty Polyester 600D so it doesn’t wear or tear easily. I only used this chair for a few weeks, so I personally can’t vouch for its longevity. However, I spoke to several long-term users, and they unanimously agree that the material lasts for a long time without tearing or sagging.

There’s no bar under the chair, so you can’t rest your legs on anything. I usually prefer a little bar to rest my feet on. However, you can purchase this bar separately. I also have an issue with the cup holder. This camping chair comes with a single 7 cm cup holder, not large enough for most cups.

I tried placing a beverage can and a wine glass in it and it didn’t fit. A few centimeters wider would have been much more appropriate. In its present state, you can only squeeze very small or slender cups into the cup holder.

Note that there’s no storage compartment on this chair, so you won’t have any place to keep your magazines and gadgets. These additional features such had to be trimmed off to lower the chair’s overall weight. I feel that’s a worthy trade.

Pros

  • Provides excellent back support with no sagging.
  • Lightweight and highly portable.
  • The carry-on bag comes with dual shoulder straps so it can easily be carried.
  • Ergonomically designed with lumbar support.
  • High seat can be used by tall people.

Cons

  • Weight capacity should be higher.
  • Cup holder is not wide enough for most cups.
  • No bar under the chair to rest one’s feet.
  • No storage compartment.

Best Lightweight Camping Chairs for RVs

3. Helinox Chair One

The Helinox Chair One is one of the most lightweight camping chairs for RVs on the market. It weighs just 1.96 pounds so you can easily carry it around on your back for long periods of time. Furthermore, it packs down to 14″ x 4″ x 5”, which is smaller than a newspaper, so it won’t take up much space in your luggage. As such, this camping chair is ideal for backpackers, campers, and trekkers, i.e., those who have to carry the chair around for long distances.

You should note that this lightweight design is achieved by cutting out all additional features and it doesn’t have any cooler, storage pouch, cup holder, or even an armrest. You can sit on it comfortably, but that’s about it.

While I’m comfortable with all the additional features being removed, I am slightly uncertain about the lack of a headrest. There’s no headrest or support for the neck on this camping chair so you might not be comfortable for long periods of time. I have also heard that it’s not ideal for individuals shorter than 5’8”. Some shorter people I spoke to mentioned that the sides of the chair chafe against their shoulders, but only slightly.

I would also like to mention that this chair is probably not right for you if you suffer from back pain. I personally found this chair to be comfortable. However, the material of the chair is such that the back sags when you rest against it. Your back will be curved and you won’t be able to maintain a healthy posture, which could exacerbate any pre-existing back issues. However, the backrest is made of breathable mesh fabric, so I was comfortable on it.

The aluminum legs are perfectly durable. Furthermore, they are stainless and rust-resistant. I exposed them to wetness and sun and didn’t find any issues. It also comes with a ground sheet you can spread under the legs so they don’t slip. This ensures that you can set this chair on any kind of surface and it won’t move around.

Even though this chair is marked for individuals up to 320 pounds, I have my doubts. I’m about half that weight and the backrest sagged when I sat on it. Furthermore, it doesn’t have a very wide base of support. I’m hard-pressed to imagine how well this chair will be able to support heavier-set individuals.

Pros

  • Ideal for backpacking and trekking.
  • At just 1.96 pounds, it’s extremely small and lightweight.
  • Comfortable and breathable.
  • Easy to set up.
  • Durable aluminum legs.
  • Comes with a ground sheet.

Cons

  • Relatively expensive.
  • No additional features — no cup holders, no storage pouch, etc.
  • No headrest.
  • The backrest sags a bit.
  • Not ideal for heavier individuals.
  • Should not be used by those suffering from back problems.

4. Helinox Swivel Chair

The Helinox Swivel Chair is yet another extremely lightweight RV camping chair. It belongs to the same line of products as the previously mentioned Helinox Chair One, with one major difference — it can swivel! At 2.82 pounds, this chair is slightly heavier than the Chair One, but it’s still extremely lightweight and you hardly notice the difference. It packs down to the compact size of 15″ x 4″ x 5”, which is about the same size as the Chair One and it can be stored in your luggage easily without it taking up too much space. It has an official weight rating of 265 pounds, although you shouldn’t test that limit. In short, it’s not meant for heavy or large individuals.

The best aspect of this camping chair is that it can swivel. This feature isn’t often available in camping chairs, but it’s certainly a welcome addition. Like the Chair One, users under 5’8” complain that their shoulders get cramped against the sides of the chair. As such, it’s more suitable for taller people. Furthermore, there’s no headrest so your neck might get cramped after a while.

Again, this chair is extremely lightweight, but it’s achieved by getting rid of some inessential features. There’s no storage pouch, up holder, cooler, etc. This is a bare bones camping chair. However, it’s perfectly comfortable. The material is mesh so it’s very breathable, and you don’t get sweaty while seated. The legs are firm and durable and they don’t rust with age and use. Unlike the Chair One, however, this camping chair doesn’t come with a free ground sheet to prevent the legs from slipping.

Also note that this chair is almost always in a reclined position because you sink into it. Furthermore, the heavier you are, the more it reclines. If you want to sit upright, this is not the one for you. The chair is also not suitable for those with back issues because of a complete lack of back support. If you have any back problems, this chair will likely exacerbate them. And even if you don’t have back issues, it’s still not advisable to sit on it for a long time as you might develop back problems since it forces your back into a curve.

Pros

  • Meant for backpacking and trekking.
  • At just 2.82 pounds, it’s small and ultra-light.
  • Breathable fabric.
  • Easy installation and use.
  • Rust-resistant aluminum legs.

Cons

  • No extra features.
  • Doesn’t have a headrest.
  • Sagging is experienced at the back.
  • Cannot accommodate heavy individuals.
  • Cannot sit upright on it.
  • Can exacerbate back issues.

Best Camping Chairs for Tall Persons

5. ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair

The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair is a tough and durable camping chair ideal for tall individuals over 6 feet in height.

It is quite suitable for larger and heavier individuals because it’s one of the few camping chairs on the market with a weight capacity of 800 pounds.

The fabric is made of 600D polyester that’s tough and resistant to all kinds of weather conditions, be it rain or sunshine. However, the thick material comes with a slight drawback as well. After a rainstorm, it tends to hold water. You have to make sure you get rid of all the water and dry it thoroughly before storing it or it might develop mold. The legs are made of tough rust-resistant steel, so it will last perfectly for several years.

In addition to durability and comfort, this chair is also rich in features. It comes with 2 cup holders on the armrests, 2 side pockets to hold accessories, and storage space at the headrest as well. You have plenty of places to store your items and can even stuff the headrest to add more comfort if necessary. The seat is well padded so you can sit for extended periods.

The biggest drawback is that the chair not suitable for shorter people. If you’re shorter than around 5’ 7”, you’ll probably sink into the chair and your legs won’t touch the ground, making it difficult to get out. As such, this chair is only recommended for tall in dividiuals.

It comes with a carrying case of 7 x 41” dimensions into which the chair fits easily as it can be folded down to 5” x 5” x 38” dimensions. The case has dual shoulder straps so you can wear it like a backpack. Folding it up or breaking it out is also fairly simple and doesn’t pose any complications.

Pros

  • With a weight capacity of 800 pounds, it can easily accommodate heavy-set individuals.
  • Extremely comfortable.
  • Made of durable materials and fabric.
  • Ideal for tall individuals due to the high seat height and backrest.

Cons

  • May not be suitable for shorter individuals.
  • Tends to hold rainwater so you have to be careful to dry it.

6. KingCamp Camping Chair

The KingCamp Camping Chair is an 11 pound camping chair with a seat height of 18” and a total height of 41”, making it perfect for tall people. With a weight capacity of 350 pounds, it’s certainly not as capable as the ALPS chair in terms of seating heavy-set individuals, but it’s adequate.

This camping chair also comes with lumbar support, ideal for people who suffer from back issues. It also comes with a 3-can beer cooler under the right arm, two pouches for storing accessories, and a cup holder on the armrest. There’s a headrest so your neck and head are well supported.

As brilliant as the chair is in terms of features, I was not impressed with the portability. Weighing in at 11 pounds, it’s not the most lightweight chair out there, so you’ll need a suitable means of portability and you would expect it to fold well.

On the negative side, it has folding dimensions of 38″ x 9″ x 8”, which is still pretty large. Furthermore, the carrying case available with the chair is not big enough. I had to really struggle to stuff the chair into the case and ended up ripping the seams.

Even after I bought a new carrying case, this chair was really cumbersome to carry around due to its large dimensions. If you have to carry a chair for long distances, I would recommend against it.

Pros

  • Ideal for tall people.
  • Comes with a range of additional features like beer cooler, cup holders, headrest, and pouches.
  • Lumbar support available.
  • Extremely comfortable.

Cons

  • Not meant for very heavy people.
  • The carrying case cannot hold this camping chair.
  • It’s still really large after folding.

Best Camping Chairs with Canopies

7. Sport-Brella Recliner Chair

The Sport-Brella Recliner Chair is an extremely comfortable and cheap recliner camping chair with an overhead canopy. The recliner comes with three options — sit, recline, and nap. As such, you can adjust it to the upright position or to lean back, or to turn it into a bed for a comfortable sleep. There’s a footrest at the end of the chair to rest your legs on when you’re sleeping or laying down. However, the footrest is detachable so you don’t have to use it.

The overhead umbrella provides protection from UVA/UVB rays and has 3-swivel settings and a metallic undercoating. You can adjust the umbrella to block out the sun wherever it may be, and the metallic undercoating ensures that no sun gets through. The umbrella can also be detached in case you’re indoors. I was worried that I might look like a fool if I use it in an indoor setting, but that’s not an issue. While the umbrella can protect you from sun and rain, it is not made to sustain strong winds. When the winds picked up, the umbrella started flapping incessantly and eventually came undone.

In terms of additional features, this chair comes with a pouch that can hold 4 drink cans and there’s a bottle-holder on the armrest. This chair is also made of durable materials and is relatively lightweight at 13 pounds, considering all the features available. However, it has a weight capacity of only 250 pounds and a narrow seat so it can only seat fairly slim and skinny people.

Pros

  • Can be reclined.
  • Comes with a beer cooler.
  • The umbrella can block out sun and rain effectively.
  • Has a footrest.

Cons

  • Not meant for heavy or large people.
  • The umbrella cannot withstand strong winds.

8. Quik Shade

The Quik Shade is an easily adjustable camping chair with an overhead canopy and a 22.5” wide seat with a weight capacity of 225 pounds. It is made of 300 x 600D polyester fabric that is both water and stain resistant.

The overhead shade is wide enough to block out sun and rain from any direction and it can be easily raised, lowered, or tilted. However, it comes up and over so it is likely to obstruct the view of others. You can use it for camping purposes, but you shouldn’t use it for outdoor events as you’ll annoy the people behind you.

The seat height is 19” from the ground, suitable for tall people. The backrest isn’t high enough to support one’s head or neck, but it’s still comfortable and doesn’t sag. With a 225-pound weight rating, this chair can only be used by fairly slim people.

This camping chair also comes with additional features. It’s equipped with 2 cup holders on the armrest and a storage pouch under the right armrest. However, the material on the armrest isn’t very durable and several users have complained extensively about it ripping within a few months.

In terms of quality, this certainly isn’t as durable as the Sport-Brella Recliner Chair, so you should consider it carefully. However, given how cheap it is, you can’t get a better offering.

Pros

  • Extremely cheap.
  • Suitable for tall people.
  • Effective shade.

Cons

  • Not very durable.
  • No headrest.
  • The canopy will obstruct the view of people behind you.
  • Not suitable for heavier individuals.

Which Factors to Consider when Buying RV Camping Chairs?

When buying camping chairs for RVs, you must take the following factors into consideration.

Carrying Bag

When you’re traveling around in an RV, portability is extremely important. You’ll already be carrying a number of items like tents, ice coolers, cooking gear, etc. Furthermore, if you’re out camping, you might have to walk long distances. In that case, it’s not practical to carry a chair in your arms. It’s crucial to get a camping chair that comes with a carrying bag. You can simply fold the chair into the bag and strap it across your back.

Foldability

This factor leads straight from the previous one. The manner in which your chair folds is important as it determines how easily it can fit into the bag, how easily it can be carried, and how much space it takes up.

Some camping chairs fold flat. These chairs have a thin folding dimension, but they take up a significant space when laid flat. Furthermore, since they take up a larger space, they are harder to fit into the bag or carry on your back.

My personal preference is a camping chair that fold inwards. It ends up in a torpedo-like shape that makes it easier to store in carrying bags. Furthermore, they have a smaller folded dimensions so they’re easier to carry on your back as well.

Legs Quality

The quality of the legs is extremely important when it comes to RV camping chairs. For one thing, the legs provide strength and durability to the chair. If they’re too weak, they might just snap off. And if they’re too strong or firm, they might not fold properly, which will make the  chair difficult to carry. The steel tubing of the camping chairs must be just right: lightweight, durable, and foldable.

Cup Holders and Storage Pouch

Whether you are camping or simply idling outside the RV in a campground, multi-functionality is important. You don’t have a table to keep your cups on, nor do you have a chest of drawers for storage. As such, you need to make sure your camping chair can accommodate all of that. It should have cup holders and a storage pouch where you can keep magazines and other items for easy retrieval.

Comfort

A number of factors contribute to a chair’s comfort. These include the measurements of the chair, the design, the material used, etc. For example, if you’re camping in hot areas most of the time, you might want a breathable mesh fabric chair so your back doesn’t get sticky or sweaty.

Back Support

If you suffer from back issues, it’s important to get a camping chair with good back support. Several camping chairs have sunken backs that could exacerbate back issues, as your back sinks into them and your lower back gets rounded.

Lumbar support, a form of padding available at the lower end of the chair’s back, is important for people with back issues. This provides extra support for your lower back so it doesn’t slouch. It can protect your posture and prevent you from contracting new back issues.

Stability

When you’re always on the move or camping, you never know what kind of a surface you’ll have. Sometimes you might have to set up a chair on gravely ground, and sometimes on sandy ground. You need a chair that can be kept upright on all kinds of surfaces — gravel, sandy, wet, uneven, etc.

Canopy

A number of camping chairs come equipped with canopies or shades. These are generally a nylon or canvas material draped over the end of the back. If it’s extremely hot, you’ll be protected from the harsh UV rays. And if it’s raining, you’ll be protected under the canopy. This is an important feature if you camp often, especially in places with a propensity for extreme heat or heavy rains.

Weight

The camping chair should be lightweight, as much as possible. This is obvious because you might be carrying it around on your back for long periods. However, the more features it has — storage pouch, canopy, etc — the heavier it gets. You should try to strike the correct balance between lightweight design and functionality.

Ease of Use

You should go for a camping chair that can be easily folded and unfolded. You should be able to set it up easily, pitch it down, and fold it back into the carrying bag.

Versatility

Your ideal camping chair should be able to serve several purposes. Think about all the different situations in which you might need to use it — for camping, as furniture in your RV, as a canopy, etc. Make sure that it has enough features to serve all those purposes.

Factors to Consider when Buying RV Camping Chairs for Tall People?

If you’re an exceptionally tall person, you might have a narrower pool of camping chairs to choose from. You shouldn’t get a chair in which your head touches the canopy, or in which your back doesn’t fit into the backrest, or one in which your legs have to be folded uncomfortably under the seat. If you’re a tall person, you should consider the following factors when choosing an RV camping chair.

Ground-to-Seat Height

Ground-to-seat height is often just referred to as “height”. It is a measurement of the amount of space a chair takes up from the ground to the bottom of the seat.

Low seat height is generally used by people who take camping chairs to concerts or festivals where they don’t want to block the sight of the people behind them. However, due to the low height, it’s generally difficult for tall people to get in or out of them.

If you care about comfort, you should go for a high seat height. Taller people should generally go for chairs with ground-to-seat heights of 15 to 18 inches.

Seat Back Height

Seat back height is the height of the backrest. If it’s too short, your neck and upper back regions might not get any support. Over extended periods of use, your neck might start cramping up. If you’re a tall person, you should choose a camping chair with a high backrest, so you can rest your head and neck as well.

If you carefully consider all of the factors listed above, you’ll be able to choose an RV camping chair that is perfect for your needs. However, make sure that in a bid to get all the features you need, you don’t also end up getting an extremely heavy chair. Strike a fine balance between features and weight.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you figure out the best camping chair for your RV needs. There are a lot of camping chairs available on the market — those meant for bad backs, tall people, of lightweight construction, or those with shades. I have reviewed the best camping chairs across all these categories.

So now go ahead, pitch a tent, unfold your camping chair, and enjoy the glorious outdoors.