There is nothing more central to camping then relaxing by the campfire. It. Does. Not. Get. Better. Then. That. So you want to make sure you have the best, most comfortable camp chairs you can get, that fit in your budget and your RV for that matter. We have been through a few chairs in our camping careers and here is what we have learned. Most of us have had the $5 fold-up chairs that you can get anywhere and that is what we started with (and to be honest we keep 4 extra of these under our dinette seat for when we have guests), but we are fancy here, so lets look at some cooler options. To be honest, we haven’t come across a lot of bad chairs, but these all have some pros and cons to consider.
Camping Club Chairs
These chairs are the best! We have four of these in our camper, plus two ottomans. They are a bit of an investment compared to some options, but they are super cozy. The stuffing makes them feel like you are sitting on a sofa, not like most hard outdoor foldable chairs. They are really roomy. I can comfortably curl up in the chairs with one of my kids, or sit sideways to lounge and read a book. If you want a spacious chair, this is for you. They fold up relatively easily and come with a carrying case that has a handle, making them sort of portable. I like any chair with a case because we store ours in our bunkhouse and the case keeps the dirt/mud/etc. from tracking all over the camper. Plus it’s my job to set up and put away chairs, so the handles make it super easy to carry in and out of the camper. I feel like they are more compact and easier to store than some options out there, but less than others. Our friend fit a couple in their under-bunk storage without issue, although you might not want to carry them to the beach.
Another “con” is that because of the stuffing, when they get rained on they do take a little longer to dry than some unstuffed options. But once the sun comes out they do dry in a couple of hours. Also, ours didn’t come with drink holders and there are no options I have found to attach any. The one I linked to actually has a little pouch on the side that would totally hold a beer, cell phone, etc. Kinda wish mine had this, any ideas are welcome in the comments!
The ottomans come with similar cases and are pretty compact. I suggest getting these because they really add a little extra comfort. They are sturdy enough to use as stools for kids to sit on by the fire, too. I think one or two is a nice addition, we have two ottomans to our four chairs and that’s plenty.
Gravity Lounge Chairs
These are sometimes called “Zero Gravity Chairs” and they are the best option if you are looking for a camping recliner chair. These are very popular and lots of our friends have these. We did at one point, but like the previous ones for comfort and the covers. These do not have covers and fold up to a flat-ish rectangle. This may be better for some storage situations (like if you are lucky enough to have outdoor pass-through storage- in which case I am super jealous). They are definitely super easy to fold up quickly and don’t have a case (which is a con if you like a case like me, but a pro if you like being quick and don’t want to have to wrestle with a case to pack up). They are really comfortable. Because they adjust you can sit upright or lean back and put your feet up. The headrests and cup holders are a nice touch (not all options come with these).
Cons include a little rust on the legs when we had them. Also they need to be tightened every once in awhile. There are a lot of bolts and moving parts so the combination of the rust and adjustments can lead them to break after awhile. I do not suggest cheaping out on these- read reviews.
Folding Rocking Chairs
These are actually a thing. I did not even believe it when our friends showed up at our fire with a camping rocking chair. Honestly they don’t even look like rocking chairs…but I assure you they are. They are also quite comfortable. I am not hugely into rocking chairs honestly (did not get them for any of my kids nurseries) but some people are and if so, this is for you. Even as a non-rocking-chair-person, these were nice to sit in by the fire. They have a little cup holder attached and the fabric dries quickly after rain. They fold up easily and are light and compact. They do not have a carrying case. They are reasonably affordable too.
Hiking Chairs
Disclaimer: I have not tried either of these chairs but they are just so cool and I have to include something for those who hike out to the middle of nowhere for some sweet sweet solitude (I love my kids, but damn that sounds nice).
I have seen awesome ads for the Cliq Bottle Sized Compact Chair and it is just so teeny-tiny when folded that it blows the mind! It claims to set up incredibly easily (undo a strap and extend the arms, that’s it!). It is indisputably the smallest options out there that is an actual chair and not just a stool. Seriously, it’s the size of a water bottle, which is crazy. It looks to be somewhat comfortable if you have a small to medium frame, but I am not sure how it would hold up for larger people. I would get these not for camping but to have for family outings like hiking, fireworks, sporting events, and all those things I imagine we will go to once the last kiddo is out of diapers.
These other compact backpacking chairs look pretty great too. They are slightly larger, but still compact. Set up looks to be more complicated. The chart actually looks like pitching a tiny tent. That said, they are much more budget friendly. They look a little more comfortable and have a slightly higher weight capacity. They also have a cup holder! So cool.
Hitch Hammock Chairs
These are next level. You can’t sit by the campfire, but who cares! I saw them on a truck at a campground and immediately bought them for my husband as a Christmas present. They are heavy, not gonna lie. But just so cool and a fun way to use your hitch when you are parked. There are also models that covert to cold a regular hammock as well. I almost got this, but it was a bit pricy so I went with just the chair option. That said, these are pretty affordable and the hitch attachment comes with the chairs. I’m so excited for these chairs!
