Camp Chairs – Backpack & Camping

Traditional-Style Camp Chairs
Traditional style portable camp chairs are best when weight, size and portability are no issue. These chairs are somewhat like portable folding beach chairs. The benefits are they are roomy and comfortable and quick and easy to set up. These folding camp chairs also usually have features like high backs, cup holders, arms and sometimes even footrests and umbrellas! These folding camp chairs usually come with a storage bag with a strap or the chair itself has a strap attached. There are even chairs that have backpack like straps to make them easier to carry and offer storage space as well. The downside is they are bulky and heavy and sometimes the materials used are susceptible to rust and corrosion. Most traditional chairs weigh from 5 to 14 pounds and typically fold down to no less than 36 inches by 9 inches in diameter. The traditional folding camp chair is best used when car camping, for trips to the beach where you have access to a beach cart or other types of outings where a car or a wagon is used to carry supplies.

Portable Camp Chairs
Portable camp chairs are lighter, smaller, sit lower to the ground and can take a bit more time to set up. They are less comfortable than a traditional folding camping chair and may be less stable. The portable camp chair is ideal when you will be carrying the chair for longer periods of time. The ultra-light weight chairs can weigh as little as 2 pounds and easily fit in a day pack. The POG Lightweight Camp Chair is a great example of a portable camp chair. The POG camp chair is light, made of the best materials (7075 hard anodized aircraft grade aluminum frame, ripstop nylon and nylon mesh) and priced for budget minded hikers and backpackers. One will not have to compromise on quality, durability nor strength with this portable camp chair.

Backpacking Chairs
When carrying a chair for miles, you want the lightest weight and also the most compact chair that will still meet your needs for comfort, durability and stability. Some lightweight backpacking chairs are simply a lightweight fabric sling with straps to support the back. Others have inflatable seat pads. The problem with this type of folding camp chair is they seat you on the ground and if the ground is wet, the chair will get wet and this cna make the chairs quite heavy, depending on how much water it absorbs. The best lightweight backpacking chairs usually are aluminum framed, nylon sling style chairs, like the POG Lightweight Camp Chair. These chairs usually come with a carrying sack that can either stow in the pack or be strapped to the outside. Most backpacking chairs weigh in the range of 1.4 to 2.6 pounds. There is usually a tradeoff between weight and comfort, so make the best weight/comfort tradeoff for your needs.

I have come to strongly believe that compact camp chairs make any outing better to the degree that I consider them a necessity. They can provide a comfortable place to sit when using your backpacking stove, a relaxing seat by the campfire or a great place for a long break during a hike. You can find lightweight backpacking chairs online to meet your needs and budget.

Most portable camping chairs seating surfaces are made of polyester or nylon material that is soft, flexible and supportive as well as durable. Some use mesh  that helps you stay cool in the summer heat. These manmade materials stand up well in the outdoors and are lighter and more durable than the cotton canvas used by our parents.

If you go with a traditional folding camp chair, you can have all kinds of features, like cup holders, extra storage, small tables and headrests and foot rests. There are even love seat models that resemble a sofa. Even the largest, heaviest and bulkiest of portable camp chairs are easily transported for short distances and usually have a carry bag with straps.

As with most things, with backpacking chairs the report tradeoffs involved in finding the right chair for you. Oftentimes the lightest chairs are not always the most stable nor the most comfortable. You will find that the lightest weight chairs are usually made of the highest quality material. The lightest chairs are also usually more expensive options. Backpackers will tend to want the lightest weight chair possible.

Modern backpackers, particularly ultralight backpackers seek out extremely lightweight gear. There are compromises with light weight, however most find the tradeoff is worth it. Where backpackers are not willing to compromise is on strength and durability. Few backpackers are willing to spend and a carrying a chair that when they reach camp will fail to provide the comfort they are expecting.

Backpackers also want a chair that sets up quickly and easily. They’re not interested in spending their first 30 minutes in camp struggling with a chair that is difficult to set up. The best option would be a chair with a simple shock-cord frame, and durable nylon seating surface that sets over the frame much like a hammock.

While most backpackers will agree that a camp chair is not completely necessary, They will also tell you that it’s nice to have somewhere to sit other than a rock or log but the end of a long day of hiking or trekking. There are many high quality chairs on the market today that weight less than 2 ½ pounds. While one can spend as much as $150, you will find high quality, lightweight chairs for the less than $50.00.

A lightweight chair will do you no good if it is bulky and will not fit inside your pack or easily attach to the outside of it. It is important that a chair stow into a compact package when not in use. Though generally larger, bulky chairs are more comfortable, they are difficult to stow on long hikes.

The chair one would take car camping is generally not going to be a good choice for backpacking. Though the car camping chair might be the most comfortable and would be welcomed at the end of a long hike, carrying it would end up being a huge task. One last thing to look for is a carrying strap on the chair bag that will make it easy to attach to your backpack.

Let’s face it, if he made the decision to take a chair on your backpacking trip it is because you were willing give up some comfort on the trail for comfort in camp. 2 to 4 pounds can be a big deal on a 20 mile day. However, to some it is definitely worth the weight for a comfortable seat in camp at the end of the day.

This means that if you want to take a chair with you, it needs to be comfortable. Otherwise you may as well just find a rock or a rock to sit on. Things that may affect the comfort of a backpacking chair would include the size when set up, the seating material, the height of the chair off the ground and the slant of the chair back.

While there are tradeoffs between comfort and weight and compactness, one can usually find a good balance that meets their needs. With the large assortment of camp chairs on the market today, there is a match for your budget that meets your individual needs.

There are many different types of chairs. Some are very simple, while others are much more complex. Most backpackers prefer a chair that is simple and easy to setup. The lightweight chair that we like the most is very simple and easy to setup.

Many lightweight backpacking chairs have shock cord aluminum frames. These frames basically put themselves together, all you need to do is shake them a bit and they come together. Once the frame is together, you simply stretch the seating surface over the frame and you are done.

Lastly, you want a chair that easily stows when you are ready to break camp. The chair should be simple to put away and not cause frustration when packing it. You also do not want a chair with a lot of small parts that can be lost. It is terrible to have a piece of equipment become unusable because a part is missing.

The stability of the chair is very important. The last thing you want is a chair that’s not going to sit up straight and where you are off balance. You need to consider where you’re going to use the chair. Are you headed to the mountains, the beach or to your local park? Each of these locations will have different considerations.

Remember, stability will impact your comfort. It is difficult to relax when you feel like you might fall over. We had used a number of different chairs in number of different situations and have found that lightweight camp chairs do an excellent job of maintaining stability.

Chairs that have a sufficiently wide base are usually stable in a variety of situations. They allow you to relax and not worry about falling over while seated. A wide base can overcome most uneven terrain without problem. When shopping for chairs, look for a chair with a base that will meet your needs.

You should pay close attention to the weight limit of the chair you are considering purchasing. Make sure that the chair you are buying will easily support your weight or the weight of any planning to use it. The last thing you want is a chair that someone cannot use because it is not rated to hold their weight. I recommend shopping for a weight limit 25 to 30 pounds over your weight so you have some margin.

You want the seating material for your chair to be durable so that you can be sure your backpacking chair will last. You also may want the fabric to have in number of other properties as well. Properties you may consider are: waterproof flame retardant, washable, mildew resistant, stretch resistant and tear resistant.

We have found that flame retardant Rip-Stop nylon is an excellent seating surface. One may also consider nylon mesh as this is breathable and will help keep you cool on hot summer days. Remember, if the chair is designed well it may last the rest of your life. Making good choices in your purchase will pay off in the long run.

Backpacking chairs usually combine strength with light weight. This calls for intelligent design and wise use of materials. The best compact and lightweight backpacking chairs use aluminum for poles and nylon on the joints. Aluminum is corrosion resistant, especially if it has been anodized.

We prefer 7075 Hard Anodized Aircraft aluminum for poles. This combined with tough nylon at the joints combines to deliver a chair that is light and tough at the same time. While steel and ABS frames are cheaper, they are heavier and you should expect the ABS to become brittle and crack over time, while nylon maintains its properties over a longer period of time.

I hope our buying guide has helped you learn about what is available and what might best suit your needs. Remember that an informed consumer usually gets the best value in their purchase. When you make your lightweight backpacking chair investment, keep your needs and wants in mind.