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Lightweight, comfortable and stylish, these camping chairs will have you sitting pretty
They may be called camping chairs but they’re so much more than that. Whether used while watching sports events, fishing, picnics in the park or relaxing at the campsite, the best camping chairs are versatile enough to have you sitting comfortably whatever you’re up to this summer.
Portable and lightweight, these folding chairs are designed to save your backside – quite literally – from sitting on cold, hard, wet grass while you’re spending time outdoors.
Think long and hard about what you’re going to be using your camping chair for, though, before adding one to your shopping basket. If you’re not going to be far from your car or tent, you might not need to factor in the chair’s weight. If you’re taking your portable seat to the beach or a festival, however, you’ll want to pick a lightweight option that folds up small.
Camping chairs come in a range of different heights, too. Low-to-the-ground options are great around a campfire, and handy for kids (in our experience, children quickly grow out of kids’ camping chairs). Meanwhile, if you’re watching open-air theatre or sports, you’ll probably want a higher vantage point, meaning a chair with longer legs. Either way, a cup holder is always welcome, too.
Keep reading to find out which camping chairs impressed us the most during testing.
We headed to festivals, fetes and sporting events with a variety of camping chairs. We used them in the garden around the fire pit and generally enjoyed some al fresco lounging around. As we carried the chairs across some distance, we looked at how cumbersome or lightweight they were. We also wanted to see how quickly we could put them up. Although, as you might expect, comfort was our highest priority, along with value for money. Here are the ones that made us sit up and listen.
We were thoroughly impressed by the Mountain Warehouse camping chair. It’s comfortable, reasonably lightweight, easy to use and durable – it won’t cost you the earth, either. If you’re looking to upgrade to something super comfortable, the Vango embrace is hard to beat.
For more outdoor essentials, read our guides to the best umbrellas and the best travel mugs and flasks