If you buy a good- or better-quality folding camp chair, it should stand up to years of normal use. But there are some minor precautions and care practices that will ensure you get the most out of your folding camping chairs.

Start with the chair itself: what does the manufacturer consider to be the weight limit? Reputable dealers will test the chair and post weight limits that are safe for individuals up to that weight … and beyond, in aggressive testing situations. But don’t count on the “beyond” part. Stick to what the chair is built for, or below.

Then there’s the environment and weather conditions in which the folding camping chair is used. The steel frames and the rivet points are subject to corrosion and oxidation. But the powder coating on the steel provides a good balance between effective protection and the price and weight of the chair. So use some common sense: if your chair is exposed to salt water or prolonged fresh water, rinse it off periodically. And don’t put it away for storage while it’s still damp.

Photo by uncleboatshoes

The webbing or fabric in the seat and back of the chair is made to be weather resistant as well, but again, natural aging as well as corrosion can set in. You can off-set these aging factors by warm, sudsy washes using mild detergents and a soft cloth, followed by a thorough water rinse. The fabric in a camping folding chair is especially prone to age if the chair is stored while still wet or damp. Let the chair dry thoroughly, and check the folding points and fabric to be sure the moisture is gone.

Perhaps the most effective way to care for your folding camp chairs is to watch the way it is used – or abused. These camping gear items are made to be portable and light-weight. That means any chair can be bent or destroyed if treated too roughly. Watch where you lay the chair when it’s not in use. Tossing it into the back of a pickup and then tossing the family luggage on top is a sure way to kill of a great piece of gear. And a good cleaning when you’re home from the beach is great – unless you store the chair in a dark, warm garage attic while it’s still wet. More than the pristine webbing of the fabric will greet you upon your return.

Bottom line: camping chairs are essential gear for the outdoor experience, but like everything else we value, they can benefit from a little care and oversight. Take care of what you sit on, and they’ll take care of you!

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