Camp chairs don’t have to be just a seat on a frame with four legs. There are more versatile options available through both store-front and online shopping. Check out some of your choices and see if there isn’t something that will meet a particular need of yours.

The most simple design and setup camping chairs come in the two-cushion, overcloth-hinged camp chair. One example is Kelty’s chair (UPC 00727880010416) with two pieces of closed-cell foam, joined together and hinged by the overlaying fabric. The hinge design allows for adjustable seat positions, varying angles, and the angle is held in place by the attached adjustable webbing pulls. The chair is 55.5 linear inches in size and is strengthened by the aluminum stays. This simple camp chair is priced at around $25 and is available from several online retailers, including E-Bay, Altrec.com and Backcountry.com.

For fifteen dollars more, you can improve on the quality of construction and the strength of fabric used with these two camping folding chairs:

• The Crazy Creek HexaLite Original Camp chair (item # 800086, offered by REI) is slightly smaller in overall size than the Kelty chair, but the nice touches of strong mesh made of polyester mesh/ripstop nylon may add sufficient durability to this chair to justify the additional cost.
• The Everywhere Chair from LLBean (#TA256710) offers an appealing tubular steel frame that allows for proper seating regardless of the sloping camp site. The seating is made of 600-denier-polyester cover and includes padded lumbar support. The drink holder, usually a throw-away afterthought on folding chairs. Looks like it might be very serviceable in this design.

If you prefer something higher off the ground for your folding camping chairs, you can again divide options between simpler and the more complex designs. The ALPS Mountaineering Lakeside Chair (offered by REI, # 799333A) offers a very straightforward design that provides a remarkably comfortable seating option. The chair is compactly built and folds to a 13 pound pack, 38 x 27 x 4 inches in size. The interesting frame construction features short, stubby arm rests which would work great with a busy person in the chair (frees the hands to hold a book or work on something) but which would not offer the best comfort for the fully reclining body. Clean lines, strong materials – this chair would be my choice for serious camping. And the price (around 35 dollars) is a deal clincher.

Photo by sskennel

For a camping chair that folds and reclines, isn’t complicated and doesn’t break the budget, check out the REI Comfort Recliner Chair (Item # 765271) for around 60 dollars. It looks sturdy, feels comfortable, and comes from a reputable retailer. Best of all, it offers three reclining positions that will accommodate fireside conversations or middle of the day naps. The heavy-duty steel tubing and the 600 denier ripstop polyester fabric offer durability over the long-haul. This would be a very comfortable and sturdy chair.

Other options for an outdoor folding chair include Coleman camping chairs, which is definitely a brand name that you can trust, and you can even find a double camping chair if you are bringing a date along on your camping trip.

Each of the options for folding camp chairs offer versatility: they can be used in a serious camping setting, or they can be quick seats at the kids’ swim meet. Read the specifications, determine how you would like to use your camp chairs, and you’ll be prepared to make a wise choice in flexible folding chairs.

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