We all know the fight for a good seat…
Truth be told, we weigh it up almost everywhere, often without even realising. The prime row at the cinema. The best patch on the sporting sidelines. The sweet spot by the campfire – close enough for warmth, far enough to dodge the smoke.
But the position only gets you so far. The comfort of the chair beneath your derrière can make or break the whole occasion (well, aside from the jokes you tell). At camp, the usual offerings run to the modest wooden log, the humble tree stump, the bare ground, or maybe your mate’s lap… or any of the camp chairs in this year’s best sellers list.
So pull up a pew and read on.
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Choosing a Camp Chair
Comfort has to be the number one priority, hands down. But you still need to weigh that up against how you’re going to use and transport the chair. Consider these things before you drop your hard-earned cash on the first camp chair you fall in love with.
Ben and Lauren discuss camp chairs in Episode 64 of the Snowys’ Camping Show.
How will you transport your chair?
Something that envelops and provides you with a sense of warmth, comfort and cosiness may make you fall in love at first seat, but it’s likely to come with a large folded size and weight, causing you problems when you pack it in the car or caravan. If you’re getting chairs for a family of four, that can end up being a lot of space for just four seats. Always check the packed dimensions and make sure you’ve got room to transport it.
What weight rating do you need?
Heavier or taller users will benefit from a frame with a higher weight rating. Match the chair to the person, not just the price. Most chairs range from around 100kg through to 200kg and beyond.
How high do you need the seat to be?
Most regular camp chairs have a front seat height of 40-45cm, which is a good height for general use. Beach and festival chairs, along with hiking chairs, are designed to sit lower to the ground. Make sure the seat height suits your needs, keeping in mind that the measurements on the Snowys site are taken at the front of the seat, and many chair slings sit lower towards the back for comfort.
Are you using the chair at a table?
A directors chair maintains the same height at the rear with an upright seated position, making it comfortable for sitting up to a table. The arms also let you pull another chair in close. A quad-fold sags down at the back, making it comfortable for relaxing or having a nap, but a little more awkward at the table. What’s more, the soft arms on a quad-fold splay out, making it hard to fit two chairs side by side at a small camp table.
Do you need back support?
If your back has seen better days, look for a chair with adjustable lumbar support straps. Without them, you may end up feeling worse after a long sit than you did before.
How much will you use a built in table?
These are handy until you don’t need them – and then they’re just in the way. Some tables are fixed and fold out every time you set the chair up; others are removable or fold away independently.
Are soft or rigid arms better?
Soft sling-type arms are great for kicking back and socialising, and they give you somewhere to rest up, but they’re not reliable for pushing yourself in and out of the chair. If you’re elderly, less mobile, or your knees aren’t playing nicely, you’ll appreciate rigid arms you can lever yourself up on with ease.
What are the best chair frame & fabric materials?
Steel makes for a strong, affordable frame, while alloy is just as strong and lighter but costs a little extra. If you do most of your camping by the coast, alloy is the better choice for shrugging off salt air. Most chairs use a 600D polyester, and as a rule, the better the chair, the nicer the fabric feels. If you’re camping somewhere cold, look for some padding in the sling to insulate you from the cold air underneath.
What accessories tickly your fancy?
Most chairs come with some sort of pocket, and as the price climbs, so do the handy extras. Higher-end models build in phone holders, insulated drink holders, insulated coolers and zippered accessory pockets. Oztent take it one step further with their customisable Positive Lock System™, letting you choose the accessories that fit your chair.
From padded backs and Hotspot pockets to quad-fold designs and knick-knack holders, take a seat and read up! Image: Oztent
Best Rated Camp Chair
Comfort that holds court – the Oztent King Goanna Chair earns its top billing season after season.
A heavy-duty steel frame, front support struts and machined steel feet give it serious backbone, holding a hefty 200kg, while a fully padded seat and adjustable lumbar support let you tailor the comfort to your back. Tough 600D fabric shrugs off years of campfire nights, the extra-high back and headrest take the load off your neck, and two insulated drink holders plus accessory pockets keep the essentials sorted. The padded carry bag even doubles as extra headrest cushioning when it’s stowed.
One seriously comfortable throne for the long haul.
Also available in a Hotspot version with pockets for heated pouches >>.
Best for: campers who want top-rated, all-day comfort with the strength to match.
Best Reclining Camp Chair
We’re going out on a limb here because this chair is a new kid on the block, but we reckon it’s got the perfect balance of quality, comfort and price. At the end of a big day on the tracks, the Roody Kickback Reclining Chair has your back – literally.
Sit upright for dinner around the fire, drop it back a notch for knock-off drinks, then recline the lot for a golden-hour snooze – the three-position reclining armrest puts the angle entirely in your hands. A powder-coated steel frame and soft matte 600D fabric stand up to whatever the Aussie bush throws at them, while a padded sling keeps things plush and insulated on cold nights. The quad-fold design slips neatly into its zippered carry bag, and a handy drink holder keeps the all-important cold one within reach. Rated to 120kg and backed by a five-year warranty.
Sit up, knock back, kick back.
Best for: campers who want to dial in their comfort from dinner right through to dozing.
Best 2 Seater Camp Chair
Why sit apart when you can share the view? The OZtrail Galaxy 2 Seater is built for two.
This roomy moon chair seats a pair in cushioned comfort, with double-layer padding over hard-wearing 600D polyester and a sturdy powder-coated steel frame rated to a generous 240kg. There’s an integrated wine glass holder at each end for sundowners, and a rear mesh pocket keeps a phone, book or tablet within reach. It folds down like a traditional chair into the included carry bag – and there’s a three-seater in the range if your circle’s a little bigger.
The comfiest seat in the house, shared.
Also available in a three seater version >>.
Best for: couples, close mates, and anyone who refuses to sit apart at camp.
Best Budget Camp Chair
Proof that a good seat needn’t cost the earth, the OZtrail Classic Arm Chair nails the basics.
A strong 17.5mm powder-coated steel frame and hard-wearing 600D polyester give it the bones to last season after season, while the classic quad-fold design sets up in seconds and packs down long and thin for the boot or roof rack. The wide armrests house a generous drink holder, and at just 2.7kg it’s light enough to cart from car to campsite without a second thought. A carry bag keeps it tidy between trips.
A no-fuss, knockabout chair that does exactly what it should.
Best for: first-time campers, spare seats for visitors, and anyone kitting out the whole crew without blowing the budget.
Best Lightweight Camp Chair
Worth its weight in gold – and at just 690g, that’s barely any weight at all. Meet the Helinox Chair Zero High-Back.
This is full-sized comfort for the gram-counters: an advanced DAC alloy frame and fibre-reinforced Nylon hubs deliver real strength while keeping the whole chair to drink-bottle weight, and it’s still rated to 120kg. The taller back adds support for longer sits, the reinforced grid fabric is built to last, and the lot packs down to a tidy 40cm for the side of a pack. Built low and light, the 23cm seat sits you close to the ground – just how a proper trail chair should – and it’s backed by a five-year warranty.
Low, light, and ready for the long walk in.
Best for: hikers and bikepackers or car campers counting every gram.
Best Directors Camping Chair
For the camper who likes to run a tight ship, the Roody Directors Chair keeps everything in its place.
As with all Roody gear, it’s new to the scene – but we reckon it’s a cracker. The upright, supportive seat and padded rigid arms make it a natural for camp dinners and morning cuppas, though it’s the injection-moulded side table that really steals the show, putting your brew or plate right where you need it. A double-sided pocket with an internal phone holder keeps the essentials sorted, and the soft matte 600D fabric over a powder-coated steel frame is built for the long haul – rated to 120kg and backed by a five-year warranty. When it’s time to move on, the compact folding action has it zipped into its carry bag in seconds.
Cut, fold, and roll.
Best for: caravanners and campers who want a built-in table and an upright, dinner-ready seat.
Best Compact Camping Chair
Save your derriere from rocky perches – the award-winning Helinox Chair One packs proper comfort into next to no space.
The original lightweight champion is built from premium DAC alloy with robust nylon hubs and durable seat fabrics, holding a sturdy 145kg for under a kilo all up. Its elastic shock-cord frame practically assembles itself, then flexes just enough to mould to your body. It packs down to just 35cm with carry-bag loops that clip to the frame or your pack so you can take it on your day hike, and it’s backed by a five-year warranty.
Whether you’re on the bike, the trail, or just in the campsite, comfort comes standard.
Also available in a high back version >>.
Best for: adventurers who want a comfort with a small pack size.
Best Camp Chair For Support & Stability
Rustic royalty with a rock-solid feel – the Oztent King Kokoda is the top-selling solid-arm chair for good reason.
Solid aluminium armrests give you something sturdy to push up from, while a heavy-duty steel frame rated to 150kg keeps things planted on uneven ground. A fully padded 600D seat pairs with adjustable lumbar support for tailored, all-day comfort, and the extra-high back with headrest cradles you right up to the neck. Two insulated drink holders and accessory pockets keep the necessities close, and the carry bag tucks into the headrest for extra padding.
Sit, settle, and stay a while.
Best for: campers who need solid arms for assistance getting in and out of the chair.
Best Rocking Camp Chair
Why sit still when you can sway? The GCI Outdoor Comfort Pro Rocker brings the back-porch rocker to the bush.
Its Spring-Action Rocking Technology delivers smooth, controlled motion on uneven ground – no flat surface required – while a tall, angled backrest and laid-back seat cradle you for the long haul. A breathable mesh back panel keeps the air moving on warm arvos, and a built-in cup holder and phone pocket keep the essentials close at hand. Available in multiple colours, it folds flat for transport with a shoulder carry strap to sling it between sites, and it’s rated to 113kg.
Pure, motion-filled relaxation from sunrise to last light.
Also available as a low-rise beach rocker in multiple colours >>.
Best for: loungers who want a gentle rock by the fire all day long.
Best Kids Camping Chair
For the littlest campers who like to kick back, the Coleman Fyrefly Illumi-Bug is their very own glow-in-the-dark hangout.
Cheeky glow-in-the-dark designs make it a hit after dark, while a padded backrest keeps things comfy round the fire. An insulated cooler pouch and mesh drink holder keep the juice close, extra storage pockets stash the camp treasures, and a safety lock mechanism holds the frame secure while they’re in it. Available in two colours, the whole thing folds compact into its included carry bag – easy enough for small hands to help pack down.
The restful little nest that puts the fun in functional.
Best for: little campers who want their own glow-in-the-dark hangout.
The comfort of the chair beneath your derrière can make or break a social experience! Image: OZtrail
Camping Chair FAQ’s
Most sit between 110kg and 150kg, while heavy-duty models stretch to 200kg and beyond (and two-seaters higher again). Always check the rated capacity and match it to whoever’s using it – a sturdier frame is well worth it for taller or heavier campers.
Quad-fold chairs collapse into a long, thin bundle and are the comfy all-rounder, easy to store in the boot. Directors chairs fold flat, sit you more upright with rigid arms, and often include a side table – but they take up a touch more room. Caravanners with the space often lean this way.
Look for a taller seat and solid, rigid arms you can push up from. Low-slung chairs pack down small and shine at the beach or a festival, but they’re harder work on the knees and back.
Depends how you camp. A budget chair is perfect for the odd trip, spare seats, or kitting out a crowd. If you camp often, want all-day comfort, or need to shave weight on the trail, the better frames, padding and longer warranties tend to pay off over time.
A wipe-down with warm soapy water and a proper air-dry before it goes away covers most of it, especially after use in coastal environments – packing one away damp is the quickest way to invite rust, mould, and musty smells.
Best not to long-term. The fabrics are weather-resistant rather than fully weatherproof, so constant sun and rain will fade and wear them over time. Pack it into its carry bag between uses and store it in a dry place and it’ll last a lot longer.
Trekker, surfer, climber, mountain biker, runner, camper. Participator in most things… master of none.
The chair that has the table which pivots around & in front of your lap.