Best Folding Camping Chairs
Let’s face it, there’s not much point going camping to a campsite if you haven’t got a chair of some sort to sit on. If you’re backpacking on a solo expedition to the mountains you can certainly make do with roughing it on a rock or in your tent, but some form of support for your bum can make a world of difference to your comfort.
It’s clear that chairs are important accessories for a happy campsite life, but sadly you can’t easily bring along your trusty armchair from the corner of your lounge at home – a camping chair needs to be easily transportable.
One way of achieving this is to look for folding camping chairs which are compact enough to be squeezed into your car or campervan along with the other mountain of gear we all seem to collect and require for each trip. Another alternative is inflatable furniture which can similarly be packed away easily.
With folding camping chairs it is very tempting to try and skimp a bit on price. However I would say do this at your peril. I once bought a couple of those ultra-cheap ones you see for sale in petrol stations – however they quickly fell to bits and even while working they seemed to deliberately possess ‘pointy protrusions’ for maximum posterior pain! They were simply awful.
In this article we aim to give your derriere some relief by recommending what we consider to be the best folding camping chairs when considering value for money, comfort and compactness. As always, your final choice when purchasing will come down to which of those three criteria strike you as most important. We have selections here which fit every combination.
- Lightweight
- Highly Portable
- Exceptionally Packable
- 7 Recline positions
- Comfy Headrest
- Refined Relaxation
- Value For Money
- Reasonably Portable
- Pretty Comfy
Coleman Folding Deck Chair with Table
Combining a fabulous side table with an extremely strong but lightweight chair, the Coleman Folding Deck Chair is a really impressive performer.
This chair is simplicity itself, using collapsible aluminium struts for both the leg crossmembers and the table support. To set it up you simply pull apart the arms and lock the crossmembers in place – the table then raises up from the side and locks in place – it’s a 10 second job!
The Coleman is light but strong and doesn’t take up much space at all when folded. The dimensions are only 78 x 55 x 13 cm and the weight just under 3.5kg – pretty good specs.
Coleman are great manufacturers, and you can be sure that this chair will wear well. They use decent, thick 600 denier Oxford polyester for the chair seat, back and arm covers. The arm covers are also padded to avoid hurting your hands when you lift out of the chair. Because the armrests themselves are part of the frame, it is a very rigid structure which gives you confidence when levering yourself out of the chair.
In terms of comfort, it’s what we would call acceptable. Not earth shatteringly great, but fine for an hour or so to have dinner or a few drinks. It’s not the sort of chair you can sink in to and fall asleep – the sitting position is fairly upright.
However, having the side table is an indispensable addition. It’s well supported and can hold your drinks and snacks very comfortably. We think it’s a game changer and can highly recommend this chair.
Key specs:
- Dimensions: H78 x W62 x D55 cm (setup) / H78 x W55 x D13 cm (folded)
- Weight: 3.46 kg
- Max Load: 113 kg
Vango Thor Over-Sized Chair
The combination of Covid lockdowns and incredible sunny weather has caused a big spurt in people camping. As a result it’s been hard to keep track of all the chairs coming out!
One of our new faves is the Vango Thor folding chair – a great chair from a great company who stand by their warranties and have been around for what seems like Thorever! I’ll get my coat…
We were hooked on this chair from the moment we removed it from its drawstrung bag and unfolded the legs – you literally sink into it and never want to get up again.
The Vango Thor has an ultra-padded seat meaning that there’s no discomfort on the backs of your legs as you rest – you certainly cannot feel the frame through the material. Your back area is very well cushioned and we found that it is pretty easy to just drift away in the afternoon when the sun is shining.
The chair legs are strong and sturdy – this is a quality item and is capable of supporting people up to 180kg. That’s alot of weight, and this chair is very sturdy. Each foot of the chair has three legs sprouting out which also gives excellent stability.
The chair is simplicity itself to fold up and pack back into the bag – the packed size is fairly bulky compared with some of our other choices, but for the royalty levels of comfort you are getting, we feel it’s a sacrifice worth making. Thor was a god after all! It should easily squeeze into a reasonable car boot space.
On-board Storage – not so much!
In terms of extras there is not much to talk about unfortunately – there are no drinks holders or cooler pockets which we’ve seen in some of the other chairs on test. Is this a problem? Normally we would say yes, but the Vango Thor is so comfortable that in this case we can overlook it – just.
Overall, we were very impressed with the Vango Thor Over-Sized Chair. The only thing it marginally fails on is the folded size – you will have to make a judgement as to whether that is an important factor in your particular circumstances. We highly recommend it.
Key specs:
- Dimensions: D 80 x W 87 x H 93(setup) / D 26 x W 32 x H 109 (folded)
- Weight: 6.3 kg
- Max Load: 180kg
Voyager Twin Pack Folding Camping Chairs
The Voyager twin pack of folding camping chairs from Amazon offers great value for money and has many positive reviews. The chairs come in various colours and also have different styles on offer.
Perfect for sunny days at the campsite, beach outings, or quiet afternoons in your garden, these chairs redefine relaxation. With thoughtful features like built-in drink holders and a magazine pocket, everything you need for a serene moment or two.
Made with full padding and a combination of mesh and premium fabrics, these chairs offer a very affordable and comfortable seating experience. Whether you’re lounging by the fire or enjoying a picnic, you’ll relish the support that makes unwinding effortless.
Key specs:
- Dimensions: H110 x W58 x D60cm (open) H99 x W15 x D14 cm (folded)
- Weight: 3.3 kg
- Max Load: 120 kg
KingCamp Moon Chair
King by name, King by nature. We were hooked on this chair from the moment we removed it from its drawstrung bag and unfolded the legs – you literally sink into it and never want to get up again!
The KingCamp Moon chair has an ultra-padded seat meaning that there’s no discomfort on the backs of your legs as you rest – you certainly cannot feel the frame through the material.
The chair legs are strong and sturdy – this is a quality item and is capable of supporting people up to 150kg in weight. Each foot of the chair has three legs sprouting out which gives excellent stability.
The chair is simplicity itself to fold up and pack back into the bag – the packed size is fairly bulky compared with some of our other choices, but for the royalty levels of comfort you are getting, we feel it’s a sacrifice worth making. It should easily squeeze into a reasonable car boot space.
On-board Storage – the KingCamp excels!
In terms of extras the KingCamp excels. There are two storage aids – a decent side cup bag which could be used to hold a flask or your mobile phone for example. There is also a cooler bag included which can store two or three cans and keep them cool if you’ve taken them out of the fridge. A really neat touch.
Overall, we were very impressed with the KingCamp Moon Chair. The only thing it marginally fails on is our arbitrary £50 maximum price!! Go on, treat yourself!
Key specs:
- Dimensions: D 70 x W 84 x H 80 cm (setup) / D 20 x W 23 x H 88 cm (folded)
- Weight: 4.7 kg
- Max Load: 136 kg
Wekapo Inflatable Lounger – no pump needed!
Inflatable gear, be it a tent or a chair is just hassle right? You’ve got to bring along a special pump and tire yourself out blowing the thing up. Well actually no – the Wekapo inflatable lounger uses a simple yet amazing concept that we cannot believe has taken so long to be dreamt up.
Aimed at the younger market (although certainly not restricted to them) with a bunch of loud colours in the lineup, the Wekapo is essentially a large bag which can be waved around your head to fill up with air and then sealed via a velcro strip.
Then the clever bit – the velcro part is rolled over itself a few times to slightly reduce the volume of the enclosed space. This increases the air pressure inside and gives the bag a decent amount of support. And boy is this lounger comfortable!
One person can lie on it for maximum comfort in the sun, or alternatively two people can sit side by side. Admittedly there’s a little bit of roll together, but not many camping chairs have such flexibility. In general the chair will need reflating after 6-8 hours, but it is so easy to do that you should not consider this a chore.
Packable
The Wekapo comes packed in a very small bag, and that is why we rate it so highly. We cannot think of another chair on the market which can be chucked in a backpack or car boot and provide so much comfort in such a cool way. Added to this, there is an integrated pocket on the side of the chair for sticking a bottle of beer or a magazine. Enjoy that sunshine!
It’s worth noting that the Wekapo is not the cheapest of the pumpless inflatable loungers – there are lower priced rival inflatable products such as the Inflatable Lounger.
However there are numerous reports of these cheaper chairs letting air out quickly and not being large enough for a typical adult. We would say the Wekapo is the one to go for, but if you have good feedback on some of the other brands then please let us know.
Overall, we love this chair – just don’t let your dog on it as pet claws could easily cause punctures which are the last thing you need at the campsite or beach. We’ve dropped the Wekapo down a couple of points because of this and also because your Grandma would probably not be able to use the chair (or at least get up from it!).
If you don’t mind rolling off to get up from your drunken siesta then go for it!
Key specs:
- Dimensions: L208 x W89 x H69 cm (setup) / L33 x W22 cm (folded)
- Weight: 1.2 kg
- Max Load: 294 kg
If you’re interested in other inflatable chairs then please check out our comprehensive overview of the best inflatable sofas on the market at the moment.
Quechua Folding Recliner Chair
If you’re after a more traditional foldable and reclining camping chair then we recommend this Quechua Camping Chair from Decathlon. Not ridiculously over-priced as so many chairs are at the moment, but providing a quality feel and premium performance.
For us, the main selling point of the Quechua is that it folds up nice and flat – folded dimensions are a mere 86 x 61 x 9 cm (equivalent volume of 47 litres) which is extremely good if your car is stacked to the limit. This level of compactness is simply not possible with the more padded chairs.
The second star feature is that this chair will properly recline. By lifting up the two arm rests, you can lean back in the chair to an almost horizontal position, and then lock the armrests back down to fix the chair at that angle. It is a fantastic feature which you do sometimes miss on the Director’s chairs and Moon chairs.
However as mentioned, the Quechua does lack a bit of bum and back padding. It uses a stretched polyamide/polyester fabric for the seat which is held taut between two struts. While it is not an uncomfortable seat, it is not something actually dream about whilst coming to the end of a long walk before sinking into it with relish. That being said, we like the padded neck rest which Quechua have included.
Weight is reasonable at 5.75kg, and it’s not a burden to load a couple of these into your car or van before setting off. Because they pack so flat, they’re pretty easy to stow away at home too.
Key specs:
- Dimensions: H86 x W40 x D47 cm (Setup) / H86 x W61 x D9 cm (Folded)
- Weight: 5.75 kg
- Max Load: 110 kg
OEX Ultralite Folding Chair – Most Compact Option
When faced with the tiny bag that the OEX ultralite camping chair comes in, you would have absolutely no idea that a decent chair is stored within. But there is, and it represents probably the best combination of everything you require from a camping chair – comfort, weight, cost and packing space.
Did we mention the sturdiness? Incredibly this little chair can hold up to 110kg which is about 17 stone. The size when packed away is tiny and can easily be carried in a rucksack if you are solo trekking and/or wild camping.
The bag has a decent carry strap and really looks the business in black, with natty orange beading around the perimeter of the chair and bag.
On taking out the contents, you are faced with a bit of a conundrum – how to put the thing together? The instructions aren’t the best, it must be said. However, in practice it’s not too tricky. Legs first to make the base frame – this uses elastically interlocked poles – the resulting frame looks like a spiky monster! For the second part, the fabric section of the chair must be stretched over the base frame – this takes a bit of strength, but is not too taxing.
An extremely lightweight and packable design
In use, the finished chair is lightweight and comfortable. You sit fairly low to the ground (about 35cm off the deck), but the shape of the fabric supports your back well, even for taller folk like yours truly (6ft 3). It’s probably not an ideal chair if your legs and knees aren’t quite as strong as they used to be for getting up. If there’s one thing to point out, it’s that the feet of the chair are quite small – on wet, muddy ground, there could be a chance of sinking in. However, the OEX comes with some additional straps that attach across the two front and two back feet to stop the sinking. You won’t get bogged down with this chair!
Overall, the OEX folding camping chair is lightweight and compact – perfect for stuffing into the rucksack on a day’s walk and even works on the beach too, happy days.
Key specs:
- Dimensions: 63 x 54 x 64cm Setup
- Weight: 1.29 kg
- Max Load: 110 kg
Dometic Luxury Plus Firenze Chair
This is the luxury version of the Dometic Firenze and we really love the comfort and materials on offer. The standard Firenze is one of the Camping and Caravan Club’s top recommendations, and the luxury version takes that a step further with nicer materials, more padding and a bit more space to flop down.
The price is fairly high, but this really is a decent place to sit for long periods of time. It folds up well and weighs in at 7.5kg. Not the lightest chair on offer but certainly one of the comfiest. Definitely worth a look in our opinion, especially as there are seven different reclining positions to relax in!
Key specs:
- Dimensions: 120 x 85 x 72cm (open) 109 x 74 x 10 cm (folded)
- Weight: 7.5 kg
- Max Load: 150 kg
Kampa Tub Folding Chair
The Kampa Tub Chair is built to provide maximum comfort. Its padded seat cradles you and the wrap-around design not only adds a touch of style but also shields your lower back and sides from chilly breezes, making it perfect for cool evenings by the fire or under the stars.
For me personally, the high sides of this chair I found to be slightly restrictive for lower arm movement, but it’s not a major concern. In fact, the added wind protection they provide is a big plus, offering extra warmth on cooler days—a feature that more than makes up for the minor trade-off in arm space.
Portability is a key feature of the Kampa Tub Chair. It folds down effortlessly and fits neatly into its own carry bag, making it easy to transport and store. Whether you’re loading up for a camping trip or heading to a local festival, this chair is your perfect companion.
Available in dark green, red, silver grey and light orange, the Kampa Tub Chair lets you match your outdoor setup with your personal taste.
Key specs:
- Dimensions: H87 x W63 x D46cm (open) H88 x W25 x D22 cm (folded)
- Weight: 3.2 kg
- Max Load: 120 kg
KingCamp Director's Chair
You can sometimes tell how good an item is by the feedback it has received from users. The KingCamp Padded Director’s Chair is one such example, racking up over 1100 ratings of 4* and above on Amazon. This sort of reassurance generally bodes well for any product you’re looking to buy. Our experience with this chair agrees very well with that feedback, and we can highly recommend it as a comfortable ‘all situations’ camping chair.
This is an extremely comfortable place to rest your weary bones, with ample padding on both the back and seat to provide a pleasurable perch for your aching posterior (nice alliteration there!). The back is higher than average which is good for taller users (I’m 6ft 3 and found it to be just about perfect), and overall the quality justifies the slightly higher than expected price.
Collapsible
The KingCamp chair uses a tried and trusted folding collapsible leg system, seen on countless other competitors. However, in this case there are three poles emanating from the feet rather than the usual two – this provides greater stability than cheaper alternative.
The drinks holder in the left arm is of great quality, and there is even a cooler box section in the right arm – perfect to keep a couple of tinnies cool on a hot day!
Is it worth the high price tag? Well to our minds yes it is. If camping is a way of life for you, where you might spend many hours per year drinking in the countryside views, then having a decent chair is worth parting with that amount.
Overall, we can highly recommend the KingCamp – if you buy it through our link and agree then please add your review to the 1600 others on Amazon. You’re part of a cool gang!
Key specs:
- Dimensions: D 60 x W 62 x H 105 (setup) / D 22 x W 22 x H 97 (folded)
- Weight: 5.1 kg
- Max Load: 159kg
Comfort Redefined
With years of experience in camping gear evaluation, we know that comfort is a top priority for any outdoor chair. Factors like seat height, armrests, lumbar support, and headrests play a significant role in how a chair feels over extended use. We consider these elements carefully, ensuring that the chairs we recommend provide exceptional relaxation, whether you’re reclining in the shade or basking in the sun. Features like proper ventilation, ergonomic design, and ease of use all contribute to a chair’s ability to offer long-lasting comfort for a wide range of users.
Compact and Packable Design
A camping chair’s ability to fold and store efficiently is essential, especially when storage space is at a premium. Drawing from our own experience with all sorts of chair design, we identify chairs that are easy to collapse and fit seamlessly into tight spaces. Whether you’re packing for a weekend adventure or storing your gear at home, we prioritize chairs with compact designs that don’t compromise on functionality or comfort.
Portability for Every Adventure
Portability is key when selecting a chair for outdoor activities. Our in-depth knowledge allows us to assess not only the weight and dimensions of a chair but also how practical it is to carry. Features like sturdy carry bags, comfortable straps, and lightweight frames are crucial for ensuring a hassle-free transport experience. The best models balance portability with durability, making them suitable for any adventure, from beach trips to camping excursions.
Style, Quality, and Value
We focus on finding chairs that combine durability, elegance, and affordability. Our recommendations are based on years of understanding of what makes outdoor gear reliable. We analyze how well chairs withstand weather, frequent use, and wear and tear, ensuring they represent a wise investment for years of comfortable outdoor enjoyment.
So that wraps up our summary of the best folding camping chairs available in the UK today. I think we have covered the most common designs and price ranges for you to choose from. Now that you’ve found somewhere comfy to perch your posterior then feel free to check out our reviews for the best camping tables under £50 – you need somewhere to rest that all-important glass of wine now don’t ya? Cheers, and Happy Camping!
