How to Choose a Camping Chair

Ahh...there is nothing more relaxing than sitting down in a comfortable chair in front of a camp fire. A good camping chair is an important luxury for an avid camper. It's more comfortable and better for your back than sitting on the ground. What kind of trip you are taking will determine what kind of chair you should bring.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Consider what camping you are going to do and how much room or weight you have to devote to a camping chair.

2. If you are traveling so that neither weight nor space is an issue (e.g, rafting or horse packing) consider a folding chair with collapsing steel or aluminum legs. The most comfortable versions have arm rests and cup holders. These types of chairs weigh anywhere from 4 to 12 pounds.

3. If weight is of some concern (such as in canoeing or light backpacking), you will want to consider a soft foam folding camping chair with no legs. If you are canoeing, you can use it all day. Sitting in these chairs on a canoe provides good back support and comfort. If you are backpacking and have good exterior straps, it can easily be fastened to the outside of your pack. These chairs weigh about 2 pounds.

4. If you are embarking on a long backpacking trip where both room and weight are serious considerations, your best bet may be to invest in a sleeping pad that can double as a camping chair.