If you’re planning on going camping or venturing in your caravan, there are a few essential camping accessories that you should have with you. After all, there’s nothing worse than getting to your destination and not having a comfortable chair to sit in.

While camping chairs may seem a dime a dozen, there’s actually great variety between them. Today, we’re here to help you determine what the most important factors are to consider when choosing camp chairs. Let’s get to it and figure out how to choose the best camping chair for you.

Different Types of Camping Chairs

You also need to consider that there are different types of camping chairs. These include, but are not limited to, folding camping chairs, beach-style chairs, backpacking chairs, hammock-style chairs, and in rare cases, rocking camping chairs too! You’ll want to consider the pros and cons of each before making a choice.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Camping Chairs

There are several important factors to consider before choosing your camping chairs. To make things easy, we’ve outlined these considerations below.

Size

One of the primary factors to consider when purchasing camping gear like camping chairs is how large they are. First, consider the size of the chair in relation to your own size. What are the dimensions of the chair like?

Is the chair big enough to fit your frame, or is it too small? You certainly don’t want a camping chair that you won’t comfortably fit into. That said, don’t get something so large that it becomes unmanageable.

You should also consider how much room the chairs take up as you want to make sure that they fit when you store them in your caravan or camper boot. Be sure to measure the dimensions of the chair to ensure that you can store it easily when travelling.

Weight

Weight is another factor to consider, especially when it comes to portability. You don’t want a heavy camp chair, because carrying it from one spot to another, or even storing it in your caravan or camper trailer can become a real hassle.

However, make sure that the camp chair is sturdy enough to support you so that it lasts for many years to come. There is a bit of a tradeoff to consider here, which brings us to our next point.

Weight Capacity

The next factor to consider when choosing from the long list of camping chairs available is what the weight capacity is like. Some smaller or weaker camping chairs may only be able to hold between 50 and 80 kilograms (suitable for children), whereas others may potentially be able to hold hundreds of kilograms. For instance, the Dometic GO Compact Camp Chair can hold up to 130 kg.

You, therefore, need to consider your size and weight before purchasing any such camping equipment. We recommend choosing a camping chair that has a higher weight capacity than your own weight.

Materials and Overall Durability

You don’t want to purchase a chair, just to have the frame bend or the fabric tear the first time you sit in it. For sturdy and durable frame with a high weight capacity, go for materials such as steel and aluminium. For the record, steel is a bit tougher than aluminium, but also heavier.

You should also consider the fabric or material that is spanned around the frame, which includes the fabric that forms the seat and backrest of the camping chair. No matter the camping accessories you choose, they should always be durable. Something weatherproof is ideal for this purpose.

Overall Comfort

You also want to pay attention to comfort features. How wide is the seat? How high is the backrest? Is there a headrest? Are there armrests, and if so, how do they feel? Comfort is always a key to consider when choosing a chair for camping. This Spinifex Comfort Camping Chair, for example, has padded cushioning which is ideal if you’re planning to sit on it for long periods.

Stability Features

Camping chairs can be notoriously unstable. Therefore, you should look for a model that has a relatively wide base, along with large feet. This will allow you to remain more stable, even on uneven or bumpy terrain.

Extras and Accessories

You may also want to consider if the camping chair in question comes with any extras, such as cup holders, phone holders, and even footrests. Although not all that common, these are extras that some higher-end models may feature. The Oztrail Clip-On-Chair Umbrella is an example of an accessory that you can clip to your camping chair.

The Ultimate Camping Chair As Voted by Caravan and Camping Guide

We are a sucker for camping chairs. You name the design/style and we probably have it! Our favourite however is hands down the Navigator Nowhere Chair with matching Navigator Nowhere Flip Stool. These chairs are the perfect combination of a lounging chair for afternoon drinks and a dining chair to sit up at the table to eat. These chairs are also available in kids sizes and can be sold separately or in a bundle for the whole family.

Conclusion

Now that you know exactly how to choose from the long list of camping chairs out there, you can make your caravanning and camping experience much more enjoyable. Remember, what it really all comes down to is comfort!