Your guide to this review today is by product expert Nick Bulanda
Published July 24, 2019
CONTENTS
Anyone who's been on a camping trip knows how easily things can break or get roughed up. That's why it's always important to buy heavier duty camping gear than most people might think. That cheap nylon camping chair can get caught on an errant branch and rip at the seams, or that sleeping bag might be thinner than you thought on a quick inspection and leave you freezing your toes off at night. It never hurts to plan ahead, and one of your priorities during planning should be making sure all of your gear is up to par.
Camping chairs are often a necessity, as campgrounds are often lacking seating. You don't want to be stuck with nowhere to sit around the fire besides some logs! You just need to make sure you bring along the best heavy duty camping chair you can find so you don't get stuck with some cheap piece of plastic. We've put together a list of the top 10 best heavy duty camping chairs available online, and hopefully they help you enjoy your vacation a little bit more.
Top 10 Best Heavy Duty Camping Chair
Our selection for the best heavy duty camping chair on the market is this thick foam padded seat made by manufacturer Timber Ridge. The chair is both lightweight and heavy-duty, using high-strength aluminum to achieve a best of both worlds effect. The foam padding is soft and comfortable while providing enough support for the back, and the 20-inch wide chair supports a weight of up to 300 lbs. With a one year manufacturers warranty, if you're looking for a chair that manages to stand up to wear and tear while being light enough to carry around without worry, this is likely the perfect option for you. The chair is sturdy and comfortable while shedding the standard look of most camping chairs, and with its incredibly fair price point we think it is the best choice when it comes to a heavy duty camping chair.
Key Features:
Extra-Strong Aluminum Frame
Thick Foam Padding
One Year Manufacturer's Warranty
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Specification:
Brand: Timber Ridge
Model: TR10
Weight: 9.5 lbs.
For our best value pick, we've chosen this highly-rated camping chair featuring stiff padded armrests for better comfort and support than many other more expensive camping chairs available to buy. This chair features a swivel cup holder and a small accessory pocket on the side to hold phones or other pocket-sized items. It's quad-leg design ensures a high level of stability even on rough or uneven surfaces. Plus, fold it up and put it in its included carrying case for easy transportation no matter where you go.
Key Features:
Durable Padded Armrest
Convenient Cup Holder and Storage Pocket
Steel Frame
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Specification:
Brand: PORTAL
Model: P10
Weight: 9.65 lbs.
Our premium choice is the King Kokoda chair courtesy of OzTent. This luxurious chair features an extra-padded chair back, perfect for someone dealing with back problems. The chair is extra wide, measuring out to 22 inches, and has a weight capacity rated at 330 lbs. The King Kokoda was designed to keep occupants sitting more upright compared to many camping chairs, helping ease back pain and make it easier to stand up from. If you're looking for a highly comfortable camping chair and don't mind paying a little bit extra for it, this is the model we recommend.
Key Features:
Extra Wide - Up to 22"
Packs Down to 3' x 12" x 8"
Two Color Options
Weight Capacity: 330 lbs.
Specification:
Brand: OzTent
Model: King Kokoda
Weight: 12 lbs.
Next up is another camping chair that comes to us from Timber Ridge, this time with a very different style of design. If you want to shy away from the standard nylon polyester design of typical camping chairs, this director's chair might be more suited to your preferences. Featuring a fold-up side table and cup holder as well as a simple and supportive seat and chair back that allow for maximum air circulation in the hot months, this chair is an excellent option as long as you don't mind the director's chair design.
Key Features:
Comfortable Padded Armrest
Flip-Down Side Table
One Year Manufacturer's Warranty
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Specification:
Brand: Timber Ridge
Model: Director's Chair
Weight: 11.2 lbs.
Though its appearance might be a little more basic than some of the other available models we have listed, there is absolutely no doubt that this chair from manufacturer 690GRAND is heavy duty. Made with a very supportive high back and allowing for up to 500 lbs., this low-seated chair is the perfect camping or beach chair for anyone concerned about durability. It features solid wooden arms for extra support and allows for four separate reclining positions, making it suitable for pretty much anyone. The chair includes a swivel cup holder and a large side pocket for accessories, just compounding on the sheer appeal of this chair.
Key Features:
High-Back Ergonomic Design
4 Reclining Positions
Double-Sided Polyester Fabric
Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.
Specification:
Brand: 690GRAND
Model: Jumbo Outdoor Chair (Big and Tall)
Weight: 18 lbs.
Coleman is a brand any camper is sure to recognize. The outdoor recreation mainstay has come up with quite a cool little chair here, which features a miniature cooler on one of the arms. That right there might be enough to sell this chair to many readers, but there's more! The specially designed back allows for extra support, and the chair is a whopping 24 inches wide. With the standard mesh cup holder and accessory side pocket, there's no reason not to give this chair a shot next time you hit the road.
Key Features:
Built-In Cooler Pouch
Classic Mesh Cup Holder and Side Pocket
Steel Frame
Weight Capacity: 325 lbs.
Specification:
Brand: Coleman
Model: Cooler Quad Chair
Weight: 7.75 lbs.
This chair, made by Nice C, sports a unique design that makes it standout in an army of carbon copy camping chair designs out there. Thankfully, the design does more than just look pretty; it's actually an orthopedic-approved design meant to offer greater back support than what most campers have become accustomed to. Plus, the breathable mesh on the seat and chair back increase the level of comfort even more! Our only concern preventing this chair from jumping higher on this list is the seeming instability of the chair legs compared to the other models we've recommended.
Key Features:
One Chair or Two Chair Options Available
Orthopedic-Approved Design
Ultra-Lightweight Yet Durable
Weight Capacity: 250 lbs.
Specification:
Brand: Nice C
Model: NC3
Weight: 2.8 lbs.
Here we have another one of the best heavy duty camping chair made by Timber Ridge. This fully padded chair features a swivel cup holder and a carrying case that makes this chair a breeze to transport. With a stable and supportive design made with ergonomics in mind, this is yet another promising choice made by this manufacturer. Plus, like the rest of the company's chairs, if you aren't satisfied, there is a one year manufacturer's warranty that will take care of you.
Key Features:
Three Color Options
Comfortable Foam Padding
Powder-Coated Steel Frame
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Specification:
Brand: Timber Ridge
Model: Camping Heavy Duty Chair High Back
Weight: 13 lbs.
Another uniquely designed camping chair, this comfortable choice has a large amount of storage available, with accessory pockets on both sides. Breathable and soft, this chair is a wonderful choice for those worried about sweating in a thick camping chair. The chair has three separate height options as well, allowing for easy access for all kinds of campers who might want to rest their weary legs. Easy to setup as well as carry, the only potential problem this chair has is in its relatively small base that may cause issues.
Key Features:
Three Adjustable Heights
High-Strength Aluminum Frame
Easily Portable and Lightweight
Weight Capacity: 330 lbs.
Specification:
Brand: Mkocean
Model: M2
Weight: 2,4 lbs.
Our last pick as one of the best heavy duty camping chair you can find is this powder-coated steel frame chair made by Browning. With its mesh back, smart compact design and reinforced base, this is a very reliable option for a camping chair. It does include a cup holder, but lacks some of the other amenities available such as an accessory pocket. However, you won't be able to find a camping chair that is much more sturdy than this one. With its shoulder strap carrying case, we'd even consider bringing this chair into the deep woods with us.
Key Features:
Pro-Tech Powder-Coated Steel Frame
Reinforced Mesh Seat Back
Oversized Cup Holder
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Specification:
Brand: Browning Camping
Model: BC11
Weight: 11.3 lbs.
Best Heavy Duty Camping Chair Buying Guide & FAQ
The Importance of Owning a Heavy Duty Camping Chair
It's not hard to see why you might want to bring along a camping chair on your next trip. After all, at some point you're going to want to take a seat by the fire and enjoy the company of your fellow campers, whether they're family, friends or maybe even strangers. Doing so using a camping chair instead of a plastic chair or a log is going to benefit your back and posture, increase your comfort level and enjoyment of your vacation and let you sit back and relax for a little while.
As for the importance of getting a heavy duty camping chair, many people have already learned from experience how easy it is for a cheap camping chair to break. If you haven't experienced this yet, count yourself among the lucky ones. Nobody wants the frame of their chair to collapse while they're seated in it, as it can cause injury of top of embarrassment.
Factors of Focusing: How to Find the Best Heavy Duty Camping Chair
1.) Support
Finding a camping chair with the right amount of support is absolutely key. This applies to both weight support and proper back support, as both are equally important. Each chair found online or in stores should have information printed by the manufacturer that give a recommended weight capacity for the chair, and heavy duty chairs often have a stronger weight capacity than most lightweight and cheap models. You will also want to make sure you find a chair with a strong back that will be able to give you the support your back needs.
2.) Comfort
Something else to remember when shopping for the best heavy duty camping chair is to pick out a chair that you know you are going to feel comfortable in. If it doesn't feel quite right sitting in it, you aren't going to be able to enjoy yourself or relax by the fire or on the beach nearly as well. If you are able to test out a chair, don't hesitate to try before you buy. Otherwise, read customer reviews for clues to figure out what suits your preferences best.
3.) Safety
Finally, you'll need to make sure to pay attention to safety standards and how well-built the chair is. Again, reading reviews by verified customers can be useful here, helping you determine whether or not a certain model has been received positively or negatively. You don't want to put your safety at risk because of a simple camping chair, so make sure you go with a model you can trust.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully you've considered upgrading to a heavy duty camping chair for your future camping trips. Summer is quickly approaching, and now is the perfect time to start getting your supplies ready, especially if you are the kind of person who likes to take multiple trips when the season is right. A good camping chair could possibly make the difference between a good trip and a great trip. So go ahead and make some lasting memories this summer, and do it safely and soundly in a heavy duty camping chair.
It's no secret that the United States has some of the most gorgeous camping locales on the planet, and it's only right that we take advantage of it. No matter where you live in the country, there should be a beautiful, scenic campsite only a few hours drive away. Plan your perfect getaway this summer, and bring along friends or family for an even better time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How expensive is camping? Are there places available to camp for free?
A: Camping is one of the cheapest vacation options around, but that doesn't always mean it's free. For the best campsites or access to camping in national or state parks, you'll most likely have to pay at least a little chunk of change. However, there are free campsites to be found around the country if you do a little digging. And that's not accounting for your own backyard, where it's free to camp anytime you want! Of course, you will also need to take into account costs for food, transportation and other base costs like that.
Q: Are these camping chairs suitable for children?
A: This answer depends on the age and size of your child, but for children around age 10 and younger, we'd recommend looking at the wide variety of specially made camping chairs for children or babies available. They aren't too expensive, in most cases costing quite a bit less than adult-sized camping chairs, and they'll be far better suited to the size of your little one.
