What’s on, my Ansome?
We love camping. (That’s why we opened a campsite!). So do you! That’s why you’re here. But for all the things we love about camping, it’s not without its difficulties! Takes more effort to set up camp than it does to flop into a hotel bed. Needs a bunch more gear and equipment, too!
We know it's difficult to filter through all the companies, products and reviews. How do you know what to buy? Your money is important!
As a family who have been camping for decades, we know how you feel. That’s why we started this blog - we want to share our tips and experience with you!
Today we’re going to be looking at an essential piece of gear for a camping trip - chairs! A good chair can make the difference between a comfortable, enjoyable trip and a miserable, painful one.
In this post you’re going to get 5 different recommendations that should help you answer the question “Which camping chair should I buy?”!
Let’s crack on!
1. Coleman Broadband Mesh Quad - Best value option
Price: £18.56
Average Review score: 4.5 out of 5 (5,269 ratings on Amazon at the time of writing)
Pros: Great value, compact, easy to transport.
Cons: Not the most comfortable
Starting with a chair you’ve undoubtedly seen around campsites before, the Coleman Broadband Mesh Quad is the classic folding chair for camping. Lightweight and compact, it’s easy to transport, setup and pack away. It comes with the convenient drink holder fitted into the arm. It’ll do the job you want it to do, and coming in at just under £20 it won’t put a massive dent in your holiday budget!
That low price comes with some drawbacks, though. Compared to the other chairs we’ve tried the Coleman isn’t the most comfortable. It’ll work fine as a chair used at breakfast, and when you’ve finished your day out. However, if you’re looking to be using it for longer periods of time, spend your money elsewhere.
2. Vango Goliath Padded Camping Chair - Best option for big units
Price: £35.61
Average Review score: 4.7 out of 5 (901 ratings on Amazon at the time of writing)
Pros: Reasonable price, very comfortable, sturdy.
Cons: Not very light, bulky, and hard to get around
The Vango Goliath is a great camping chair for anyone, but is particularly outstanding for any big units out there! It features a tough, reliable frame that has a weight load of 28 stone/180kg, and a padded seat and backrest to keep you comfortable at all times. Coming in at a shade over 35, it won’t break the bank either. We can highly recommend this one!
The flip-side to all that comfort and strength, though, is that the Goliath is quite a weighty chair. Even though it comes with a carry bag, it’s still pretty bulky and can be tricky to carry around. Keep that in mind before you buy!
3. KingCamp Beach Chair - Best option for the beach
Price: £49.99 for low back, 69.99 for high back
Average Review score: 4.5 out of 5 (5,505 ratings on Amazon at the time of writing)
Pros: Very comfortable, designed to be used on the beach and at camp, sturdy and stable design
Cons: Low slung chair, not ideal for those who have trouble getting up or down
If you want to bring your chair to any of the great beaches we have around us in Cornwall, look no further than the KingCamp beach chair! They have designed this chair to be used on the beach, with wide caps on the frame designed to prevent sinking into the sand. The built in soft pillow and reclining design mean that this will be one of the most comfortable chairs you get your hands on! It’ll work just as well parked outside your tent as it will on a sandy shore, too.
The only thing you ought to keep in mind is that these chairs are very low slung, the seat is only a few inches above the ground. Therefore, they aren’t suitable for people with dodgy backs or knees who have difficulty getting up and down.
4. KingCamp Double - Best for two people
Price: £99.99
Average Review score: 4.4 out of 5 (433 ratings on Amazon at the time of writing)
Pros: Comfortably seats 2 people, very light for the size
Cons: Not waterproof, Drink Holder is a little iffy
If you’re looking for a camping chair to share, why not try the KingCamp Double? A price of 99.99 would run you about the same as you’d pay for two good single chairs. It’s a very comfortable sofa chair, and will easily accommodate two people. For the size, it’s also light and easy to carry around.
One negative point that you should consider, though, is that this chair isn’t waterproof, so you’re going to need to be careful when and where you use it. Also, many reviewers on have pointed out that the drink holders are shallow and prone to spilling, so be careful with the wine!
5. Kamp-Rite Portable Folding Director’s chair - Best for a luxury budget
Price: £349.40
Average Review score: 4.7 out of 5 (446 ratings on Amazon at time of writing)
Pros: Super durable frame, table and cool box built into the chair, easy to set up, high weight capacity
Cons: Extremely expensive
For those who are looking to invest in a camping chair for life, why not give the Kamp-Rite folding director’s chair a shot? Boasting a sturdy metal frame with a great weight capacity of up to 350kg, as well as a built-in table and cool box, you won’t find a better combination of durability and luxury in a camping chair. The functional design makes it very easy to set up and transport, and it’s not as heavy as you might expect! If you have the budget for it, this could be the only camping chair you’ll ever need.
Having the budget for it, however, is the problem! It’s very difficult to fight off the involuntary wince that occurs when you look at that price tag. This chair is very much a luxury purchase. But if you camp often and put chairs to regular use, the investment might be worth your while!
No more sitting on the fence!
There you have it, pals. Our answers to the question “Which camping chair should I buy?”. If you’ve made it this far, then hopefully you’ve found something that suits your needs.
We’d love to know if any of the chairs you saw today tickled your fancy! Or perhaps we missed out on a great chair, and you want to recommend it yourself? Leave a comment down below and let us know.
Later on!
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