Cooking over an open campfire is nice, but sometimes it’s not reliable. That’s why it’s prudent to have a gas stove packed as part of your camping gear. This single-burner butane stove by Coleman is a great option. It measures only 10 by 15 by 6.5 inches and weighs less than 9 ounces, so it’s lightweight and doesn’t take up too much room.
This chair comes with a sturdy carrying case, with an over-the-shoulder strap, and it’s simple to expand and fold up accordion-style. A portable cooler is an essential item to take on any outing, ozark trail canopy and this bestseller can keep ice for up to two days, according to the brand. It measures 8 by 12.25 by 12.25 inches and has a 16-can capacity, so there’s plenty of space for food or drinks.
Several Wirecutter staffers have owned the Coleman chair for years, using it on camping trips, in backyards, and at sporting events. For the most part, it’s held up well, but one common quibble is that the seat bottom begins to sag after several years of use. Many testers found other chairs more comfortable and easier to put together than the Nemo Moonlite Reclining Camp Chair. This is also the most expensive lightweight chair we tested, and we think the Chair One is a better value. Despite the Renetto chair’s weight and bulk, our testers found it simple to set up and adjust. In fall 2023, we asked a panel of paid testers with a wide range of body types, dexterities, and mobilities to examine our picks and other camping chairs and to share their perspectives.
This chair costs slightly more than the Coleman Cooler Quad Chair, but it’s still a budget-friendly option. It delivers a solid baseline of build quality, comfort, and reliability that we didn’t find in other, similarly priced chairs. This time-tested classic is reasonably priced, roomy, and dependable enough to last for years. It’s not our lightest, most comfortable, or toughest pick, but it’s close enough, and it’s reasonably priced.
It’s currently low in stock, but REI tells us this chair will be widely available again over the summer. This GCI camping chair fits the bill and ozark trail wagon then some, as it’s not just your standard camping chair — it also rocks. It’s made of lightweight, durable nylon and has a sturdy steel frame.
It comes with a five-year warranty for its frame and a two-year warranty for its fabric; this rivals the warranty for our top lightweight pick. Renetto licenses its patent to a company called Kelsyus, which makes cheaper versions of the chair. There are also chairs that are hybrids between categories, such as the Nemo Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair, which comes highly rated and recommended. Weighing about 8 pounds, the Coleman chair is lighter than most traditional models, so it’s easier to grab from deep in a car trunk or to carry for long distances.
The Dual Lock seat’s name comes from a locking mechanism that secures the chair when it’s folded or expanded—releasing the lock is a matter of pushing a button on one of the legs. As a result, the chair feels grounded and less wobbly than its competitors. This was especially reassuring for testers with knee or hip issues, who noted that they felt confident using the Dual Lock seat’s armrests to stand up and get out of it. Testers with knee and hip issues reported that when they were getting in and out of this chair, its armrests felt more stable than those of any other model. So they felt comfortable leaning onto the frame for extra support. If you’re unsure which camping chair to buy, you can’t go wrong with the classic Coleman Cooler Quad Chair.
These ice packs are extra-large too, measuring 4.75 by 0.5 by 7 inches. They’re made of BPA-free plastic with a non-toxic gel inside. Unlike ice, these don’t melt leaving messy water all over your food inside the cooler either. Plus, they can be refrozen and used over and over again. Senior editor Kalee Thompson, who wrote a previous version of this guide, has been regularly using the Coleman chair she originally tested in 2016.
Compared with cheaper chairs of its kind (like those from Walmart), the REI Co-op chair functions better and will last much longer. A functional cupholder, a convenient carry strap, and durable fabric distinguish this kids’ chair from similar seats. But keep in mind that your kid will eventually outgrow this one.
It has a handle you can hold while savoring your favorite beverage, which conveniently folds in against the cup for streamlined storage. Over 7,400 shoppers have taken this French press along on camping trips. Most of our testers found the REI Co-op Skyward Chair to be one of the least comfortable chairs in our testing pool. People who did like it tended to have smaller body types, so if you find that other camping chairs are too big for you, the Skyward might be a good fit. At a little over 7 pounds, it’s also the lightest traditional chair we tested—but it had the lowest weight capacity (250 pounds).