There’s no better way to test out a bunch of camping chairs than on a camping trip. And, I was lucky enough to have my frequent adventure buddy, Theresa, along with me for a weekend of camping and hiking on the East Side of the Sierra. Meeting halfway between our houses, at Paradise Shores Camp on Bridgeport Reservoir, we set up basecamp for a long weekend of outdoor living and playing.

Watch the videos below, or here’s a quick summary of each.

Together, we put each one of these chairs through the paces. And, made sure to ask any friendly campers for their opinions too!

Kelty Lowdown

An all-around favorite and the best bang for your buck.

Also available in a loveseat version.

Pros

• Easy to take out and put away with wrap-around style bag
• Easy fold/un-fold setup
• Good armrests
• Good drink holder
• Nice height (not too high or tippy)
• Price

Cons

• Takes up a lot of storage room in the car
• Not as comfortable as the pricier chairs, but not bad!

Helinox Chair One

A lightweight and compact favorite for backpacking.

See the Helinox Chair Zero for an even lighter weight version, perfect for backpacking!

Pros

• Very lightweight and very small, easy to throw in the car
• Easy to set up once you get the hang of it
• Comfy

Cons

• No armrests
• No drink or phone storage pockets

Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair

The ultimate camping chair for those looking to splurge.

Pros

• The plushest, most comfortable camp chair ever!
• Perfect for accidentally falling asleep at the campfire
• Relax while rocking
• Plenty of storage for your phone and drink
• Easy to set up

Cons

• On the pricier side
• The fabric gathers behind the knees of shorter people
• There is a specific spot you need to hold for standing up/sitting down
• Takes up a lot of room

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, Tahoe Mountain Sports will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Affiliate commissions help fund the content for this blog.

See a selection of my other adventures with Theresa:

Rain, Rain, Don’t Go Away: Springtime in Yosemite

A Sky Island – Kuna Crest in Yosemite

Hiking Yosemite’s Bermuda Triangle: Tenaya Canyon

Gorgeous 26-Mile Day Hike from Lukens Lake to Tenaya Lake in Tuolomne

Are you going for a hike on your next camping trip? Make sure you have a good pair of trekking poles, like the ones in this review below!