10 Best Camping Chairs For Australia In 2024
The King Kokoda is a quad design camping chair. Its key features are comfort, strength, durability, and stability. The KK will suit touring campers, caravaners, and those with the space to transport bulkier items. Weighing in at 6.5kg, it's not considered the lightest chair. This is is genuine heavy-duty, with comfort to boot.
The steel frame and 600 Denier padded polyester construction make it ideal for big people and rugged environments. Rated to 150kg, it will take the punishment of a large male sitting down heavily.
The rigid alloy arms offer excellent stability for getting in and out of the chair. This makes it a great option for seniors.
The lumbar support has a high level of adjustability. The straps can be easily adjusted while seated. This is a chair with a high back and headrest that will nurse you off to sleep.
Cheap, poorly constructed camping chairs break. And you can rest assured this all too common disaster will strike moments after you’ve set up camp, and you’re reclining with a piping hot brew. Scolds and bruises aside, you’re now standing for the next two weeks.
Having the best camping chair, that is both comfortable and durable, is key to the joys of camping relaxation.
But our sense of comfort is personal and our demands on portability and durability vary. So, I’ve listed the 10 best camping chairs for Australia with a selection that will cover the perfect chair for your needs.
My Review Process
I’ve camped in the Australian wilderness and beyond for the past 45 years. It’s the mistakes I’ve made with camping chairs that make me an authority now.
Firstly, I’m 95kg. Secondly, I’m rough on my camping equipment. I also frequent salty, coastal locations that are tough on the best camping chairs.
I make my camping chair assessments based on comfort, durability, portability, adjustability features, and finally, accessories. Cheap camp chairs are off my list, and comfortable chairs rank highly.
There are 6 common camping chair styles with varied features and inclusions. Each will have pros and cons with suitability determined by your unique needs.
The King Kokoda is a quad design camping chair. Its key features are comfort, strength, durability, and stability. The KK will suit touring campers, caravaners, and those with the space to transport bulkier items. Weighing in at 6.5kg, it's not considered the lightest chair. This is is genuine heavy-duty, with comfort to boot.
The steel frame and 600 Denier padded polyester construction make it ideal for big people and rugged environments. Rated to 150kg, it will take the punishment of a large male sitting down heavily.
The rigid alloy arms offer excellent stability for getting in and out of the chair. This makes it a great option for seniors.
The lumbar support has a high level of adjustability. The straps can be easily adjusted while seated. This is a chair with a high back and headrest that will nurse you off to sleep.
Despite its compact dimensions, the Helinox is an especially comfortable lightweight chair. And you’ll probably need to sit down for a bit because this is not a cheap camp chair.
Rated to 120kg, the Chair Zero seats the average-sized person and will suit backpackers, hikers, and minimalist campers. It has a packed weight of 510 grams and a packed size of 35cm, fitting easily in a backpack.
When deployed, it feels far stronger and more stable than it looks. The alloy frame and ripstop polyester are high quality, ensuring durability in tough conditions.
You are seated quite low to the ground, which might be difficult for some to get up and down. For those with average flexibility, it won’t be an issue. On the contrary, Chair Zero will feel like luxury following a long hike. This is one of the lightest chair types available.
The YIZI GO is a brilliant alternative camp chair for those not wanting to pay the premium for the Helinox Chair Zero Ultralight. The Yizi is perfect for backpackers, hikers, and minimalist campers. It's up there with the most portable chairs available.
The Yizi is rated to135 kg. Weighing in at just 960 grams, it’s ideal for stuffing in backpacks for long backcountry treks.
The unique sand cover is a brilliant feature. It fits on the chair's feet to stop the legs from sinking into the ground. It’s the perfect sand chair, offering excellent stability.
The deep seat is super-comfortable, offering good back support. Constructed from double-stitched polyester and aircraft-grade alloys, the Yizi is robust and built for tough Aussie conditions.
The Galaxy 2 seater is one of the most popular camp chairs, and for good reason. A couple can sit in serene comfort under the stars, around the campfire. At only 6.1kg, it’s much lighter than you’d expect. However, it is a bulky item and will suit car camping, caravans, and trailers.
Rated at 240kg, the high tensile steel frame is particularly robust, and designed for handling 2. The 600 Denier double weave polyester fabric is both comfortable and hardwearing. The soft front flap keeps your legs from touching cold steel.
Comfy armrests, with integral wine glass holders, complete the romantic picture. Turn your phones off, and store them in the rear mesh pockets.
A kid's safe design, with a locking pin and no pinch points, the kids will love it simply because it’s theirs. Ideal for toddlers and young children, the 80kg rating ensures it will remain super-comfy as they grow.
Weighing only 2.14 Kg, they can carry and erect the chair themselves. A cup holder is ideal for treats and makes it look like a grown-up’s chair. The 600D polyester is comfortable to touch and easy to clean.
The moon-style is great for kids, as it prevents arms and limbs from going where they shouldn’t. It’s also great to curl up and snooze under, cocooned in a warm blanket.
Having camped in remote locations with my own babies, I can say with confidence that the Go With Me Chair is an outstanding piece of camping kit. Interestingly, at 62cm tall, it’s not a high chair at all. But the low centre of gravity delivers exceptional stability and is suitable for babies 3 months to toddlers up to 34kg.
Complete with a 5-point removable harness and sun canopy, safety is the focus. However, Baby Delight has thought of everything. The polyester fabric, while comfortable, is also resistant to fading, stains, and mould. And, importantly, the rigid plastic tray is adjustable and removable. It’s also robust, easy to erect, store and transport. They even have drink holders.
The Baby Delight is excellent value for young camping families. One of the best camping chairs on this list.
The Firefly is a premium tourers camping chair. Rated at 150kg, this is heavy-duty seating that’s also very stable, functional, and one of the more comfortable chairs. The centre folding Firefly is compact when folded, slipping easily into its carry bag. The compact design stores easily in caravan storage, a ute tray, or a trailer.
The folding side table has an integrated cup holder. Handy storage on the other side is great for storing smaller quick-access camping essentials.
The steel frame is built to handle tough Aussie conditions. The 600D poly fabric is hard-wearing yet comfortable, with extra padding in the backrest. The director's chair design provides excellent support for those who prefer to sit up.
The Firefly will be with you for countless camping adventures as it is truly built to last.
The Jumbo Sunlounge is a quality camping chair for those campers who take their relaxation seriously. You can kick back and bask in the sun, or stare at the stars. Comfort is first class with the extra-wide padded seat and padded backrest and headrest. It’s perfect for an afternoon nap.
The Sunlounge will suit touring campers with 4WDrives, a caravan, or plenty of transport storage. At 11kg and 91cm long when folded, it’s a bulky and not a very portable chair. An easy fit into your car depends on the volume of your camping gear.
This is a small price to pay for multiple reclining positions, sturdy 19mm steel framing, rigid, woodgrain armrests, and durable 600D polyester. There’s a foldaway table that has an integrated cup holder, large enough for most cups.
The Oztail Jumbo is the pinnacle of camping comfort. Its quality construction ensures it will be with you for many camping adventures.
Rated at 150kg, the Gecko is seating comfort built for heavy campers and tough conditions. There’s a five-year warranty to back that up.
Folding flat for easy transport, the Gecko comes with a durable zippered carry bag. At only 5.5kg, it’s pretty light considering the sturdy construction and padded fabric. The adjustable lumbar system delivers excellent support and is easily adjusted while seated.
Many campers will be attracted to the unique table which is fully adjustable to the front and side. This is a great innovation offering versatility for meals, reading, or working on a laptop.
The Gecko will suit seasoned car campers, trailer, and caravan campers, looking for greater functionality in a camping chair.
The Oztrail Classic is popular with campers on a strict budget. While a simple chair, the quad-fold armchair offers all you need in terms of comfort for relaxing by the campfire. Weighing in at 2.8 kilos, it’s light, portable, and easily stowed for transport. It's a more affordable chair and a good, basic option for outdoor adventures.
Made with a strong steel frame, and 600D Polyester, the Classic is durable enough under most circumstances and is rated at 110kg. Features are minimal, but there is an integral jumbo cup holder in the arm.
If you’re tough on gear or camping in harsh conditions, this shouldn’t be your first choice. If you weigh more than 90kg, I’d also select a higher-rated chair. While the fabric and frame are strong enough, the joints aren’t up to continued rough treatment.
Having said that, it’s still a value selection for the casual camper looking for a cheaper option.
How To Choose The Best Camping Chairs
Ultimately, comfort is king, and should never be compromised. Durability is on par with comfort, but compromise can be made based on your demands for portability. The biggest trade-off is usually between durability and portability.
Quad-Fold Camping Chairs
Quad-folds are the most common choice. They fold in a concertina manner, fitting into a long carry bag which provides easy transport for most campers. Comfort levels vary from plush to utility. Most will have adjustable armrests, and seating is always laid back and relaxed. Quad folds are well suited for stability on uneven ground, and their considered one of the more portable chairs.
Flat Fold Camping Chairs
It’s all in the name – they fold flat. It’s a broad category, including director's chairs, lightweight hiking chairs, and deluxe recliners. Flat folds cover transport extremes. You can carry them in a small backpack, or they can require plenty of space in the car.
Seating styles vary from reclined to sit back relaxed, and sitting upright. They can be the lightest chair or the heaviest chair, depending on the type.
Director’s Chairs
Director's chairs are great for those who prefer to sit more upright. A useful side folding table with an integrated cup holder is usually standard. Good director's chairs are usually quite robust with great endurance. They’re very stable but are best placed on flat ground.
Double Camping Chairs
Collapsing with the same mechanism as a quad-fold, multi-seaters are, more or less, quad folds that seat 2 or 3 people.
Comfort and seating style is very similar to single quad-folds, as are the standard accessories. Double camping chairs are surprisingly light at around 6kg, their only drawback is they’re very bulky when collapsed for transport.
Moon Chair
Folding up like a quad-fold, the moon chair is all about curling up by the fire. The round shape eliminates gaps between the base and arms. You can sit upright, but you can also curl up your legs making your moon chair into a comfy nest. Moon chairs are one of the more comfortable camping chairs.
Hiking Chair
With hiking or backpacking chairs, the focus is on keeping things extremely light and compact for transport. Hiking chairs often require assembly, fold flat, and can fit inside a modest Backpack. Comfort varies from basic take-the-weight-off utility to laid-back relaxed seating.
Budget
Camping chair prices generally range from $25 to $150. Depending on the type, $45 will get you comfort that lasts for many camping adventures.
Weight
Camping chairs weigh between 500 grams - ideal for hiking, and 11kg - plush recliners. The average quad is either side of 2kg, with some as heavy as 6kg. Director's chairs are commonly around 4.5kg to 6kg.
Weight Capacity
Kids camping chairs are rated for loads of up to 70kg. Weight capacities for adult chairs start at 110kg, reaching as high as 150kg. These ratings are static loads and don’t include the added force of sitting from standing. At 95kg, I look for a minimum load rating of 135kg - They’ll last longer.
Comfort
Your idea of comfort is very personal. I love both the support and function of a director's chair with a padded seat. But I also like to kick back in a quad and stare at the sky. For extra comfort, look for more padding, adjustable lumbar support, or integral footrests.
Quality
Quality is a must for longevity. Quality can vary between brands but is pretty consistent above $50. Look for double-stitched fabrics, strong, corrosion-resistant frames, and most importantly, strong rivets and connection components.
Accessories
Accessories include integral tables, storage pockets, cup holders, leg rests, and storage pouches. These features are generally useful, especially cup holders. However, comfort, durability, and stability should take priority when choosing the best chair.
Final Notes On The Best Camping Chairs For Australia
For comfort, durability, strength, and value, I find it hard to go past the Kokoda. While expensive and a little heavy, this is camping comfort built to last.
I only wish the Baby Delight Go with Me Chair was available when my kids were little. It’s brilliant.
For the hikers, the ultra-compact Yizi offers outstanding comfort and innovation at an affordable price. It’s lightweight luxury relaxation after a mega-trek.
Common questions
Anthony has enjoyed many surreal camping moments with his family, and is now lucky enough to share these with readers like you.
*The information on this site is based on research and first-hand experience but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new activity, we recommend consulting with a physician, nutritionist or other relevant professional healthcare provider.
