GEAR GUIDE: Camping chairs

Whether it’s lounging out in the sun, or just a sit down after a long day of activity, you can’t beat a good seat to add essential comfort to your camping.

There truly is a massive choice of designs out there – whether light weight and small pack size are your priority, or if you have the space to transport a real heavy duty item; if it’s for use when you’re away in the hills, or at the beach; or you want the dual-functionality of items that can also be used in the garden back at home.

ROBENS SEARCHER
A premium product at a very keen price, here’s proof that size isn’t everything when it comes to camping chairs. It might not look it – or, indeed seem it, at 2.1kg – but the frame is steel. The fabric is superior quality 600D Oxford polyester, with a large section of polyester mesh at the back for ventilation. It’s a diminutive size, at 52cm x 50cm and 74cm high, while the seat height is a commendable 43cm. Pack size is 50cm x 14cm x 12cm.
Key features Steel frame, polyester fabrics, carrybag
Price £20.99
www.robens.de

EASY CAMP MERO
The retro striping is the stand-out feature here on what is a keenly priced chair that couldn’t be easier to operate.  At 45cm, seat height is a bit higher than most. Maximum load is rated at 110kg and it all packs down quickly and efficiently to some 18cm x 18cm x 103cm.
Key features Steel frame, polyester fabric, foam padded armrests, carrybag
Price £32.99
www.easycamp.com

ROYAL DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

Great value for an ever-popular director’s style design, coming not just with a table but also a handy carrying handle as well as a useful zipped pocket on the opposite side to the table. It all weighs 4.75kg and can take up to 110kg. Dimensions are 58cm x 50cm x 88cm, folding to 50cm x 15cm x 48cm. Choose between Black/Silver and Red/Silver.
Key features Steel frame, carry handle, side table with cup holder, zipped side pocket
Price £36.99
www.royal-leisure.co.uk

SITPACK
Something a bit different, from Denmark. Sitpack claims to tick all the right boxes for its ergonomics – claiming to be good for overall posture, blood flow and your back in particular. What starts out being the size of a large can of beer, soon folds out to a six-stage monopod seat. It weighs just 0.6kg, weight capacity is 100kg, but the adjustments make it suitable for all heights, and its single-pole design comes with an interchangeable rubber foot.
Key features GRP-reinforced polycarbonate, choice of five colours
Price £45
www.sitpack.dk

VANGO KRAKEN 2
Designed for the, ahem, larger user, this can take a weight of up to 180kg (over 28 stone) as well as having larger than average dimensions – 61cm x 67cm x 95cm, folding down to 23cm x 21cm x 89cm. Yet, its own weight, 4.8kg, isn’t particularly hefty. Also, at 47cm its seat is high. The steel frame has a textured finish, while the fabric is Vango’s DuoWeave, with extra padding in key seat and back areas.
Key features Steel frame, DuoWeave fabric
Price £55
www.vango.co.uk

COLEMAN BUNGEE CHAIR
It’s been around a while now, but it’s always been one of our favourites, thanks to a great combination of ease of use and laidback comfort. The slightly padded armrest pads are removable.  The Bungee Chair gets its name from the elasticated loops in the fabric. It folds out instantly to 66cm x 70cm x 91cm. It folds up just as quickly, to 32cm x 22cm x 110cm. In distinctive Lime, Blue or Orange, overall weight is 5kg and they’ll take up to 136kg.
Key features Steel frame, polyester and nylon mesh fabric, carrybag
Price £64.99
www.coleman.eu

OUTWELL CHINO HILLS
A typically stylish Outwell take on a proven chair with table design, the Chino Hills is available in Green, Black or Grey. That table is height-adjustable and has a shallow cup/bottle holding moulding. Seating height is 43cm and it weighs 6.3kg. Size when open is 58cm x 50cm x 86cm and it folds together to 14cm x 50cm x 86cm.
Key features Steel frame, 100 per cent polyester fabric, plastic table
Price £64.99
www.outwell.com

QUEST ELITE NAPLES PRO RELAXER WITH SIDE TABLE
A “zero gravity” stepless relaxer design with elasticated support and a slide-out table. Quest’s UV-resistant QTex fabric is breathable and quick-drying. Plus, there’s an adjustable headrest that could alternatively be used for lumbar support. Open size is 70cm x 80cm x 118cm high and it can take up to 120kg. Seat height is 51cm. Folded dimensions are 70cm x 15cm x 98cm.
Key features Aluminium frame, breathable fabric, elasticated support, “wood” armrest finish
Price £109.99
www.questleisure.com

LEKI CHILLER
Lots of clever features help make this a winner and, although light in weight, it’s carrying capacity is a healthy 145kg. Mesh panelling to the main seat will help with ventilation, while the rubber feet have six moulded teeth, to aid grip. The cup holder has Velcro attachments, so you can fit it to either side of your chair, depending on which hand you prefer to drink with.   Another practical Velcro attachment is the carrybag which, when not housing the chair, can be attached at the front to offer a bit of handy storage. Seat height is 41cm from the ground and it all folds down to a miserly 14cm x 12cm x 38cm. Weight is 1.14kg.
Key features HTS 6.5 aluminium frame, Flex seat, cup holder, zipped carrybag
Price £119.95
www.leki.com

HELINOX CAMP CHAIR

Shockcorded poles come together to make the frame for this lightweight contender. Total packed weight is 1.34kg, but leave the storage sack at home and you’ll get down to 1.23kg. Maximum load is an impressive 145kg. Choose between Meadow Green/Black, Black/Blue and Multicam/Black. Pack size is 11.5cm x 14cm x 50cm.
Key features DAC aluminium frame, mesh back and sides sections
Price £125
www.helinox.eu