High backed camping chairs are just what we need for a perfect day of relaxing in the great outdoors. Chairs for camping have to be lightweight and durable, but most of all, they have to be comfortable.
Sitting idly on a chair, preferably with a beer, and not having to move for hours. Something’s gotta keep the tushy and the back comfortable for these hours of strenuous work. These are the chairs to consider for your camping vacay.
The Best Of High Back Folding Camp Chairs For 2020
- Marchway Lightweight Folding High Back Camping Chair With Headrest
- KingCamp Ultralight Compact High Back Folding Chair
- Eagles Nest Outfitters Lounger DL Camping Chair
- Earth Ultimate 4-Position Outdoor Chair
- ALPS Mountaineering Rocking Chair
- Timber Ridge Camping Chair
- KingCamp Low Sling Beach Chair for Camping
- Helinox Savanna High-Back Collapsible Camp Chair
- PHI VILLA Padded Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
- Helinox Playa Lightweight High-Back Collapsible Beach Chair
- Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair
Editor’s Choice: ALPS Mountaineering Rocking Chair
A comfortable rocking camp chair that’s also sturdy and reliable. That’s good enough for us to place the ALPS Mountaineering Rocking Chair as our top pick. Even as a camping chair, it has excellent lumbar support and keeps the user comfortable for hours at an end.
Reviewed: The Best Of High Backed Camping Chairs
1. Marchway Lightweight Folding High Back Camping Chair With Headrest
Weight is a big deal. Sure, car camping gives us more freedom and options, but still, chairs have to be moved, set up, and packed away. A lightweight chair that’s comfortable, convenient, and reliable? Shut up and take my money!
Memes aside, Marchway Lightweight Folding High Back Camping Chair With Headrest is a good buy. It weighs just 3.7 lbs and can manage a weight of 250 pounds. One reason for the low weight is the use of a corrosion-resistant 7075 aluminum alloy frame. It’s not the sturdiest material, but it’s fairly dependable and lightweight.
The alloy is also corrosion-resistant, which adds to the longevity of this chair. They throw in words like “aircraft-grade aluminum”, but truth be told, it means little in practical use. Aircrafts use all kinds of aluminum, so “aircraft-grade” doesn’t quite mean much for the average user.
The seat fabric is made from ripstop 1000D polyester, which ensures long life and the ability to handle weight. It’s also a comfortable material and offers good support for the body.
As a measure of added comfort, the back of the chair, as well as its sides, have mesh windows. This ensures good ventilation and avoids a sticky, sweaty back that you could risk on hot days.
The headrest is another nice touch and adds to the comfort offered by this chair. I must appreciate all this attention to detail that enables me lazing around in comfort!
When not in use, the chair can be folded down to just 17*6.5*5.5 inches. The aluminum frame and fabric are separable, thus allowing these compact dimensions. A carry bag is included with the chair.
Chair Highlights
- Weighs just 3.7 lbs
- Rated for a maximum of 250 pounds
- Compact to store
- Since fabric and frame are separated for storage, setting up this chair can take longer
- Sturdy frame made from 7075 aluminum alloy
- 1000D polyester fabric
2. KingCamp Ultralight Compact High Back Folding Chair
KingCamp Ultralight Compact High Back Folding Chair is another pick for lightweight and comfortable camping chairs. Like many chairs in this particular niche, it too works on a lightweight aluminum frame topped with sturdy fabric.
This composition allows the chair to be lightweight at just 3.7 lbs, yet sturdy enough to have a maximum weight rating of 265 lbs. A good quality Oxford fabric makes up the seating area of the chair. It is comfortably high-backed and is topped by a headrest to complete the comfort offering.
There is no ventilation for the back here – perhaps as a way to maintain better structural integrity of the fabric. Or maybe just a design choice – I’m just spitballing here. Although it does have a generous presence of ventilating mesh on the sides. It will keep you relatively comfortable, though there’s still a chance of having to deal with a sweaty back.
But there’s more to look forward to – this is a camping chair with an armrest that includes a cup holder. Sit back, relax, and have a drink at hand. Now that’s the life!
Chair Highlights
- Weighs 3.7 lbs
- Maximum rated capacity 265 lbs
- Acceptable ventilation on the sides, but the back can get sweaty
- Folds down to a compact 20.1×5.9×3.9 inches
- Can take some time to set up
- Aluminum frame and oxford fabric
- Comfortable headrest
- Includes armrest and cup holder
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3. Eagles Nest Outfitters Lounger DL Camping Chair
ENO’s lounger just looks so comfy! The lightweight camping chair does justice to the brand name and delivers a relaxing and comfortable experience. Eagles Nest Outfitters Lounger DL Camping Chair sits on top of an aluminum alloy frame and the fabric is 210D ripstop nylon.
There are no ventilation points on this lounger’s fabric, but it manages to be comfortably breezy. I wouldn’t expect a hot day to be a friend to someone sitting on nylon fabric. However, all things considered, this lounger does pretty well. Plus, the prominent headrest is well-placed and sets the relaxing tone.
ENO has considered more factors for convenience, like the presence of a cup holder and two cargo pockets. The pockets go for snacks and the cup holder goes for something hydrating. Remember to drink more water folks! As a matter of fact, take a second and have a sip now. Staying hydrated is important.
Eagles Nest Outfitters Lounger DL Camping Chair uses a shock-corded assembly for faster set up. Of course, it’s still going to take longer than a regular chair that you just straighten up. But the advantage here lies in the smaller packing size.
Lounger DL Camping Chair weighs just under 5 pounds and is rated for a maximum weight of 250 lbs. It packs down to compact dimensions and is very portable.
Chair Highlights
- Weighs under 5 lbs
- Rated for a max weight of 250 lbs
- Aluminum frame and 210D Ripstop nylon fabric
- More expensive than similar, competing products
- Includes storage pouches and cup holder
- Comfortable and prominent headrest
- Compact and portable when packed
- Can take some time to set up
See buying options and pricing
4. Earth Ultimate 4-Position Outdoor Chair
Your campsite won’t always be on level ground. And sitting on a wobbly chair cuts into the relaxing mood. You could work the ground a bit to get a steady base for the chair. Or, let it all go and let the chair do the work.
Earth Ultimate 4-Position Outdoor Chair has adjustable front legs that can extend by up to four inches. That’s a lot of leeway to get a stable setting for your chair. The adjustment action isn’t just limited to the legs.
The chair also has an adjustable backrest that can be set to four positions. You could use it as a lounger or as a regular chair. The chair fabric is comfortable and is topped with a padded neoprene pillow that makes a remarkable headrest.
Storage capacity for the chair comes in the form of two cup holders and a zippered storage pouch. Earth Ultimate 4-Position Outdoor Chair has a largely aluminum frame and the fabric utilizes nylon and polyester. It’s rated for a maximum weight capacity of 325 lbs.
Chair Highlights
- Adjustable front legs for an easier hold on uneven ground
- Four positions for the backrest
- Two drink holders and a zippered pouch for storage
- Aluminum frame and a nylon and polyester fabric
- Max weight capacity at 325 lbs
- Comfortable headrest
- Folding chair, dimensions: 37x23x5 inches
5. ALPS Mountaineering Rocking Chair
I’m fascinated by rocking chairs and I believe that interest may have played a part in elevating this one to the editor’s choice category. How quaint – childish enough to be fascinated by rocking chairs and prepared to admit it. Also, extraordinarily humble, like the beloved character Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy.
Thankfully, the merits of the ALPS Mountaineering Rocking Chair speak for themselves and justify their position as the top pick. The high back folding camping chair is comfortable, sturdy, and reliable. Also, more power to it for being a rocking camping chair.
The frame of this chair is made from powder-coated steel, which ensures reliability and longevity. However, the maximum rated capacity is just 300 lbs. That likely has to do with the fact that the frame also has to deal with the pressure and stresses due to the rocking motion.
ALPS Mountaineering Rocking Chair has a sturdy 600D Polyester fabric for the seating area. Though the fabric is comfortable, there is no mesh for ventilation. There’s also the glaring lack of a headrest, but the rocking motion should be soothing and relaxing enough.
The folding camping chair packs town to reasonable dimensions for portability. However, it will still require some effort as this chair is heavy enough at 17.5 lbs.
Chair Highlights
- Rocking chair!
- Excellent value for money
- Weighs 17.5 lbs
- Rated to handle 300 lbs maximum weight
- Powder-coated steel frame and 600D polyester fabric
- No headrest
6. Timber Ridge Camping Chair
Timber Ridge Camping Chair does a standup job at being a comfortable and reliable chair for the great outdoors. The high backed camping chair is well-built and comes at an excellent price point. Its frame is made from stainless steel, which is what gives it an edge over similarly-priced chairs that use aluminum for their frame.
The fabric for the Timber Ridge Camping Chair is made from high-quality polyester and provides a comfortable seating area. Being made from steel, the chair weighs on the heavier side of things. This one clocks 13.67 lbs and can hold a maximum weight of 400 lbs.
For the sake of comfort, the seat is padded with smooth foam. Additionally, the armrests are padded as well. A swivel cup holder is placed towards the side of the camping chair.
This high back folding camp chair can be packed away to more comfortable dimensions for easier portability. A carry bag is included to make moving this chair easier.
Chair Highlights
- Sturdy chair built on stainless steel frame and polyester fabric
- Chair weighs 13.7 lbs and has a max capacity of 400 lbs
- Foam padding for seating and armrest
- Swivel cup holder
- No headrest
- Folding chair comes with a carry bag
7. KingCamp Low Sling Beach Chair for Camping
This high-back, low-slung camp chair can be an excellent companion to beach camping. Since it is supposed to be used in a warmer setting, a good portion of the chair’s back is a mesh. The better ventilation should help in keeping you free of that sticky, icky sweat.
KingCamp Low Sling Beach Chair for Camping doesn’t rise much above the ground and the seat height is just about 8 inches. One of the sides features a cup holder placed along the (small) front legs of the beach chair.
To stay on top of longevity, the chair has a frame made from heavy-duty steel, while the robust fabric also holds its own. The chair is rated for a maximum weight of 300 lbs, and it weighs about 7 lbs. KingCamp’s Beach Chair is pretty comfortable with the low sling style adding an interesting element.
The chair requires no assembly and folds up into a relatively compact package with dimensions of 30.7×7.9×5.1 inches. A carry bag is included for easier portability.
Chair Highlights
- Low sling beach chair (seat height at 8 inches)
- Made using a heavy-duty steel frame
- Comfortable, well-ventilated fabric
- Cup holder
- Comfortable headrest
- Chair weighs 7 lbs and has a rated capacity of 300 lbs
8. Helinox Savanna High-Back Collapsible Camp Chair
Helinox Savanna High-Back Collapsible Camp Chair is a very portable and fairly comfortable chair for your sojourn in the great outdoors. The seller claims the chair is extra high and wide. That’s somewhat true and the chair does have a few inches to spare as compared to its competition.
It has a frame made from aluminum alloy and is covered in a sturdy fabric that ensures longevity and performance. A mesh cup holder is attached to the side of the chair. Speaking of mesh, it’s been used generously on the back of the chair and the sides as well. The combination gives the chair excellent ventilation and adds to the comfort of the user.
Helinox Savanna weighs just 4.1 pounds and is rated for a max weight of 320 pounds. The collapsible chair takes on convenient dimensions of 6×6.5×20 inches when packed. A carry bag is included for easier portability.
Chair Highlights
- Uses an aluminum alloy frame
- Weighs just 4.1 lbs and is rated for 320 lbs
- Includes cup holder
- Packed dimensions of just 6×6.5×20 inches
9. PHI VILLA Padded Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
PHI VILLA Padded Zero Gravity Lounge Chair brings in both comfort and style. The lounge chair is made from a heavy-duty steel frame and wrapped in a high-quality Oxford fabric. This gives it excellent quality and keeps it geared for a long life.
The comfortable reclining chair includes a side table with cup holder and its base can also work as a footrest. Its recline can be adjusted through various angles to be the right fit. The fabric on this chair is fully padded and a prominent, padded headrest crowns the seating area.
PHI VILLA Padded Zero Gravity Lounge Chair is a well-made and feature-rich chair with an inviting price tag. Given its construction, this one is a bit heavy and has limited portability. The maximum recommended weight is 300 lbs.
Chair Highlights
- Comfortable lounge chair with adjustable back and footrest
- Includes headrest
- Attractive pricing
- Has a removable side table with cup holder
- Steel frame and oxford fabric
- Padded seating area
- Folds to manageable dimensions
- Maximum weight limit is 300 lbs
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10. Helinox Playa Lightweight High-Back Collapsible Beach Chair
Helinox Playa Lightweight High-Back Collapsible Beach Chair is pretty much a low sling sibling to the Helinox Savanna, which also finds a place on this list. As a beach chair, Playa has a low seat height, rising just about 9 inches from the ground.
It is supported by an aluminum alloy frame, which holds a polyester seating area. Mesh panels are available for ventilation of the seating, with a prominent place at the back and small windows on the sides.
The chair weighs just about 4.3 pounds and collapses to a very compact 6×6.5×21.5 inches for packing. A polyester carry bag is included for easier portability.
Chair Highlights
- Uses an aluminum alloy frame and polyester fabric
- Mesh at the back and on sides for better ventilation
- Includes a cup holder
- Weighs 4.1 lbs and max recommended weight is 320 lbs
- Low sling beach chair has a seating area 9-inches above the ground
- Packs into compact and portable packaging
11. Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair
Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair is an excellent lounge chair right on the money where comfort and value are concerned. The chair uses a sturdy steel tube frame and has a durable polyester fabric for the seating area. The fabric and frame are put together using elastic cords.
Added creature comforts include padding for the seating area, side table with cup holder, comfortable headrest, and adjustable back and foot area. Easy locking levers on the chair make it possible to change the reclining position to whatever angle you prefer. You could take it from a classic upright chair position to a fully laid-back recliner.
The maximum suggested weight for this chair is 350 lbs. These loungers are extremely comfortable and great picks for camping. The only drawback here is the weight of the chair itself. Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair, for example, weighs almost 23 lbs.
That’s quite a bit of weight to carry along. Thankfully, the chair folds down to a relatively sleek package. So if you’re willing to move and lug around these large chairs, you’re all set for a very (or, overly) comfortable seating experience.
Chair Highlights
- Comfortable lounge chair with several reclining settings
- Polyester fabric and durable steel frame
- Padded seating area
- Includes headrest
- Includes side table with cup holder
- Folds to manageable dimensions
- Weighs 23 lbs and has a max recommended weight limit of 350 lbs
A Quick Guide To Buying The Best High Backed Camping Chairs
Examine Your Expectations And Requirements To Find The Right Chair
The camping chair market is, thankfully, immense. Patrons can pretty much take their pick from a variety of options and have chairs suited to their specific requirements. As you see in this list here, even this niche has a range of options and different designs to pick.
In most cases, you never have to worry about finding quality high back folding camping chairs. The worry is picking the right one from the deluge of options you’ll have!
Given all these options, it is a good idea to have look around for features that might suit your requirements and tastes best. Maybe get a high-backed camping chair that’s also a rocking chair. Or how about something with a recliner, side table, or padding for seating!
At the same time, don’t just drown in options. Keep your eyes focused on the prize, not (simply) on the feature list!
Want more chair options? Check these out:
Solving The Weight And Portability Equation
Even when we have the luxury of car camping, the weight and size of the chair are unavoidably important considerations. High back folding camp chairs make things easier by reducing the volume of storage required. Other chairs approach this problem in different ways.
Many chairs aren’t simply foldable, but get more space savings by being collapsible. In these cases, the frame and fabric may come apart for more efficient storage. These chairs are remarkably efficient at saving space. However, they need to be manually assembled/disassembled every time they’re to be used. That can be quite a chore.
Still other chairs might take more creative approaches to folding to reduce their required storage area. More often than not, most camping chairs also include carry bags to enhance their portability.
Weight of the chair is another important property. We don’t want to carry along things that would be too heavy, even in the car. Besides, any chair will have to be moved around at the campsite and heavier chairs simply aren’t easy.
The biggest contributor to the weight of a chair is its frame. Lightweight chairs usually have aluminum alloy frames, while heavier chairs use stainless steel. The latter is more durable and reliable than aluminum. However, the weight and cost savings favor aluminum as compared to steel.
The Comfortable High Backed Chair To Pick
Let’s say it again. What are chairs meant for? Comfort!
However, properties like reliability, cost, portability, and features are unavoidable considerations. Take a careful look at what’s on offer, so you can pick a chair that works best for you. High backed camping chairs usually provide excellent comfort and lumbar support.
We hope that our list here helps you pick the right chair (or at least contributes to your wishlist)! These are all highly-regarded and well-liked chairs that have proven their mettle.