Best Reclining Camp Chair for Camping
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Lying on a mat under rocky surfaces may not be everyone’s idea of fun camping. If you have the right gear with you, camping outdoors can be relaxing and comfortable. An alternative to hammocks, campers who enjoy basking in the sun may want a comfortable reclining camping chair to lay on. Or if you have a RV, get some camp chairs outside your awning to sit and watch the beautiful sunset.
It is pretty tricky to choose from a large variety of folding recliner camping chairs out there, with all claiming their recliners are the best. From our extended research, we have narrowed down to a group of top reclining chairs that we think is best for camping. In this guide, we have listed down all its key features and why these chairs have landed among our top picks as the best reclining camp chairs.
If you just want to skip and get the best outdoor recliner chairs, we recommend STRONGBACK Low Gravity Beach Chair as our top choice.
Table of Contents
Why Trust Us
Jules and Ken
We are outdoor lovers, travellers, and writers all rolled into one. You have seen our posts here reviewing lots of different types of outdoor gear, camping equipment, RV equipment, kayaking, to cycling. Our reviews are guided by our years of experience being outdoors. We are happy to share our knowledge with you to make a better choice when you are outdoors.
Whether you are looking for the best affordable, the best overall or best quality reclining camp chairs, just know that you are at the right place. We have reviewed it all and you can save the trouble of reviewing it yourself. In this guide, we have listed down 5 chairs as our top picks for the Best Reclining Camp Chair For Camping.
5 Best Reclining Camp Chairs
Why you need one
If you have a history of neck pains or back pains using traditional picnic chairs, then having a recliner chair can make your camping experience a better one.
Having a folding lounge chair to sunbathe after a dip in the sea or lake, would add 5 stars to your vacation. Star gazing during night camping is much more comfortable when you are lying down staring into the sky.
A reclining camp chair is specially designed for people who have lower back pain due long hours on the office chair. By changing the angle of their seating position, it can help ease the pressure on their spine.
When heading to a local sports event, bring a reclining camp chair, as they serve their purpose of optimizing comfort for these kinds of experiences.
Lounging in your reclining lawn chair can make drinking while reading a book in the garden more enjoyable.
What to look for in a recliner chair
Weight
Weight affects the mobility of a portable lounge chair. You want to think if the chair is feasible to carry around for car camping or RV camping. Usually the more comfortable or adaptable the chair is, the heavier it will be.
Storage
You will want a foldable lounge chair which is compact, easy to store and travel around with. Calculate if the compact recliner fits into your trunk or your RV storage space.
And if you have carry pockets or coolers bags integrated with it, you do not need to carry extra bags with you down the campsite. Storage pockets that come with zippers can help protect your valuables, taking down on one worry that things may get lost. You have all you need just having folding lounge chairs with you.
Durability
Go for simple designs. Generally, the more complex the design is, the higher chances for accidental damage. Depending on who is using the outdoor reclining chair, check that the chair’s maximum weight capacity can cater to the user’s weight.
Also look for fabric that is made of 600D polyester fabric or tougher. Usually it will be water-resistant and last longer.
Ease of use
Is it easy to set up and pack up? Or does it take just as long as setting up a tent?
Back Pain Relief
If you have a history of back pains, or surgeries, then having a camping lounger helps distribute the weight, which helps when you sit for hours.
Accessories
Basically, having accessories or not is all up to your personal preferences. Some folding loungers have the option to adjust the sitting angles so that you can find the most comfortable angle for your back. Having a built in pillow, means you have one item less to pack. Ask yourself, do you need a folding chair with a footrest? It is also nice to have a recliner with a cup holder or an add on cooler bag to cool your drinks.
Budget
Depending on your budget, you can get a tent chair for less, without bells and whistles, but serves your main need. Or you can get a chair for a higher price which has more innovation and unique features for extra comfort.
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This is a low chair which is very stable for camping, the beach or events. If you had a spinal surgery or problems with your spine, your body would want this. They are ergonomically designed for lumbar support, which does its job to support the body in a sitting position.
There is an option to choose a more upright position or a more laid back recline. You will be surprised that you can stay for hours on the chair without having to stand up to stretch your back.
This camping recliner chair feels supportive and sturdy even though you plop down ungracefully onto it. With its double stitching used with HD fabric and solid frame, you will find it one of the toughest and strongest folding chairs in the market. It has a 300 lbs weight capacity which caters for most average adults.
Strongback comes with all the comforts a camper would need, such as a cupholder and padded solid armrests to lean on and drink a can of beer. It does not feel sticky like other brands of chairs even when you sit bare skin against the chair.
It is super easy to set up as it requires no assembly, you can unfold and fold back with ease. It comes with a two strap bag which makes it convenient for you to carry around your chair. You will find the only inconvenience you may find is that other campers would probably keep sitting on your chair.
Pros
- Award winning, patented, lumbar supportive design
- Comes with a 2 strap carry bag
- Durable
- Cup holder
- Armrests
Cons
- May be too low for some users
PROS
CONS
- Award winning, patented, lumbar supportive design
- Comes with a 2 strap carry bag
- Durable
- Cup holder
- Armrests
- May be too low for some users
This is a strong lightweight portable chair due to its steel construction. Its frame is durable enough to support up to 250 lbs, which is pretty high for its structure.
There is a carrying case that comes in a long carrying strap, making it easy to carry for camp hiking activities without tiring you out. If you go biking, you can just strap it to the back of your bike.
You can sit in three different positions, which is modifiable using its adjusting hinges. It is very easy to set up, just take out of the bag, unfold the chair and put the umbrella up, and you are ready to go.
This recliner chair has all the bells and the whistles you need in a camping chair, an adjustable and removable footrest, armrests, cup holder and an adjustable umbrella.
The umbrella can be swivelled in a few directions, left or right side of the chair. You do not need to get up to move your chair, just adjust the umbrella position. This allows you to stay protected under the sun with UPF50+ with metallic underside. Some users find the umbrella a bit flimsy in the wind.
It even has an insulated drink pouch that can fit up to 3 cans. It comes with a bottle opener attached to the center pocket under the seat, which is a bonus. Your small items like your wallet, keys, phone, can be stored safely in a zippered storage pouch as you sunbathe outdoors. However, some users found the cup holder too small to their liking.
Pros
- Affordable
- Footrest
- Insulated drink pouch with bottle opener
- Zippered pouch
- Attached Umbrella
Cons
- Flimsy Umbrella
PROS
CONS
- Affordable
- Footrest
- Insulated drink pouch with bottle opener
- Zippered pouch
- Attached Umbrella
- Flimsy Umbrella
No assembly is required for this chair, just unfold it, and it is ready for use. This chair is specially designed to cater to taller individuals. The length of the chair is 72 inches when fully reclined, catering up to 6’2″ inches tall. It is very roomy due to its XL size and has a capacity of 350 lbs which fits larger sized users.
This camping chair with a footrest is called “Zero Gravity” as it allows you to recline to almost a flat position. Your weight is shifted across the chair, helps improve circulation throughout the body for complete relaxation.
The backrest can recline from 0 up to 170 degrees. There is a padded headrest with a pillow, which you can move it to double as a lumbar support. A locking mechanism can be found under the armrest to adjust the portable recliner to any desired positions.
Ever Advanced Oversize XL Zero Gravity Recliner has more padding than other chairs, and will hold you comfortably. Whenever you recline, your footrest will raise up. You will appreciate the solid armrests that help you to get in and out of the chair.
This chair is waterproof and mildew resistant, but it cannot withstand prolonged sun exposure. It needs to be kept in a dry and shaded place when not in use. It is not a sweat proof chair. So in toasty summers, if there is no airflow, you may want to lay a towel on it.
You will love the side table that swings out. Imagine the convenience, you do not need to drag another table outdoors. The cupholder is larger than most other cup holders, which makes it useful to hold any cups or bottle.
This chair is definitely worth every penny as it feels like sitting on a luxury vehicle.
Pros
- Huge chair
- Great back support
- Waterproof
- Side table
- Footrest
Cons
- Less portable due to its size
PROS
CONS
- Huge chair
- Great back support
- Waterproof
- Side table
- Footrest
- Less portable due to its size
What a great way to enjoy your camping trip with a Caravan Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Chair. This chair is designed for average height users, which extends to 64.5 inches long when fully reclined. For taller persons, go for the XL version.
It is a great chair to lean back and read a book. You can recline to any desired position giving you the true zero gravity experience. It locks the chair in a position with a dual finger tip locking system. It comes with an adjustable headrest where you can move it down for lumbar support.
Because of its use of long lasting 600g textaline fabric, it can withstand outdoor elements. The usage of steel structure also means the chair is rust free, which prolongs the lifespan of the chair. Its fabric is wash friendly, making it easy to clean after your outdoor activities. However it does not come with add ons such as a cup holder, or storage area.
It is certainly not a flimsy chair, as its powder coated steel frame and armrest are sturdy enough to support up to 300 lbs. It is easy to set up , by pulling two sides of the frame apart. It folds right up to only 5.5 inches thick. The chair is lightweight enough to carry and store.
You would love lounging in this chair, as it is very supportive and works very well for people with bad backs.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to set up
- Durable and washable fabric
Cons
- Not for tall persons
- No accessories like storage area, footrests
PROS
CONS
- Affordable
- Easy to set up
- Durable and washable fabric
- Not for tall persons
- No accessories like storage area, footrests
This chair is a genius. You no longer need to carry all the stuff yourself at the beach. You can convert this chair into a wagon and transport your stuff from the car to the beach in 1 trip.
With the cart dimension of 18. 9″ X 18. 9″ X 18. 9″, it can hold a fair amount of stuff. You can store your umbrella, towels, paddles, coolers and tents. You will find its oversized and sturdy wheels, making it easier to roll in the sand while hauling all your camping gear with you.
When packing up to store, it measures 35″ X 30. 3″ X 9. 8″. This makes it easy to fit into the back of your car. The only issue that some users have with it, is its inability to to stand up when folded.
When used as a chair, it has 4 adjustable seating angles which are controlled at the armrest. The lounger is super comfortable with its built in pillow headrest. The aluminium powder coated frame is covered with 600 denier fabric which makes it super resistant to the external elements outdoors.
The Mac Sports 2-in-1 Beach Day is certainly one impressive chair you will love especially when camping at the beach.
Pros
- Cargo cart as well as a lounger
- Able to carry lots of stuff
- 4 adjustable seating angles
- Durable
Cons
- Cannot stand up when folded
PROS
CONS
- Cargo cart as well as a lounger
- Able to carry lots of stuff
- 4 adjustable seating angles
- Durable
- Cannot stand up when folded
Summary
All the top 5 Reclining Camp Chairs we have reviewed are generally equally outstanding. To look for the best recliner camp chairs, consider the balance between its Weight, Storage, Construction, Durability, Ease of use and Accessories. We find among the top 5 chairs we have reviewed, STRONGBACK Low Gravity Beach Chair has the winning edge. We find this gem is reasonably affordable without compromising its essential features. Thus, it is not surprising that it has consistently the best reviews and comes out as one of the most popular choices among the camping community.
What's Next
If you love camping but find it too difficult to sleep on the cold, hard ground, then check out our top picks for a camping folding cot.
I hope you enjoyed this review and if you have questions about any of the Top Reclining Camp Chairs, or want to leave your own personal review, feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
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