It's easy to walk into a bargain mart and find cheap camping chairs – but the cheapest is not always the best choice. In fact, taking time to choose the best chair can make the difference between an enjoyable camping trip or holiday, and one that's just so-so.
1. Choose Folding Camping Chairs That Fit the Space Available
If a trailer or RV is packed to the rooftop with gear, every piece of equipment counts. When it comes to folding camp chairs, it's important to consider where it's going to fit. If the space available is long and narrow, then the type of chair that folds up into a tubular sack will be a good choice. If the chairs are going to be stacked on top of other gear in the back of a 4WD, then a chair that folds flat might be best. Keep in mind that while recliner camp chairs are comfortable and versatile, they take up a lot more space. (If in doubt about how much 'stuff' is actually needed, read this advice on what to bring on a camping trip.)
2. Pick the Best Camp Chair for the Purpose
It's definitely a matter of horses for courses here. A chair that's going to come in for a lot of rough treatment should be sturdy enough to withstand it. (For example: is the camp chair likely to be dragged across rocks for fishing trips; thrown into the back of the car for frequent camping expeditions, or be subject to plenty of wind, rain and adverse weather conditions?) There's not much point in trying to save money by buying a cheap camp chair if the fabric is going to rot after a couple of camping weekends in the sun.
Consider 'extras', too: does the camp chair have any additions that make it more convenient to use? Camping chairs that include flip-up side tables or pockets to store magazines are very popular.
It's not only the construction of the chair that is important. Consideration of the size and shape of the person who will be using the chair should be a high priority. The bigger the person, the sturdier the camp chair needs to be. Larger people also find that the kind of camping chairs that fold up into a narrow fabric tube often have cross-bars directly below their thighs, and these can be very uncomfortable. For bigger people, camp chairs that fold up flat tend to be more comfortable.
3. Checklist for Camping Chairs
Before going out to choose a camping chair (or choosing one from an online store) prepare a checklist to ensure that the best camp chair is chosen. Consider such things as:
- size of the camp chair seat for the person using it
- durability of fabric
- strength of the camping chair frame
- ease of use of folding mechanism
- amount of padding in the seat
- final size and shape of the camp chair after being folded
By spending a little more time thinking about the best folding camp chair for the purpose, and checking out camping chair reviews, the user is likely to be much happier with the final purchase.
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