Best Heavy Duty Camping Chair Reviews
1. ALPS Mountaineering
ALPS Mountaineering really outdid themselves with the King Kong. This heavy-duty camping chair is rated to 800 lbs., which means it can theoretically hold you and a child or significant other without breaking under the burden.
The basic, four-legged folding chair design is easy to set up and relatively comfortable. It should be noted that the crossbar that runs between the two front legs makes it a little less comfy as you can’t put hang as naturally. However, that’s a small price to be paid for such a sturdy chair.
The seat fabric is made from 600-denier polyester, which feels near bulletproof; this is a chair that’ll last through several seasons of big adventures. For storage, the King Kong has two cup holders and pouches on each armrest, just what you need for your snacks and smartphone.
The armrests are adjustable, which is both a blessing and a curse. While the armrest fabric can be moved to your desired height, they tend to sag with time, which can be rather uncomfortable. King Kong also comes with a convenient shoulder bag for storage and carrying, which is important, because it weighs a full 13 lbs and isn’t that easy to move around.
As the name suggests, this is a big and heavy chair designed for front-country camping. It’s also somewhat expensive as far as camp chairs go, but we can safely say it’s the best heavy duty camping chair.
2. Guide Gear Oversized Club Camp Chair
The vast majority of camp chairs are not super comfortable. The seat sags, the armrests sag, and with such a slim shape folded up, there just aren’t that many ways to give it cushioning. Thankfully Guide Gear has broken the camp chair mold with their Oversized Club chair model.
The backrest on this chair looks like half a Papasan – the ultra-comfy bowl-shaped chairs. It’s a little unorthodox, but it still has a high weight capacity – 500 lbs – that’s about halfway between the budget models and some of the higher-end ones on this list.
The quilted cushions that hang from its frame are several times thicker than the fabric used on most camp chairs, which puts it light years ahead in comfort, but with the same great durability (it’s still made from 600-denier polyester).
Comfort comes with a price, though, and Guide Gears chair comes with one that is two to four times higher than most camp chairs. Though if you’re a weekend warrior type that spends every day tailgating or lounging by the campfire in one of these chairs, you won’t regret the investment.
3. ALPS Mountaineering Camp Chair
Need a chair with a little more support? This one might be exactly what you need. The ALPS Mountaineering Camp Chair eschews the typical folding chair design, which collapses on two axes, to instead fold in just one direction. It collapses like a steel folding chair, taking up a 36”x24” space in the closet; if you need portability, this will not be the best chair for you.
However, such a design allowed ALPS Mountaineering to rig up a much stiffer backrest and seat that don’t sag under pressure. While many camp chairs can be difficult to get in and out of, this one should feel no different than your average office chair.
Larger campers probably won’t be satisfied with this model, though, as it only has a capacity of 425 lbs. It’s also pretty light on features, sporting just one cup holder in front of the armrest, and not inside of it like most camp chairs.
Given the lack of features and lower capacity, you might think this is a budget-friendly model, but it actually costs about twice as much as your average camp chair.
The ALPS Mountaineering Camp Chair is designed with a very specific customer in mind, one that needs a stiff backrest and seat to support them. When it comes to storage, features, or capacity, it doesn’t hold up very well, but if your back needs that support, this might be one of the best heavy-duty camp chairs.
4. Browning Camping Kodiak Chair
Browning is one of the best-known hunting and outdoor companies out there, so we’re happy to see that they’ve also created a rock-solid camping chair.
With a stated capacity of 800 lbs, the Kodiak is one of the most well-built heavy-duty camp chairs on the market right now. You might notice that the Browning shares some similarities with the ALPS model, which is likely due to ALPS being the actual producer of the chair and simply licensing the Browning name.
Don’t think this is a carbon copy of the King Kong, though. One of the best features on the Kodiak is the mesh seat and back panel. No matter how hot it gets, you’ll have a nice breeze to keep you cool in this chair. Speaking of keeping cool, the armrest has an insulated pouch that can fit a couple of your favorite beverages. There’s also a storage pouch on the back that can be used for holding books, magazines, or any other small items you might need during lounge time.
At 13 lbs, this is one of the less portable heavy-duty camp chairs, but that’s to be expected for one that has such a high weight capacity. The chair does have a rugged carrying bag to haul it around, though.
Like its ALPS brothers, the Kodiak is a relatively expensive camping chair best suited for those who need that extra capacity. The mesh panels also make it a better option if you’ll be using it in warmer climates.
5. ALPS OutdoorZ King Kong Chair
The ALPS OutdoorZ King Kong is very similar to the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong, with the same 800 lbs weight capacity and almost indestructible 600-denier backrest and seat fabric. ALPS’s two product lines are only differentiated by their intended market: Mountaineering for hikers and OutdoorZ for hunters. Hence the OutdoorZ comes in an attractive Realtree pattern.
The OutdoorZ King Kong has the same sturdy, but not exactly comfortable setup, with a slightly sagging seat that puts your bottom below your knees. There’s also the two cup holder armrests, which can be prone to sagging with extended use.
Overall, the OutdoorZ King Kong is an excellent choice for hunters who need a very sturdy chair and aren’t too concerned about features or being able to spend hours seated without getting a backache. Like the Mountaineering model, the OutdoorZ is also kind of pricey, and may not be worth it if you don’t need the higher weight capacity.
6. Coleman Big-N-Tall Quad Camping Chair
Coleman is one of the biggest names in camp furniture and accessories, so it should come as no surprise that they’ve built one of the best heavy-duty camp chairs. With a 600 lbs capacity, this chair can hold just about anybody and could even support two people if it had to. It also comes with a 24-inch wide seat, which is a little roomier than some of the other camp chairs on the market.
Have you ever accidentally left your camp chair out in the rain and then struggled to remove the moisture from its seat? The Coleman Big-N-Tall has a drain attached to the seat’s center, preventing it from collecting too much water and allowing it to dry faster.
There’s also a water-resistant sleeve attached to one of the armrests, so you can slide your phone under there should a light rainstorm strike while you’re enjoying the chair.
One thing the Big-N-Tall lacks though is ergonomic support. The seat tends to sag, causing back and knee pain over time and making it more difficult to get out of the chair. The back panel’s fabric is lightly padded but doesn’t contour to your body very well, so this might not be the best chair for all-day lounging.
The Big-N-Tall is a solidly built camp chair with some great features but probably isn’t comfortable enough to spend more than an hour or so in.
7. KingCamp Heavy Duty Folding Director Chair
Don’t like the design of most camp chairs? Then the director’s chair setup of the KingCamp might be the perfect solution for you. With this camp chair, the backrest and seat fabric don’t hang limply – they’re strung tightly from the steel armrests and support struts. The backrest also has a thick pad for more support and a more natural seating position.
It also has some excellent storage features, with the most noticeable being its integrated side table sitting just off to the side of the seat.
While most camp chairs have some drink holders built into the armrests, which don’t function very well as armrests when filled, this model has its beverage holder built into a plastic table large enough to hold a plate or a book in addition to your drink.
There’s also an organizer pouch that hangs from the opposite armrest, complete with a water bottle holder, cell phone case, and a large zippered pocket.
Despite its more rugged design, the KingCamp is still only capable of holding about 400 lbs. It also doesn’t fold up as tightly as some of the other models, packing down to a bulky 32”x19” shape. It also doesn’t have as wide of a seat either – just 21 inches; that’s only a few inches wider than an airplane seat!
The KingCamp is ideal for campers who need some extra back support or are having trouble getting out of their chair, but its larger packed size makes it a poor choice if you prioritize portability. The side table and organizer pouch make it one of the best tailgating chairs, though.
8. Coleman Portable Quad Camping Chair with 4-Can Cooler
While the Big-N-Tall was all about capacity and stability, this Coleman model is all about great features at an affordable price.
The stand out feature on this heavy-duty camp chair is the 4-can cooler than hangs off to the side of the seat. The cooler is insulated to keep your drinks chilly, but you should probably lower your expectations for what it’s capable of; it’s the equivalent of putting beverages in a cheap soft-sided lunch sack, not a hard side Yeti cooler.
If it’s a hundred degrees out, they won’t stay cool for long. The weight of all those cans or bottles will also upset the balance of the chair if it’s not being occupied, so be sure to empty it if you’re going to stand up.
Unfortunately, this chair is not a great choice for larger campers; it’s only rated to 325 lbs. Compared to some of the other chairs on this list, the legs look spindly and weak, and the feet are noticeably smaller. That being said, it doesn’t weigh as much as the heavier-duty camp chairs and is a fantastic option if you need something more portable.
The Coleman Portable Quad is definitely not the sturdiest chair out there, but if you can get by with its lighter capacity, the large integrated cooler and wallet-friendly price might win you over.
9. Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping Chair
Kijaro’s Dual Lock Camping Chair is a great option if you need a medium-duty, yet lightweight chair for your next camping trip. Its 300 lbs weight capacity is on the lighter side for heavy-duty camping chairs, and thus won’t be suitable for larger campers.
However, the legs lock in place, so you don’t need to worry about it collapsing as you’re trying to settle in. A simple push-button mechanism unlocks the legs for folding and storage.
It weighs less than 8 lbs, so it’s a good choice for campers needing portable seating. There’s even a strap on the back of the chair, so you can carry it between your favorite spots without stuffing it back in the bag.
One of the best features of the Kijaro is its no-sag seat. A saggy seat makes it more difficult to stand up from the chair and puts pressure on the backs of your legs as you slump into an awkward seating position. Thankfully, the seat is strung tight and feels very similar to a solid dining room chair.
Half of its backrest is made from breathable mesh, making this one of the better options for trips to hot and humid regions. The Kijaro lacks in storage though – just the two armrest cup holders and one small pouch on the side below the seat. It’s intended to hold a phone and maybe some sunglasses, but nothing as large as a book.
It’s a good camping chair if it doesn’t need to hold a lot of weight and it costs a bit less than some of the heavy-duty models. The Kijaro is incredibly comfortable, too, but lacks some of the storage features seen on more expensive camping chairs.
10. Kijaro XXL Dual Lock Portable Camping Chair
Liked the design of the Kijaro but felt the 300 lbs capacity was insufficient? Their XXL version of the chair can hold an extra 100 lbs and has all the same great features. Along with the added weight capacity, the seat is a couple of inches wider and deeper for a roomier fit.
The extra space and capacity add a couple of pounds to its carrying weight, but at just under 12 lbs, it’s still highly portable. It also costs slightly more, but for the extra space and capacity, it’s worth the price.
Overall, the XXL is a solid choice if you want or need a beefier and more spacious version of the Kijaro. Its lack of storage will still be a sticking point for campers that don’t want to be getting up every hour or so to retrieve things but otherwise is worthy of being named as the best heavy-duty camping chair.