The 4-pound, steel-construction REI chair has an attached carry strap, rather than a carry bag like the other chairs. After a couple of camping trips, we concluded that a strap is more convenient than a bag—quicker and easier for a kid to grab the chair and go, without parental help. The REI chair is rated to hold up to 150 pounds, the same as the L.L.Bean and Walmart chairs. We think the REI chair is most appropriate for toddlers and kids up to about 7 or 8 years old, though reviews reveal that some small adults have found this to be their favorite seat. It comes in gray or blue, and as of this update it gets 4.7 out of five stars from reviewers on the REI site.
Unlike other portable chairs, the Everywhere Chair is designed to sit on uneven slopes; this can be handy when space is limited at a fireworks show or an outdoor theater performance. Our panel of testers at the Wheeler Gorge Campground deemed the Everywhere Chair to be the most comfortable of the three low-to-the-ground chairs we tested. A low-to-the-ground chair can be ideal for outdoor movies, concerts, theater performances, and other events where you want to avoid blocking other people’s view. Our testers liked the comfort and back support of the GCI Outdoor Everywhere Chair, as well as the ability to adjust it to sit on uneven ground. They also appreciated its cupholder (rare in chairs of this sort) and its quick close-up-and-carry design.
We pay attention to each model’s comfort during an extended sit, how much work it is to set up and break them down, their sizes and weights, and how stable they feel on different surfaces. You’ll find this review helpful in narrowing down your options in a market full of excellent chairs. We also let two boys, ages 1 and 5, play with them and sit on them in the backyard for six months.
There’s no getting around the fact that this model is substantially heavier than the superlight models on the market. That said, we all know that person willing to haul an extra pound or two to improve their camp amenities. If you don’t mind a bit of extra weight, this model offers unmatched comfort wrapped up in a reasonably small travel size. Our not-too-discriminating underage testers liked all the kids’ chairs, though over time we found several reasons to declare the REI Camp Chair the best of the bunch.
Support reviewer Ben Applebaum-Bauch is also an avid backpacker. He has spent hundreds of evenings in backcountry and front country campsites, parking himself on all sorts of seating. After 7,000 miles on some of America’s most iconic long trails, he knows what to look for when it comes to ideal seat selection. The Everywhere Chair keeps your bottom about 4 inches off the ground. The strap that supports the back (and doubles as a carry strap) allows adjustments to control your angle of recline, from upright to a stargazing-appropriate angle.
The REI chair’s polyester seat material feels both more forgiving and more durable than the thinner material on the Ozark Trail Kids’ Folding Camp Chair from Walmart. The box-shaped cupholder is a little roomier than the round cupholders on the Coleman and the L.L.Bean Base Camp chairs—better for stubby water bottles or mugs of hot chocolate around the campfire. We found that the cheaply constructed Walmart chair had a cupholder that was too small for a soda can, or any of the hard-plastic or metal water bottles that the kids we know brought on a camping trip.
Of the products that offer the best value, the Moon Lence Backpacking Chair stands out. This lesser-known brand still performs above average in most areas while keeping the price astonishingly low. Our favorite chair, the Skyline UL is on the pricey end but offers an exceptionally well-rounded performance with high marks in comfort, size, weight, stability, and ease of use. Backpacking chairs are great for keeping the weight low, but a cushier camping chair can fit the bill if you’re not straying far from the car. Whatever you need for your camping or backpacking excursions, from a lightweight, top-ranked backpacking tent to the best hiking boots, our reviews can help you get ready for the upcoming adventure.
After all that, we concluded that the REI Co-op Camp Chair – Kids’ is the best choice for anyone who wants to buy a practical, portable outdoor chair for a small child. The Big Agnes Skyline UL is our favorite backpacking chair thanks to its comfort and stability in a small package. The deep-pocket seat means that it’s comfortable to sit with your legs in a variety of positions, Ozark Trail Canopies and your backside won’t slide forward. It also facilitates better posture and keeps the back in a straighter, less curled position than most models. This chair has a unique bent leg design that creates a wider base and seat while keeping the packed profile slim. Along with its reasonable price, these attributes make it one of the most well-rounded products we tested.
Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). We think the REI chair functions better and will last much longer than the similar chair from Walmart. But the price difference is significant—and after six months of near-constant outdoor Ozark Trail Canopies use, the Walmart chair was still in decent shape. If you are looking for an ultracheap choice, the Walmart chair is one. Are you a car camper or do you plan on socializing in friends’ backyards? Perfect for cold-weather campers or parents sitting on the sidelines for early-spring and late-fall games.