While the feet of our shorter testers rested comfortably on the ground, Kelty also makes a version that’s several inches taller. Made of durable materials, this chair can stand up to the trials of seating patio furniture sets multiple people and even dogs for extended periods. After three straight years of regular use and some severe sun exposure, it’s fading a bit but is still as comfortable as the first day we got it.
We brought this chair to a dense Los Angeles neighborhood to watch Fourth of July fireworks. We got some admiring nods en route to the celebration—and we had one of the more comfy seats at the show. Unsurprisingly, the chairs rated to hold 500 pounds or more scored well here. After several months of testing, the steel frames and 600-denier nylon fabric construction of the King Kong (rated to 800 pounds!) and the Kelty Loveseat didn’t show any wear or tear.
Maggie is a seasoned multi-sport athlete who’s spent years guiding folks both young and old in the great outdoors — and requires a comfortable seat from which to write about it all. She has tested lawn and camping chairs for the past several years, having hands-on experience with over 25 unique models. We also enlisted an array of our car camping friends, lawn-lounging relatives, and even a few dogs to help us put these chairs to the test. Coleman’s heavy-duty outdoor chair with a side table can transform your camping mealtimes.
However, the convenience of the lock and shoulder strap combined with the height and support still make the Kijaro a chair we often reach for when heading to barbecues and backyard hangouts. The Quik Shade MAX Shade Chair might be the most unique chair we tested in this whole review. Its standout feature, the fairly large canopy hanging out over the seat, is the main reason to consider this chair. While it seems gimmicky at first, the canopy is actually pretty nice, especially as the day heats up and shade becomes increasingly necessary.
This chair has grown on our lead tester the longer she has owned it, a credit to its impressive longevity and comfort. Since the breathable mesh is also quick-drying, you can feel free to plop down in a wet bathing suit and leave the chair out during afternoon rain showers. And outdoor patio furniture although its thinness may cause you concern, it has proved to be durably and sturdy after months of use. The right armrest has a mug-compatible cup holder, while the left armrest’s unique drop-down pocket can be secured with a drawstring to make sure your valuables stay put.
After researching and evaluating the top products on the market today, we independently purchased the products for this review. We created our own rigorous test plan, targeting objective assessments and using measurable tests when possible. We tested and used each product exhaustively, comparing models side-by-side to tease apart even the smallest differences. Our team also measured seat heights and degrees of reclining range, tried out each drink holder with cans and cups, and left them under the sun for days to see how they hold up. We’ve carried and sat in each model to help bring you the details you need to make a confident purchase decision.
Plastic and steel ones also boast great resistance while also being lightweight beach chairs. The Kelty Low Loveseat amazes us with its incredibly comfortable two-person design. This model was very stable, with a lower seating height than most traditional camping chairs.
And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. The sling is just plain canvas though, it isn’t waxed, which means it will absorb and hold onto water to some degree. So patio furniture sets if the forecast calls for rain, you’ll want to fold these puppies up for storage. Item prices do not include fees for pickup, shipping or delivery (if applicable) unless noted in the item description.