11 oz.What we like: Very versatile and comfortable design.What we dont: Pricey; set up takes time. It's the camp chair that sets the standard for all four-legged adventure seats, with its lightweight fabric and aluminum construction. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. The YETI Trailhead Camp Chair is rugged, refined, sturdy as all get out and surprisingly comfortable. If it rains or some early morning dew settles on the chair that you left out overnight around the campfire, the seat dries quickly. GCI achieves this with a spring-action tube at the back of the chair, which allows the metal frame to move up and down as you push off the ground. REI Co-ops new Skyward Chairwhich replaces their popular Camp X for 2023fits the bill nicely: The X-shaped webbing effectively tensions the seat and backpanel to distribute weight evenly, the steel frame is strong and confidence-inspiring, and the cup holder and drop-down pocket at either arm rest make it easy to stow a beverage and smaller items like your phone or keys. 14 oz.What we like: Cheap, comfy, and comes with a built-in drink cooler.What we dont: A step down in build quality from the Alps King Kong above. This isnt a true drawback, but it is a bit puzzling to me: After spending so much time on the overall engineering of the Trailhead, Im wondering why YETI doesnt include two cup holders? more than the Skyward), takes up a significant amount of space in the back of your car or truck bed, and not everyone needs such a huge seat (one of our 510 testers found that when sitting down, his feet were barely touching the ground). Camp Chair. Yeti Trailhead Chair vs. Yeti Hondo - Which Chair is Right for You?? The best camp chairs, even the Cadillac-sized ones, should come in their own bag for easy storage and should break down to a size that's manageable for one person to carry. Like the Trailhead, the Hondo is rugged and awesome. It weighs in at just over two pounds and offers a seating height of 11 inches, which is plenty of space between your rear and the cold, hard ground. And when youre ready to pack up, the chair folds down in one quick motion with its attached carrying handleno need to stuff it into a tote on the way out. I do find it more comfortable than the trailhead, but that chair is also super comfy. Second, its sized large enough that its easy to fit the Trailhead into it. It's wildly durable, using the same high-tension fabric that can support up to 500 pounds, and quite sturdy thanks to a locking frame and extra-wide feet. Backpacking chairs cost more because they require thin but strong frame materials, like aluminum, which is more expensive than thick steel. This chair is the epitome of luxury, featuring amazing comfort fabricated from quality materials, an intuitive setup that makes it easy for anyone to assemble, and finally, a sturdy, durable frame that supports up to 500 pounds. Overall, its a high-quality and supremely comfortable camp chair thats built to last with a hardwearing aluminum frame and thick polyester/mesh seat, and the shock-corded design makes set up quick and allows the chair to pack down reasonably small. Chairs with a low seat height excel in places where its required, like an outdoor concert, or for times when its best to be low to the ground, like a beach. Comfort Lets start with beverages. It fits standard cans and bottles just fine, as well as most YETI tumblers and the 12, 18, and 26 oz. When you unfold them in the morning, the interior wont be wet from dew. However, keep in mind that the taller the chair, the more natural the seating position for most folks. Packaway Frame: The lightweight geometry of this crossover frame makes it easy to pack and go. At $150, however, the Dometic GO falls into a bit of an awkward spot price-wise. The other big issue is cost: You can find two similarly comfortable chairs and save some cash in the process. And its worth noting here that ENOs Lounger DL above has adjustable legs that can be set at either 3 inches or 10, which makes it versatile for a range of activities. Very highly recommended. YETI Exclusive Hondo Base Camp Chair $300.00 4.8 (1309) 4 interest-free payments of $75.00 with Klarna. 35 Best Gifts for Backpackers ), although not everyone loves the upright seating position of these styles. The Flexlite Camp Boss here slots in right in the middle, combining a near-ideal mix of weight, comfort, and durability for many campers. The frame is made from two layers of age-hardened aluminum alloy. Best budget camp chair: REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair - See at REIThe Flexlite Camp Chair from REI Co-op is light enough for multi-day backpacking trips yet still offers plenty of comfort to be used in the backyard or at a campsite its inexpensive price tag doesn't hurt, either. 9.6 oz.What we like: A comfortable and well-built rocking chair at a good value.What we dont: Heavy and fairly bulky. But literally everything else about this uber-comfortable chair is great. Learn More Your sturdy, stay-put seat built for making yourself at home in faraway places. They made this chair to last a lifetime. As someone who has done his fair share of backpacking and backcountry bikepacking, I've sat on plenty of rocks and can attest to the stool being much better than a rock. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. Best Fly Fishing Rod & Reel Combo Best ultralight camp chair: Hillsound BTR Stool - See at AmazonHillsound's BTR stool weights as much as a can of soda and is the perfect companion for ultralight backpackers looking for something better to sit at camp. Jump up to our YETI Trailhead Alternatives & Competition section for a few recommended options. For car campers You can leave your dehydrated, salty, and unsatisfying meals at hometodays camping stoves bring a whole new level of gourmet to your car camping and basecamping adventures. as well as other partner offers and accept our. A backpack-friendly chair that's still a desirable seating option around a campsite fire or in the backyard, the Flexlite's best feature is its wallet-friendly price: $60. Dimensions: 20.5 x 18.9 x 25.2 in.Seat height: 11.5 in.Weight: 1 lb.What we like: Incredibly lightweight and packable.What we dont: Expensive. And a final bonus: The single buckle at the top allows you to stash other gear inside (like towels or extra layers) during transport. We expect a proper car camping chair to not only fold up for easy transport, but to be comfortable, supportive, and made to lasteven in rough and tumble weather. Its true that budget frames generally arent as well built, the seat and back may use thinner materials, and stability and features tend to go down with price. While on our own tests, we found the Hondo to have a much more solid structure than any other chair we put through the finger and that it even feels like a Herman Miller-type office chair. So, the hondo features yeti's durability dna. YETI Trailhead vs Hondo YETI's first camp chair is the folding-style YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair. Want the Man Makes Fire email newsletter with 17 tips to supercharge your outdoor adventures? 75 Best Camping Gifts for Campers & Outdoor Fanatics During our tests, we looked at how each chair compared based on these four categories:Comfort, portability, durability,andvalue. Comes with a handy carry bag. With so many on the market, picking out the right camp chair isn't as easy it might seem and reading brand-speak only answers so many of your questions. Its one of the heaviest chairs on this list at over 13 pounds (a considerable 6 lbs. Everything around the cave from BBQ, hunting, fishing and organizing so you can watch less and do more. Heres one more Pro Tip: Great gear is meant to be used and enjoyed dont forget that! The frame is. Like the Trailhead, the Hondo is rugged and awesome. REIs Flexlite collection ranges from the light and minimalist Flexlite Air to the durable, headrest-equipped Camp Dreamer. In addition, despite the improvements to the pole design, the Stargaze still requires considerable time to set up compared to the quick, easily foldable models above. NEMO updated the Stargaze recently, and notable changes include a wider seat (the prior version was a little narrow for some broad-shouldered campers), larger headrest, and streamlined pole design that makes setup a little easier. See the ENO Lounger DL Chair. The Trailhead is Yeti's second seat but follows many of the cues set by its predecessor, the Hondo Base Camp Chair. Build quality is more than simply the frame and rivets: Seat fabric quality also improves with price. In terms of the design, it's basically a heavy-duty folding lawn chair. Its design creates a low sitting point but not so much so that it feels like you're sitting directly on the ground. Finally, you can get better comfort and support for less with alternatives like the Alps King Kong or Dometic GO above, although theres no denying the Outwards chic styling and intuitive setup. As its name suggests, the GO Compact Camp Chair also folds down quickly and easily for transport with a relatively streamlined shape for storing in a full trunk. These downsides are enough to push the ENO to a last-place finish, but its nevertheless a versatile and functional option for those who dont mind the added effort and are careful with their gear. If you want a chair for days at the park, or nights outside your RV, this is the last chair you'd ever want to own. It also sits a bit taller at 19 off the ground. 6.2 oz.What we like: Comfortable, well built, and strong with a pretty compact shape for transport.What we dont: A little pricey for what you get. All in all, the Rendezvous is a great long-term purchase for certain uses. The arm rests are robust. Many camp chair manufacturers provide a weight capacity, which can helpful in a number of ways. All-in-all, the YETI Trailhead Camp Chair is an ultra-rugged collapsible camp chair thats refined and comfortable. During testing, Yeti found the chair could support a 3,000 lb weight, meaning it should be able to sustain just about any load you put on it. Comfort isn't just how the bottom feels but also how much back support it provides and if the armrests are more than just rods of aluminum. NEMO has been on a roll lately in the camping chair market, and their Moonlight joins the Stargaze above as an exceptionally well built and comfortable option. +4 CLIQ Portable Chair Camping Chairs - A Small Collapsible Portable Chair That Goes Every Where Outdoors. Aside from the obvious YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair alternative, there are a few other competitive camping chair options in this segment. Supportive, UV-rated FlexGrid fabric is comfortable when you're taking a load off. It's also a good value, consistently priced around $50-$70 online. In terms of the design, its basically a heavy-duty folding lawn chair. A budget camping chair like the Coleman Oversize Quad, which has no business on a backpacking trip, is durable and reliable because Coleman didnt have to worry about keeping weight down. The good news is that weve had good luck with budget models that start at $40 and sometimes dip down to around $25. These complaints aside, its hard to deny the versatility and all-around fun factor of the design. The arms will help keep you both together as they fall asleep. They have taller backs, are farther off the ground, and offer the best support and stability. The wooden armrests and smooth nylon seat give the chair a sleek, classy look, while the sturdy aluminum frame offers a planted, confidence-inspiring feel whether youre setting up camp in the forest, hanging out on the beach, or enjoying a backyard cookout. What complaints do we have about the Coleman Oversized Quad? The locking frame design teams up with the wide GroundGrip feet for a sturdy sitting experience, wherever you are. The Coleman Quad Chair, for example, often is available for less than $50 on Amazon, offers high levels of comfort and support, and has held up well after years of use. Side by side comparison made me appreciate the build of the hondo better, but if you need a smaller storage footprint then this is the one you want. We operate independently from our advertising team. However, its best feature is its full-length back that offers some of the best support we've seen in a full-size camp chair. Who wants a camping memory of dad flipping out over his expensive camp chair? 15 Best Camping Stoves Some fold flatand the GCI chairs do so by pulling up as you naturally would on the carry strap. Alternatively, stepping up to YETIs Trailhead above will get you a noticeable bump in overall durability and build quality (including a 220-lb.-higher weight limit), and the 2-inch-taller seat height offers a more natural seating position. Compact Folding Chair for Adults That Sets Up in 5 Seconds | Camping Chair Supports 300 Lbs Tent 4.3 (6,905) 300+ bought in past month $9999$129.99 Save $10.00 with coupon (some sizes/colors) FREE delivery Tue, Apr 11 Small Business What are the main differences between the two? Carrying it on your back can also be cumbersome, which is why these chairs sometimes come with backpack style straps. But for general use, its also a great indicator of back and neck support. 10 Best Sleeping Pads Thanks. Of course you do. That small packed size makes it a great choice to leave in your car for weekend trips and outdoor concerts, too. The Yeti Trailhead is among the best camp chairs we've tested. Personally, I like the form factor and packability of the Trailhead over the Hondo. True, wed expect the cheaper Coleman Quad's fabric to start to fail before the King Kong, but the latter will cost around twice as much and may not last you twice as long. And there's an option for every type of camper, too. Learn more in our guide to the best fly fishing combos for 2022. 75 Camping Gifts for Campers & Outdoor Fanatics. Overall, we love the simplified design of the Moonlight and think its a great match for comfort-focused campers that arent willing to spend $300 on the decidedly luxe Stargaze above. We also love the mesh-heavy build that breathes well in warm weather and dries extremely quickly should the skies open up. If youre needing to stay low, a chair thats 5 to 9 inches off the ground is best, with the lower options obviously the safer choice for a concert venue. And while that rules out anything but the most proximate sort of car camping you can imagine, there's really . The YETI Trailhead Camp Chair is a collapsible camp chair that typically costs $299.99. Super high-quality design and construction, Price point is high compared to the camp chair competition, Chris Maxcer is an avid fly fisher, camper, backpacker, public land hunter, and outdoor gear-lovin expert. Bring this folding quad chair to the beach, the trail, or to that epic vista. 13 oz.What we like: Our favorite low-slung model.What we dont: Unless you need a low chair, there are more comfortable options. Helinox's Beach chair is designed specifically for use on the sand, offering users a comfortable seat and unparalleled back support in an easy-to-setup package. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Dont get us wrong: This is a supremely comfy and large chair that has its appeals, but you can cut cost and weight with the Skyward above or options like the Kijaro Dual Lock or Coleman Quad below.See the Alps Mountaineering King Kong. Backpacking chairs arent known for providing great support of your backtheyre too small and focused on trimming weight to cover much more than the top of your lumbar. Hes written thousands of articles and gear reviews, but what he enjoys most is testing and reviewing outdoor gear where it belongs outside. There are some inherent drawbacks with these setups, though. YETIs first camp chair is the folding-style YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair. The trailhead wins for portability. There's also a model that offers a 17.7-Inch-tall seat weighing 13.7 ounces. 10 oz.What we like: Adjustable leg height is great for transitioning from concerts to camp.What we dont: Less durable and stable than the competition; takes a while to set up. ago Or keep it parked on the ranch through the season. One drawback of the Stargaze Recliner is that its not the kind of chair you pull up to a table to eat. As with seat height, seat back height is a consideration for concerts. Keltys Low Loveseat is a totally viable option for camping and even can double down as cheap outdoor furniture for your patio. The strong arm rests let older campers settle into the chair or rise up out of it with relative ease. Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 26 in.Seat height: 10.5 in.Weight: 1 lb. For many campers, the ideal chair is comfortable, durable, easy to carry, and comes with functional storage for maximizing convenience. However, that also means they cost more, too. Other camp chair models on this list are made for one person, but why stop there? You simply pull the four corners apart and firmly press the arms down until the click. How much weight can the Trailhead hold? Durability is another hallmark: The Moonlights sturdy aluminum frame and seamless mesh seat give the chair a high-quality, confidence-inspiring look and feel while keeping weight in check. The result is a seat that stretches for your butt but remains supportive on the backs of your legs. All told, we think the Coleman outperforms its price tag and offers more than enough camp chair for most people and uses. Build quality exceeds the similarly priced Coleman Quad above, although it does fall a little short of the well-made Alps Mountaineering King Kong. And if youre pulled up next to a camping table like the excellent Mountain Summit Gear XL Camp Table to eat, the seat is also very good. First is durability: With a 210-denier seat, its noticeably thinner and less hardwearing than many of our top picks with a flimsier feel to match. In our opinion, tried-and-true models like the REI Co-op Skyward, Alps King Kong, and Kijaro Dual Lock have much wider appeal, cost less, and are all most campers need. The overall design is not as rugged as the YETI Trailhead and it collapses down into a less packable size for travel its a big chair! Double camping chairs, like the Kelty Low Loveseat above, can be a nice choice for couples. Yeti Hondo has an included cup holder stays upright even when in the carrying position, and is designed to accommodate the majority of ramblers, mugs, etc. Notably, the Moonlight lacks the swinging functionality of the Stargaze, but the multiposition reclining system is very well executed and allows you to sit forward or lean back with a simple tug at each side. For those who want to minimize the amount of space that camping takes up in their car, along with those who dont need the highest levels of comfort, the lightweight category is where weight and packed size become the top priorities. Lightweight options for backpackers, larger, more comfortable chairs for car campers, and even some designed to take a beating and still perform their ultimate function of providing a place to sit. This chair is built for base camp.