The 6 Best Low Camping Chairs for Portability and Reclining in Comfort

ProsStorage pocket on the backRecline improves comfortWith its reclined backrest and light padding, the Camp Low chair from REI is built perfectly for stargazing and relaxing. While nine inches off the ground is slightly higher than most of the ones I recommend here, the low camping chair offers a bit more width and comfort. It also has a wide pocket on the back for storing a book, a pair of binoculars, or your phone and wallet.The Low folds in half and comes with straps that make it easy to carry over a shoulder. While it doesn’t pack down tight enough to be a realistic choice for taking it hiking any distance, its width and height make it an ideal middle ground between a full-size camping chair and a low chair where you can practically feel the ground beneath you.Key SpecsFolded Size35 x 21 x 5 in.Seat Height9 in.Weight8 lb 3 ozWeight Limit250 lbProsVery low seat heightComes with carrying bagCons“Arm rests” in name onlyIt’s hard to match the value of the Cascade Mountain Tech Low Profile. The chair costs 40 bucks, sits just five inches off the ground, and has a gentle recline for easy comfort.The particularly short build makes sitting with your legs stretched out in front extremely easy. It also means you can dig the chair’s feet into loose dirt or sand to sit almost level with the ground.It also folds up and in (not in half like the REI above) and comes with a carrying bag. At a little more than five pounds, you can easily bring it with you on short hikes or carry it in tandem with your backpack if you don’t want to make multiple trips from the car to the campsite. The carrying bag comes with a shoulder strap as well, so you can haul it hands-free.Much like many other low camping chairs, there isn’t much in the way of armrests here. While the company claims the padded poles serve as armrests, I wouldn’t expect them to lend much comfort.Key SpecsFolded Size26 x 8 in.Seat Height5 in.Weight6 lb 9 ozWeight Limit250 lbAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsInflates in just five breathsRolls up and fits in a backpackConsChair sits right on the groundThe Crazy Creek AirCliner is built for portability above all else. The chair is completely inflatable, so when you’re not using it, you can deflate it, roll it up, and store it in your pack. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t comfortable. In fact, of the dozens of camping chairs I’ve tested, the AirCliner ranks quite highly. This is largely due to how cushioned it is when inflated. I feel cradled and supported better than in most structured chairs.Similarly, because the chair has adjustable buckles on each side, I could adjust the recline to the perfect angle. That said, it does take a minute to find the sweet spot of leaning back without falling over, so give yourself a soft landing on your first time using the chair.Inflating the chair is a breeze, too. I was able to blow it up in just five full breaths. The two-way valve also means you don’t have to worry about air leaking back out as you try to close the latch.The AirCliner has no legs, so you will be seated directly on the ground. However, the material is waterproof and easy to wipe off, so don’t worry about accumulating dirt or mud on the bottom.Key SpecsFolded Size20 x 2.7 in.Seat Height0 in.Weight1 lb 14 ozWeight Limit250 lbProsWeighs just over a poundCollapses easilyConsThe low seat and tight build may feel precarious for taller peopleWhen you’re hiking or backpacking, every pound makes a difference. The Helinox Ground Chair is the lightest option I recommend, weighing barely over a pound (even less than the frameless, inflatable AirCliner). This is due to the incredibly light aluminum poles that make up its frame. Each pole pulls out and collapses, similar to the poles of a tent. When you’re ready to use it, you click each pole into place and fit the fabric over it.This design also means it packs down quite compactly, so you can store it in a backpack without sacrificing a ton of space. With a seat height of just 3.5 inches off the ground, the Ground Chair is about as close as you can get without physically touching the earth. While packing a chair with you on any backpacking adventure is probably an unnecessary addition, this is the only structured one I would actually consider.Key SpecsFolded Size12 x 4 x 4 in.Seat Height3.5 in.Weight1 lb 7 ozWeight Limit265 lbAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsInsulated cupholderPadded storage bag serves as a small mat when unrolledConsToo high to be a true low camping chair, too low to be much use outside of camping or going to the beachIf you want a traditional-looking camping chair that’s just a little bit closer to the ground, the Kelty Lowdown is the easy choice. It looks much like a regular camping chair, with its armrests, cup holders, and an upright build. But it’s just a foot off the ground.The cup holder even has an interior insulated sleeve to keep drinks cold. That’s worth brownie points in my book.The chair also comes with a padded storage bag. This is great for carrying the chair when it’s collapsed, and it doubles as a small mat or picnic blanket when rolled out.Key SpecsFolded Size32.5 x 8 x 8 in.Seat Height12 in.Weight7 lb 6 ozWeight Limit350 lbProsBreathable, flexible materialWide base keeps it from sinking in the sandConsToo heavy to carry very farIf you’re looking for a chair that fits in as easily at the beach as it does anywhere else, the Yeti Hondo is the answer. Instead of four individual legs, this low chair has two wide beams so the chair won’t sink or shift too drastically in the sand.At the same time, it still comes with sturdy armrests, flexible and breathable seating material, and the trademark Yeti durability.That said, the 11-pound weight and classic middle fold make this better suited for the trunk of a car than slinging on your back if you’ve got a bit of a hike to the campsite.Read Full Yeti Hondo ReviewKey SpecsFolded Size29 x 26.5 x 6.8 in.Seat Height8 in.Weight11.1 lbWeight Limit350 lbTom Price is a reviews editor for Popular Mechanics while also contributing to Runner's World, Best Products, and Bicycling. Here at Popular Mechanics, Tom loves testing out home appliances, smart tech, gear for city life and outdoor adventures, small gadgets like watches and multitools, and anything else you can find piled up at his hoarder's nest of a desk. Prior to working here, Tom attended NYU, graduating with a degree in English and a minor in creative writing. He also wrote for Best Reviews, The Daily Beast, and other publications covering tech, fitness gear, gadgets, and lifestyle products. Furthermore, he covered startup news, pop culture, and even professional wrestling. To follow more of his work, check back here for new stories.Will Egensteiner has been reviewing products for 10 years, testing and writing about everything from climbing gear to video game consoles to cars. He began his career as an intern at Popular Mechanics, then worked as an editor at Outside, spearheading the magazine's gear coverage and biannual Buyer's Guide. Now that he's back, he leads product reviews for PopMech, as well as Runner's World, Best Products, and Biography. His favorite stuff to review is still outdoors equipment, and he can tell you from memory what ePTFE stands for.