Camping Ferret
Gear and Gadgets for the Great Outdoors

Camping Chairs

When I was a kid I never had a second thought about camping chairs. I just flopped down where-ever I happened to land, whether I was fishing, whittling, or sitting by the campfire roasting hot dogs. They say with age comes wisdom, and I learned to appreciate the humble camping chair. You see, when you're outside, the ground isn't necessarily hospitable. Flopping down beside the lake you could often end up with wet jeans- and if you packed light, you may not have a change. Not to mention the fact you'll bring mud into the tent, and dirt and mud most definitely do NOT improve the sleep experience. Also, as I've gotten a bit older, I appreciate some insulation from the ground hazards. It's cold, and as any camper who has slept on the bare ground can attest, it will leech the warmth right out of you. And who hasn't sat right down on a rock? I seem to have a radar to find the sharp ones, lol.

A good solution my father introduced me to is camping chairs. You're still outside. You're still roughing it. You're just doing it a little less painfully. Some camping purists will protest- but they're going to be the ones with the sore posteriors after the trip. The elevation keeps you up off the ground- a bonus if you happen to have a dog on the trip! It also puts the fire within easy reach for marshmallows, hot dogs, or to just warm your hands. So what's available?

Well generally speaking, the more times it folds, the less comfortable it is. Of course, the more times it folds the smaller it is to carry, so you're going to have to compromise somewhere. There's a three legged stool, which is basically a modified tripod. It's fine to just get you off the ground, although a luxury recliner it is not. On the other end of the spectrum is a luxury recliner. At least as far as camping chairs go- Coleman and others manufacture a recliner- a lightweight version of what you see at the pool. Want to bring one chair for you and your sweetheart? They make a double camp chair. With a little research you can stay dry and comfortable on the lakeside, and around the campfire. Perfect camping chairs are a combination of comfort and convenience- make sure you don't sacrifice too much of one to get the other!