10 Best Folding Chairs

Type

When choosing the best folding chairs to invest in, first consider the type of folding chair. The type of folding chairs you choose will determine how they will suit your needs and the environment you plan to use the chair. There are several types of folding chairs, the most common being;

Metal folding chairs

Most metal folding chairs have metal frames and fabric, thermoplastics or even metal seats and backs. The use of fabric, for example, reduces their weight considerably, which makes these chairs the best folding chairs for camping due to their ease of transport and portability.

These folding chairs are known to be extremely sturdy and durable and can be used for a wide variety of activities. Metal folding chairs can also support more weight compared to other folding chairs. In addition, among other types of folding chairs, metal folding chairs are often available in a range of different colours.

Plastic folding chairs

Plastic folding chairs are derived from metal folding chairs. This is because they are constructed with a metal frame in tabular form. However, the seat and backrest are always made of thermoformed plastic. Due to the lightweight characteristics of plastic, they tend to be lightweight, and their slippery outer shell makes them easy to clean. A quick wipe with a damp cloth and detergent should be sufficient.

Wooden folding chairs

Wooden folding chairs are made entirely of wood. They have a more elegant and natural look, which gives them the best appearance among the others. However, their frames tend to be thick to increase their strength; therefore, they tend to take up more space than the rest. Wooden chairs can also splinter easily if handled roughly or on uneven ground. Therefore, they may not be the best choice for rougher, more active indulgences.

Resin folding chairs

A less common type of folding chair, resin folding chairs are moulded from polypropylene and have much the same properties as wood. However, they tend to be easier to store and can be easily stacked.
Material

Material is also a determining factor when choosing the best folding camp chair. The material used to make the frame, seat and backrest (and head cushion, if included) should be carefully considered. It is always a safe bet to go for a material that is easier to care for and maintain. And since folding chairs are most often used during the hot season, the material should offer as much ventilation as possible.

But the ultimate goal is to find a folding chair with a sturdy material to improve support and durability without compromising comfort. The best folding camp chairs will feature polyester fabric, polyethene or wood trim on the seats and backs. However, the same criteria count – ask yourself this simple question: will I be comfortable? And it all depends on the activity.

If you plan to go camping or hiking for a longer period, you will want to take a folding chair with you. However, you don’t want to carry a heavy load of wood in your backpack. Therefore, in this case, the fabric seat and backrest is the ideal choice. Polyester offers a robust solution for your seat and backrest thanks to its tear-resistant and weather-resistant properties.

Incorporate padding in the seat, backrest and armrest, and you have a very comfortable chair. Some of the best folding camp chairs are also equipped with breathable mesh. The mesh fabric helps improve airflow and ventilation during the warmer season, thus preventing your back, buttocks, and arms from sweating.

Their durability also characterises the wooden folding chairs. Their design makes them ideal for camping on the beach (if storage and transportation are not a problem) or in your garden, where you won’t be sitting on them for long.

Weight

The main purpose of folding chairs is portability, packability and ease of storage and transport. Therefore, to complement this, weight is an important factor to consider. The weight of your folding chair also depends largely on the material used and the style of construction.

You can expect a wooden folding chair to be heavier than a plastic chair of the same capacity. However, when choosing the best folding camp chair, its weight should align with its weight capacity. Sure, you want a folding chair that is light enough to be easy to walk in, but you also don’t want it to be too light to affect the quality and support it offers.

Typically, a folding chair weighs between 4 and 12 pounds depending on its features and variable construction mechanisms. The Alps Mountaineering King Kong folding chair is a polyester steel folding chair with a capacity of 800 pounds and a weight of 12.5 pounds. This folding chair has a high weight due to its high holding capacity.

The Winsome Wood Folding Chairs is a chair constructed entirely of wood but weighs only 8 pounds; however, it can only support 200 pounds of weight. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly examine these parameters and how they connect when choosing the right folding chair.
Size

The size of your folding chair will also help you plan how to use it. You will know how the folding chair works by examining the dimensions when it is open and when it is closed. The best folding chair for camping should take up little space and be easy to fold and store. It is easy to know the dimensions of your folding chair by simply checking the manufacturer’s features or specifications.

In addition, folding chairs will also have further additions to their designs, such as side tables, armrests, backrests and head pillows. Yes, these features add value and improve comfort. But if the size is an issue, especially during travel or storage, choose options that allow you to collapse or fold these features for maximum portability.

However, depending on your body size, make sure your hair offers enough space for you to feel comfortable before investing in it. The dimensions, i.e. length, width and height, provide much more information about your chair than you think.

Frame

Folding chairs are constructed with four main types of frames: metal, plastic, wood and resin. Depending on where and how the folding chair is to be used, each type has advantages and disadvantages.

Plastic frames are favoured for their lightweight qualities, which make them easier to transport and clean. In addition, plastic is also relatively easier to clean. Some manufacturers also treat their plastic frames with a UV-resistant coating to help them withstand harsh UV exposure on sunny days. This also helps improve the longevity of the frame.

The resin is equally durable, scratch-resistant and lightweight. Its robust and malleable nature makes it very versatile. A resin frame, when properly moulded, is strong enough to support a weight load of up to 500 lbs.

Wood offers a more decorative and elegant finish. Although ideal for camping and beach furniture, wood-framed folding chairs work best at home in the garden or on the balcony. Their joinery produces many weak points between the joints, making them very susceptible to outdoor damage.

They are also not excellent weather-resistant products like plastic. In addition, they are not easily packable and collapsible, which makes carrying and transporting them for an extended period a hassle.

Metal frames are favoured because of their greater durability and strength. Metal frames can also be moulded to bend and fold easily. In particular, aluminium and steel are always used to manufacture folding chair frames.

Aluminium is favoured for its corrosion resistance and lightweight (among other metals), making it ideal for outdoor use. Steel has a high strength quality, making it ideal for supporting heavier capacities. It is also abundantly available, making it fairly inexpensive.

To further support the frame of your folding chair, always look for options that come with covers under the frame (especially for plastic and metal folding chairs). The covers provide considerable support and stability for the chair on any surface. They also prevent the chair from sinking into soft ground, such as sand on the beach.

Height

Height is also an important factor to consider to ensure that your folding chair offers the greatest possible comfort. Folding chairs with shorter legs make it more comfortable to stand for extended periods. In contrast, tall chairs are ideal for more active people sitting for shorter periods and standing for occasional tasks.

When choosing your folding chair, consider how comfortable your legs will be. In other words, how the distance will affect your leg position. The latter is known as a ground to seat height! Will your legs be too bent or dangling? You want a chair that does not affect the mobility and comfort of your knees.

In addition to the ground to seat height, you should also consider the seat back height when choosing the ideal folding chair. You want the backrest height of your seat to be considerably long, but not too long. This is so that it generously covers your back up to your head. And if the chair comes with a headrest or pillow, even more advantages for lumbar support.

A higher seat back height will work just as effectively for both mobile folding chairs and recliners. And for a recliner, a higher seat will offer comfort for both your back and your legs. In addition, choosing the right height will indirectly have a positive effect on the durability and comfort of your folding chair’s material.

Pockets and cup holders

Who doesn’t want a functional folding chair with extra features? Features such as pockets for extra storage and cup holders for convenience make it even more convenient for you. Some folding chairs have pockets that can be removed from the armrest or the back for storage while you are in the lounge.

The pockets provide storage space for items such as books, torches or even snacks. In addition, some manufacturers make compartments and zip closures and add breathable mesh fabrics to improve organisation and airflow. In addition, other folding chairs have built-in cup holders to hold your drinks for added convenience.

Folding chairs, such as the Coleman Camp folding chair, have an integrated side table that provides enough space to store your food and drinks (with the integrated cup holder). Other manufacturers even insulate their cup holders to do the job as built-in cooler pockets. Other folding chairs offer more features to complement the pockets and cup holders, such as headrests, footrests and head protectors to enhance comfort.
Ease of set-up

Your folding chair should be fairly easy to set up. You don’t want to get stuck setting up components on the beach or at camp after a long day of hiking. The best chairs come fully assembled and only require a folding and unfolding or folding mechanism.

The least trouble you should expect is folding chairs that recline when you try to fix the correct position. And even with these, the mechanism is expected to be smooth with a single press.
Load capacity

Load capacity is perhaps one of the most important factors to consider when choosing the right folding chair. Ultimately, you don’t want to end up with a folding chair that doesn’t support your body size and weight. It is safer to go for a folding chair with a higher weight capacity. However, with material and construction out of the way, a high-quality folding chair with a higher capacity will boast a higher weight value.

A folding chair with a weight capacity of 250 to 300 pounds is ideal for adults. In the long run, a higher weight capacity also helps maintain the durability and longevity of your chair. Folding chairs that children are expected to use at the other end may have a lower weight capacity of at least 150 to 250 pounds.

And if you’re a large individual, choose options like the King Kong Alps Mountaineering folding chair, which offers a large capacity of up to 800 pounds. These chairs are also designed with more generous width dimensions, enough to support large people.
Frequently asked questions when buying folding camping chairs.

Q: Why buy a folding chair?

A:

A folding chair offers a multi-purpose solution for your daily activities. Depending on the design and construction, they can be used for various activities such as garden furniture. Barbecue for smaller ceremonies at home or even outdoor activities such as camping. Even during the day at the beach.

Imagine Winsome Wood folding chairs; they can be used for camping, at the beach or even at a small christening reception in your backyard. Folding chairs are preferred for their portability, which allows for easy transport, space-saving set-up and storage, and at less than US$50, you can still find very good quality options.

Because most manufacturers make them with many factors in mind, most folding chairs are weather-resistant, allowing them to be used indoors and outdoors. And depending on their designs, some have a very attractive finish that makes them ideal for special occasions.

Q: How do I clean and care for a folding chair?

A:

Most folding chairs can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth. For dirtier chairs, wipe with a clean cloth soaked in water and detergent. Then repeat the step with a cloth and clean water to rinse off the detergent for a cleaner look. Invest in polish for the material used (e.g. wood polish for wooden chairs) for a cleaner, newer look.