Best Heavy Duty Camping Chairs

In this article, we review the best heavy duty camping chairs for various sizes and needs.

After testing dozens of products we found the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair to be the best heavy duty camping chair for big and tall buyers seeking comfort, reliability, and value.

A beloved camping chair is like an outdoor throne that you can take anywhere. That said, an uncomfortable chair that’s a pain to lug around only gets invited to one trip before it’s retired forever.

We’ve decided on the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair not only because of its impeccable online rating and reviews but also because it stands strong in every category of best camping chairs.

However, if you’re more interested in a specialized solution, we have some exciting prospects below. The key to choosing the right chair is in understanding your own needs and preferences. To do so, we’ve created a buying guide for you here as well.

If you’re eager to check out the outstanding heavy-duty lineup we’ve hand-selected, read on!

5 Best Camping Chair Heavy Duty mini Reviews

• ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair – Best Overall Comfortable Camping Chair
• Coleman Big-N-Tall Quad Camping Chair – Best Value
• ALPHA CAMP Oversized Camping Folding Chair– Best Back Support
• REI Co-op Camp Xtra Chair – Best in Durability
• Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair Oversized Recliner – Best in Luxury

Best Heavy Duty Camping Chairs Reviews:

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair – Best Overall Comfortable Camping Chair

Weight capacity: 800 pounds

Foldable: Yes

Material: Polyester

Chair Weight: 13 pounds

Colors and Designs: 11 distinct colors and designs

The ALPS Mountaineering Camp Chair takes it as our best overall pick, primarily due to its construction which is second to none. However, comfort was clearly a big consideration by the chair’s designers.

The back and seat offer comfortable dimensions along with extra padding. Another great comfort feature that we don’t see in many other chairs is that Kong’s armrests are adjustable.

The frame is steel, and it utilizes 600D fabric material for the seat and side pouches. Campers will find that the feet are spaced well to supply adequate stability.

No assembly is required; the chair folds easily and comes with two cup holders and two side pouches on each arm.

Campers looking for a reliable, comfortable, and affordable heavy-duty camping chair can look no further. The big and tall, especially, will find a tremendous all-around camping chair that lasts.

Over 7,000 reviews of the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair give it a current score of 4.7 stars at the time of this writing. Highlights include mention of an exceptionally rugged chair, a good fit for the big and tall, and all-around good support.

Some mentions of lacking lower back support were remedied by implementing their own methods. Also, long hikes mean that a 13-pound chair is a bit on the heavy side. Overall its a great camping chair.

Pros:

• Very comfortable camping chair
• Incredible weight capacity
• Good price point
• Simple and easy to use
• Superior quality

Cons:

• Not water resistant
• Heavier than other options

Coleman Big-N-Tall Quad Camping Chair – Best Value

Weight capacity: 600 pounds

Foldable: Yes

Material: Steel and Synthetic

Chair Weight: 9.9 pounds

Colors and Designs: Blue and Tan/Brown

The Coleman Big-N-Tall Quad Camping Chair stands out among camping chairs for its fabric capabilities, portability, and overall value. The PVC waterproof sleeve allows for safe cell phone storage and operation. You can actually still operate a touch screen without worrying about water damage.

The supporting frame is made of steel, and the fabric is synthetic; therefore, long-lasting support without the need for many cleanings is assured.

Folding and transporting the chair is very easy as the chair is not too heavy, weighing in at just under ten pounds. It also comes with a carry bag.

Even though this reigns as our fast and reliable budget option, the chair does keep comfort in mind with its padded backrest.

Coleman is a celebrated brand for outdoor equipment, and this chair doesn’t disappoint. However, those who are looking to save a few dollars and pick up an easy-to-use heavy-duty camping chair can end their search here.

Online reviews report happy customers enjoying a sturdy chair, overall satisfactory comfort, and adequate back support.

Pros:

• Water-resistant side pouches for electronics
• Excellent price point camping chair
• Proprietary moisture-draining system
• Portable chair

Cons:

• Not as comfortable as other options

ALPHA CAMP Oversized Camping Folding Chair– Best Back Support

Weight capacity: 450 pounds

Foldable: Yes

Material: Heavy-duty steel frame, 600 x 300 DD padded oxford

Chair Weight: 14 pounds

Colors and Designs: Blue

The Oxford polyester fabric provides durability making it a durable camping chair and is well padded inside the seat, back, and along with solid armrests. Wide feet and a heavy-duty steel frame mean excellent support.

The chair folds up quickly, but it’s on the heavy side. This option is not recommended for long hikes, as 14 pounds is a bit much for a chair. However, the additional weight does not pose an issue for short treks, like from your car to your campsite or for an outdoor concert.

The two outstanding features of this chair, though, are its adjustable features and its extra storage. Starting with the adjustability, the padded armrests are detachable, which allows the chair to collapse into a more compact shape than other options.

Additionally, the lumbar support is adjustable to provide support exactly where you need it most. It’s overall a great oversized camping chairs.

Last in terms of features is the storage capacity. The chair provides a bottle holder, two mesh side pouches, and large mesh pockets on the back that cover most of the back of the seat.

For those that consider back support to be paramount, the ALPHA CAMP Oversized Camping Folding Chair has you covered in terms of lasting comfort and support.

Reviews of this heavy-duty camping chair illustrate a great option for people with pre-existing back injuries. Additionally, happy customers say it’s easy to set up and impressively sturdy. On the other hand, a few complaints center around the chair’s significant carry weight, which people with serious physical limitations may require assistance with.

Pros:

• Lumbar support
• Good price point
• Added storage capacity

Cons:

• Heavy option to carry around
• A little narrow for some

REI Co-op Camp Xtra Chair – Best in Durability

Weight capacity: 400 pounds

Foldable: Yes

Material: Powder-coated steel, 600D ripstop polyester taffeta

Chair Weight: 10 pounds

Colors and Designs: Cavern Blue

Not sparing any expense in terms of its foundation, the REI Co-op Camp Xtra Chair showcases an incredibly strong X-crossed supported powder-coated steel frame. Wide feet mean you don’t have to worry about the chair digging deep into the dirt and leaving you at an uncomfortable height or tilt.

The armrests are comfortable and adjustable, with cup holders on each side. Below the armrests are an added storage set. The chair also comes with a travel bag.

While it’s not the most feature-rich or exciting heavy-duty camping chair on the list, we felt it was important to include another perspective on value. The price point is very reasonable. However, if you want to make one purchase and never have to scour the web or sporting-goods stores again for your big and tall seat, then this could be it.

You won’t find this chair on Amazon. However, there were ample reviews on REI’s website. Customers report a big, comfy, sturdy chair. On the flip side, the dimensions are 24.5 x 24.75 x 34.25 inches, a little too big for some.

Pros:

• Excellent craftsmanship
• Easy to use
• Good price point for the quality of materials

Cons:

• Bulky
• Not the most lightweight option

Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair Oversized Recliner – Best in Luxury

Weight capacity: 600 pounds

Foldable: Yes

Material: Steel, aluminum, nylon

Chair Weight: 24.8 pounds

Colors and Designs: Blue, Earth, Navy Blue

The Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair Oversized Recliner is our feature-rich luxury pick, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on materials or durability.

Customers will find an extraordinarily well-built and reliable heavy-duty chair with more than ample weight capacity. Steel, aluminum, bungee cord, and nylon fabric are all employed.

Due to it being a fully functional recliner, the chair does not collapse down to the narrow shape that the other options on this list do. Instead, the Timber Ridge folds to a wide thinner profile. Additionally, the chair is the heaviest option on the list, weighing nearly 25 pounds.

It’s also a bit awkward to carry, making portability its weakest feature.

The chair offers unbeatable comfort for the big and tall in exchange for an uncomfortable haul. The zero-gravity technology ergonomic chair comes complete with a foot rest, a high back, lumbar support, a side table, and is fully padded throughout.

Reviews online number above 3,000 with a comprehensive rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Customers’ stated experiences speak of exceptional quality in design, popularity with disabled people, and fabulous comfort.

Pros:

• Luxury comfort
• Excellent weight capacity
• Adjustable to different positions
• Well-made, sit comfortably

Cons:

• Heavy
• Still large when collapsed down
• Higher price point compared to other options

Buying Guide

It’s not uncommon for those looking for heavy-duty camping chairs to search far and wide. Worse, instances of trial and error are never fun and can ruin the entire camping trip.

We wouldn’t feel that any heavy-duty camping chair review would be complete without a buyer’s guide to help you figure out what exactly to look for in an outdoor portable armchair.

Below we cover categories that we feel are essential. That means we’ll talk about types of chairs, warranty, affordability, materials, fabric, support, durability, comfort, seat dimensions, weight capacity, and portability.

Chair Type

We can organize the type or style of camping chair into four categories: traditional, portable, hybrid, and director’s chair.

Which style is best depends on your needs and preferences.

As you can guess, traditional camping chairs are the most common types, although many are not fully collapsible, so you sacrifice portability. 

The draw to this style is that it is most like the chairs you are used to at home. They sit up a bit higher than most other camping chairs and usually have a solid design. In addition, traditional camping chairs typically fold up and are ranked high in terms of comfort.

Portable camping chairs refer to doing more than just folding up. These also collapse down. Ideal for the outdoor sportsman, the portable chairs help you stay low to the ground. But, conversely, they tend to be the least comfortable option, especially for the big and tall.

The hybrid category implies a combination of traditional and portable styles. You can think of these as luxury portables as they offer improved comfort. However, with more comfort and features comes a heavier chair to lug around as well as a higher price point.

Last on our list is the director’s chair. These are the same chairs that your favorite movie-makers use, and they rank highest in support and durability. So if you plan to be sitting for a lot of your trip, don’t want to hurt your posture, and distinguish yourself as a big deal, go with a director’s chair.

Warranty and Affordability

You can spend less than $50 or over $1000 on a heavy-duty camping chair. Choosing the right chair is an important decision, but you don’t have to spend much money to find quality. In tandem with determining your big chair budget, your personal preferences will also decide the price point for your chair of choice.

Warranties add to the overall value and peace of mind of your purchase. More importantly, the discerning buyer will take an added warranty as a statement of the chair’s construction. Quality materials made-to-last mean that retailers can offer a warranty as an added selling point without having to really worry about replacement.

Material, Support, and Durability

Materials refer to the skeleton of your heavy-duty camping chair. These are the things that govern things like stability, weight capacity, back support, and durability.

Most camping chairs are made of sturdy materials; however, this review is for heavy-duty chairs. Typical metals used are steel, aluminum, and iron. Increased strength adds to the chair’s carrying weight. Powder-coated aluminum offers an ideal middle ground in terms of durability and portability.  

Most heavy-duty chairs start at a capacity of around 300 pounds and boast as high as 800 pounds.

In Addition to the strength of the material, weather resistance is another consideration. Iron rusts, so paint or coating chips can be an issue over time.

Fabric

Polyester and nylon are both commonly used materials, especially for heavy-duty chairs.

Mesh and natural fabrics like cotton offer comfort through added breathability and being less coarse. However, these do not hold up as well over time, take more to clean, and are not as water and weather resistant.

We recommend you stick with polyester and nylon in terms of your fabric choices for this review.

The type of fabric matters, but so does the stitch-work. Focus your attention on the seams and whether or not there is apparent double-stitching. This helps to ensure the overall integrity of the fabric.

Last, observe where the padding is thicker or thinner. Lumbar support and armrests are popular areas of consideration for padding.

Comfort

A chair crafted to support your weight for a long time means a frame that will hold its shape, hence retaining support and the level of comfort you’re used to.

Comfort is the most obvious consideration. That means good back support, ample armrests, and features like footrests help for most people.

Nothing’s worse than an uncomfortable camping chair at the end of the day. The best way to achieve comfort is by selecting a chair that’s built with your needs in mind, including storage.

Dimensions

One of the more overlooked aspects of a camping chair is the seat height. Do your feet rest flat upon the ground? If so, are your knees comfortably bent and your back fully supported? A chair that’s too short or too tall by even a few inches won’t be comfortable to sit in, nor will it be easy to get in and out of.

The dimensions of the seat are another important consideration. Too wide, and you’re lacking support. Too narrow, and you’ll experience pinching. Depth of the seat matters as well.

Since you’re buying online, here is where you might take measurements of your favorite chair at home and compare them to the dimensions of your chair of choice.

Portability

Portability recalls chair types that we discussed above. Are you going on a long trip? Plan to carry your gear (and chair) with you? Heavy camping chairs become more of an encumbrance the longer you haul them.

The lighter, the more portable, the more you sacrifice in support and comfort.

Choosing a chair with a carry-case or shoulder strap can be a great added feature, depending on your plans.

Conclusion

We hope that by now you’ve not only found a great heavy-duty camping chair but feel well-equipped to shop camping chairs intelligently.

Whether you’re looking for something extra large, great for your back, easy to carry and transport, reliable, luxurious, or that fits a tight budget, you can remain confident that the options above will meet your expectations.

Suppose you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by so many options. In that case, we’ll take this opportunity to reiterate what we consider the overall winner of this review: the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair. You just can’t go wrong with this heavy-duty camping chair. It’s a beast of a chair at a great price.

Since this chair is trendy in the heavy-duty category, don’t wait until stock runs low. Instead, click the link, choose your color of choice, and add it to your cart today.