When camping, a comfortable chair can help you regain your energy quickly when you are tired. Folding camping chairs with storage bags are increasingly favored by camping enthusiasts due to their portability and convenient storage features. But there are all kinds of such chairs on the market. So, how should one choose? Today, I’ll give you all a detailed explanation.
The material determines the “hard power” of a chair.
Frame material
Aluminum alloy: Aluminum alloy frames are extremely common in folding camping chairs. Its greatest advantage is its light weight and ease of carrying. Imagine that if you need to carry your equipment on foot to the campsite, a lightweight chair can relieve a lot of burden. Moreover, aluminium alloy also has good strength, can bear a certain weight and is not easy to deform. Some high-quality aluminum alloy frames, after undergoing special processing techniques, have a more wear-resistant surface and significantly enhanced corrosion resistance. Even when used multiple times in a humid outdoor environment, they are less likely to rust. However, the quality of different aluminium alloys varies. When purchasing, it is necessary to pay attention to checking the product instructions to understand the specific composition and quality grade of the aluminium alloy.
Steel: Frames made of steel are of high strength, sturdy and durable, and usually can bear a relatively large weight. For people with a larger body weight or those who frequently use chairs in harsh environments, a steel frame might be a better choice. However, the disadvantages of steel are also quite obvious. It is relatively heavy and difficult to carry. However, nowadays there are also some specially treated steels that, while ensuring strength, minimize weight as much as possible, such as some chair frames made of lightweight alloy steel.
Carbon fiber: Carbon fiber is a relatively high-end material. It is lighter than aluminum alloy and has excellent strength and rigidity. Folding camping chairs with carbon fiber frames perform exceptionally well in terms of durability and lightweight. However, due to the high cost of carbon fiber, the price of this type of chair is usually not low. If you pursue ultimate lightness and high-end quality and have a sufficient budget, then a chair with a carbon fiber frame is a good choice. However, it should be noted that carbon fiber material is rather “delicate”. During use and storage, avoid collisions and scratches, otherwise the frame may be damaged.
Chair surface material
Oxford cloth: Oxford cloth is a commonly used chair seat material and it has excellent wear resistance. Outdoors, chairs are bound to rub against the ground, branches and other objects. Oxford cloth can effectively resist these wear and tear, thus extending the service life of the chair. Meanwhile, Oxford cloth also has a certain waterproof performance. Even in light rain, it can keep the chair surface from getting wet for a certain period of time. Moreover, it is easy to clean. If you accidentally get stained, just wipe it with a damp cloth and it will be clean. However, the breathability of Oxford cloth is relatively average. When used for a long time in hot weather, it may feel a bit stuffy and hot.
Canvas: The chair seat made of canvas is soft and comfortable, giving people a feeling of being close to nature. It has excellent breathability, allowing air to circulate between the chair seat and the body. Even in the hot summer, it won’t make people feel overly stuffy. However, canvas has poor water resistance. Once it gets wet by rain, it dries relatively slowly. Moreover, if it is used in a humid environment for a long time, it is prone to mold. To improve this issue, some canvas chair seats are now treated with a waterproof coating, but this may affect the softness and breathability of the canvas to a certain extent.
Mesh fabric: The most prominent feature of mesh fabric is its excellent breathability, making it particularly suitable for use in hot weather. Sitting on the mesh fabric seat, one can clearly feel the circulation of air, which greatly reduces the feeling of stuffiness and heat. Moreover, the mesh fabric is light in weight, which can further reduce the overall weight of the chair. However, the wear resistance of mesh fabric is relatively weak, making it not very suitable for use on rough ground or in environments with sharp objects, as it is prone to being scratched.
Design details are related to the user experience
Folding method
Flat-folding type: The flat-folding type is a very common folding method, and many classic folding camping chairs adopt this design. Its advantage is that it is easy to operate. One fold can complete the storage, and after folding, the shape of the chair is relatively regular, which is convenient to put into the storage bag. For instance, the Kemite chair is compact when folded flat and doesn’t take up much space. However, when storing a flat-folding chair, the seat and legs may press against each other. It is necessary to protect the material of the seat to avoid scratches.
The folding type: When folding, the legs and seat of the folding folding chair will converge towards the center. This folding method can make the chair smaller in volume after folding, which is very space-saving. For storage environments with limited space or situations where chairs need to be carried to narrow Spaces, folding chairs that can be folded together are very suitable. However, some folding chairs require certain skills when folded and unfolded, and the operation may be relatively more complicated. Moreover, during the folding process, the chair legs may collide with each other, so it needs to be handled with care.
Detachable: The detachable folding chair can have all its components removed. After being stored, it has the smallest volume and is particularly suitable for scenarios where chairs need to be stored in extremely small Spaces, such as some ultra-small camper vans or backpacks. However, the disassembly and assembly process is relatively complicated and requires a certain amount of time and effort, which is not very suitable for situations where chairs need to be quickly set up and stored. Moreover, during the disassembly and assembly process, it is necessary to take good care of each component to avoid loss.
Storage bag design
Material: The material of the storage bag is also very important. High-quality storage bags are usually made of wear-resistant and waterproof materials, such as thick Oxford cloth or nylon. Such storage bags can protect the chair from being scratched during carrying, and there is no need to worry about rainwater seeping in and wetting the chair in light rain. Some storage bags also undergo thickening treatment at key areas such as the bottom and corners to further enhance their wear resistance.
Size: The size of the storage bag should perfectly match the folded chair. If the storage bag is too large, the chair will shake inside, which is likely to cause wear and tear. If it is too small, the chair may not fit in, or it may be very difficult to take it out after being forced in. When purchasing a chair, pay attention to checking the size parameters of the storage bag, or actually put the chair into the storage bag to test it to ensure that the size is appropriate.
Portable design: To facilitate carrying, storage bags are usually designed with handles or shoulder straps. The handle should be sturdy and durable, with a comfortable grip and convenient for short-distance transportation. Shoulder straps are more suitable for long-distance carrying. Some shoulder straps also adopt widened and thickened designs and come with cushioning pads to reduce the pressure on the shoulders. In addition, some storage bags are also designed with extra pockets, which can be used to hold some small items, such as chair accessories, tissues, insect repellent spray, etc.
Stability and comfort
Stability: A stable chair is the foundation of comfortable use. The stability of a chair mainly depends on the design and structure of its legs. Generally speaking, chairs with four evenly distributed legs are more stable. Some chairs also add anti-slip pads to the legs to increase the friction with the ground and prevent the chair from sliding. The overall structure of the chair should also be stable. For instance, designs such as triangular structures or cross structures can enhance the stability of the chair. When making a purchase, you can actually sit on the chair to feel its stability, or check the reviews of other users to understand the chair’s performance in actual use.
Comfort: Comfort is reflected in multiple aspects. First of all, the size and shape of the chair seat should be appropriate, providing sufficient support area to ensure your comfort when sitting. Secondly, the design of the chair back is also crucial. A chair back with a certain tilt Angle and capable of providing support for the waist can effectively relieve back fatigue. Some chairs also come with adjustable backrests. You can adjust the Angle according to your own needs to further enhance comfort. In addition, the height of the chair is also very important. A suitable sitting height should allow both feet to touch the ground naturally and the knees to bend naturally, reducing the pressure on the legs. Generally, a sitting height of about 40 to 45 centimeters is more appropriate.
Common types of folding camping chairs with storage bags
Kemet chair
The Kemite chair is a classic folding camping chair. Many brands have launched Kemite chairs with storage bags. Its frame is usually made of solid wood or aluminum alloy. The Kemite chair with a solid wood frame has a retro style, giving people a simple feeling, but it is relatively heavy. The Kemite chair with an aluminum alloy frame is lighter while retaining its classic appearance. The seat of a Kemet chair is usually made of canvas or Oxford cloth, providing a comfortable sitting experience. It adopts a flat-fold folding method. After folding, its volume is small and it is convenient to put into a storage bag. However, the seat height of the Kemite chair is relatively low, which may not be very comfortable for taller people to sit on for a long time. Moreover, some Kemet chairs do not have armrests, which might be inconvenient for those who are accustomed to relying on them.
Moon Chair
The moon chair is named for its unique shape. Its seat surface is concave oval-shaped, which can well wrap around the body and provide a comfortable sitting experience. The moon chair usually features an aluminum alloy frame and an Oxford cloth seat. It is relatively light in weight, generally around 1 to 2 kilograms, making it easy to carry. It adopts a gathering folding method. After folding, it is small in size and the storage bag is also designed to be relatively compact. The disadvantage of the moon chair is that it is relatively low in height. If the ground is uneven, it may not be very comfortable to sit on. In addition, the stability of the moon chair may be relatively weak. When using it, pay attention to choosing a flat ground.
Director’s chair
The director’s chair has a relatively high seat height, usually around 40 to 45 centimeters, and is suitable for use with taller camping tables. Its seat surface is usually quite wide, providing a relatively spacious sitting experience. The backrest of a director’s chair is usually quite straight, which may not be very relaxing in terms of sitting posture. However, it is still quite suitable for scenarios where maintaining a proper sitting posture is required, such as during meals or when drinking tea. Its frames are mostly made of metal materials and have a stable structure. The director’s chair usually adopts a flat-fold folding method. After being stored, it has a relatively large volume, but the storage bag it comes with is usually quite large and can easily hold the folded chair. However, the director’s chair is relatively heavy and not very suitable for camping activities that require long journeys. It is more appropriate for self-driving camping or use in relatively fixed positions at the campsite.
Conclusion
When choosing a folding camping chair with a storage bag, factors such as material, folding method, design of the storage bag, stability and comfort should be comprehensively considered. At the same time, one should choose the most suitable chair for themselves based on their camping style (such as self-driving, hiking, etc.), usage scenarios and personal needs. Only by choosing the right chair can you enjoy a comfortable rest time during outdoor camping and add wonderful memories to every camping trip.
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