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In search of a reliable camping stool for relaxing around camp?

There’s nothing like sitting around a campfire with your friends and family, exchanging stories and cooking over the open flames. Having plenty of sturdy, comfortable camping stools can make all the difference for a more comfortable camping experience. Camping stools are more than outdoor seats; they’re essential items for convenient, comfortable camping and outdoor recreation. Camping tools are great for:

• Campers and outdoor lovers. The best camping stools are easily portable for outdoor trips to provide a place for resting, relaxing or working. You can conveniently take a foldable chair on a golfing or beach trip, or simply keep it in your car for last-minute adventures.
• Hunters and fishermen. While staying outdoors for extended periods of time, a camping stool can really be a lifesaver for a person’s back. The right camping stool will give you a comfy spot to hunker down without sacrificing your posture.
• Spectators of events. Sometimes, benches and seats are out of the question at games, concerts and parties. If you have your handy camping stool with you, you’ll be able to comfortably sit wherever you want for the best possible views.

No matter what outdoor adventure you’re preparing for, you want to make sure everything you pack is functional, portable and lightweight. That’s why you need to find the best camping stools by looking for products that are durable, comfortable and reliable.

Read on to find the best folding stools for camping.

Best Camping Stools 2018

Name	Image	Weight	Open Dimensions	Frame	Seat Material	Max Capacity	Price	Our Rating
TravelChair Slacker Folding Stool		2.2 lbs	12" x 14" x 20"	Powder coated steel	600D Ripstop Polyester	275 Pounds	$	98
Walkstool Comfort Camping Stool		1.8 lbs	15.8" x 3.9" x 3.9"	Aluminium	Polyester	495 lbs	$$$$	97
Coleman Rambler II Camp Stool		1.5 lbs	12.8" x 15.5" x 17"	Powder-coated aluminum frame	Polyester	225 lbs	$	92
ALPS Mountaineering Tri-Leg Camping Stool		2.0 lbs	14" x 14" x 16"	Powder-coated steel	600D Polyester	250 lbs	$	95
GCI Outdoor PackSeat		1.6 lbs	13" x 13' x 21"	Aluminium	Polyester canvas	250 lbs	$$	95
GCI Outdoor Quik-E-Seat		6.0 lbs	27" x 18.2" x 14"	Powder-coated steel	600D Polyester	250 lbs	$$	92
Rothco Folding Camp Stool		2.0 lbs	14" x 14" x 8"	Aluminium	600D Polyester	176 lbs	$	93
Byer of Maine Tri Lite Folding Camping Stool		1.3 lbs	18" x 8" x 17"	Aluminium	Ripstop Polyester	200 lbs	$$	90
Grand Trunk Collapsible Micro Stool		0.6 lbs	11.6" x 14.5" x 12.6"	Aluminium	Nylon	250 lbs	$$$	89
Allen 5805 Fold Camping Stool		4.2 lbs	1.8" x 14.5" x 20"	Steel	1000D Nylon	n/a	$$$$	86

Best Camping Stool Reviews

When comparing the best camping stools, you’ll need to examine differences in weight, carrying capacity, stability, portability, size, additional features and price. The best camping stool for your needs should be based on your personal preferences and how you intend to use the stool.

TravelChair Slacker Folding Stool – Best Camping Stool 2018

The TravelChair Slacker Folding Stool is an incredibly compact tripod stool designed to be carried or packed away for camping, hiking or traveling.

Features & Performance

Small and easy to carry. When folded away, it’s about the size of a rolled up newspaper, making it the perfect portable chair for someone on the go or traversing the outdoors.

Made with reliable materials. This is a chair designed to withstand wear and tear from the outdoors with its PU-backed polyester fabric and heavy-duty construction. The fabric is nail head and ripstop polyester with a powder-coated steel frame and duck-billed feet; all for added strength.

All-around good specs at an affordable price (in comparison with other camping chairs). It’s not the heaviest or lightest chair, and it’s also not the tallest or shortest, making it a great “middle man” for balancing strength, weight, dimensions and durability.

Who Should Buy It

This is the perfect camping chair for hikers or travelers who move around a lot and like to take everything with them easily and quickly. It’s a great buy if you’re someone looking for a compact and reliable chair made for extensive outdoor use.

Get the TravelChair Slacker

– Specs –

Walkstool Comfort Camping Stool

The Walkstool Comfort is a heavy duty camping chair with a solid, patented design and a high weight capacity.

Features & Performance

Not too heavy yet compact. This camping stool is sturdy and strong (able to support over 400 pounds), but it’s also more lightweight than many other models, giving it a great balance of weight versus capacity.

Conveniently designed (mostly). The seat is netted, making it breathable and great for sitting even if you’ve just gone swimming or fishing. The overall design is simple and neat, especially when folded. Based on its tripod design, it may cause discomfort by slightly sinking in while sitting and you may have to use some extra strength to pull it apart when it’s folded away.

Good quality materials and made in Sweden. With an aluminum frame, a mesh polyester seat and a nylon mesh drawstring carry bag, this camping stool is made for long-term use by travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Who Should Buy It

This camping chair has one of the highest weight capacities for camping stools, so it’s a great choice if you’re someone who might be concerned about the chair holding more weight. If you don’t mind paying more for a camping stool with a large capacity that’s still compact and not too heavy, consider a Walkstool Camping Stool (it’s also great for fishers due to its breathable mesh seat).

Get the Walkstool

– Specs –

Coleman Rambler II Camp Stool – Best Budget Camping Stool

The Coleman Rambler II is a highly affordable and lightweight camping stool with a multi-purpose design.

Features & Performance

Versatile and convenient. This camping stool stands out from others because it has a wide, flat seat that can be used as a table or footrest as well as a normal seat. A flat surface can be vital while camping, so it’s a great stool to consider if you want to get multi-use out of your portable seat.

Solid design and strong frame. The stool’s frame is made from powder-coated aluminum and it’s designed to feel stable, strong, and easy to set up. It comes with four legs for added stability in more rugged outdoor settings.

Who Should Buy It

The Coleman Rambler II Camping Stool is a good option for someone looking for a multi-purpose stool that can be used in a variety of situations. It’s also fairly lightweight and sturdy, making it a great option for someone wanting easy storage and portability.

Get the Coleman Rambler II

– Specs –

ALPS Mountaineering Tri-Leg Camping Stool

The ALPS Mountaineering Tri-Leg is a tripod camping stool designed for center support and decent weight capacity for outdoor use.

Features & Performance

Small and compact. While this stool is fairly small in comparison with similar models and brands, it’s designed to hold a lot of “center weight” with it’s compact, tri-leg design that crosses at the base underneath the seat.

Convenient for outdoor carry. The stool comes with a storage “stuff sack” for easier carry on the go, but the stool itself also has a built-in strap in case you forget the case or you need to transport the stool as soon as possible.

Well-balanced specs for the price. This camping stool has all the basics for an outback camping chair, including an average weight (not too heavy but not the lightest), short height (but not the shortest), and average/high carrying capacity (250 lbs). It also has a powder-coated steel frame for extra integrity and it’s on the lower price end for camping stools.

Who Should Buy It

The ideal user for the ALPS Mountaineering Tri-Leg camping stool is someone in need of fairly short, affordable and easy-to-carry travel chair for general use. It’s an all-around decent camping chair for getting the job done, but it’s not the largest or most stable option.

Get the ALPS Camp Stool

– Specs –

GCI Outdoor PackSeat

The GCI Outdoor PackSeat is a tall and sturdy yet very lightweight camp stool with conveient storage features.

Features & Performance

Strong and reliable. The frame of the stool comes with patented construction and reinforcement paneling for added strength and easy assembly. It’s been field tested, making it a fairly trusted option for frequent outdoor use. It’s also highly compact and simply designed for easy and fast foldability.

Small but tall. This stool is one of the lightest best camping stools, but it’s also one of the tallest.

Attachable features. The stool comes with a buckled carrying case that can easily be clipped onto a belt loop or backpack, so there’s no need for carrying it on your shoulders.

Who Should Buy It

The GCI Outdoor PackSeat is a great buy for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a stool with dcent height and weight capacity but still not too heavy or hard to carry out in the field. However, it’s not the most comfortable option for long-term sitting, so it might be a good choice if you plan on mainly using it for short-term events or rest intervals while backpacking.

Get the GCI PackSeat

– Specs –

GCI Outdoor Quik-E-Seat

The GCI Outdoor Quik-E-Seat is an easily foldable hybrid between a comfortable camp chair and a portable camp stool.

Features & Performance

Comfortable and convenient. This unique camping stool comes with a padded backrest for lots of additional support and comfort while sitting. It’s also designed for easy opening and closing so you can set it up or put it away quickly without hassle.

Plenty of extra features. This chair has a built-in beverage holder that hangs down the side for easy reach. It also has a built-in carry strap, so there’s no need to stuff it in a bag; you can just put the strap over your shoulder and go.

Sturdy and centered. With its tri-leg design and powder-coated steel frame, this camp stool is fairly sturdy and solid; ideal for outdoor use. It’s also large and tall in comparison with other camping stools, adding to its overall stability and support (but with added bulkiness).

Who Should Buy It

The GCI is the perfect buy for someone in need of a “mini-camp seat” with all the features of a larger chair in a smaller, foldable package. It’s very heavy for a camping stool, so it may not be the best option for frequent walkers, hikers or backpackers.

Get the GCI Quick-E-Seat

– Specs –

Rothco Folding Camp Stool

The Rothco Folding camp stool is a camo camping chair with a multi-purpose design.

Features & Performance

Flat and functional. This stool has a very long, flat seat ideal for being used as a foot rest or table as well as a camp chair. It’s very small and low compared with many other camping seats, so it’s best as a child’s chair or table.

Several camo color options. This stool can be purchased in woodland camo, ACU digital camo, black, olive drab and woodland digital.

Gets the job done for general use. The stool has an aluminum frame and 600D polyester seat material, with a fairly low weight capacity (176) pounds. If you’re shopping for kids camping chairs, it should do the job for casual sitting and easy, fairly lightweight carry.

Who Should Buy It

The Rothco Folding Camp Stool is a great seat option if you’re looking for a very affordable camo camping stool for general use (such as tailgating or car camping). It comes in lots of colors to suit any taste, but assembly is complicated and the weight capacity is very low, so it’s not best for an on-the-go adult.

Get the Rothco Camp Stool

– Specs –

Byer of Maine Tri Lite Folding Camping Stool

The Byer of Maine Tri Lite Folding Camping Stool is a wide, comfortable camping seat made for optimal portability, with a sacrifice to stability and weight capacity.

Features & Performance

Lightweight and simple. This stool is on the lighter end for camping stools, making it a great gear item for backpackers. When folded down, this camping chair can fit in a backpack or glove box.

Time-saving and easy to assemble. The stool has a tripod design with additional webbing on the bottom for support, but its wide seat makes it somewhat touchy to sit in (not ideal for heavier adults or elderly people).

Comfortable with a wide seat. With its long seat design, this folding camping stool is made for maximum comfort (no uncomfortable pinching).

Who Should Buy It

The Byer of Maine camping stool is a good choice for someone in need of a tool for sitting for short periods of time (such as resting while golfing or hiking). While it’s lightweight for easy carry, it’s not best suited for someone in need of long-term sitting stability.

Get the Byer of Main Camp Stool

– Specs –

Grand Trunk Collapsible Micro Stool

The Grand Trunk Micro Stool is an ultra-lightweight camping seat with an attached netted storage compartment; great for kids. It’s among the best camping stools for anyone looking for a lightweight option.

Features & Performance

Breathable storage. The stool comes with an additionally netted storage area underneath the seat that can be easily accessed while sitting. The breathable nylon materials make the stool a great option for fishermen and beach-goers who can easily store their belongings underneath the seat without worrying too much about water damage.

Extremely lightweight: The whole stool only weighs 0.6 lbs, so it’s a great option for children (they’ll be able to carry it by themselves without struggle).

Who Should Buy It

Grand Trunk Collapsible Micro Stool is a great option for family camping trips; it’s extremely lightweight but can still hold a decent amount of weight, so it can be used by children and some adults. If you’re a taller heavier person, it may not be the most comfortable option.

Get the Grand Trunk Micro Stool

– Specs –

Allen 5805 Fold Camping Stool

The Allen 5805 Fold Camping Stool is a camo camping chair designed with durability, portability and additional protective storage.

Features & Performance

Strong and durable. This is a highly sturdy stool due to its steel frame construction, but that also means it’s heavier than the typical camping stool.

Fairly roomy storage for a camping stool. Underneath the seat is a storage compartment, perfect for keeping valuables and equipment secure while staying outdoors (it’s also large enough to store clothing or food).

Small and compact: This stool has a simple two-leg fold design with a small overall body, so it can also be used as a comfortable footrest or camping table.

Who Should Buy It

The Allen 5805 Folding Camping Stool is a very affordable, high-quality camping stool ideal for fishing, camping and hunting where protective storage is essential and camo pattern is desirable. It’s heavy for its size but a good choice when it comes to overall strength, especially if you’re shopping for a child’s camping stool.

Get the Allen Camping Stool

– Specs –

 Our Verdicts: Best Camping Stool Options

Best Camping Stool 2018: TravelChair Slacker Folding Stool

Best Lightweight Option: Coleman Rambler II Camp Stool

Best Budget Model: Coleman Rambler II Camp Stool

Best High-End Model: Walkstool 63547 Comfort Compact Stool

Camping Stool Buyer’s Guide

What is a Camping stool?

A camp stool can come in various designs and usually has between two and four feet, with the tripod design being the most common based on its easy foldability and stability. Most camp stools are made with aluminum or steel frames and polyester or nylon seating.

The type of construction you need in a camping stool will depend on your priorities for comfort, portability, functionality and price. Camping stools with four legs often have longer seats which can be used as footrests or tables (they’re often more comfortable as well, but bulkier).

Tripod camping stools can vary in comfort but are usually most ideal for portability. Two-leg stools are less common and usually best for foldability and storage.

Uses of a Camping Stool

Advantages of a camp stool:

• Easy to carry and lightweight
• Often more affordable than camp chairs
• Simple and foldable
• Convenient for any occasion
• Provides rest for longer, better outdoor experiences

Uses of a camp stool:

• Gardening and landscaping. Working outdoors for long periods of time can be exhausting, so having a portable folding chair close at hand is a convenient way to take 5  and avoid pushing yourself too hard.
• Photography. Photography, like other sit-and-wait activities, can take some time (and a toll on your back). A travel chair or camping stool is just the thing to help you stay comfortable long enough to get the perfect shot.
• Golfing. A portable chair is a great addition to your essential golfing equipment list so you can use downtime to relax and regain your energy.
• Hiking. With a lightweight hiking chair, you can make your hikes longer and more enjoyable by having a place to rest when you need to without weighing you down.
• Camping. If you’re going on any sort of camping trip, a reliable folding stool should be on your camping equipment list because it won’t take up much room and you can easily transport it wherever you go.
• Hunting and fishing. Whether you’re waiting in a clearing early in the morning or anticipating your next big catch at the riverside, a camping stool is a great piece of gear for keeping yourself dry and comfortable for longer periods of time.
• Sports game events, concerts, fairs, etc. Why bother trying to cram yourself in the stands when you can set up your own seat that’s easy to move at any time?
• Resting. Have you had to walk around a car show or festival on a hot day when there’s not a lot of seating options anywhere? Need to relax a little while the grandkids play or ski? A portable camping stool can help you take the load off.
• Emergencies. Camp stools are small enough to keep in your car for emergencies or random situations where a resting seat is needed.

What Do You Need? Camp Stool vs. Camp Chair

A camp stool is a small, lightweight outdoor seat designed to be easily folded and carried while on the go. A camp chair is a larger, heavier outdoor seat designed for heavy use rather than convenience.

Benefits of a camp stool vs a camp chair: A camp stool is often more affordable, smaller, easier to carry and more simply designed in comparison to many camp chairs, which are often more expensive and sometimes more complicated (but not always). As opposed to stools, camp chairs are often more of a hassle to carry around and aren’t ideal to take with you wherever you go. Additionally, sitting on a camp stool offers more moveability than sitting in a more relaxed camp chair; for example, it’s much easier to tend to a fire while sitting on a camp stool because you can lean forward more easily, especially with tripod models.

Drawbacks of a camp stool vs a camp chair: Camp chairs can be more comfortable and support more weight than camp stools, making them more ideal for occasional use on large-scale, stationary camping trips. Camping chairs can come with much more storage options (such as cup holders) compared with camp stools.

Features to Look for when Choosing the Best Stool for Camping

How Will You Use the Stool?

If you’ve decided to start shopping for the perfect camping stool, you’re going to need to make a clear list of your needs.

Do you plan on carrying it with you while backpacking or hiking for outdoor excursions? If so, you’ll need to look for stools that are lightweight and durable to withstand weathering and rough use.

Would you like something reliable and comfortable to be used for camping or hunting? You might need to look for stools with higher weight capacity and lots of stability.

Do you just want something cheap and simple for the occasional ballgame or day trip? In this case, foldability and storage features should be considered. It all depends on your needs and preferences; luckily, there’s plenty of camping stool options to choose from.

Comfort

If you need to rest while adventuring or staying outdoors for extended periods of time, you want a seat that you can comfortably sit on for long intervals. This is not only important for your mood, but also an essential quality for people who may have back problems, physical injuries and so on.

Some camping stools are more comfortable than others; for maximum comfort, look for camping stools with wide, solid seats, padding and a design that won’t cave in or press against you awkwardly. Pick a stool based on your primary activities: if you plan on using your stool for lots of long-term sitting, seat material and design should probably take priority over weight and cost.

Portability

Need an ultra-featherweight hiking chair? Look for a stool that can be tightly folded to fit into a backpack or hooked onto your belt. The best portable camping stools will be highly portable and compact, ideally combined with a carrying case or shoulder strap.

The most transportable and easy to carry camping stools will also be very lightweight (with an aluminum rather than steel frame) with consideration for comfort. If you don’t plan on moving around a lot with your chair, you can focus less on weight and size and more on comfort, durability and weight capacity.

Frame Material

The most common frame materials for camping stools include steel, powder-coated steel, aluminum, and powder-coated aluminum. In general, steel is stronger than aluminum; however, aluminum is more malleable and flexible than steel. Aluminum is also resistant to rust and lighter in weight than steel. A camping stool that’s “powder-coated” means that it has been covered with a layer of coating (usually polyester or epoxy) for extra protection.

Seat Fabric

The most common types of seat fabric for camping stools include polyester, ripstop polyester, 600D polyester, 600D ripstop polyester, polyester canvas, nylon, and 1000D nylon. Ripstop polyester is generally better than normal polyester because it’s been reinforced for added strength. Nylon is usually more weather-resistant compared with polyester, with polyester being more breathable.

Weight and Carrying Capacity

Weight is a significant factor when choosing the best camping tool suited to your individual needs. Make sure to consider the maximum capacity of each camping stool before you buy and don’t cut it too close if your weight is near the stool’s limits.

You want to be comfortable and worry free, so opt for the highest weight capacity stools if this is something that concerns you, especially if you plan on using your stool frequently. Shop for your needs; if you’re shopping for a child, weight won’t be as important as height or comfort. However, if you’re a larger person who plans on using your stool a lot, weight and durability should take priority. Also, consider the weight of the stool itself; lighter weight means more portability, but heavier stools are often stronger with more features.

Unfolded & Folded Size

While most camping stools are foldable in some way, some are “more foldable” than others. Some may be constructed with a tripod design while others have four legs with a collapsible seat. Always note the dimensions of the stool when it’s open versus when it’s folded.

Some stools fold away compactly while others might be bulkier when folded and harder to tote around. Pay attention to overall size, quality of construction and assess your personal preferences based on your activities (for example, if you’re a hiker, you’re going to want a super-foldable, compact stool).

Seat Height

Seat height can be easy to overlook (especially if you’re shopping online and can’t see comparisons). When shopping for the perfect camping stool for your needs, try comparing the height of the stool to the height of a chair you have at home. While you’ll probably be sitting lower no matter what, this should give you a good idea of how much leg room you’re going to need depending on your height and body shape.

Durability

No matter what type of item or gear you’re taking outside, it needs to be durable, reliable and resistant to damage from weather and rough use; camping stools are no exception. Look for camping stools with powder-coated reinforced materials, high-quality polyester or nylon seats and a strong, sturdy design. Avoid camping stools with flimsy legs or uneven seats that put you at risk for falling over and damaging the chair (or yourself).

Extra Features

Many camping stools come with useful extra features, such as carry bags, shoulder straps or additional storage areas and attachments. While these features probably shouldn’t drive your main assessment of which camping stool to buy, it can help you make your decision between two otherwise similar products. Having these extra features can make your life a lot easier (but only if you think you’ll actually use them).

Price Range

Camping stools vary greatly in price range, from around $10 upwards to $70 or more. On average, most of the best camping stools are between $15.00 and $30.00. Just because a camping stool is more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s better. Pay attention to customer reviews, overall design, weight capacity and additional features before making your purchasing decision.

Wrap Up

A camping stool is a perfect companion for any outdoor lover, whether you’re attending your child’s football game, going to a concert, fishing at the river or relaxing by a campfire. When shopping for the best camping stool, always consider how you plan to use it based on the activities you enjoy the most. Be sure to factor in weight, weight capacity, comfort, and durability followed by price and extra features.

The idea behind camping stools is to help make your outdoor experiences more enjoyable, comfortable and convenient, so shop wisely and consider your needs above all else.

Interested in more of the best outdoor survival gear? You can also read our guides on the best tactical pens, the best survival axes, and best EDC knives.