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The Best Camping Chairs for Bad Backs in 2022

The Best Camping Chairs for Bad Backs in 2022

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The Best Camping Chair for Bad Backs in 2022
GCI Outdoors, Big Agnes, RTIC, YETI

Take the pressure off your bad back with one of these co*fortable camping chairs


The post The Best Camping Chairs for Bad Backs in 2022 appeared first on Outdoor Life.



                              

                   
The Best Camping Chair for Bad Backs in 2022
GCI Outdoors, Big Agnes, RTIC, YETI

 

   
     
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            Best Overall
         

                             alt="The YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair"
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            YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair
         

           
               
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Summary

             

A super co*fortable, easy to carry chair with tons of back support.



           

            Best for Lumbar Support
         

                             alt="STRONGBACK Elite Chair"
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            STRONGBACK Elite
         

           
               
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Summary

             

Adjustable lumbar support when you need it.



           

            Best Reclining
         

                             alt="GCI Freeform Zero Gravity Chair"
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            GCI Outdoor Freeform Zero Gravity Lounger
         

           
               
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Summary

             

Helps you get horizontal after a long day on the trails.



           

 





Finding a camping chair for your bad back might be the difference between a relaxing weekend of camping and dealing with a stiff back. Especially if you already struggle sleeping in a tent with nothing but a thin pad between you and the ground. 





If you hate the way most chairs lack support or sag so much that they seat you in a perpetual squat, then this review is for you. I interviewed a doctor of physical therapy to see what features the best camping chairs for bad backs share and co*piled a list of chairs based on their suggestions.









Things to Consider When Buying a Camping Chair for Bad Backs





When I spoke with DPT Benjamin Killen at the University of Mississippi Medical Center to find out what characteristics the best camping chairs for bad backs should have, he informed me that it’s not quite that simple. For starters, a “bad back” can vary drastically from one individual to the next. 





“There isn’t necessarily a direct correlation between an individual’s posture and back pain or relief,” Killen said. “Like most bad backs, there’s probably a greater underlying issue that needs to be addressed, and simply buying a chair isn’t going to change that. However, If you have a ‘bad back’ or back pain, the best thing you can do is find a chair that feels co*fortable and avoid the ones that don’t. There’s no blueprint or one-size-fits-all for what this looks like, and, quite frankly, what one individual finds co*fortable might look co*pletely different to the next person.”





Killen also noted that there are certainly chairs that you want to avoid, like ones that have unsupportive seats or backs that give easily and might put you in an awkward position or cause you to excessively strain while you try to get up from the chair. According to Killen, if you have trouble getting up from low-seated positions, it’s probably best to avoid chairs with low seats and opt for higher ones.





With these considerations in mind, my goal in this review is to include a variety of chairs and styles that might suit the different “bad backs” out there. While no one chair will solve your bad back, there are options that provide more support than others and that can at least not irritate or agitate your bad back. Still, it’s best to try out a few chairs and see which ones hurt or help your cause before buying one.





Best Overall: YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair




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YETI



     

             


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Key Features





  • External Dimensions: 26.5 inches x 30.1 inches x 32.3 inches
  • Weight: 16.5 pounds
  • Capacity: 500 pounds
  • Hondo cupholder fits with other YETI products
  • Five-year warranty
  • Hauler Handle




Why It Made the Cut





The YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair is super co*fortable, easy to carry, and has great support that doesn’t give out like most camping chairs.





Pros





  • Super co*fortable
  • Perfect height
  • Stores easily




Cons





  • Not sure about the fabric’s long-term durability
  • Steep price




Product Description





Though they make some of the best fishing coolers, YETI has introduced a few camping chairs to their lineup as well. For the past two months I’ve been working from the Hondo, which means I spent hours upon hours in it, and I have zero co*plaints when it co*es to co*fort. The height of the Hondo is perfect and not too deep. And the solid frame and armrests make it easy to get up from the chair without it sliding or feeling like it’s going to tip over when I lean forward. One thing I like about the YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair is the tight stitched seat and back, which don’t give even after sitting in it all day. Though, I do wonder about the long-term durability of the fabric and how it might fare if left outside or on a camp porch for a substantial amount of time (I tested the Hondo in my home office). But so far, the material has kept its shape and tension, and if something does happen to your Hondo, it co*es with a five-year warranty.





The YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair
The YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair is almost too co*fortable. Adam Moore




Though the Hondo has a solid construction, its 16 pounds makes it manageable to carry to the campsite, especially with the Hauler Handle. And it packs down great for its size, so you can easily store it when not in use or during travel. The added Hondo cup holder is a nice touch and acco*modates YETI’s other products. The main drawback of this chair is the steep price tag. While I had the privilege of using a test model, I have to admit that I would have a hard time paying around $300 for a chair. And for a few extra bucks, I’d probably buy the YETI Tundra 45 and sit on that. But if you have a bad back and need a camp chair that’s super co*fortable and supportive, the YETI Hondo Base Camp might be worth the investment.  





Best Packable: Big Agnes Big Six Camp Chair




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Big Agnes



     

             


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Key Features









Why It Made the Cut





At just over three pounds, the Big Agnes Big Six Camp Chair packs incredibly well, and the tension provided by the Robic nylon seat is co*fortable and plenty supportive.





Pros









Cons









Product Description





If space is at a premium in your car or hiking backpack, the Big Agnes Big Six Camp Chair will occupy less space than most of your other camping gear and packs down to about the size of a rolled-up camping blanket. The color-coded ends of the aluminum frame make the chair a breeze to set up. While the seat can be a little difficult to stretch over the frame, the tension creates a super supportive seat that doesn’t sag and feels super supportive. It does tend to hug you when you sit in the seat, so it might not fit the best for large campers. However, this seat is super co*fortable, enough so for a nap.





The Best Camping Chairs for Bad Backs in 2022
The Big Six packs incredibly well for campers whose space is at a premium. Adam Moore




One thing that sticks out about this chair is how incredibly light it is. At just over three pounds, it feels even lighter than that. However, one drawback that co*es with the lightweight is that the chair tended to tip forward whenever I would go to stand up, so if you’re a camper that likes to lean forward while you’re sitting, the Big Six might let you down there. And those super lightweight materials will also make your wallet significantly lighter as well. Still, this chair packs incredibly well and its lightweight construction makes it a versatile option that you can take with you whether the campsite is off the trail or at the beach.





Best Padded: RTIC Big Bear Chair




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RTIC Outdoors



     

             


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Key Features









Why It Made the Cut





The RTIC Big Bear Chair sports plenty of padding and storage space at an affordable price.





Pros









Cons









Product Description





If you’re looking for a chair that has co*fortable, padded seating, the RTIC Big Bear Chair has plenty of cushion for your back. And if you want to plop down for a mid-day siesta with a couple of your coldest friends, the left armrest has a built-in four-can cooler to make sure you both stay chill. While the padded seat sinks down to a co*fortable height, depending on your bad back, some campers might not find this ideal, especially if getting up from a low-seated or squatted position aggravates your back. But if sitting in an extremely cushy seat helps relieve your back pain, this is a great option. And the two-digit price tag runs lower than other options in this review, so this chair offers plenty of co*fort and packable convenience at an affordable price.





Best Lumbar Support: STRONGBACK Elite




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            STRONGBACK Elite Chair
                     

                 

           

 

         

       

STRONGBACK



     

             


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Key Features









Why It Made the Cut





The STRONGBACK Elite incorporates a frame that contours near the lumbar region and has additional padding in this area as well.





Pros









Cons









Product Description





A lot of camping chairs can make you feel like you’re curling into a ball when you sit in them, mainly because they lack back and/or seat support. The STRONGBACK Elite, however, provides both. With a reinforced frame that contours toward your back and extra padding, this camping chair provides ample support for campers with bad backs, specifically if rounding the lumbar area of your back irritates or causes you disco*fort. And the high back provides support for your upper back and neck as well. While this chair isn’t as light as the Big Agnes Big Six, it is one of the lighter chairs in this review at just under 12 pounds. And if you’re counting on a dependable cup holder, I wouldn’t hold your breath with this one. But if sturdy lumbar support is your ticket to enjoying time outdoors, look no further.





Best Reclining: GCI Outdoor Freeform Zero Gravity Lounger




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GCI Outdoor



     

             


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Key Features









Why It Made the Cut





If stretching out in a reclining chair helps relieve your bad back after a day on the trails, the Freeform Zero Gravity Lounger from GCI Outdoors is an excellent option.





Pros









Cons









Product Description





Most camping chairs are fine when it co*es to sitting around the fire or just taking a load off. But when you really need to stretch out after a hard day of hitting the trails, most camping chairs just don’t give you that option. Thankfully, the Freeform Zero Gravity Lounger from GCI Outdoors allows you to do just that. The locking mechanisms allow you to stretch out almost 180 degrees without worrying if the seat will fold back up. But you can also casually lounge in an upright position, too. This chair is definitely nap approved, and the added head pil*ow makes it hard not to resist one after an exhausting day outdoors.





This chair co*es with a large footprint, so you definitely won’t be taking this one off the beaten path. But it does fold nicely for travel or storage purposes. While this chair isn’t the cheapest option, it certainly won’t break the bank. I’ve used multiple GCI products in the past and have had zero issues with durability. If you want one of the best camping chairs for bad backs that reclines, this one is hard to beat.





Best Rocking: GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker




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GCI Outdoor



     

             


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Key Features





  • Weight: 12 pounds
  • Capacity: 250 pounds
  • Overall Height: 34.8 inches
  • Seat Height: 19.7 inches
  • Mesh backrest
  • Carry handle




Why It Made the Cut





The GCI Freestyle rocker has a supportive backrest, and you can also use it as a solid, stationary camping chair.





Pros





  • Solid stationary or rocking chair
  • Quiet
  • co*fortable




Cons





  • Not very packable




Product Description





If you want a solid camping chair, the GCI Freestyle Rocker, which has an aluminum frame, makes an excellent option. The spring-loaded shocks allow for smooth rocking when you want, but it also sits stationary for those times when you’re eating one of the best camping meals around the fire. But this chair isn’t just convenient, it’s also super co*fortable and provides a sturdy, supportive backrest that doesn’t give like other camping chairs I sat co*fortably in this chair for hours (way longer than you probably would on a camping trip) and would have no problem hauling it to the campsite or other outdoor get-togethers.





While the Freestyle Rocker makes a great addition to your campsite or backyard fire pit, it’s a bit heavy for any trip that requires a significant amount of walking to your setup. And the removable Velcro arm rests don’t provide much cushion or stay in place. But for everything within a short walking distance, this chair is my go-to, which is why it won best overall in the best camping rocking chairs review.





Best Budget: Coastrail Outdoor Padded Camping Chair with Lumbar Back Support




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Coastrail Outdoor



     

             


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Key Features





  • Folded Size: 40 inches x 7 inches
  • Weight: 12 pounds
  • Capacity: 400 pounds
  • Material: 600D polyester
  • Adjustable lumbar support
  • Cooler bag and clip
  • Head and side pocket




Why It Made the Cut





The Coastrail Outdoor Padded Camping Chair provides plenty of adjustable back support and storage at a great price.





Pros





  • Budget friendly
  • Back padding adjusts to your height
  • Plenty of cushion




Cons





  • Some might prefer a firmer seat




Product Description





While this chair runs almost half the price of others in this review, that doesn’t mean that it sacrifices co*fort or back support. The Coastrail Outdoor Padded Camping Chair includes a generous amount of padding and lumbar support, which you can adjust depending on your preference and height. It also includes a cooler bag to keep a few drinks. The seat might give a little too much, especially for campers who prefer a firmer seat, but if you’re on a budget and lumbar support is your main concern, this chair from Coastrail makes a reasonable option.





FAQs





Q: What is the best camping chair for a bad back?

Based on my interview with DPT Killen, the best camping chair for a bad back varies from individual. Because “bad back” might mean something co*pletely different from one camper to the next, there’s not really a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it’s important to find a chair that allows you to sit in it co*fortably and avoid ones that irritate your bad back. If you know that most chairs hurt your back because they give or sag too much, look for one that has a sturdy, firm seat with a high back and added lumbar support.

Q: How much does a camping chair for a bad back cost?

The camping chairs for bad backs in this review range from around $50 to $300, depending on the materials used.

Q: What is the best camping chair for a bad back?

The best camping chair for a bad back is the one that’s most co*fortable to you. But for this review, the YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair proved the most co*fortable out of the chairs I was able to test. It provided plenty of co*fort, even when I sat in it for hours on end, and the seat and back are just firm enough that you won’t sink into the chair like cheaper options.





Methodology





For this review, I interviewed a doctor of physical therapy to figure out what features on camping chairs provide co*fort for campers with bad backs. Because of availability issues, I was only able to test the GCI Freestyle Rocker, Big Agnes Big Six, and YETI Hondo Base Camp chairs. But for the other chairs in this review, I researched and included ones that have the best features for campers with bad backs and arrived at these picks.





Final Thoughts





Remember, the best camping chairs for bad backs will vary from person to person, so it’s important to keep that in mind when you’re looking for one. If possible, try out a few that allow you to sit co*fortably and enjoy a fireside meal in the great outdoors and, ultimately, forget about your bad back.


The post The Best Camping Chairs for Bad Backs in 2022 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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