We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Activity + Adventure Camping + Hiking The 4 Best Reclining Camp Chairs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Up your campsite comfort with one of these reclining chairs. By Kevin Brouillard Kevin Brouillard Kevin Brouillard is a contributing writer at Travel + Leisure, specializing in outdoor gear and apparel. He has over five years of experience writing travel and lifestyle content for digital publications, including TripSavvy, Oyster.com, Jetsetter, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 26, 2024 Comments In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Tips for Buying Frequently Asked Questions Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale From the campsite to the backyard, a reclining camp chair is designed for relaxation and lounging in the outdoors. Like all camping gear, these comfort-oriented chairs come in a range of sizes, styles, and budgets. We’ve put a number of camping chairs to the test in our New York City lab and out on real camping trips to find the best options for different camping styles. Our outdoor and relaxation experts used each chair for over six months to see how they performed across different metrics, including ease of use, portability, comfort, durability, and overall value. We transported and lounged in recliners from trusted brands like Nemo and GCI Outdoor and compared the results to compile our list of the best reclining camp chairs. The winners below stood out for their lasting comfort to kick back and bask in nature for hours on end. Our Top Picks Best Overall: GCI Outdoor Freeform Zero Gravity Lounger at REI $55 Jump to Review Most Comfortable: TIMBER RIDGE Zero Gravity Chair at Amazon $150 Jump to Review Best Rocker: GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker Chair at Amazon $60 Jump to Review Best Hammock Style: NEMO NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair at Amazon $241 Jump to Review Best Overall GCI Outdoor Freeform Zero Gravity Lounger PHOTO: REI $55 at REI $100 at Dicks Sporting Goods View on Gcioutdoor.com Why We Love It It’s adjustable, well ventilated, and made with comfortable materials. What to Consider The chair’s durable materials and full body length add up to a heavier weight. For elevated comfort on your next camping trip, the GCI Outdoors Zero Gravity chair earned our top pick. We love how easily we could maneuver the chair to our desired comfort. The locking feature keeps you securely reclined in your desired position, while the leg rest can be raised with the pull of a handle. It also comes with a plush adjustable pillow that can be removed if desired. When fully reclined in Zero Gravity mode, the chair offers a weightless feeling that’s great for a post-hike snooze or stargazing. We found the materials of the chair to be plenty comfortable, so there’s no concern of chafing in the heat while lounging on this extended recliner. The mesh fabric spans most of the chair and keeps things ventilated. Overall, the fabric also felt very durable, and it did a great job at wicking away moisture. We love how easy the chair is to assemble — it neatly unfolds and locks into place for sitting, then folds back together seamlessly for transport. The Details: 61 x 27 x 34.1 inches | 17.6 pounds | 300-pound capacity PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Kaylene Konigsmark PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Kaylene Konigsmark PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Kaylene Konigsmark PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Kaylene Konigsmark PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Kaylene Konigsmark PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Kaylene Konigsmark Most Comfortable TIMBER RIDGE Zero Gravity Chair PHOTO: Amazon $150 at Amazon $82 at Walmart Why We Love It This sturdy reclining chair delivers plush padding and lumbar support in a highly adjustable design. What to Consider The weight and lack of carry straps make it less portable than others. For all-day lounging in the outdoors, the Timber Ridge Zero Gravity topped our list for its lasting comfort. We found that the oversized recliner perfectly shapes and supports the body. The padding under the polyester exterior is plush yet just as firm as we want for kicking back for a post-hike nap or campsite stargazing. The chair can recline from 0 to 170 degrees — delivering a range of seating positions, including lying flat for a zero-gravity experience. Equipped with a bungee suspension system that can support up to 350 pounds, we can rest easy knowing its comfort is matched with sturdiness and durability. We also love the adjustable headrest and the option to have a folding side table and cup holder. For models that come with the natural wood armrest, the manufacturer recommends avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight or rain, so you may want to keep it covered to extend its lifespan. It’s worth noting that the chair weighs over 20 pounds and doesn’t include any carry straps, so it’s best for car camping or activities that don’t require lugging it around. The Details: 30 x 31 x 50 inches | 22 pounds | 350-pound capacity Best Rocker GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker Chair PHOTO: REI $60 at Amazon $60 at REI $60 at Dicks Sporting Goods Why We Love It This camp chair offers solid support, durability, and lasting comfort at a value. What to Consider It has a carry strap, but doesn’t come in a bag, a potential advantage or inconvenience depending on your storage preferences. A rocking chair isn’t just for the front porch. The GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker Chair lets you bring the comfort and posture support of a rocking chair on your outdoor adventures. We found the seat and back of the chair to be taut, yet supportive. Its rocking capabilities also make it comfortable to sit in for extended durations, more so than a regular camping chair. We didn’t detect any difference in rocking between hard terrain and grass, making it a great choice for concerts, sporting events, and camping alike. Though the chair doesn't come with a bag, it’s designed to withstand the elements thanks to its water-resistant fabric and powder-coated steel frame. We appreciated how easy it is to set up and pack the chair with the loop-and-peg closure system, plus the avoided need to fit it back in a carry bag. The chair also features a phone pocket and cup holder for handy storage and convenience. The Details: 32.5 x 31.7 x 27.2 inches | 10.6 pounds | 250-pound capacity PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale The 10 Best Camping Chairs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Hammock Style NEMO NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair PHOTO: Amazon $241 at Amazon $250 at REI Why We Love It This reclining and swinging camp chair is sturdy and easy to assemble. What to Consider We needed a place to rest our feet to get the full comfort of the reclining position. The Nemo Stargaze Camp Chair combines the support of a recliner with the serenity of a swaying hammock. We love the rocking feature this chair offers and how comfortable it is to gently swing while seated. However, while reclining, we found that having a place to rest our feet was essential for optimal comfort. We did find it very easy to set up due to its intuitive pole design that virtually makes it impossible to assemble incorrectly. The chair is similarly disassembled in just a few steps, and we had no issue fitting it back into the carry case. We appreciated the convenience of the wide carry strap, which is plenty comfortable for transporting the chair to a campsite or on a short hike. But at nearly eight pounds, it’s far from a backpacker-friendly design. The Details: 27 x 37 x 41 inches | 7.9 pounds | 300-pound capacity Tips for Buying a Reclining Camp Chair Prioritize portability Due to their size and stability needs, reclining camp chairs tend to be significantly heavier than most camp chairs. Weight aside, the portability is impacted by the availability of carry straps and handles, as well as how the chair packs down. Some reclining models simply fold in half while others can be disassembled and stored in a carry bag. If traveling by RV or car camping, the weight and volume may not be an obstacle. Whereas campers traveling some distance on foot or by canoe might opt for lighter and more compact models. Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Gokhale Comfort is key Reclining camp chairs are designed with comfort in mind, so choosing one that’s attuned to your preferences is important. Besides cushioned padding, a chair’s height, ventilation, fabric, support, and added features like footrests are key considerations. Higher chairs can mean easier in and out while ventilation keeps air flowing to stay comfy in warmer weather. Chairs with lumbar support and leg or footrests are better bets for lasting comfort while lounging. Travel + Leisure / Kaylene Konigsmark Consider waterproof and weatherproof designs Investing in durability and preparing for the unexpected are both good rules of thumb for camping gear. Choosing a recliner with waterproof fabric and weatherproof frames can both extend the life of your equipment and ensure it’s still usable while camping if caught in a downpour. Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between a recliner and a lounge chair? A recliner is a chair with an upright seated position that’s capable of reclining backward, whereas an outdoor lounge chair is typically in a fixed recline position. Usually, recliners are equipped with a footrest that raises to support the legs and feet as the chair back reclines. How do I clean a reclining camp chair? Follow any cleaning instructions provided by the brand or manufacturer. Otherwise, you can begin cleaning by letting the chair air-dry (if wet) before removing any dirt or debris. Any remaining dirt or stains can be spot cleaned with a wet cloth. Be sure to let it dry before storing it in a dry place to avoid rusting. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Kevin Brouillard is a writer specializing in outdoor gear and apparel. He is a regular camper upstate in New York and used his experience relaxing outdoors to compile this list. He also gathered testing insight from T+L’s other camping experts to name the best reclining camp chairs for every occassion. The Ultimate Camping Packing List Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. learn more