Camping recliner chairs
A camping recliner trades pack size for the ability to lean back and put your feet up. It suits long evenings at a campsite or caravan, and it suits people who find a straight chair tiring.
How they work
Most recliners have a back that locks at several angles, by a ratchet strap, a sliding lock or a pivot. Some add a footrest that lifts to a lying position. A few have a full-length bed shape. Check how the adjustment feels before you rely on it, because a mechanism that is stiff or loose will frustrate you all weekend.
Who they suit
Recliners suit car campers and caravanners who have room, and anyone who wants to read, stargaze or doze. They are less suited to hiking, where weight and pack size matter more, or to uneven ground where a tilting chair can be unstable.
Weight, size and stability
Recliners are heavier and bulkier than standard folding chairs. Check the packed length against your boot. A reclined chair puts weight further back, so a wide base and a firm footing matter. Never recline on a slope, and be careful near a fire.
Features to compare
Number of positions, whether the footrest is part of the chair or separate, padding thickness, headrest, armrests, cup holder and side pocket. The best camping chair guide covers how to weigh these against price and weight.
Check the weight rating
A reclined seat loads the frame differently from an upright one. Choose a recliner whose rating comfortably exceeds the weight of the person who will use it, and read the heavy duty page if that margin is small.