Back pain is a prevalent issue for millions of people in this country. But a bad back doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying your favorite things, including camping. You just need to find the right camping chair for bad backs.
What Are the Best Camping Chairs for Bad Backs? There are many exceptional camping chairs with lumbar support on the market. The top 10 include:
| ALPS Mountaineering Camp Chair |
 
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| STRONGBACK Elite Camping Chair |
 
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| Bliss Hammocks Zero Gravity Chair |
 
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| Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair |
 
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| MARCHWAY High Back Camping Chair |
 
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| KingCamp Camping Chair |
 
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| Lafuma Futura Air Comfort Folding Recliner |
 
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| Kijaro XXL Dual Lock Portable Camping Chair |  
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| Jet Tent Pilot DX Camping Chair with Lumbar Support |
 
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| OzTent King Kokoda Camping Chair |
 
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Please follow this link if you are looking on more general information on camping chairs
All these chairs offer lumbar support and ease stress and back pain. We will look at each one closer in a minute. But first, let’s go over some of the things that you should look for when you’re searching for the best camping chairs for bad backs.
You have to plan to be able to pack any of these chairs in your camping gear. However, as we say in our article on “11 Awesome Tips for Camping in Tents, Comfortably“, getting good camping chairs makes a real difference.
Things to Consider When Looking for the Best Camping Chair for a Bad Back
As I mentioned, back pain is an extremely common problem. Nearly all of us have experienced it. According to Harvard Medical School, your chance of suffering from back pain at some point in your life is higher than 80 percent. “Back pain is the second most common cause of disability in the U.S.”
However, just because you have a bad back doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on all the fun. If you want to go camping, then go camping, but make sure that you bring along the best chair for bad backs.
Not all camping chairs are created equal. Some are much better for bad backs than others. Today we’re going to recommend several excellent camping chairs made specifically for people with back problems. But before we get into them in more detail, let’s discuss some of the things that you should look for in the best chair.
The Materials
Materials are an essential consideration when you’re looking for the best camping chair for a bad back. The fabric used on the chair is the first thing you should pay attention to. Nylon is an excellent choice for the body of the chair because it’s easy to maintain, lightweight, and water-resistant. Polyester is another excellent choice.
The other thing that you need to look for is a solid, durable frame. It’s good if you can find a chair with an aluminum frame. Aluminum is sturdy, but it’s also lightweight and offers plenty of support.
It’s All About the Support
If you have pain in your back, especially in your lower back, then you need extra lumbar support. Regular camping chairs don’t offer much in the way of support, but chairs explicitly made for bad backs, like the ones on our list, will help you stay comfortable.
Look for supportive frames and fabric that don’t sag when you sit on it. Most of the chairs on our list this year also include extra padding for comfort. And many of them come with a pillow that you can either use for lumbar support or put under your head to support your neck.
The Weight
When you take a chair along on a camping trip, you will need to carry it and move it around. Lugging around something super heavy is not going to do your sore back any favors. Picking up a heavy chair can make your back worse.
So look for lightweight chairs.
Another thing you should look at is weight capacity. You want a chair that is going to fit your body. It can be dangerous to sit on a chair with a low capacity if you are heavier. Fortunately, there are many chairs with high weight capacities. Most of them on our list fit that category. Some of them can support over 400 pounds.
Other Important Features
All the chairs on our list have extra features that we like. It’s nice to have cup holders and zipper compartments to hold your belongings. It’s also great if they come with a lumbar or neck pillow.
High backs on the chair are another essential feature if you have a bad back. You also want armrests and leg rests on reclining chairs.
Finally, look for chairs that come with carrying straps or bags. All the chairs on our list this year fold down and most of them come with convenient carrying bags.
The Top 10 Best Camping Chairs for Bad Backs
In no particular order, here are our favorite camping chairs for bad backs this year.
1. ALPS Mountaineering Camp Chair
The first chair that you should consider is the ALPS Mountaineering Camp Chair. ALPS Mountaineering makes some excellent camping equipment, and this chair is no exception. Many camping chairs made for bad backs can be quite expensive, but not this one.
The ALPS chair also offers several features that will help your back. It’s made of 600D Polyester fabric, which is very comfortable, even when you’re sitting for long periods. We also really like the lightweight pro-tech aluminum frame, which ensures plenty of strength and stability.
This camping chair comes with curved padded armrests, an extra tall back, and a cup holder. It also features a detachable back frame so you can carry, store, and transport it easily.
It’s no fun to carry around a heavy chair when you have a sore back, but you don’t have to fret over that with this one. It only weighs 10.5 pounds. This chair also has a high weight capacity of 425 pounds. And it comes in several different color options.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Minimalist
- Lightweight
- Comes with a high back and cup holder
- Can accommodate heavier weights than most chairs
Cons
- Not as comfortable for tall people
2. STRONGBACK Elite Camping Chair
STRONGBACK makes another excellent camping chair for bad backs. This chair features an award-winning patented design with lumbar support. Not only does it support your spine, but it also aligns your posture and eases tension in your back.
This chair is made specifically for taller people. It’s also lightweight and easy to use and carry, making it ideal for camping. The STRONGBACK chair comes with a cup holder and a backpack-style carrying bag.
Another thing we love about this chair is that it is made with heavy-duty materials that make it very durable. It weighs just 11.9 pounds, and it has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds.
Pros
- Comes with a two-year warranty
- Spacious, ergonomic seat design
- The seat is very firm and doesn’t sag
- Excellent lumbar support
- Made with high-quality materials
- Very helpful for chronic pain
Cons
- More expensive than some of the others
- Not suitable for very heavy individuals
3. Bliss Hammocks Zero Gravity Chair
If you have a bad back, you are going to love the Bliss Hammocks Zero Gravity Chair. This chair is a recliner that offers plenty of lumbar support. It can hold a lot of weight without caving in.
The Bliss Hammocks chair comes with a canopy to protect you from the sun and a neck pillow for extra comfort. It is portable, but it’s worth mentioning that it is more substantial than some of the other chairs on our list. It weighs 27 pounds.
The extended backrest will accommodate people of any height. This chair also comes with an extendable drink tray.
This chair is available in three different widths: 26 inches, 31 inches, or 35 inches. And it comes in 15 different color options.
Pros
- 350-pound weight capacity
- Zero gravity reclining feature
- Extremely durable and strong
- Comes with several additional features for comfort
Cons
- Heavy to carry, particularly if you have a bad back
4. Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair
Another camping chair you should consider is the Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair. It is made of durable polyester and padded foam. The thing we love about this chair is that it reclines in several positions so you can find your perfect comfort zone.
Timber Ridge is a reputable company for high-quality camping equipment, and this chair lives up to its reputation. It’s sturdy and well-made with a steel tube framing and can accommodate weights of up to 350 pounds. It also comes with a unique pop-out cup holder.
This chair is portable and perfect for taking on camping trips. It folds up to a compact, easy-to-carry size. The only downside is that it is fairly heavy. It weighs 24.6 pounds.
Pros
- Very well-built
- Durable
- Can withstand drops, bangs, and bad weather
- Adjustable reclining
- Can accommodate 350 pounds
Cons
- More expensive than some of the others
- Heavy
5. MARCHWAY High Back Camping Chair
MARCHWAY makes another excellent camping chair made for people with bad backs. The first thing that we love about this chair is that it is extremely portable. It folds up small enough to fit into a carrying bag. But the best part is it won’t hurt your back to carry it around. This chair only weighs 3.5 pounds. Yes, really!
Even at the lighter weight, the MARCHWAY camping chair is high-quality. It’s made of 1000D polyester with an aircraft-grade corrosion-resistant 7075 aluminum alloy frame. That means that it can handle any type of weather.
This chair also has a high back with lumbar support. And it comes with a sponge head pillow for extra comfort.
The MARCHWAY chair can support up to 250 pounds. It’s very affordable, and it comes in four different color options.
Pros
- Great price
- Comfortable
- Lightweight and foldable
- Easy to carry
- Quality materials including velcro for added support
- Comes with a lifetime limited warranty
Cons
- Can’t accommodate very heavy individuals
- Can be a little tricky to put together at first
- The fabric stretches a bit with use
6. KingCamp Camping Chair
The KingCamp Camping Chair is another one that’s worth your time. It has a large seat, high back, and a lumbar support system that will keep you comfortable on your camping trip. The seat of this chair is 600D waterproof Oxford fabric, and a durable steel frame supports it.
One arm of the chair contains a mesh cup holder. The other side of the chair has a small cooler bag that can hold three cans of soda or beer. Another cool feature is the zippered head pouch where you can keep your book or laptop. You could easily stuff a small pillow into the head pouch for extra comfort.
For easy transport, this chair folds up and can be packed into a bag that you can carry over your shoulder. It won’t strain your back to pick it up either, as it weighs just 11 pounds. It also can support a weight of 350 pounds.
Pros
- Comes with a lumbar support system
- Comes with a one-year limited warranty
- Cup holder, cooler bag, and storage compartments
- Free replacements for any quality issues
- Lightweight and easy to carry
Cons
- The seat could be a little too high for short people
7. Lafuma Futura Air Comfort Folding Recliner
If you’re looking for a luxury camping chair, then look no further than the Lafuma Futura Air Comfort Zero-Gravity Recliner. This chair is the ultimate in comfort, and it is ideal if you have a bad back. The Lafuma chair features an ergonomic construction. You can use this chair in many different positions, including zero-gravity reclining, which relieves back stress and pain.
The Futura recliner comes with plenty of cushioning. The chair is made with high-quality fabric and breathable AirComfort padding. This fabric helps to keep you cool, so you don’t have to worry about sweating and sticking to the seat.
You recline this camping chair using your arms, not your legs and back. The chair is constructed with an HLE steel tubing frame that is corrosion-resistant. And it folds up so that you can easily transport it, although it is a bit on the heavy side, weighing 18 pounds.
The Lafuma chair has a weight capacity of 300 pounds, and it is available in three different color options and two different widths.
This short video will show you more of the features of this incredible chair.
Pros
- Solid, sturdy build
- High back with an added head pillow for comfort
- Plenty of lumbar support
- Foot glides
- Patented Elastomer clip suspension
Cons
- The chair is relatively heavy
- More expensive than the others
8. Kijaro XXL Dual Lock Portable Camping Chair
The Kijaro XXL Dual Lock Portable Camping Chair is another one that you should consider if you have a bad back. The thing that we love about this chair is that the durable diamond ripstop polyester and breathable mesh don’t sag when you sit on it. It offers plenty of support for your back.
The dual lock feature makes it ideal for taking on a camping trip. It both locks when it’s folded and when it’s open. The chair folds up and can be stored and transported in the convenient carrying bag. It weighs just 11 pounds, so it won’t kill your back to carry it either.
The Kijaro chair includes two cup holders and an organizer with zipping and mesh pockets. This chair is extra-large and can easily support weights of 400 pounds. It is two inches wider and one inch higher than regular camping chairs. And it is available in nine different colors.
This video will show you more about this exceptional chair.
Pros
- Extra-large lumbar support
- Airflow mesh on the back
- Lightweight and strong
- Supports higher weights
- Affordable
- Steel tubing frame for extra strength and durability
Cons
- The front crossbars can be a little uncomfortable if you have very large legs
9. Jet Tent Pilot DX Camping Chair
Another chair that you should consider if you have a bad back is the Jet Tent Pilot DX Camping Chair. This chair offers several exceptional features, including the adjustability options. The lumbar support design is adjustable both vertically and horizontally. That means that you can customize it to fit your exact size.
One feature that makes this chair unique is that every part of it is replaceable. The powder-coated steel frame is fully padded, so it provides excellent comfort. The chair isn’t too heavy to carry around either, weighing 14 pounds.
This chair includes a zippered headrest that you can put a pillow in. And it comes with a PVC-lined carrying bag and an insulated cup holder. It also has side pockets. This chair can hold weights up to 330 pounds.
Pros
- Very sturdy and comfortable
- Accommodates for proper lumbar curvature
- Comes with a cup holder and a phone holder
- Has several adjustability options
- Comes with carrying bag
- Comes with a five-year warranty
Cons
- You can’t pick the chair up by the arms, or they will pop off
10. OzTent King Kokoda Camping Chair
Our final entry on this list of the best camping chairs for bad backs is the OzTent King Kokoda Chair. We love this chair because it offers lumbar support, and you can adjust the lumbar curvature. It’s also collapsible, so it’s easy to transport.
This chair features a solid aluminum frame and armrests. It’s also fully padded for extra comfort. The OzTent chair comes with a headrest that has a zippered pocket where you can add a pillow or store your belongings.
This chair isn’t the lightest on our list, but it’s still not too heavy to carry around at 14 pounds. It comes with cup holders and pockets on both sides. And it has a weight limit of 331 pounds.
Pros
- Adjustable lumbar support
- Fully padded
- Comes with a five-year warranty
- High weight capacity
- Comes with a carrying bag
Cons
- A bit bulky to carry around
It All Comes down to This
We highly recommend all ten of the camping chairs on our list this year. But if you pressed me to choose the very best one, I would have to go with the Lafuma Futura Air Comfort Folding Recliner.
This chair is the ultimate in comfort and luxury. The only real downside to it is that it will cost you a pretty penny.
A close second is the STRONGBACK Elite Camping Chair. If you prefer a chair that doesn’t recline on your camping trip, then this one is an excellent choice.
Don’t let a lousy back keep you from enjoying life. You just need to make sure that you have the right chair to support your spine. Happy camping!
