Author
Bob Myaing
Photographer
Courtesy Snow Peak
Enjoying the great outdoors typically involves sacrificing some of the creature comforts of home to receive nature’s bountiful beauty. We warmly welcome a less-is-more approach at camp but completely empathize with folks who prefer to maximize comfort while camping.
A comfortable folding camping chair is the foundation of any comfort-forward backpacking, car camping, or glamping experience. Camping couches, benches, and two person camping chairs are unconventional seating styles that pique our interest for the upcoming camp season. These wide, loveseat-style chairs are great for stretching out or sitting close together with your fellow camper.
Like all camping accessories and gear we obsess over, there are tons of options to consider. In this roundup we've focused on camping couches that are reasonably priced and more easily attainable than, say, a fireproof camping sofa that’s only available in Japan.
What to Look for in a Camping Couch
Size
With camping couches and benches, we’re upgrading the total sitting surface area provided by the typical folding camping chair or beach chair meant for solo use. Whether you plan to share the camping couch, sofa, or bench by yourself or with another, the overall size of the seat is an essential consideration.
Transportability
Since you’re lugging the seat out into the world, it’s important to consider its transportability. Weight and packed size are the key traits that make a camping couch easy to transport, so keep an eye out for those details in the tech specs.
Features
Why not pull out all the stops and grab a camping sofa that pulls out all the stops with features that add additional comfort and practicality? Sure, you can balance your beverage on an armrest, but wouldn’t a cup holder do better? Storage pockets are super handy for stashing small camping gear accessories like headlamps or some extra snacks.
Best Camping Couches
Best All-Around Camping Couch: Coleman Living Collection Bench
It’s not all camping lanterns and stoves from Coleman. The camping bench from the brand’s Living Collection focuses on injecting some modern style into their camp furniture, a big success in our eyes. The foldable aluminum frame and polyester fabric combination work together to support an impressive weight capacity of 450 pounds. Extra features like cup holders or storage pockets are not to be seen, but the minimal design is topped off with natural wood armrests for an extra hit of style and comes at a reasonable cost.
Width: 42.5”
Weight: 8 lbs 6 oz
Price: $120
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Most Comfortable Camping Couch: Snow Peak Campfield Futon Starter Set
If having the most luxe, comfort-driven outdoor experience is paramount, then Snow Peak’s modular camping futon system is hard to beat. The unique set might be the heaviest and priciest of the bunch, but it's as at home at the campsite as on a high design Airbnb patio or even as an easy-to-move living room sofa for apartment dwellers. Modular possibilities include splitting into two separate seats or a set of storage shelves when not in use as seating. Want to build one epic long camping sofa for all your friends? Grab some additional bases, cushions, and backs, then go to town... err the woods.
Width: 58.8”
Weight: 38 lbs
Price: $900
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Most Portable Camping Couch: Kelty Mesh Low Loveseat
Kelty’s prowess as a brand with portaging experiences shines through on their easily transportable camping loveseat. For warm weather use, a breathable mesh construction cuts down on seated perspiration that holds up to 400 pounds–the standard mesh-free Low Loveseat ($140) has the same weight limit. Its reclined back and drink-holder-equipped armrests use heavy-duty 600-denier nylon fabric for robustness. The lightweight steel frame folds to an 11x11” footprint, and the included cinching tote wrap even functions as a padded dog mat. Once rolled up, a padded shoulder strap makes for a comfortable carry.
Width: 44”
Weight: 15 lbs 9 oz
Price: $110
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Most Classic Camping Couch: Rio Web Loveseat
The American dream is alive in the classic lawn chair aesthetic of this foldable woven nylon web loveseat camping chair. In place of the flimsy aluminum tube frame you’d usually spot on chairs like this is a powder-coated steel frame that will resist rust that many neglected lounge chairs fall victim to. The casual classic holds up to 450 pounds, and although the armrest tops are plastic, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Width: 44”
Weight: 18 lbs
Price: $102
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Best Cheap Camping Couch: Outsunny Double Folding Chair
This lightly reclined two-seater hits right at the $100 mark and features enough comfort and practicality to make it a great buy. The powder-coated steel frame will stave off rust occurring from moisture, but the stretched cloth surface over it will only hold up to 350 pounds. Natural fir wood-topped armrests feature shallow reliefs as drink holders, but a little skill and a hole saw could make them even more helpful. Once folded flat, a cleverly placed fabric handle makes for easy transport.
Width: 45”
Weight: 12 lbs 5 oz
Price: $100
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Best Inflatable Couch for Camping: Chillbo Shwaggins
Despite this inflatable sofa’s harsh Hobbit-inspired name, it’s made and sized with humans use in mind. You’ve probably seen an inflatable chair or sofa at the beach, but they can also bring tons of lounging comfort to camping trips. Set up of any inflatable furniture can take some practice (or a strong breeze), but the general idea is that shaking it overhead fills the sofa chamber with air and a drybag-style closure locks it in to provide suspended comfort. Just watch out for sharp rocks and twigs.
Width: 84”
Weight: 2 lbs 8 oz
Price: $45
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Most Unique Camping Couch: Metolious Crash Pad Couch
Rock climbers and boulderers are no stranger to the protective comfort a crash pad can provide in between project burns. Climbing brand Metolious offers this plywood frame specifically for the bouldering crash pad you’ve already got around, lifting it off the ground and holding it at the perfect reclining angle. The wood frame collapses into five pieces that fold flat for storage in your trunk, van, or closet when not in use.
Width: 37.4” (frame only)
Weight: 22 lbs
Price: $120
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Published 04-12-2022
