The Best Portable Summer Chairs

The Best Portable Summer Chairs

Whether we're parked at a makeshift WFH setup or lounging on the sofa watching Netflix, we care a lot about the comfort of our cabooses — but, it's during summer activities (like camping, picnicking, beach-combing) when supporting our bums actually matters the most. And since we can't tote that new ergonomic office chair with us on our upcoming birdwatching adventure, we hunted down the next best option: top-rated travel chairs.

Each of the customer-approved seats ahead checks the shopping boxes of lightweight and portable outdoor support (with a few covering the added bonus of stylish, too). Scroll on to find the travel chair that fulfills your summer of 2020 needs: from full-length loungers that you can luxuriate on in your backyards to chic rattan fold-ups that will turn unfinished rooftops into tropical cabanas, collapsible quads with armrest coolers that are fit for the finest park parties, and...need we say more?

We’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. 

Society6 The Abstract Shape Of Spring Sling Chair

Beyond supporting your caboose, this hammock-style sling chair covered in a beautiful kinetic print designed by artist Morgan Harper Nichols also supports Black creatives. The chair itself is crafted with multi-position recliner capabilities, is UV- and water-resistant, and collapsible.

Check out Society6's Discover Black Artists' collection page for more beautiful work.

Society6 The Abstract Shape Of Spring Sling Chair, $, available at Morgan Harper Nichols

Urban Outfitters Tatami Beach Chair

Custom crafted from woven-rattan materials, this ultra-chic and portable fold-up features a reinforced seat, reclining back, and a hinging silhouette with carrying handle for easy transport.

Urban Outfitters Tatami Beach Chair, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Travelwell Outdoor Padded Portable Chair

This affordably-priced and travel-friendly foldup chair provides comfy cushioning with a supportive adjustable backrest and carrying strap.

Travelwell OUTDOOR GAME PADDED LIME PORTABLE CHAIR, $, available at Walmart

Blue Ridge Chair Works Folding Chair

We love the simple classic style of this folding chair that comes crafted in the U.S. from two pieces of solid ash wood with a full-length supportive back and sling-strap for comfortable carrying.

Blue Ridge Chair Works Caravan Folding Beach Chair, $, available at Wayfair

Woods Mammoth Folding Padded Camping Chair

One member of our team loves this portable "camping" chair so much, she currently uses it inside her home to breastfeed from — it's just that comfy (and retro-chic). Crafted from luxuriously padded 600-denier polyester fabric, it comes durably structured with 400-lb weight capacity and the easy foldup portability of a carrying bag plus adjustable shoulder strap that can take you from house to park and beyond.

Woods Mammoth Folding Padded Camping Chair - Sea Spray, $, available at Woods

Diamond2Deal Beachcomber Portable Chair

Listen up loungers: this lightweight, fully padded mat with an adjustable headrest and zippered pouch that folds up into an over-the-shoulder tote bag is for you.

Diamond2Deal Beacomber Portable Chair, $, available at Walmart

Rio Portable & Compact Sling Chair

This compact steel-framed chair comes equipped with a ventilating mesh center, foam-pillow headrest, extended seat depth, drink holder, and carrying strap for easy toting that reviewers describe as, "Super comfortable. I have a 15-minute walk to the beach and carry it back and forth with no problem. It’s fairly lightweight but heavy enough to be sturdy. Good deal."

RIO Brands Portable Compact Fold Breeze Beach Sling Chair, $, available at Amazon

Bed Bath & Beyond 1-Position Chair

Sometimes a no-frills travel chair actually travels best — and this simply-designed, single-position fold-up seat in a sea-foam hue does that trick for under $20.

Bed Bath & Beyond 1-Position Beach Chair in Blue, $, available at Bed Bath & Beyond

Deluxe Zero Gravity Chair

A portable chair that can take you from seated upright to lounging horizontal and virtually any angle you wish in effortless zero-gravity style. Oh, and it also comes crafted with an awning to block out the sun, headrest, cupholder, and phone pocket too.

Plow & Hearth Deluxe Zero Gravity Chair With Awning - Light Blue, $, available at Plow & Hearth

Moon Lence Ultralight Folding Chair

For those wanting the lightest of the light, this ergonomic chair is made with a high-strength aluminum alloy frame to provide durable support that only weighs two pounds total — customers can attest that it's a "Great little beach chair. Compact and lightweight. Good if you need to walk a ways to your destination. Easily fits in a drawstring backpack with a towel."

MOON LENCE Ultralight Portable Folding Chair With Carry Bag, $, available at Amazon

L.L. Bean Base Camp Love Seat

Portable summer chairs are not single-butt exclusive — and this brilliant love-seat style from the outdoor experts at L.L. Bean proves it.

L.L. Bean Base Camp Love Seat, $, available at L.L. Bean

Rio Extra Wide Backpack Chair

Its extra-wide seat, pillowed headrest, drink holder, adjustable reclining positions, and padded carrying straps make this portable chair a summer go-to for beach outings, park picnics, and beyond.

RIO Brands Extra Wide Backpack Beach Chair, $, available at Walmart

WEKAPO Inflatable Lounger

We are ready to sacrifice looking absolutely extra for the sheer comfort and convenience that this inflatable, waterproof air sofa has to offer. Past purchasers call it, "Super easy to use and sooo comfy. Lightweight and doesn't stick and you can float in the water. Best beach 'chairs' by far due to the comfort and ease of packing."

WEKAPO Inflatable Lounger, $, available at Amazon

from refinery29