Weight
If you have the car or motorhome, camping chair weight probably isn’t that much of an issue as you won’t have to carry the chairs very far. But if you will be on foot or will have to walk to a beach or up a mountain, think about how heavy you can go practically.
The lightest of camping chairs will probably be a stool or an inflatable model. But what they give you in lack of weight, they can miss in support, so if you will be spending an extended length of time in your chair, it could be worth carrying that bit more weight for the benefits when you’re sat down.
Maximum load is another thing to look out for, as some camping chairs can hold more weight than others. Weigh yourself so you know your limit – you don’t want the chair collapsing under you which could cause injuries.
Material
The build of most camping chair frames is either aluminium or steel. The former is usually a bit lighter than steel, which is good for transporting, but if you can you may want to go for steel which will provide a bit more stability.
As for the seating material, most camping chairs will be some form of nylon which will protect against water and mud and is easy to both clean and dry. It is still perfectly comfortable and supportive, too.
Packability
The majority of camping chairs will fold quite thin and pole-like, so they can go into a bag and be carried. This should be a relatively easy process and a case of just grabbing both ends and pulling together.
Look at how the storage bag is carried. Most camping chair bags should have a shoulder strap for if you are travelling light and this is all you have, but you may also want to look at the dimensions of the camping chair when folded in case it will be attached to your rucksack.
Extra Features
Most will have these, but it is what makes a camping chair a camping chair. This is often in the form of mesh for cheaper chairs, the fabric of the chair for mid-priced, and a separate thermal drinks pocket for high-end camping chairs which will keep drinks warm or cold
Not necessary in a camping chair, but if you will be spending long amounts of time in the seat, you may want something which can recline back for ultimate relaxation. You may also want to look for padding and a footrest
Pretty common in camping chairs really, but again there are bucket chair designs without any arms, which may not be ideal for extended periods of time