• The Kelty Rad-Arondack Chair’s sturdy frame and sleek design beat flimsy fabric camp chairs that blow over in the wind. Plus, it’s built to outlast seasonal wear and tear.
• This chair works just as well in the backyard as it does in the campground, making it a versatile pick for your camping gear collection.
• Outfitted with easy-to-clean, water-resistant 600-denier fabric and a sturdy aluminum frame, it supports up to 325 pounds.

The Kelty Rad-Arondack is a sleek and modern take on the classic Adirondack-style chair, reimagined with portability in mind. It trades flimsy fabric and pole construction found on many camp chairs for a durable and sturdy aluminum frame and a heavy-duty seat and back that recline at a similar angle to the piece of furniture that inspired it.

That durability does come with some trade-offs regarding its weight and pack-down size. But it’s well-suited to car camping, and while it may not be the plushest camp chair we’ve tested, it’s certainly one of the most durable and sturdy.

I’ve spent the last month testing the Rad-Adirondack chair in my backyard, on my patio, and at a campground, and it’s earned a permanent spot among my go-to car camping gear and at home for everyday use.

The Rad-Arondack’s high-quality design and build were obvious from the moment I pulled this chair out of the box. However, setting it up was a bit cumbersome. It comes in several pieces that require snapping together, which took me five or so minutes to figure out—much longer than other camp chairs that are as simple as pulling them out of the bag and unfolding.

That said, breaking it down is much easier. If you don’t want to disassemble it completely so you can move it around the campsite, it’s cleverly designed to fold flat. There are simple pins on the sides that pull out and velcro straps to secure the legs. It also stows in a padded carrying wrap that doubles as a dog bed or ground pad.

The Rad-Arondack sat in the rain, wind, and sun on my patio for more than a month without any noticeable damage or wear and tear. Thick 600-denier, water-resistant fabric covers the face of the chair. To clean the seat and frame, I used a broom or a damp cloth to wipe away dust and debris.

At nine pounds, it’s definitely on the heavier side. That said, it’s less likely to blow away if a gust of wind sweeps through, and you don’t have to worry about the fabric or frame breaking with frequent setup or teardown while on the go.

The Rad-Arondack is firmer and sits lower than most full-size camp chairs with fabric seats. I appreciated a wider seat base for accommodating larger bodies, and its frame holds up to 325 pounds.

I personally don’t mind a lower seat base, as it works well aesthetically on my smaller patio, and I like that the chair packs down to half the height of most of my other camp chairs. That means I have more room for other gear in my trunk when packing for a multiday car camping trip.

Kelty makes similar, lighter-weight, lower-profile camp chairs, like the Lowdown Chair, though they won’t be as sturdy as the Rad-Arondack. Older adults or campers with mobility challenges may want to consider a taller option, like the Kelty Deluxe Lounger Chair, which we recommend as the best camp chair for lounging.

The Kelty Rad-Arondack is one of the most (if not the most) durable camping chairs you’ll find. It isn’t designed to be the lightest, the most cushioned, or the most budget-friendly. But if you’re looking for a camp chair that’s super sturdy, reclines at a comfortable angle, and works just as well on a patio as it does in a park or campsite, this is it.

Shop the Kelty Rad-Arondack Chair