One of the worst camping experiences of my life involves cold weather and a sleeping bag that completely inadequate for the cold mountain nights. That’s a story for another time. One of the other all time worst camping experiences I’ve had involved cold weather (again), constant rain, and a complete lack of a dry place to sit. Seating arrangements is not really something that you think about very much before you leave for your camping trip, but I can tell you from personal experience that it is definitely something to consider before you leave.
On the camping trip that I mentioned, it was cold and rainy for nearly the entire weekend. This created a problem because I didn’t have anywhere dry to sit at the campfire, and sitting in a puddle when you’re already cold and wet is even less glamorous than it sounds. Rocks and logs can sometimes be used to sit on in a pinch, but they get uncomfortable quickly (and they were all wet in any case).
A good quality camping chair would have solved several of my problems at once. I would have had a comfortable place to sit at the campfire, it would have been dry, and as an added bonus, I would have had a place to put my drink during dinner as well. No more trying to balance dinner on one knee while trying to keep my drink from spilling onto the ground.
So that’s why I say that camping chairs are part of the essential camping equipment that I take with me every time I go into the woods. Spend one cold and wet weekend in the woods, sitting on your bottom in a puddle and I bet that you’ll agree with me. Pick up a camping chair before your next camping trip. I know you’ll be glad you did.