A must-have item for any avid camper is a camping chair. While simply having a tent may be enough for some rugged backpackers, packing a camping chair with you can really amp up the comfort. Unfortunately, finding camping chairs made in the USA can be difficult, with more and more manufacturing taking place abroad. But don’t worry; we’ve done all the research for you. Here are the camping chairs made in the USA, along with some tips to help you do your own research down the line.
Complete List of Camping Chairs Made in the USA
A family-owned business, Lawn Chair USA started making handmade lawn chairs in the USA for their customers in 2010. They have since perfected and updated their lawn chair design, thanks to customer feedback over the years. Lawn Chair USA has a few different types of lawn chairs and beach chairs to choose from, all of which come in various colors and patterns.
Specializing in lightweight outdoor gear, MÜLIBEX is a veteran-owned company that is dedicated to handmaking their craft directly in Charleston, SC. The company does not outsource any aspect of the manufacturing abroad. Their camping chairs are freakishly lightweight but still strong and come in a few different colors.
Motorcyclist Kermit Easterling had one goal: to create a chair light enough to be carried on the motorbike while still being sturdy to last camping trips in the wild. The Classic Oak Kermit Chair is a lightweight wooden and foldable camping chair that is incredibly durable and comes with its own carrying strap. Kermit Chair Company has three family-run facilities in Nashville, where they painstakingly manufacture their chairs and other camping products to the original specifications established 40 years ago.
McCourt Manufacturing produces all sorts of chairs, including camping chairs. While not all of their chairs are made in the USA, they do have a couple of domestically made models: the Series 5TM and Series 5TM Fanback. Both of these are stackable folding chairs that are both lightweight and durable. These are the only stackable, foldable chairs you’ll find that are made in the USA.
If you’re after a timeless wooden camping chair that is lightweight and portable, Blue Ridge Chair Works makes a great one. Their flagship Blue Ridge Chair is perfect for camping, concerts, and even the beach. Every single one of their products, including their camping chairs, are handcrafted in Asheville, NC.
CampTime manufactures camping products, including camping chairs, that can be rolled up, making them incredibly portable for camping and hiking. Specifically, you’ll be looking at their Roll-a-Stool and Roll-a-Chair product lines, both of which are very compact and comfortable. All CampTime products are made in the USA in Spokane, WA.
The Hidden Woodsman is a trusted brand that manufactures products in the USA. They create products for wilderness enthusiasts, including bags, clothing, and even a camping chair. Their wilderness camp chair works similarly to a hammock. You simply tie up the tiny, foldable fabric onto bars or trees to allow you to rest your legs while camping.
Based in the Ozark Mountains, Mollyjogger is an authentic American heritage brand that manufactures products for hunters, fishermen, and campers. Their camping chair, called the Riverside Chair, is a wooden foldable chair that comes with a durable weather-resistant canvas back. It is easy to assemble and disassemble and is made in the USA.
Founded in 2002, Cape Cod Beach Chair Company manufactures, you guessed it, beach chairs, which can easily double as standard camping chairs. There’s a wide range of chair styles, sizes, and colors, so you can pick the one that’s perfect for you. You can even custom embroider your own beach or camping chair! All Cape Cod Beach Chair Company chairs are proudly produced in the company’s Cape Cod manufacturing facility.
A family-owned business, Sunrise Chair Co. manufactures beach furniture, including beach chairs, which can be used as your standard camping chair. Sunrise Chair Co. wooden beach furniture is 100% handmade in the state of Georgia in the USA, made with white oak timber, attesting to its durability. Every single part of the chairs and other beach furniture is made from materials sourced from the USA.
A family and woman-owned business, Everywhere Chair handmakes chairs that you can take, well, anywhere, including camping. They offer more than 150 different types of chairs, so you’ll certainly find the perfect one for your tastes and preferences. While not all of their chairs are made in the USA, you’ll be able to find USA-made camping chairs by clicking on the products you are interested in and keeping an eye out for the all-important “made in USA” tag.
Lack’s Outdoor Furniture manufactures furniture made from premium hardwood and marine acrylic fabric that comes in over 100 colors. All of their furniture, including camping chairs, is handmade in Myrtle Beach, SC, guaranteeing high-quality products that are custom-made with the consumer in mind.
Founded in 1981, Tidewater Lumber and Mouldings is a family-owned business that manufactures specialty lumber and wood products and provides lumber services to clients all over the USA. They manufacture everything from doors, flooring, decking, and more. They even produce products like beach chairs (which easily double as camping chairs) and tables. Their beach chair comes in various colors and is made from solid ash lumber sourced from their own lumberyard.
Mike’s YouTube Video on American Made Camping Chairs
How to Find Camp Chairs Made in the USA
We’ve provided you with a comprehensive list of camping chairs made in the USA. But if you’re serious about finding American-crafted products, you’ve got to learn how to find camping chairs in the USA to do your own research in the future.
What Does “Made in the USA” Mean?
Before we can dive deep into how to find USA-made products, it’s important to define what “made in the USA” really means. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), “made in the USA” means “all or virtually all” of the product is made domestically. This includes every step of the manufacturing process, from sourcing the materials to manufacturing and assembling the product. So, for example, if a product is made from Chinese materials and is largely produced in China, and is only assembled in the USA, this camping chair is not truly “made in the USA.”
For a more in-depth look at this, you should check out our complete guide on how to spot made in the USA.
Materials
Now that we’ve got the definition out of the way, the first step to actually finding camping chairs made in the USA is to look at the materials made. As mentioned, the materials used and where they come from play a part in whether or not a camping chair is truly American-made. So, what are camping chairs generally made of, and where do these materials come from?
Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight and durable material used for camping chair frames. The majority of aluminum production takes place in China. While the USA does produce some aluminum domestically, it is definitely not to the extent China manufactures the material, so you’ll need to do some extra digging to ensure the aluminum used in the camping chair is domestically sourced.
Steel
Steel frames are also popular for camping chairs, particularly for more budget-friendly models. The great news about steel is that it is readily produced in the USA, with the country coming in fourth in terms of steel manufacturing worldwide. It’s worth noting that American-made steel is three times stronger than Chinese-made steel, which only reinforces our point that it’s important to find camping chairs made with quality US materials.
Wood
Wood is another common material used for camping chair frames and is a great option for those looking for a classic or eco-friendly chair. Thankfully, wood is highly accessible in the USA, specifically hardwoods. Many American camping chair brands prioritize sustainably sourced American wood for their products.
Polyester
Polyester is often used for camping chair fabric. Most of the world’s polyester comes from Asia, mainly China. However, some US-based companies, such as Eastman Chemical Company and William Barnet & Son, produce some polyester on US soil. So, finding USA-made camping chairs with domestically sourced polyester shouldn’t be overly difficult.
Nylon
Nylon is a popular material for camping chair fabric, as it is both durable and resistant to wear and tear. China is by far the largest producer of this material, but the USA does produce some nylon domestically, around 2.4 million tons a year. However, it’s worth noting that many camping chair brands may use imported nylon due to lower costs.
Oxford Fabric
Yet another popular fabric used in camping chairs for the seating and backrest is Oxford fabric. This fabric is known for its durability and water resistance, making it perfect for outdoor use. While traditionally made of cotton, this fabric is now typically made from polyester or nylon fibers. The majority of this fabric is made in Asia, and domestic production of Oxford fabric is not as common but not impossible to find.
Labeling
Once the research on the materials is complete, it’s time to learn all about labeling. Thanks to Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the United States Code, all imported products, including camping chairs, must be labeled as such. This is why you’ll see labels like “made in China” or “made in Bangladesh” on all products. In addition to the FTC’s protection of the coveted “made in the USA” label, this makes it easier to find American-made camping chairs.
However, things are not always as simple as that. There are a few things to keep in mind.
While the FTC does protect the use of the “made in the USA” label, there is no pre-approval process, and it’s up to the individual companies to decide whether their products meet the requirements to use the label. It’s up to us, as consumers, to report any wrong use of the label.
There are some companies that may use similar language to the “made in the USA” label, such as “made in America,” “manufactured in the USA,” or “designed in the USA.” But these labels are not a substitute for “made in the USA.”
Finally, if you are online shopping, you may notice that you cannot find the country of origin of camping chairs on any websites. This is because companies are not required to state the country of origin online, only on the physical product or packaging. So, to find USA-made camping chairs while online shopping, you’ll need to do some extra digging. Keep in mind that “made in the USA” is a huge selling point, so if this is indeed the case, you should be able to find this on the front page, the About Us page, or the product page.
Other Tips
Here are a few other tips to keep in mind during your research.
Check Social Media
As mentioned, “made in the USA” is a big selling point, so see if you can find evidence of the fact on the company’s social media. Look for any information regarding their manufacturing process.
Contact the Company
Still unsure whether a specific camping chair is made in the USA? Contact the company, and the customer service rep will answer all of your burning questions.
Be Cautious of the Use of American Flags
If you see an American flag sticker on a label, don’t automatically assume the camping chair is made in the USA, as there is no regulation stopping companies from placing the sticker wherever they want.
Camp Chair Brands Not Made in the USA
It’s also always a good idea to keep an eye out for popular camping chair brands that are decidedly not made in the USA. We’ll continue to update this list as we continue with our research, and feel free to reach out to us if there are any other brands we should add!
- YETI – Made in China
- REI – Made in Asia
- GCI – Made in China
- Nemo – Made overseas
- Helinox – Made in Korea and Vietnam
