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Whether you’re organizing a small sports event or a large-scale tournament, finding the right type of folding chair is essential to your enjoyment of the event. There are many different types of folding chairs on the market, each with its own unique features and benefits. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best types of folding chairs for sporting events so that you can make the best decision for your event.
Recommended Folding Chairs For Sporting Events
Folding Arm Chair
ALPHA CAMP Oversized Camping Folding Chair
Folding armchairs are a great choice for those looking for a chair that they can kick back and relax in when heading to a game. They typically comes with a cup holder built into the arms and can fold down fairly small. If this traditional style of camping chair appeals to you, then the Alpha Camp Oversized Camping Folding Chair would be a great choice for you.
The first thing to note with this chair is the price, which is around the $90 mark. Whilst this means it is not the cheapest chair on the list, this is a fairly average price point for a chair for sports events.
Weighing in at 9.7lbs, the Alpha Camp is about average for what you should expect in terms of weight. This chair is robust, with a weight capacity of 350lbs, which should be enough for the typical sports chair user.
This chair is comfortable too, made from a material which is breathable and soft. This, along with the cup holder mean that you can watch a game without feeling too uncomfortable being sat in the same place for a long time.
Folding Lawn Chair
REI Co-op Outward Lawn Chair
Lawn chairs are a good choice for those who want a chair that is easy to put up and pack away, as well as having a solid structure, including firm arms and a firm frame. The REI Co-op Outward Lawn Chair is a great choice for those looking for a solid framed chair for watching sports.
Priced are just shy of $90, this price is typical for a chair of this type. Weighing in at 7.5lbs, this chair is lighter than some of the other options on the list, which is a real bonus if you will be carrying the chair for a while before getting comfortable to watch the game. The weight limit of this chair at 250lbs, is a little on the low side compared to other chairs on the list, but it is still enough for most chair users.
With a padded seat, this chair is quite comfortable the use, though it would be nice to have some other comforts as well, such as a cup holder to make longer times more bearable without the need to readjust yourself.
Folding Directors Chairs
TIMBER RIDGE Lightweight Oversized Camping Chair
Directors chairs are a good choice for those looking for a sturdy chair that can fold down flat for storage and transport. If you are looking for a sturdy chair for watching the game, the Timber Ridge Lightweight Oversized Camping Chair would be a great choice.
This Directors chair has a very good weight capacity, capable of supporting up to 400lbs of weight. The surprising part is that usually to get this high a weight limit the chair will also become pretty heavy, which is not the case with the Timber Ridge. This chair weighs just 7.3lbs, which is getting close to half the weight of other, sturdy camping chairs.
The other benefit with this chair is the folding side table, which has space for snacks and an integrated cup holder, meaning you can just kick back and relax whilst enjoying your chosen sports game.
Priced as around $100, this chair costs a little more than other chairs on this list, but given the durability and comfort of this chair, it may be worth spending a little more on.
Canopy Chairs
Ozark Trail Sand Island Shaded Canopy Camping Chair
If its hot where you live and you don’t want to be sitting in the sun all day long, a chair with a canopy is a good way of avoiding getting burnt. If you want a good canopy camping chair, then the Ozark Trail Sand Island Shaded Canopy Camping Chair would be a good choice.
This canopy camping chair is very similar to a traditional folding camping chair, which can fold down to a pretty tight package for storage and transport, however the canopy adds to the weight, with this particular chair coming in at 12lbs. There is some benefit to this extra weight in addition to the sun canopy, with a max load of 400lbs making this chair sturdier than some other folding camping chairs.
The real benefit of this camping chair is the canopy, which provides protection during hot, sunny days. It also comes with two cup holders, which are integrated into each chair arm. This means that as well as protecting you from the sun, you really don’t even need to leave your chair once you sit.
The biggest selling point to this chair is the price, which at just $35 is a real bargain.
Backpacking Chairs
Helinox Chair Zero
For those looking for the lightest, smallest packacged sports chair, a backpacking chair would be a good choice. Designed to fit inside a backpack, these chairs are a great choice when you need to trek to a game and don’t want to lug around a heavy, unwieldy chair. If this appeals to you, then the Helinox Chair Zero is definitely a good choice.
Weighing in at just 1lb, this chair is unbelievably light and convenient for carrying over long distances. With such a small weight, you are probably thinking that it won’t be able to support a child, never mind an adult. Surprisingly this chair can support up to 265lbs, which is pretty decent given its lightness.
One of the downsides of this chair is the comfort. Unlike other chairs on the list, there are no bells and whistles, such as cup holders and side tables. The seat may also be a little low for some people. The plus side here though is that the chair is in a natural reclined position, which can help you to be comfortable.
This is also the most expensive chair on this list, priced at around $130. But if you want an ultralight and convenient camping chair, the Helinox Zero One would be a great choice.
Rocking Chair
Creative Outdoor Products Camping Chair
Sitting still in a chair for some people can be uncomfortable, even if it is just for an hour or two. A great way to combat this is with a rocking camping chair. The Creative Outdoor Products Camping Chair is a great choice for those going to watch a long game who also want to keep themselves moving whilst being comfortable at the same time.
This rocking chair is similar to a directors style chair, with the only real difference being the ability to rock in it. Whilst a lot of directors chairs have a quite high weight capacity, this chair can accommodate just up to 250lbs, which is good for most people, but is probably something to consider if you are on the larger side.
The Creative Outdoor Products Camping Chair weighs 12lbs, which is above the average when compared to other sports chairs on this list. This is partly due to the extra materials required for the chair to rock, but also because of the extra features this chair comes with, which include a cup holder, coolbag and a large storage pocket. These make the extra weight worth it, ensuring that you are extremely comfortable when watching the game.
With an RRP of $85, the Creative Outdoor Products Camping Chair is a good choice for those looking for a relaxing and comfortable chair for attending sports events.
Stadium Seats
Alpine Mountain Gear Stadium Seat
When it comes to folding chairs for sporting events, there are lots of elaborate options to choose from, when sometimes all you need is a simple folding mat to sit on. A stadium seat is very similar to a basic sit mat, but with the added feature of a backrest as well. The Alpine Mountain Gear Stadium Seat is a good choice for those looking for a folding seat without all the fuss.
This simple, folding seat not only packs down small but is also very light, weighing in at just 1lbs. This makes it a really good choice for occasions when you need to walk quite far to get to the side of the playing field.
The weight limit if on the lower end, with a maximum capacity of 250lbs. This limit reflects the amount of weight that the straps that hold the back support in place can bear and it not the limit on how heavy you can be to sit on the lower pat of the mat, so don’t be put off if you are on the larger side as you can still use the mat when folded down.
The real boon here is the price, coming in at around $29, which is very cheap. So, if you are in the market for a simple place to keep your butt warm when watching a game, the Alpine Mountain Gear Stadium Seat would be a good choice.
Folding Double Seat
KingCamp Loveseat Camping Chair
If you are regularly going to the game with your partner or family, you might be in the market for a chair that allows you to snuggle up together when watching your chosen sport. Having sat on the touchline myself on a cold winter morning, snuggling up with someone to keep warm is a very appealing prospect. The KingCamp Loveseat Camping Chair is a solid folding double seat what allows you to do just that.
With enough space for two people, this chair is perfect for couples or family who don’t want the hassle of carrying multiple chairs to games and who want to be able to keep war together easier. As you would expect, the extra size means that the chair weighs more than others on this list, however at just 13.4lbs, it is not excessively heavier than some of the other chairs.
The weight limit for this chair is 440lbs, which is high, but would need to be divided by 2, meaning a weight of 220lbs per person is more accurate. This is due mainly to the way the chair is built to ensure that it can fit two people but also pack down to a reasonable style package.
One of the real pros of this chair is how comfortable it is, with a nice, cushioned seat as well as cup holders integrated into the arms.
At $110, the KingCamp Loveseat Camping Chair is more expensive than some other chairs on the list, but given that it is for two people and not just one, it is a really good option for a folding chair for watching sports as a couple.
What To Look For When Choosing Folding Chair For Sports Events
Chair Weight
When choosing a folding chair for sporting events, it is important to consider the weight of the chair. A heavier chair will be more stable and less likely to tip over in the event of a collision or fall. A lighter chair may be easier to transport and set up, but it may not provide as much support or stability. Ultimately, the decision of which chair to choose should be based on personal preference and the specific needs of the event.
Choose a lighter chair if you need to carry your chair for some time as a heavier chair will be tiring and could cause injury if you have to lug it around for a while.
Max Load
When choosing a folding chair for sporting events, it is important to consider the max load. The max load is the amount of weight that the chair can safely hold. This is important because you want to make sure that the chair will be able to support the weight of the people who will be sitting in it. Furthermore, the max load is also a good indicator of the quality of the chair. A higher max load means that the chair is made of higher-quality materials and is sturdy.
If you weigh more than 250lbs, you should check the max load of the chair you are buying to make sure it can safely support your weight. It is also advisable to choose a chair with a weight limit of at least 50lbs above your actual weight as you can rest assured that the chair is strong enough for you.
Pack Size
When choosing a folding chair for sporting events, pack size is an important consideration. A chair with a smaller pack size will be much easier to carry, meaning you can get to your sport to watch the game much easier and without annoying other people along the way.
The compromise when it comes to chairs with a smaller pack size is that they are either small when unfolded, have a low max load or are expensive. With this in mind, you should only go for a chair with a small pack size when absolutely necessary.
Price
When it comes to choosing a folding chair for sporting events, price is important for a number of reasons.
First, chairs that are more expensive tend to be made of higher-quality materials, which means they will last longer. Additionally, pricier chairs usually have more features, such as cup holders and storage pockets, which can be convenient. Finally, spending more on a chair may mean that it’s more comfortable, which can be important if you’re going to be sitting in it for long periods of time.
If you are going to be using your chair regularly, then spending a little more on your chair may be worth it if it means you get a higher-quality product with more features.
Comfort
Whether you’re tailgating before the big game or spending a day at the beach, comfortable folding chairs are a must-have. When choosing a folding chair for your next outdoor adventure, look for one with plenty of padding to keep you comfortable during long hours in the sun. A cup holder and side table are also handy features to have, and if you’re looking for ultimate relaxation, choose a reclining chair.
Summary
So there you go. I hope you have found this guide useful and that it has helped you find the right chair for you.