Folding camp furniture was considered such a breakthrough invention that in 1893 the Gold Medal Camp Furniture Company dispatched salesmen from its headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin to travel to Chicago to display its first designs—including a cot and a canvas chair—at the World’s Fair.
At the World’s Fair, the furniture was exhibited to depict “The Angler’s Camp and Its Outfit.” But hobby fishermen weren’t the only ones who had a use for the folding furniture. Folding cots found their way into military barracks, and the canvas camp chairs went went to Hollywood, to become the director’s chair on movie sets. And on a patio, deck, or balcony, folding camp chairs can’t be beat for their lightweight portability.
Here are ten of our favorite modern folding camp chairs at prices from high to low to fit any budget:
Above: From designer James Perse and made in the US, a teak Cross Creek Directors’ Chair is covered in an all-weather fabric; for more information and pricing, see James Perse.
Above: The ultimate in outdoor elegance: the Folding Chair by Mogens Koch was designed in 1932 and is made of oil-treated beech and mahogany with brass fittings and a natural canvas cover. It is currently on sale for £547 (marked down from £644) at the Conran Shop.
Mounted brass rings are designed to make the Mogens Koch chair fold easily. For US shoppers, a Mogens Koch Folding Chair is available for $855 from Danish Design Store.
Above: A Highlands Deck Chair folds flat for storage and is $266 from Blue Ridge Chair Works.
Above: Covered in all-weather Sunbrella fabric, a solid teak Directors Chair chair is on sale for $398 from Serena and Lily.
Above: A wood Low Back Director’s Chair has a canvas seat and back and can hold up to 250 pounds; it is $129.74 from Film Tools.
Above: With a frame made of North American hardwood and a canvas seat and back available in 14 colors, a World Famous Director’s Chair is $189 from Thos. Baker.
Above: A Také Chair with a frame of aluminum and laminated bamboo has a washable canvas cover; $159.95 from Snow Peak.
Above: Above: Made of hardwood, a Director’s Chair with a natural cotton cover is $48.99 from Target.
Above: Designed by Milan-based architects Ludovica + Roberto Palomba for Eumenes, a Xenía outdoor folding chair has indoor style. Available three styles: as an armchair, with armrests, and as a lounge armchair. A powder-coated stainless steel and die-cast aluminum frame comes in five colors. For more information and prices, see Eumenes.
