Snow Peak Folding Camp Chair Review After 5+ Years of Use – Are These the Best Camp Chairs
When it comes to camping gear, chairs often get overlooked. People focus on tents, awnings, fridges, and 12V gear, but after a long day on the tracks, nothing beats a comfortable chair around the fire. Well, once you start getting through those thirties, into your forties and beyond (camp gear choices really start to change)!
Over the past five years, we’ve put the Snow Peak Folding Camp Chairs (pretty much a director’s chair) through everything from quick weekend trips to multiple Simpson Desert crossings, and they’ve become an essential part of our touring setup.
This Snow Peak folding camp chair review isn’t just based on specs, it’s based on hundreds of hours sitting around the campfire, thousands of kilometres, harsh conditions, and real-world use. If you’re searching for the best camp chair for comfort and durability, here’s everything you need to know.
Why We Love Our Snow Peak Camp Chairs
Comfort That Lasts
Comfort is the number one reason these chairs stand out. The wide enough seat and supportive backrest make them far more comfortable than a typical camp chair. After hours of driving corrugated tracks then setting up camp, being able to sink into a chair that actually supports you is priceless. There are no supports digging into the sides of your legs, or the need to sit at a weird angle that leaves you with a stiff back or neck.
We’ve tried plenty of alternatives over the years, and most fall short. The Frontrunner chairs, for example, pack down smaller, but they’re nowhere near as comfortable (we have used these for a period in our Africa trips so have some experience with them, plus further feedback from friends that have used the Frontrunner chairs for several years). If you value relaxation and comfort at camp, the Snow Peak chairs surely deliver.
For your reference, I (Peter) weigh 85kgs and am 6 foot tall with a decent sole on my shoes :). I will not let you know what the other half weighs as that will not end well.
- Snow Peak & Frontrunner Camp Chairs Simpson Desert
- Camp Chair Setup
- Snow Peak & Frontrunner Camp Chairs Setup
- Camp Setup in the Outback
Built to Last
Durability is where these chairs really shine. We’ve had ours for over five years, and they’ve survived everything: desert dust, coastal salt air, rain, and constant packing and unpacking. The aluminium alloy frame and cast zinc joints are rock solid, and the polyester canvas seat still looks great despite heavy use. No fraying, no broken parts, no sagging fabric. That’s Japanese quality for you and we know, we own a selection of Snow Peak and Uni-Flame products all made in Japan.
- Chair Folded for Storage
- Chair Folded for Storage
- Still Looking Very Good After 5+ Years
- Components Showing Little Wear & Tear
Lightweight & Easy Setup
Despite their sturdy build, these chairs are surprisingly light at just 3.5 kg. Setup is simple, unfold and you’re done. No fiddly parts, no complicated mechanisms. When you’re tired after a long day, that simplicity matters.
Easy to Clean
The polyester canvas seat and backrest are very easy to clean. A damp cloth and a little soapy water are all you need to remove dust, mud, or spills. For us, this has been a huge benefit after desert trips or coastal adventures where gear gets dirty fast. Being red in colour, they are prone to showing the dirt, so depending on your OCD, you might want to clean these more regularly than a black or brown chair (something to consider).
Practical Storage Options in Our Setup
We store our Snow Peak folding camp chairs in a Drifta canvas bag for protection. Depending on the trip, they either ride beside the rear drawers in our 76 Series Land Cruiser or in the camper trailer. They’re not the smallest chairs when folded, but with a little planning, they fit into most touring setups.
- Drifta Canvas Bag for Chair Storage
- Bag Fits Two Snow Peak Camp Chairs
- Snow Peak Folding Camp Chair 5+ Years Old
- Japanese Quality
Unfortunately, they do not come with any storage bag as standard, and this is something extra you are going to have to fork out for in order to store these chairs safely. We purchased an Australian-made Drifta canvas storage bag that stores both chairs comfortably, a good option if you have these Snow Peak folding camp chairs.
- Enjoying Some Downtime with the Flies
- Snow Peak Camp Chairs Stored in Our 76 Series Land Cruiser
- Chairs Stored in Our Camper Trailer DOT373
- Enjoying a Simpson Desert Sunset
The Downsides
No product is perfect, and these chairs have a few drawbacks worth mentioning:
- Bulky When Packed – Folded dimensions are 69 cm x 58 cm x 10 cm, which is larger than many compact chairs. If space is tight, this could be an issue. For comparison, the Frontrunner chairs pack much smaller, but you sacrifice comfort.
- Not Cheap – These chairs sit at the premium end of the market. If you’re on a strict budget, they might feel expensive. But in our experience, the quality and longevity justify the price.
- No Cup Holders or Storage – If you like having a spot for your drink or small gear, these chairs don’t offer that. They’re minimalist by design, focused on comfort and durability rather than accessories.
- No Storage Bag – Compared to say the Frontrunner chairs that come with a storage bag, these Snow Peak chairs do not, so if you need a bag to store these, you will need to buy a bag from another company which comes at an additional cost.
- Can Show the Dirt – Being red in colour, they are prone to showing dirt much easier than say a black or brown chair. You may find yourself cleaning these more often than a darker coloured chair, but for us this has not been the case. They get a wipe down maybe a couple times a year depending on use.
Key Features & Specs
- Frame: Aluminium alloy with cast zinc joints.
- Seat & Back: Polyester canvas.
- Weight: 3.5 kg.
- Dimensions: 59.5 cm (L) x 56.5 cm (W) x 84 cm (H).
- Packed Size: 69 cm (L) x 58 cm (W) x 10 cm (H).
- Sitting Height: 45.5 cm.
- Extras: Carry handle for easy transport.
Pros & Cons Summary
Pros
- Extremely comfortable.
- Proven durability (5+ years, no issues).
- Lightweight and easy to set up.
- Premium Japanese build quality.
- Easy to clean with damp cloth and soapy water.
Cons
- Bulky when folded.
- No cup holders or storage.
- Higher price point.
- No storage bag adding to the cost.
- Can show the dirt.
Real-World Performance
We’ve used these Snow Peak folding camp chairs in every scenario imaginable.
Through it all, these chairs have never let us down. No broken frames, no worn-out fabric, no rust. They’ve become part of our standard setup, something we never leave home without.
Overall Rating
If you value comfort, durability, and quality, the Snow Peak Folding Camp Chairs are hard to beat. Yes, they’re a bit bulky, lack cup holders, and aren’t the cheapest option out there, but after years of use in some of Australia’s harshest conditions, we’d buy them again in a heartbeat. Buy once and you will save in the long run, that has always been our motto.
Highly recommended if they fit your budget and storage space.
We purchased our Snow Peak Folding Camp Chairs and did not receive anything to write this. This is honest feedback after more than 5 years of use.
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Thanks for reading.
The thoughts of Peter.
03/12/2025 @ 12:05 PM
Just purchase one of these chairs based on your review and to help keep weight down for when I cross the Simpson Desert next year.
03/12/2025 @ 12:11 PM
G’day Chris,
Thanks for reading and your feedback mate. You will not be disspaointed with the Snow Peak chairs. We have quite a few bits of Snow Peak gear and really cannot fault any of it. All the Japanese made gear we own (includes Uni-Flame) is just so good and has lasted so well. I have a few reviews to still post on our other Snow Peak gear, so keep posted for those if you are interested.
Good luck with your Simpson Desert crossing, and take a look at our Simpson posts as we have done quite a few crossings and have shared lots of useful info for planning any trips if it is your first crossing.
Cheers mate.
Peter