What To Look For
A portable chair must be, first and foremost, portable. If it's not lightweight and easy to carry from here to there, it is not portable--even if the manufacturer says it is. Look for a portable chair that not only folds up and is light to carry but has a carrying case or strap on the chair to make it easier to take with you. A portable chair must also be easy to set up--no instructions should be required to set up a portable chair. Your chair should also be comfortable. While it's not going to be as comfortable as your living room recliner, it shouldn't have anything sticking in your back, the material shouldn't be scratchy or irritating in any way and the arm rests should rest your arms, not contort your body. A portable chair should feature at least one cup holder, maybe two. Padding in the back wouldn't be terrible--although there are plenty of chairs that are comfortable without it--and some recline a little, which is nice if you'll be in the chair for a while. Decide, too, if you want your chair to fold flat for easier stacking or fold in a box style for your storage needs.
Common Pitfalls
Make sure you check the weight capacity of your chair before buying it. Too often chair buyers make their selection based on price or features, and after they have sat in the chair a few times, it breaks. Avoid purchasing a chair with so many features you can hardly sit in it. Some chairs have extensive arm rests with storage pockets, multiple cup holders and other straps and features. Be sure you want those features before purchasing your chair. The biggest mistake you can make is not setting up and sitting in the chair before you buy it. Don't just pop in and pop out either. Sit there for a few minutes. Watch the other shoppers looking at you. Evaluate the experience in your chair. If this is going to be your chair for the summer, you'll want to make sure it's as comfortable and convenient as it can be. Be sure, too, that the chair you buy is suitable for the surface you'll be sitting on. A standard four-post chair will be fine on hard ground in a groomed yard, but you may want something a little more flexible and lower to the ground if you'll be spending most of your time on the beach, for example.
Where To Buy
You can purchase portable chairs at discount stores, sporting goods stores and outdoor adventure stores. Stores such as Wal-Mart and Target offer a variety of portable chairs, particularly in the spring and summer. Many online stores such as Amazon.com also offer portable chairs.
Cost
On sale, portable chairs can be found for as little as $5 at Wal-Mart. Chairs with more features or more weight capacity can be purchased for between $15 and $75 depending on the brand and features of the chair.
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