Rocking the Great Outdoors: How to Choose the Best Folding Rocking Chair for Your Needs

Last Updated on May 12, 2023 by Stone

Are you a lover of the great outdoors? Do you enjoy spending time on your patio or camping in the wild? If so, you know how important it is to have comfortable and functional furniture that can withstand the elements. And what could be more comfortable than a rocking chair? But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. That’s why we’re here to help you make an informed decision. In this article, we’ll discuss choosing the best folding rocking chair for your needs. We’ll cover everything from the different types of materials to the various features and design options available. So whether you’re looking to relax on your porch or take your chair on your next camping trip, we’ve got you covered. Let’s rock the great outdoors in style!

Benefits of using a folding rocking chair for outdoor activities

One of the main benefits of using a folding rocking chair is that it provides a comfortable and relaxing seating option for outdoor activities. Whether you’re camping in the woods or lounging in your backyard, a rocking chair can help you unwind and enjoy the outdoors.

Another advantage of a folding rocking chair is that it is portable and easy to store. Unlike traditional rocking chairs, which can be bulky and difficult to move, folding rocking chairs can easily be folded up and carried. This makes them a great option for outdoor enthusiasts who like to travel light.

Finally, folding rocking chairs are designed to be durable and weather-resistant. They are typically made from materials such as aluminum, steel, or wood, which can withstand the elements and last for many years. This means you can enjoy your folding rocking chair for many outdoor adventures.

Before we get to the list of chairs, let’s explore why you would want to rock in the first place. Most of us were rocked in chairs at some point as a baby. According to Nancy Watson, a researcher at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, the act of rocking brings peace of mind to many people. She says that it is very well documented that the gentle repetitive motion of rocking soothes infants. Her research has shown the same effect on elderly people suffering emotional distress. It would stand to reason that people in other age categories, between infants and the elderly, might also feel emotional relief from a good rock in a comfortable chair.

Research published in Current Biology in 2019 showed that sleeping on a rocking surface improved sleep quality and memory consolidation. Most of us don’t sleep on a rocking surface. Still, electroencephalography data showed that rhythmic rocking movements helped to synchronize the brain, especially the neural circuits related to sleep and memory. Maybe that is why we tend to feel more relaxed when rocking. I think rocking by the campfire under the stars can only enhance this effect.

Different types of folding rocking chairs

There are several different types of folding rocking chairs on the market, each with its own unique features and design. Here are some of the most common types:

Camping rocking chairs

Camping rocking chairs are designed to be lightweight and portable, making them ideal for outdoor adventures. They typically feature a sturdy frame made from aluminum or steel and a breathable fabric seat and backrest. Some camping rocking chairs also have built-in cup holders and storage pockets, holding drinks, snacks, and other essentials.

Patio rocking chairs

Patio rocking chairs are designed to be comfortable and stylish, making them a great option for outdoor lounging. They are typically made from wood, metal, or wicker materials and come in various colors and styles to suit your preferences. Some patio rocking chairs also come with cushions or pillows for added comfort.

Event rocking chairs

Event rocking chairs are designed to be portable and easy to set up, making them a great option for outdoor concerts, festivals, and other events. They typically feature a lightweight frame made from aluminum or steel and a fabric seat and backrest that can be customized with your logo or branding.

The Best Folding Camp Rocking Chairs

This section will show you my picks of folding rocking chairs for camping. These chairs are not just limited to camping; however, they also work well on a patio, balcony, or porch though some work better than others. So however you plan to use it, there is something here for everyone.

Deerfamy Camping Swinging Chair – Best Pick for Big Guys/gals

The Deerfamy Camping Swinging Chair takes an innovative approach to rocking. It has a stable base, and the chair itself swings like a hammock. The seat is nice and wide for a larger person or big enough for a small person or a kid to curl up in and perhaps take a nap. It is 38.5 inches (98 cm) at the top of the back for your upper body and 22 inches (57 cm) at the bottom where your thighs would rest. The seat portion is a breathable SP515 nylon mesh, so your bottom will stay cool and dry during those hot summer days.

The fabric portion is 600D (denier) polyester. This is the typical thickness of polyester used in higher-quality backpacks, luggage, and rugged electronics accessory cases. The frame is made of thickened steel tubing allowing the chair to support 350 lbs (159 kg). This makes this chair the best rocking camping chair for big guys (or gals).

The included storage bag is wide enough that you do not have to fight to get the chair into it for storage. The final stored chair in the bag is 38 (98 cm) inches tall, with an 8.2 (21cm) x 5.5 inch (13 cm) footprint. The chair has a wide variety of applications such as camping, porch sitting, beach relaxing, or indoors as temporary seating.

11.3 lbs

Our Categories	Specifics
Comfort	– Breathable material SP515 nylon mesh – oversized seat
Durability	– Very. Can hold 350 lbs (158.8 kg)
Neck Support	– No
Do you have to Fight with the Storage Bag?	– No. Easy to get back in the bag.
Passes the Hold My Beer Test?	– Yes
How is the Movement?	– Like a gentle rock, not a wild swing motion
Total Weight	– 11.3 lbs (5.1 kg)
Notable Mentions	– 2-year warranty – Works like a hammock – Footrest

Sunnyfeel Camping Rocking Chair – Best Traditional Rocker for overall Durability.

The Sunnyfeel Camping Rocking Chair is a traditional rocker with curved rocking bars. It has a high back and is well-padded for comfort. The high back means your neck will be supported as you sit and rock. The frame itself is strong and holds up to 300lbs (136 kg). The fabric used is a mix of strong 600D polyester and 300D polyester which is lighter but less durable. A few customers have complained that their chair developed tears from regular use and I suspect this might occur in areas where 300D polyester was used. The trade-off in reducing the chair’s weight is a decrease in durability.

This chair does have a storage bag, but the chair itself is not intuitive on how to fold up, and the width of the bag is too narrow to easily get the folded chair back inside it. You will end up struggling with the storage bag to get the chair in it, increasing the risk of ripping it. This isn’t a big deal if you don’t plan on storing it in the bag.

Because this is a traditional rocker, the terrain you use should be somewhat flat, limiting your use options. It sits a bit low and feels comfortable to sit in, but this makes it harder to get out of if you have bad knees or hips. The armrests are soft and don’t make good supports if using your arms to assist yourself up to standing. This is something to consider if you have mobility issues but probably not a big deal if you don’t. Finally, there is no cup holder.

11lbs (5kg)

Our Categories	Specifics
Comfort	– Fully padded with a high back and cushioned armrests.
Durability	– Alloy Steel frame. Can hold 300 lbs. Material is 600 x 300D Polyester.
Neck Support	– Yes
Do you have to Fight with the Storage Bag?	– Yes
Passes the Hold My Beer Test?	– No
How is the Movement?	– Moves like a traditional rocking chair with curved rocking bars.
Total Weight	– 11 lbs (5 kg)
Notable Mentions	– 1-year warranty

Coastrail Outdoor Camping Rocking Chair – Best Budget Rocker

This chair is the most affordable on the list. It is very similar to the Sunnyfeel chair reviewed above. One key difference is more prominent padding on the seat to the upper back with a padded neck rest. The chair is oversized, comfortable, and can hold 300 lbs (136 kg). The fabric is polyester and finished with a PE coating to make it more durable and water-resistant. The chair is big enough for an average-sized person to even have a small to medium-sized dog snuggled in with them. The chair is 34 inches (86.3 cm) at the top of the backrest, 22 inches (55.9 cm) where the thighs rest, and 38.2 inches (97 cm) tall.

There are inner mesh pockets on both sides of the chair which are perfect for storing your phone or other items you want to keep handy. Unfortunately, there is no cup holder. Some customers also complain (similar to the Sunnyfeel mode) that this chair is an ankle killer.

Similar to the Sunnyfeel model, this chair also has soft armrests. They, therefore, cannot be used to support someone with mobility issues who need to use their arms to get out of the chair. This is another difficult chair to get back into the storage bag. The final stored chair is very long at 48 inches (123 cm) with an 8.3 in (21.1cm) x 9 in (22.9 cm) foot print⸺make sure it will fit in your car for transport or the location in your home you plan to store it.

The clips that are supposed to hold the chair in place when folded do not fasten easily to the bars as the thick fabric material is in the way. Because of the rocking bars, this chair also works best on flatter surfaces. It seems to be a solid choice for many applications like a patio, porch, or flat campsite. I’d say if you are going to use it often, don’t need to store it, and will use it on flat terrain then this chair is the best value in terms of comfort and price.

Our Categories	Specifics
Comfort	– Fully padded seat to upper back and cushioned armrests.
Durability	– Powder-coated steel frame. Can hold 300 lbs. Polyester fabric with PE coating.
Neck Support	– Yes. Has a prominent padded headrest
Do you have to Fight with the Storage Bag?	– Yes
Passes the Hold My Beer Test?	– No. Has inner mesh pockets only.
How is the Movement?	– Moves like a traditional rocking chair with curved rocking bars. 30-degree rocking motion.
Total Weight	– 13.6 lbs (6.2 kg)
Notable Mentions	– 1-year warranty

Timber Ridge Outdoor Folding Rocking Chair – Best Semi-permanent Solution

This chair scores high for durability depending on your intended use. The frame is made of iron, making this chair strong but heavier than the others reviewed. The metal is powder coated but if you use this chair on a rough surface like rocks or concrete the rocking motion on the bars will scrape off the coating, and we all know that exposed iron will rust. It would be a great option for a relatively flat grassy area, a patio, or even a concrete balcony as long as you had a mat underneath to protect the coating.

What is really nice about this chair is that the backrest is high and adjustable so you can set it in a position that works for you. Also if you have knee problems, you can use the hard armrests as support when getting up from the chair. This chair does have a mesh storage bag but no cup holder. This is not a problem as long as you are set up next to a table or other flat surface to rest your drink on.

Another thing to consider is the size and weight. It is a bulky rectangle shape when folded (36.75 in x 26 in x 5 in or 93.3 cm x 66 cm x 12.7 cm) and weighs 16 lbs (7.3 kg). When it is set up and ready to use, the dimensions are 23.5 in x 16 1/8 in x 40. 5 in (or 59.7 cm x 16 cm x 103 cm).

I see this chair as a great option for an older person who would like to be able to adjust the backrest and have neck support and hard armrests. This chair while portable feels more suited to semi-permanent uses like on your patio for the summer season or maybe next to your RV at a campsite for a couple of weeks.

This Model is Not Available at Walmart

Our Categories	Specifics
Comfort	– Fully padded seat and backrest. The backrest is 28 inches and adjustable.
Durability	– Iron frame with powder-coated finish. Can hold 300 lbs (136 kg)
Neck Support	– Yes.
Do you have to Fight with the Storage Bag?	– No
Passes the Hold My Beer Test?	– No. Has one mesh side pocket only.
How is the Movement?	– Moves like a traditional rocking chair with curved rocking bars.
Total Weight	– 16 lbs (7.3 kg)
Notable Mentions	– 1-year warranty – Has hard armrests. – Storage bag like a large tote. Much like carrying a folded table.

GCI Outdoor Roadtrip Rocker – My Top Pick Overall.

The GCI Outdoor Roadtrip Rocker is the one I personally own. My wife got it for me for father’s day one year. I have taken it camping several times, and it is the chair that everyone fights over. Since it sits on four legs and there is no rocking bar, you have more options on where you place it. You could use it on a rocky campsite for instance. You should position it so that the legs feel firm on the ground and you’ll want to ensure the short front legs are not on a downward slope (which would make the chair prone to tipping forward).

Since the legs are firmly in place and there is no rocking bar, you do not have to worry about wearing the coating off as other models reviewed. The rocking motion is slightly less than a traditional rocker. it weighs a bit more than the other rockers reviewed (except the Timber Ridge), but the folded dimensions are about. Open size: 29.4 x 25.8 x 39 in (75 x 65.5 x 99 cm).

It has a comfortable breathable seat, is durable, has neck support, is easy to fold and get back into the storage bag, and has a cup holder. It even has hard armrests that allow a person with bad knees or hips to use their arms to help them get out of the chair. One disadvantage of this chair is that it is only rated for 250 lbs (113 kg) so it would not be a good choice for a heavier person, but it was the perfect choice for me. The online price was also reasonable.

Our Categories	Specifics
Comfort	– Comfortable Seat and breathable mesh panel for good airflow on hot summer days.
Durability	– Powder-coated steel frame. Can hold 250 lbs (113.6 Kg).
Neck Support	– Yes.
Do you have to Fight with the Storage Bag?	– No
Passes the Hold My Beer Test?	– Yes
How is the Movement?	– Spring action rocking technology
Total Weight	– 12.7 lbs (5.8 kg)
Notable Mentions	– 1-year warranty – Has hard armrests.

Buying Guide

Storage Considerations – How do you fold and store a Rocking Chair?

An important consideration of these chairs is how easy they are to store. Camp chairs typically come with storage bags though some are easier to actually get back into the bag than others. One pet peeve of campers is that the storage bag is barely wide enough to get the folded camp chair back into it. Some models are still quite bulky and awkward when folded and placed back in the storage bag. You might want to consider the dimensions of the folded chair and where you will store it in your home when you aren’t using it. Most chairs are pretty easy to collapse.

Durability – Is it Strong and How much weight can it hold?

This is a huge consideration. Do you want a lighter chair made with cheaper materials that you will only get a few summers out of or do you want a more durable chair built to last? The latter is likely to be made with better metals, stronger fabric, and be a little heavier. If you are a large person, check that the weight limit is within your range.

Rocking Motion

These chairs will either have a seat that swings like a hammock, rounded rocking bars like a traditional rocking chair, or a spring mechanism. The rounded rocking bars will provide the best rocking motion that you are familiar with, but the other two have the advantage of having stationary legs that can be used in more applications where the ground does not lend itself to traditional rocking.

Where you are primarily going to use the chair will ultimately determine the type that you get. All of these work well on flat surfaces, but if you are going to use them on bumpy, rocky terrain, you might want to avoid rocking bars altogether. If you are going to use it mainly on nice flat terrain, rocking bars will give you the best experience.

Comfort

I think the whole point of these chairs is a more comfortable experience than your typical camp chair. You need to determine if the amount of padding is adequate for you, if not it might feel like metal bars are digging into your back. If neck support is important to you, you’ll need to ensure the chair’s back is high enough to rest your head against. Is the fabric breathable? If not you’ll be sweating in it on a hot summer day.

Neck Support

If neck support is important to you, then take a look if the chair you are buying has a high back that you can rest your head on. A chair may be comfortable to sit in, but if you have neck issues, that’s not going to matter if your head is not supported when you are rocking.

Can it hold your beer or other beverage of choice?

Many of these chairs come with internal pockets and don’t have a cup holder. This is not such a big deal if you have other surfaces nearby where you will be sitting to rest a drink. It becomes more problematic if you are at a campsite or on the beach with no nearby table and have to hold your drink in your hand the whole time. Not a deal breaker, but something to consider.

Final thoughts

A folding rocking chair is a great addition to any outdoor enthusiast’s gear collection. It provides a comfortable and relaxing seating option for camping, hiking, backyard lounging, and outdoor events. When choosing a folding rocking chair, be sure to consider factors such as comfort, durability, and portability, and look for features such as cup holders, storage pockets, and adjustable recline. With so many great options on the market, you will surely find the perfect folding rocking chair for your needs. Now, get out there and rock the great outdoors in style!