Outdoor Retail Gear Trends: 2016 Camp furniture

From the backcountryto music festivals, consumers are looking for outdoor furniture that emphasizes comfort in a small package, versatility and, on top of that, good looks.

GCI Outdoor President Jeff Polke coins the trend “camp big, pack small,” adding, “it’s gaining popularity and momentum with people that have, or are looking for, a portable lifestyle. They crave luxury items they can take with them no matter what the adventure.”

GCI Outdoor brings a new fold to the camp chair with the Bi-Fold Camp Chair (MSRP $55). The chair folds in half twice, becoming one-fourth of its size when open. The Bi-Fold has a four-position reclining backrest and its unique design allows the chair to stand on its own while unpacking your car for the day or night’s festivities.

Alite has also looked to the camp chair to bring more comfort to consumers’ outdoor recreations. “Lightweight, compact furniture seems to be spreading into different sizes and usages in the outdoor industry,” said Alite Co-Founder and creative director Tae Kim. “Camp chairs are getting bigger and are being used for multiple activities. These lightweight designs are taking the place of products from before, when people were sitting on the ground or in heavier, bulky chairs.”

The tallest addition to the brand’s furniture offerings, the Calpine Chair (MSRP $100), stands at 15 inches in height and provides a sturdy, heavy-duty frame for maximum stability. Offered in five colors, the Calpine chair is perfect for the campfire or even on the back porch.

Trekking pole expert Leki enters the folding chair category with two new additions, the Chiller (MSRP $130) and the Breeze (MSRP $100), employing the same high-tensile strength of the aluminum tubing in its poles with deeper-than-wide construction for broad support.

“Kick back and look good doing it,” seems to be the motto for the newest collection from Kelty, Versant, which focuses on style and portability. The Versant Low-Back (MSRP $100), High-Back (MSRP $140) and Side Table (MSRP $90) all share the same charcoal fabric complimented by a copper collapsible aluminum frame and pack up small to fit in any of the stylish Versant packs. The low-back offers compact comfort, while the high-back offers more of that big-chair comfort. The side table fits in anywhere from a backyard BBQ to your favorite campsite.

–Jessica Hamel