Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Why it made the cut: With an exceptionally rugged build and great comfort, the YETI Trailhead is a camp chair meant to last. To find the best camping chair for your needs, you should take into consideration these factors: Type of camping

Lafuma Camping Stool LFM5024 PH Velio® Mix Grey

At 690g, this chair is improbably light yet supremely comfortable. You are close to the floor, so it’s not as easy to get out of as a standard height camping chair, but the weight savings are unrivalled and your shoulders are supported which means you can fully stretch out and relax. If you only camp occasionally you could get away with a cheap and cheerful fold-open chair but, if you camp regularly, we’d recommend spending as much as you can afford to get better quality and comfort.

Think about the different people in your group, too; there’s an option to suit everyone. We’ve included a double camping chair that couples will love, mini chairs for small campers and an oversized model for anyone who prefers a bit more wiggle room. It’s worth noting that more portable camping chairs tend to be low to the ground – if you’d find that a struggle, make sure you choose a model that’s as high as the chairs you use at home. If you plan to use your chairs to eat around a camping table make sure they sit at the right height for your chosen table, too. What key features do I need? Any extra gadgets and gizmos after that are up to what you need – some chairs have headrests, cup holders and mesh compartments for storage.Why it made the cut: This budget-friendly chair supports up to 600 pounds and comes with a cup holder and water-resistant cell phone sleeve. The seats have removable, padded fabric covers, this makes maintenance a breeze. The padding makes them really comfortable and I’ve sat on them for ages when eating or playing games without the slightest bit of bum-ache! I think the benches and the table are at a great height and whereas some camping furniture feels like children’s furniture and is not really the proper size for adults – this table and bench are no different in size to what you may have at home. I’ve already written about our trip to Skomer Island but other things which were really awesome were climbing to the top of Carn Llidi and getting an amazing view of Whitesands Bay. Visiting little local pubs like the Swan Inn, Littlehaven and the Druidstone, Druidstone Haven and exploring places like St David’s Cathedral and the many desolate beaches.

Handmade in Bali using Fair Trade principles, the profits are shared between employees and their own foundation which supports the Sumbanese Kodi tribe in East Indonesia. As well as offering health, education and development aid, they’ve also helped the local community to build new infrastructure including access to clean water and malaria prevention.

Coleman Kickback Chair

Aside from the luxury of a warm bum as the temperature drops, the steel-framed chair is exceptionally comfortable, with a deep padded seat, good lumbar support and headrest. Add in the fact that it reclines and the armrests sit at the ideal height, and it’s a combination that almost guarantees an afternoon nap. It can hold up to 140kg, which is significantly more than many similar styles and folds flat for relatively easy car storage. In truth, our favourite feature is the hanging footrest: this allows you to sink into it and truly relax. If they could also sell a hanging drinks holder, we’d be in camping chair heaven. Folded up in its bag, the Coleman measures 38 inches long and weighs 10 pounds; it slings over the shoulder for easy transport. It’s not the most rugged camp chair out there, but its alloy supports, and polyester seating material are quite weatherproof. The low asking price also ensures that you won’t need to worry too much about affording a replacement if it breaks after a few years. All in all, the Coleman is a solid budget camp chair available for a very reasonable asking price. Things to consider before buying a camping chair

You can then flip the whole table over and a latch on each side of the table top holds it all together. The table top is made from a sort of melamine feeling plastic. This feels very tough and is nicely wipe clean, meaning that spillages are easily dealt with – great if you’re a messy cook like me! It even has a nice pattern which makes it a little bit prettier than most camping furniture.The construction of the legs is really nice, in each corner there is half of a leg which is firmly attached to the table top. You just pull this out and the whole construction suddenly starts to look like a table! You then grab those half legs which were attached to the inside of the table, and these just push into the existing legs. This gives you a full height table similar to what you have at home. The table legs go together very securely with internal clips which hold them in place. I hadn’t been to Pembrokeshire before and really loved it there. It was similar to Cornwall but even more rural and the beaches much, much quieter!