Travel chairs are portable chairs that are meant to be used outside of the home. These chairs are primarily used in exterior settings where a chair would be beneficial but are not likely to be found, such as at the beach, at picnics, on camping grounds or at outdoor sporting events. Features can vary between manufacturers and chair designs, but fade-resistant nylon and tough frame tubing are often used to create these types of chairs.
There are a variety of features that a travel chair can have. One of the most common is the capability of being folded for easy transport. This ability to be folded can make a travel chair extra-portable and usable in any location.
Travel chairs can be made out of fabric and frame tubing that are designed to support the user and hold his or her posture. A travel chair is usually made out of strong fabric that has been tested as being fade-resistant and tubing that deters undue wobbling and accidental falling. Specific materials that are commonly used in the construction of travel chairs include nylon, polyester, grommets and rivets. Although fabric hook-and-loop fasteners are not strong enough to be used as part of the chair's support system, they can be incorporated into the design as a means for its owner to keep the chair in a solid position while transporting it from one location to another. Fabric manipulation such as webbing and double stitching can also work to make a travel chair as strong as it can be.
The design of a particular travel chair can vary between manufacturers. For example, some travel chairs do not have backrests, and others include wide backrests. Similarly, armrests might also be missing from this type of chair. When major features such as these have been left out of a travel chair's design, it usually is for maximum portability. The features that are offered can also depend on the design and the manufacturer; some travel chairs come with cup holders already built into the chair, offering the user another level of comfort when using the chair.
Although it is small and portable by nature, a travel chair is built to be able to support more than the average weight. This durability, combined with its portability, makes it a popular alternative to a standard chair in many types of environments. Travel chairs can come with carrying bags to aid the user in transporting them.