Looking to add a sturdy chair to your patio, or maybe a seat that’ll bring a nice pop of color to your front porch? An Adirondack chair can be a nice addition to spruce up your outdoor spaces, as they offer relaxation and are great for entertaining a group around a fire pit or in the backyard.
Adirondack chairs are generally made from wood, metal, or plastic, and many are coated with weather-resistant finishes. When shopping for Adirondack chairs, it’s important to look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, or ones made from recycled materials instead of virgin plastics.
Here, the best sustainable Adirondack chairs for kicking back and unwinding.
The combination of sustainable materials and adjustable back make Highwood’s Hamilton Adirondack chair our top pick. With three different reclining positions, this chair is great for deep conversations around the fire, sitting back with a good book or a cocktail, or for lounging on the beach. It also folds down, meaning you can fold it up for storage during the off season.
Best Overall
Highwood Hamilton Folding & Reclining Adirondack Chair
Made from recycled plastics, this chair has the look of real wood without the pain of having to maintain wood, so it won’t rot, fade, crack, or peel. Simply rinse the chair off to remove any dirt or buildup.
It weights 34 pounds, so it’s not easy to carry but won’t get pushed around on your deck by the wind. The weight capacity for this chair is 400 pounds, and you only need a drill to assemble it. Numerous colors are available, including black, red, blue, and wood tones.
Price at time of publish: $307
Crafted from high grade, FSC-certified eucalyptus grandis wood, this budget-friendly Adirondack chair is built to last for years to come. This design is made for sitting back and relaxing with its wide arms, contoured seat, and curved front for optimal comfort. Choose from a natural stain or classic colors like white, navy, or red. Did someone say summer BBQ?
Best Budget
Plow & Hearth Wooden Adirondack Chair
When the dog days are over, you can fold up the chair for easy storage until the next season.
Price at time of publish: $190
These chairs from Outdoor Interiors are made from eucalyptus wood, which is one of the fastest growing, dense hardwoods available. It’s known for its durability, strength, and natural resistance to decay. Outdoor Interiors’ is a FSC-certified manufacturer that uses eucalyptus from sustainably managed forests.
Best Wooden
Outdoor Interiors Eucalyptus Wood Adirondack Chair with Built-in Ottoman
Eucalyptus does weather to a grayish-silver finish over time, unless treated with an outdoor furniture oil. To get the best life out of these wooden chairs, treat them two to three times a year with an oil treatment like natural linseed oil or anything made for outdoor furniture. It’s also recommended to use furniture covers on the chairs during winter months in harsh climate zones.
Price at time of publish: $372
Sleek and attractive with multiple color options, these eco-friendly chairs from POLYWOOD can turn any deck into a relaxing, chic space. They fold flat for easy transport and storage, and are crafted with a contoured seat for increased comfort. They weigh 34 pounds.
Best Recycled Plastic
POLYWOOD Classic Folding Adirondack
The chairs are made in the United States from recycled plastics like shampoo and cleaning bottles, milk jugs, and laundry detergent containers rescued from oceans and landfills. They are built to withstand an array of climates that have snow, intense heat, and windy coasts. The all-weather makeup of the chair means it won’t splinter, chip, rot, crack, or peel. Minimal assembly is required, and a 20-year residential warranty is included.
Price at time of publish: $269
Loll’s chairs have a modern take on the classic Adirondack design. They have taller legs than most Adirondack chairs, adding an extra 4 inches of seat height. The chairs (and all furniture from Loll) are made from 100% recycled polyethylene sourced mainly from discarded milk jugs and are easy to clean and require no maintenance. This chair also gets bonus points for having a built-in bottle opener hidden under the right arm.
Best Splurge
Loll Designs Tall Lollygagger Lounge Chair
Loll Designs also participates in charities, including 1% For the Planet, where 1% of gross sales from this chair is donated. Loll Designs also recycles 90% of the waste from their manufacturing processes. Choose from modern yet fashion-forward colors like Leaf Green, Driftwood, Apple Red, or Sky Blue.
Price at time of publish: $895
If vibrant lime greens and yellows just aren’t your cup of tea, check out these colorful yet tasteful Adirondack chairs from Sol 72. A warm Cactus Green chair mimics the trees and grasses in a natural setting, while Bordeaux feels like a redwood tree lumber. Other colors include Driftwood, Pacific Blue, Onyx (dark grey), Graystone, Espresso, Atlantic Navy, and Sand.
Best Colorful
Sol 72 Outdoor Onyx Colworth Plastic Adirondack Chair
These chairs are made from recycled bottle caps, and a sloped and slatted design helps you relax alfresco. The chair will hold up to 500 pounds. To clean, wash the chair (no pressure washing) with warm, soapy water and rinse clean.
Price at time of publish: $313
Made with recycled skis and hand painted, this Adirondack chair is just one of the many creative and customizable designs from Colorado Ski Furniture. The company turns old skis into snowboards all sorts of one-of-a-kind furniture in Manitou Springs, Colorado.
Most Unique
Colorado Ski Handcrafted Adirondack Chair
We particularly like that this chair has a small shelf for your cup or snacks. If this painted design doesn’t match your taste, Colorado Ski also offers chairs with a range of sports logos, state flags, nature-inspired themes, or you can order a completely customized paint job.
Price at time of publish: $695
What to Look for in a Sustainable Adirondack Chair
Material
Recycled wood is one of the most sustainable materials when it comes to furniture, but it may not last as long in an outdoor setting. Recycled plastic may be more durable, particularly in settings where your Adirondack chair may be exposed to a lot of moisture, like at the shore or poolside. Sustainably sourced wood is another good material choice, we recommend looking for products that carry a certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Highwood’s Hamilton Adirondack chair hits all the right notes with its three reclining positions, folding ability, and sustainable materials. We also love the Lollygagger chair from Loll Designs for its sleek, modern design, and sustainable corporate ethos.
Weight
Generally speaking, Adirondack chairs are substantial pieces of furniture that aren’t designed to be portable. If you plan to place your chair in a windy spot, a heavier chair is less likely to be blown around. However, a lighter chair may be easier to move around as needed. If you live in a place with wet or snowy winters, it’s a good idea to store your chair in an indoor or more protected place during the off season to extend its life.
Folding and Reclining
Some chairs stay in a fixed position, but others will have hinges for different uses. If you want to be able to recline more, look for a chair with a back that can be repositioned at different angles. If you plan to put your chair away during the colder seasons, look for one with a seat that folds in to allow you to save storage space.
Why Trust Treehugger
To make this list, we researched the market to find outdoor chairs made from the most sustainable materials, like recycled wood and plastic, or wood that’s certified deforestation-free. Whenever possible, we list a range of retailers, so you can find the best price or shop and your preferred store.
Author Amanda Ogle is a veteran reporter who writes about sustainability and believes it is important that we all strive to be as environmentally friendly as we can. She loves educating consumers on sustainable products and the importance of knowing what they’re buying.