Beach Chair

From LoveToKnow Swimsuits

Everything you need to know about a beach chair is right here!

The Versatile Beach Chair

Sure, you can get by without a beach chair, but do you really want to? Spreading out a beach towel on the grass or sand is certainly an option, but relaxing in a great beach chair is much nicer than laying on the hard ground. If you're going to spend hours under the summer sun, you may as well do it in style, and comfort.

As a matter of fact, why limit your lounger to the beach or pool side? Since beach chairs fold down, they are easily kept right in your vehicle's storage area, ready to use whenever, and wherever you need them.

Besides sunning, try using them for:

Picnics
Backyard barbecues
Ball games
Drive-in movies
Parks
Fishing
Outdoor concerts

We're sure you can think of at least another half dozen places where a good seat comes in handy.

Style Options

You might not realize just how many choices are available to you when purchasing a beach chair. Let's examine some of the basic styles to help you figure out which one best suits your needs.

High Boy or Low Boy?

Beach chairs come in two basic heights.

The Low Boy, also called a sand chair, sits very close to the ground, usually about six to twelve inches high. Many styles recline slightly, making these chairs ideal for lounging near the water and soaking your feet. Choose between a regular beach chair or full size lounger.
The High Boy is more like a standard lawn chair, sitting about eighteen to twenty-four inches off the ground. This style is fine for all around use.

Adjustable Chairs

In addition to being high or low, most beach chairs and loungers are also adjustable, giving you the opportunity to recline as far as you wish, raise or lower your feet, and generally make yourself as comfortable as possible.

A word of advice: Thoroughly test out an adjustable chair before purchasing to make sure it's easy to maneuver, and that it will not slip out of position while you're using it.

Comparing Materials

Choosing a particular chair style isn't the only decision you'll have to make. Let's compare some of the materials commonly used to construct beach chairs.

Aluminum vs. Wood

Frames are typically made from either aluminum or wood, and each material has both good and bad points. You'll have to decide what is most important to you and choose your lounger accordingly.

Aluminum is lightweight, so it's generally easy to carry. This is a definite advantage when you're cruising the landscape looking for the perfect spot to set up.

The downside? Aluminum heats up under the full summer sun, and sometimes the framework begins to bend under weight, eventually causing instability.

Wood is extremely durable, and doesn't hold the heat quite like aluminum does.

The downside? Wood chairs are heavier, so they're not too much fun to lug around.

Plastic vs. Fabric

The material used to cover the framework also affects a beach chair's comfort and durability.

Plastic or polypropelene is highly durable and stands up well to the elements.

The downside to this material is that it heats up quickly in the sun, and similar to sitting down on a hot vinyl car seat, you can burn your backside if you're not careful. If you choose plastic, be sure to drape a towel over your chair for your own comfort.

Nylon is also frequently used to cover chair frames. It's very durable, and although it warms up a bit, it's nowhere near as hot as plastic. Just keep it well away from any bonfire sparks or you'll quickly find your chair filled with tiny holes.
Canvass fabric is popular beach chair material because it is so comfortable. You can sweat while you sun, and never find yourself sliding around on your canvass chair the way you will with plastic.

The drawback? Canvass tends to fade with sun exposure, and even though it's very strong it's still possible to tear the fabric, especially when loading and unloading it from your vehicle.

Fun Styles

Now that we've discussed the basics, let's look at some of the more innovative styles. Here are a few of our favorites.

Backpack chairs come with shoulder straps and storage pockets. Just fold one up and carry it on your back, leaving your hands free to carry your beach bag and personal cooler.
You'll never have to fool around with a beach umbrella again when you have a Mini-Sun Chaise. These chairs come with their own overhead screen to keep you in the shade, and the built in cup holder is a definite plus.
Probably the most audacious beach chair you'll ever see, the Wearever Mesh Backpack Lounger is ergonomically designed for ultimate comfort, and comes with an adjustable foot and leg rest.

Handy Accessories

Let a Beach Cart do the toting for you. Many have enough space to hold a full size cooler, and several chairs. An attached mesh storage bag takes the place of a separate beach bag, so you can move everything you need in one load.
A Clamp-on Beach Umbrella is easily added to most beach chairs, taking the place of those larger, unwieldy beach umbrellas that can be so difficult to anchor in the sand.

Conclusion

Well, have we convinced you there are definite advantages to having a beach chair? If so, it's time to get out there and find one before the season is over all too soon.