Beach Chairs: Choosing a Chair for the Beach
The truth is, all I really need to go to the beach is a towel and a nice bottle of sunscreen. Still beach chairs are a good way to make for a few more comfortable hours when I'm in the mood to load up a little more. Beach chairs have actually come a long way since those heavy aluminum chairs with the plastic webbing that stuck to your thighs and frayed at your bum. Now chairs for the beach are light and transportable, and can come with wheels, attachable umbrellas, and even cup holders. Of course, the more options you choose the heavier your chair becomes... so you may want different chairs for different uses. For instance, a long walk to a secluded beach will call for an extremely lightweight chair while a day spent at a city beach just a short walk from your car can include an elaborate chaise lounger. Want to make sure to choose the right beach chaise or chair for you? Read on for some of the things you should consider. Material. Chair frames are usually made from wood or aluminum although some are made from steel. The seating material ranges from lightweight polyester mesh to a heavy canvas. Some beach chairs have a plastic or polypropylene sea (but those can get very hot in the sun). Styles. The basic heights for folding beach chairs are the "high boy" and the "low boy". Be sure to think about how flexible you are. Low boy chairs are just as their name implies: low! So they can be difficult for many people to get out of. Chairs are also available in reclining styles or with full chaise lounge seats. There are even a few models that come with footrests, pillows, etc. Accessories. Depending on your needs, you can either go after a decked-out chair or a bare bones ones. These chairs come with everything! For instance many chairs made for the beach come with storage compartments on the arms or behind the back. Those can be handy for sunscreen, a book and other small items. However, if you bring a good beach bag you might want to eliminate the extra weight and size of the built in storage. Many other chairs have cup holders included-- a feature I highly recommend. It's important to stay hydrated when you're in the sun... and getting sand in your drink isn't going to help you do it! You can purchase beach chairs with either a built-in umbrella or brackets for attaching an umbrella or canopy. As much as I love the sun it's also nice --and much safer-- to have some shade sometimes. I know that I have spent more than one day on a windy beach. Sturdy umbrellas also offer great protection from wind and blowing sand. Carrying ConvenienceThe way a chair folds can make a big difference in how easy it is to carry and store. If you’re at a store trying out chairs make sure to fold them up to see what sort of handhold you can get on them. There is a great selection of beachchairs that fold completely up and have straps so that they can be worn as a backpack. You might also look into backpack hammocks. A nice nap on a hammock at the beach is a great way to spend part of an afternoon. Chairs with wheels are another option. However, these can be a better option if you’re going to a beach where most of your walk after parking is through a parking lot. The wheels can have difficulty in the sand. Versatility. Think about all the uses you may have for your chair. Will it only be used at the beach? Or do you also have a pool? Will you take it to a Little League game or a parade? A low boy might be great for sitting in the sand but not for watching a sporting event. How much room does the chair you're thinking about take for storage or in the trunk of your car? Transportability. Standard chairs --even the bare bones ones-- are all about equally portable. That is to say, they're great if you have a car but sort of a pain if you have a long walk to the beach. You may want to look into some ultra-transportable outdoor chairs, like back pack chairs and the like. The bottom line with beach chairs is that you need to make your own decision about what features and comforts are important to you, and which ones you can skip for now. There are a lot of sites on like that sell chairs for the beach. Even if you prefer to purchase in person, I suggest you do a quick Google search to get a better idea of the options out there.
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