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10 Entry-Level Road Bikes That Won't Break the Bank 10 Reasons You Need to Bike to Work Toughest Bike Climbs in the World 18 Must-Haves for Bike CommutersWe don't know about you, but we're ready to hit the beach this weekend. We've packed our sunscreen, shades, and a good beach read, but something's missing... We don't have a chair to enjoy the beautiful view in comfort! Before your next trip to the surf and sand, read our buying guide to help you choose the best beach chair for your style.Most chairs will fold for easy storage and transportation, but some become more compact than others and even include carrying straps. Our favorite models are designed as backpacks, such as the Rio Brands high back steel backpack chair by WearEver, so you can carry them hands-free. Also, adjustable models are available that offer anywhere from 2-7 reclining positions. We like the ones that fully recline, so we can take a little snooze in the sun. Other attractive qualities to look out for are integrated cup holders, adjustable neck rests, zippered storage pocket, and canopies to block the strong rays.
Beach chair frames can be found in a range of materials, from metal to wood to plastic, and they each have their benefits... and downsides. Although aluminum frames are the most portable and lightweight, they may dent or bend if not handled gently. Steel frames are more durable, but make sure the metal has been powder-coated so it's rust-resistant. Wooden chairs tend to be heavier than metal but they are very sturdy and have a classic appeal. Additionally, hardwood or plastic armrests won't get as hot in the sun, burning your forearms. Most seats are made from polyester, plastic or polypropylene because these materials are durable, washable, dry quickly and allow air to circulate through their open weaves. They also can be made in bright colors and patterns. Cotton or canvas seats are also available, which are softer to the touch, but don't hold up to the elements as well. A Variety Of Styles. There are several types of chair models that range in price, comfort and portability for you to choose from.
For a budget option, classic sand chairs offer a simple and lightweight design, but have little to no adjustability options or bells and whistles. Hi-boy beach chair are similar, but are raised 16-18 inches off the sand. Classic butterfly chair are popular for the beach or other outdoor environments, because they fold small for easy transportation. Chaise lounge chairs offer the most comfort and total relaxation because they extend longer than classic style chairs so you can stretch out and rest your legs, although these models are often bulkier and less portable. Out of all the styles available, our picks are the new ergonomic "zero gravity" models designed to reduce pressure off the spine and mold to your body. They can adjust into any position, from straight up to fully reclined and look pretty cool too! To see all of these varieties of beach chairs available and where to purchase them now, click through our slideshow below.Nature is, among other things, uncomfortable. This is a fact often overlooked by chroniclers of the outdoors.
They are too busy remarking on its alleged beauty and so-called charm to notice that there's nowhere to sit. And so God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us lawn chairs. But old-fashioned lawn chairs, with their flimsy aluminum frames and fraying, crisscross mesh, leave much to be desired. Fortunately, these days there are innumerable options when it comes to alfresco seating—so many choices, in fact, that you might feel overwhelmed. Take heart, however: Slate, in the form of me, has invested considerable time and significant effort evaluating portable outdoor chairs in order to find you the best one. This has meant hour upon hour, day after day, of sophisticated, scientific testing that would be, even if I had room to explain it here, incomprehensible to the layman. OK, mostly I sat in them. But I did enlist the assistance of several family members, including my mom, dad, and sister. They sat in them, too. We Bartletts have long been known as judicious sitters. It's a point of family pride: We don't put our butts in just any old place.
Portability (10 possible points): An outdoor chair must be portable. If portability weren't a factor, you'd take your Barcalounger to the beach. It should be relatively light and not cumbersome. A carrying strap is nice, too. Ease of setup (10 possible points): If a chair takes more than, say, eight seconds to set up, I want no part of it. Also, it shouldn't require instructions. It's a chair, that's why. Comfort (10 possible points): No bar should hit me in the back of the neck or knee. While I don't expect it to be as comfy as my couch, I don't want to feel like I'm being tortured, either. Design (10 possible points): A catch-all for attractiveness and features, with an emphasis on simplicity. I like a nifty cup holder as much as the next guy, but let's not get too fancy. The results, from crappy to cushy: Office To Go Ergolounger, $59.95 First, some faint praise: The Office To Go Ergolounger is ambitious. Other chairs are happy just being chairs. The Office To Go has a detachable laptop table, an ottoman, a large side pouch for books, and an adjustable lumbar support.
A definite A for effort. But an F for execution. While the laptop table holds a laptop, it's difficult to attach; I'd rather use my lap. The ottoman fell apart every time I used it. The lumbar support did nothing for me. And heaven help you if you forget to lock the legs in place before sitting down. On the upside it's … uh. Did I say ambitious already? Portability: 4 (out of 10)Ease of Use: 3 (out of 10)Comfort: 4 (out of 10)Design: 2 (out of 10)Total: 13 (out of 40) Travel Chair Teddy, $31.50 Eh. That pretty much sums it up. But for your benefit, I'll pad this out a bit. It's hard to get out of the Travel Chair. And once you're in it, you'll want to get out, because it's not very comfortable. For example, it has these little plastic things at the edge of the seat that will scratch the underside of your legs. What's more, your rear end will hang low, causing you to scrunch over like you're prematurely old. If you already are old, it will make matters worse. Portability: 6 Ease of Use: 6 Comfort: 4 Design: 5 Total: 21
The Wilderness Recliner, $49.99 The Wilderness Recliner is classy. The armrests are made of fine mahogany, for goodness' sake. All right, that's probably not real mahogany. Unfortunately, the insulated cup holder doesn't quite fit a can of Coke—or at least not my can of Coke. The straps that connect the seat to the back make it hard to rest your arms on those "mahogany" arm rests. Everyone who tried this chair had the same complaint. While this may not sound like a big deal, it is. If you don't believe me, come to my house and I'll show you what I mean. On second thought, don't come to my house. I don't know you. Portability: 6Ease of Use: 8Comfort: 5Design: 5Total: 24 Kelsyus Backpack Beach Chair, $44.95 The packaging shows a shirtless, vaguely European dude reclining beneath the chair's broad, sun-reflecting canopy. He has that no-expression expression that models must spend hours perfecting. But I know what he's thinking: "Please, please let me out of this awful chair!"
Well, maybe it's not that bad. The canopy, while a tad dorky, is effective and packs down to an easy-to-carry size. The chair itself is surprisingly lightweight. Yet the head cushion is too low, making it uncomfortable to lean back. The arm rests are flimsy and annoying (one of my arm rests was broken when it arrived—which may not speak well of quality control). Unlike some of the other reclining beach chairs, it's not adjustable. And the canopy is a chore to set up. Portability: 8Ease of Use: 5Comfort: 6Design: 6Total: 25 Everywhere Chair, $39.99 The Everywhere Chair is just like me: simple, easy, and cheap. This is the chair you want to bring to a hillside concert. Or to watch fireworks. It's extremely easy to set up (unfold it) and has a useful shoulder strap and a padded backrest. It's surprisingly comfortable as well. You could fall asleep in this chair. It does not have an armrest, headrest, cup holder, or sun shade. But what it lacks in features it makes up for in utility.
"To Maximum The Ultimate In Comfort!" declares an ad for the Everywhere Chair. I don't know what that means, but I couldn't agree more. Portability: 7Ease of Use: 8Comfort: 7Design: 6Total: 28 Rio Brands Backpack Beach Chair, $40.00 The perfect beach chair—almost. The only thing the Rio lacks is a built-in sun shade. If you can get by without one of those, then you're golden. Or perhaps golden brown. It has four—count 'em!—four positions. You can go from more or less upright to lazily reclined simply by lifting the arm rests. It has straps so you can wear it like a backpack. It has a roomy compartment for your beach essentials. The cupholder isn't too bad, either. But what I like best about this chair is the headrest. On two of the other chairs (the Wilderness and the Kelsyus), the headrests do little to protect your head. The fine people at Rio Brands realize that not all of us are the same height, and so their headrest is adjustable. Portability: 7Ease of Use: 8Comfort: 8Design: 7Total: 30