One of the most relaxing and reviving activities is to lounge on a beach chair. There is something about the breeze in your hair, the sand between your toes, and the smell of the ocean to bring total peace. For a relaxing time, you would need an appropriate beach chair, so how to choose a beach chair?
Choose a beach chair by deciding the budget beforehand, how the chair will be used, the weight the chair would have to carry, and if the user needs any extras. The user should first test a few chairs, look for the best deal, and ensure the chair is the perfect fit for them.
Choosing a beach chair is not a weekly expense; you must consider all the pros and cons of the different types of beach chairs when buying one. Let’s look at what is essential in a beach chair and what might put you off.
Why Are Beach Chairs So Expensive?
The price tag on some beach chairs might shock you. Some are around $22, whereas others go up to $150 or even $250. The prices vary this much for a few reasons, and you would have to consider what you want in a beach chair before setting your budget.
Reason #1: Material Of The Beach Chair
The fabrics and materials beach chair manufacturers use are corrosion free and robust enough to withstand water and all kinds of weather. These materials include nylon, polyester, or canvas that can hold up to 200 pounds. The denser the fabric, the higher the price.
Apart from the fabric, the frame materials can also increase the price of a beach chair. This will depend on the weight you need the chair to bear and what look you prefer. These include wood, aluminum, steel, and plastic. Each type of frame will vary in cost, depending on the stability and sturdiness.
Reason #2: Brand Of The Beach Chair
Like most things we buy in life, some brands stand out and cost more because of their durability stamp. A famous, well-known beach chair brand is Tommy Bahama. They have chairs from $89 to $225. The difference depends on the chair’s material, comfortability, strength, and build.
Reason #3: Add-ons Of The Beach Chair
Some beach chairs are only to sit on, while others have extras that bump the price. Some have extra cushioning behind the neck or head to increase comfort. Others can recline all the way into a lying position, and some even have a little hole in the back so you can lie face-down on the chair.
Then you get the unique chairs set up with their own overhead umbrella. Depending on the frame and the weight it can bear, these might also cost more.
Reason #4: Sold To A Specific Niche
Beach chairs are not your ordinary buy. Only those who live by the sea, or go there often, would invest in a beach chair. Because these chairs are designed for a specific group only, the quantities are less, and thus, the manufacturing costs are more.
What Are Beach Chair Heights?
A beach chair is usually a standard size between 9 inches and 12 inches. Some prefer the lowest profile chairs, and thus you should look at the size before you buy a beach chair. There are beach chairs available in 13 inches or more, but these are not standard and would be difficult to find.
On the other side of the spectrum, you can find 8-inch beach chairs. These are so close to the sand but high enough not to sit on the sand. Sunbathers love this height to hop onto the chair and back on a towel without standing up.
Why Are Beach Chairs Short?
Before we ask why a beach chair is so short, we should first remember what the goal of a beach chair is. The goal of a beach chair is to sit comfortably on the unstable sand surface and enjoy a view. The chair needs a broader base and a shorter distance from the ground to be stable on the sand.
The higher the chairs get, the stronger the frame and seating material should be, as these cause more stability in a taller chair. Another goal of a beach chair is to get on it and, from there, on a towel for sunbathing. Getting from the chair to the towel without standing is much easier and more convenient.
Another reason I love a beach chair is to play with your toes and feet in the sand and stretch out your legs, and the lower profile is perfect for this goal.
Are Beach Chairs Comfortable?
The standard beach chair is not designed with comfort in mind. It might be low to get from the chair to the sand easily, but it is usually not comfortable enough to sit on it for hours. For some, the low profile might be uncomfortable because of a struggle to get up.
However, you can pay more to add comfort to your beach chair. Better back support, armrests, cup holders, neck rests, and chairs that allow you to recline. Many beach chair shoppers are all about comfort these days. Back in the day, a beach chair was an unconventional add-on to beach accessories, and the standard chair was it.
Nowadays, grandma and grandpa need to watch and entertain the kids on the beach while parents play active sports or swim in the sea with the older kids. The era of better and more comfortable beach chairs came into play. Health issues and the time you spend on the beach must be considered.
Sitting in a semi-comfortable beach chair for an hour might not cause any harm, but doing so for four hours will set off some red lights. Some considerations for the ultimate comfort in beach chairs:
- The more cushioning, the more comfort – some companies set out to provide extra comfort by adding cushioning for the neck, arms, and lower back.
- 90-degree sitting knee angle – always try to get a chair where your knees align with the hips. This is important for people with lower back, hip, and knee problems.
- As low as possible – the lower the beach chair, the more stable and comfortable it is.
- Bigger is better – when the sitting surface is bigger, you will feel more relaxed and comfortable instead of being boxed in by the armrests or narrow sitting area.
What To Look For In A Beach Chair?
Unfortunately, you cannot only walk into the store and buy a beach chair and leave. There are many things to consider and so many options to choose from. We suggest that if you are a regular beachgoer, you should invest in a chair that will bring you much joy on your frequent visits to the ocean. You may want to ask a few questions before purchasing a beach chair.
What Do I Want To Do With A Beach Chair?
Most people who invest in a beach chair spend considerable time on it. You might be one of those beachgoers who are more in the waves or busy playing beach volleyball than sitting on a beach chair. Suppose this is true; you might go for a cheaper, more standard beach chair and spend more money on a swim vest or body board.
If you are a lounger who enjoys the waves from afar and much rather spend time under an umbrella, choosing a beach chair is serious. You will have to evaluate all the activities you do on the beach and how much time you spend there on average.
Let’s say you spend four hours at the beach on weekends. You might like to sit back and relax while enjoying the view and watching people enjoy themselves on the beach. Then, you would like to read and throw some sunbathing into the mix. All these activities require specific beach chair characteristics.
⦁ Taking in the view – you will need a comfortable seat, maybe low enough to dig your toes and feet in the sand.
⦁ Reading – a beach chair with an armrest is a must when you love to sit and read.
⦁ Sunbathing – here, you would have to decide if you mind laying on a towel on the sand or don’t want any sand at all. Then you would have to opt for a reclining chair, and maybe one you can lie on your tummy too.
The next type of beachgoer is the one that wants the least trouble setting up but still wants to enjoy the beach. If you are one of these, you will have to move your budget to afford an all-in-one beach chair. These include the umbrella cover, the side table, the extra cushions, and the recline settings. It usually has a unique carry strap to make going to the beach much more accessible.
Do I Want Added Extras To My Beach Chair?
Some of us are all about extras, especially when relaxing at the beach. A cup holder, reclining chair, or installed side table for a book or a snack might catch your eye when shopping for a beach chair.
These are great additions to a beach chair and can easily lure your thoughts to that chair. It would be best to step back, take a moment, and decide whether you will use those extras. If not, focus on more comfort instead of added extras because both will increase the price of a beach chair.
Does Color Matter When Buying A Beach Chair?
You might be someone that color coordinates everything, and that is OK. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. You might want a blue-striped beach chair, but the orange one is on promotion. A beach chair isn’t something you will buy in the near future again, and instead, you should consider whether the orange will rub off on you or not. If uncertain, pay a few dollars extra and get the blue.
Is The Beach Chair Easy To Set Up?
Going to the beach can be exhausting, especially visiting a famous beach. The parking lot is a mess, so you must start walking further down the road, and then you still need to find the perfect spot on the beach. All this walking usually happens with arms full of beach accessories.
Thus, choosing a beach chair that folds up small and carries easily will ultimately be a winner. Dads with sand castle buckets and cooler bags will appreciate a beach chair they can carry over the shoulder or, even better, on the back.
Steps When Choosing A Beach Chair
Buying a beach chair is no joke, and it might be the only beach chair you have to buy in your life – if you choose it correctly. Here are steps to get the perfect beach chair that ticks all your boxes.
Step 1: Set Your Budget For A Beach Chair
Browse a little on a few websites and look at the prices of beach chairs. The range can be vast, which could make this step difficult. If you only want a chair to sit on occasionally, in between all the activities, go for a cheaper one between $22 and $75. On the other hand, if you sit on a chair mostly when at the beach, try to bump the budget to between $70 and $150.
Step 2: Try Some Beach Chairs
The best way to find the perfect fit for you is to sit on different types, brands, and models. You will instantly know if you will be uncomfortable or not. This is a perfect time to ask questions and get a better picture of what chair would fit you best.
Step 3: Decide On Beach Chair Extras
After you tried some chairs, seen the variety, and seen the prices, you might start to form an idea in your head as to what it is you want. Decide which extras you would like on your beach chair and narrow your search for those within your budget.
Step 4: Find The Best Price For The Beach Chair
There are so many retailers selling the same beach chairs for different prices. If you look around, you might find a bargain or a better chair for the price you had in mind. It would be best to broaden the horizon and search across the web for better deals. Some special deals are announced after summer when the season is over.
Step 5: Find Out The Details About The Beach Chair
You decide which chair you want. Now you should ensure there are guarantees on the chair and ways to send it back should something happen. Ask about the different color selections and shipping fees if you order online. Always read reviews of the store and the product before buying it.
Conclusion
A beach chair is a special product that can make or break your time at the beach. Thus, take some time and research the many varieties of beach chairs out there and find the one that will fit you perfectly.
Resources