Arguing with friends, family and gear for a day at the beach can be stressful, but it's always worth it when you relax with your toes in the sand. To save you the arduous part of your beach trip, we recommend packing travel-friendly, hands-free backpacking beach chairs.
We headed to the coast to test 12 backpack-style beach chairs from trusted brands like Tommy Bahama, Life Is Good, and Ostrich, rating each for comfort, durability, stability, and most importantly, portability. From the moment we left our chairs with the chairs, we paid close attention to how convenient they are to transport, set up, sit on and relax in after a full day at the sea. Whether you're looking for a beach chair to take a nap, read a book, or store all your favorite beach essentials, we've found the best backpacking beach chairs for your outdoor relaxation needs.
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Tommy Bahama is the ultimate brand to get you beach ready in no time and their backpack style beach chair didn't disappoint. Weighing in at just under 8 pounds, the chair is ideal for long-distance transportation as it is constructed with a lightweight, rust-proof aluminum frame and breathable polyester fabric seat. The backpack's adjustable shoulder straps are lightly padded, and while the curved frame was slightly noticeable when walking, it wasn't uncomfortable or painful. One of the best parts of this backpacking chair is that it comes with an insulated pocket on the back, so you can easily pack snacks and drinks on ice without having to bring another bag. And there is an extra pocket under the cooler for your book or other items that need to stay dry.
Folding and unfolding the chair takes a slight learning curve, but once you've done it a time or two, it becomes easier. Make sure you hear and feel the latches engage so you can enjoy one of five recline options and the comfortable detachable headrest without falling out of your chair.
Price at time of publication: $69
Details: 24 x 25 x 30 inches | £7.93 | 5 lying positions | Insulated cooler bag
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Amazon
The Rio Beach Folding Chair takes comfort to a whole new level with its detachable and adjustable headrest. The headrest can be adjusted via Velcro fasteners, so you can adjust it to any of the four lying positions that you are currently in. There's a lacing system that attaches the polyester seat to the aluminum frame, allowing the fabric to conform to the body for a supportive yet comfortable feel that we loved. The backpack's adjustable shoulder straps are generously padded and help to evenly distribute the beach chair's weight of nearly 8 pounds, which is especially helpful when you're carrying it in a bag with items like a beach towel or drinks. The recline-lock bracket helps keep the chair stable no matter what position you're resting in, but it's a bit difficult to lock into place at first.
Price at time of publication: $68
Details: 44.7 x 25.5 x 26.5 inches | 7.84 pounds | 4 lying positions
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Amazon
Getting gear to your favorite beach can be difficult. The Homevative backpack beach chair mitigates that beautifully with plenty of pockets for all your beach essentials so you can hit the sand hands-free. The chair has two large zipped pockets on the back (one is even insulated to keep snacks and drinks cool) and a small hanging basket on the armrest that has a velcro pocket and cup holder. Even if you fill the pockets with beach gear, the chair is extremely lightweight and the padded straps are adjustable for a custom fit. We love that it has raised laces on either side to give it a springy feel while still providing good support. There are five comfortable reclining positions, with the option to lay the chair flat for that lovely afternoon nap on the beach. One thing to note is that this beach chair sits about 16 inches off the ground. So if you're planning on taking it to an outdoor concert with seat height restrictions, double-check that it's safe.
Price at time of publication: $70
Details: 17 x 25 x 33 inches | 8.33 pounds | 5 lying positions | insulated pocket
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Amazon
While all of the beach chairs we tested were sturdy, this one from Life Is Good had excellent stability without any difficulty folding or unfolding the chair. There is a small red latch on the right side that clicks into place and releases when pushed, allowing for quick and effortless folding and unfolding of the chair. Whether the chair was reclined slightly or completely flat, the frame didn't wobble and the seat's taut fabric kept us 10 inches off the ground, allowing us to spend hours enjoying the sun and gorgeous ocean views . . The chair is packed with special features including a detachable insulated bag that doubles as a tote bag, two cup holders built into the plastic armrests and an adjustable headrest to adjust the cushion to your seating position. Due to the weight and larger size of this beach chair, it wasn't the most portable option we tested, but the adjustable, padded backpack straps make it easy to transport the chair many shorter distances. Also, you can always detach the cooler bag and carry it as a tote bag when the weight feels too heavy.
Price at time of publication: $67
Details: 26.18 x 28.94 x 33.07 inches | £11.95 | 5 lying positions | detachable insulating bag
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Amazon
This ostrich beach chair has a padded headrest which is super comfortable for sitting upright and when you lift it up it reveals a face hole with padding around the base similar to a massage table. When we wanted to take a lunch break to read on the beach, the two armholes were perfect to access the space below. The only downside is that there is no leg support. You might want to have a cooler or use something to support your legs for a more comfortable reclining position. We also like the deluxe version of this chair , which includes a footrest but has a shoulder strap instead of a backpack construction. With four other recline angles to use, the On Your Back chair has various comfortable positions in addition to prone, but we would have appreciated instructions on how to use the armrests to recline as it's not very intuitive. Nevertheless, this chair convinces with its heavily padded, adjustable backpack straps, which offer a high level of comfort despite its higher weight. Please note that there is no storage space aside from the fabric drink holder so you may need to bring another beach bag for provisions.
Price at time of publication: $90
Details: 24 x 26.4 x 33.85 inches | 10.2 pounds | 5 lying positions | face pillow
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Amazon
These ultra-lightweight and easy-to-store carpeted lounge chairs from Pacific Breeze weigh just 6 pounds and come in a set of two, making them perfect for the laid-back beach-goer . Although these don't have the same structured frame as a traditional beach chair, the padding is thick and soft so you don't feel the ground when you sit on the mat. In addition, the backrest of the chair has a frame that makes us feel well supported when sitting upright. It's the best beach chair for a nap; The prop can lie flat, it's like taking a bed to the beach. And when you're ready to head home, the Pacific Breeze lounger easily folds into a compact rectangle, and the backpack straps easily adjust and sling over your shoulders. We didn't find the lightly padded straps particularly comfortable, but since the chair is virtually weightless, the slight discomfort wasn't a huge disadvantage.
Price at time of publication: $112
Details: 74.8 x 21 x 27.5 inches | 6 books | two pack
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Choose from colorful prints like palm trees, hibiscus flowers and nautical stripes.
With a variety of nautical prints and colors to choose from, these Lightspeed outdoor lounge chairs are as comfortable and portable as they are stylish. Whether you choose a striped or palm tree pattern, you can also feel good about your purchase knowing the fabric is made from recycled plastic water bottles. The rust-free aluminum frame is light and strong, and while we wish this chair was fully reclined, the fabric seat and four reclined positions are comfortable and supportive for all-day sitting at the beach. Each armrest has a fabric basket that falls to the side to hold items like a book, phone or drink. There's also a discreet pocket at the bottom, which we found difficult to access when unfolding the chair, but useful for storing valuables. The straps are generously padded and feature adjustable buckles, making this already lightweight beach chair even more comfortable to carry over long distances.
Price at time of publication: $100
Details: 26.5 x 24.5 x 31.25 | 7 books | 4 reclining positions | Made from recycled materials
We liked other backpack-style beach chairs
There were several other backpack-style beach chairs that we loved but didn't quite reach due to minor issues we encountered in testing. Second, they can still be the perfect chairs for you if they meet your specific needs.
Rio Beach Big Boy : This chair is big and roomy, and we loved how comfortable it was to stretch out. However, its size makes it awkward to transport, so it's best if you're only traveling a short distance from the beach.
GCI Sunshade : It comes with a canopy which is great for a built-in shade on the beach, but the sunshade was quite difficult to set up and take down. Buyers must initially be prepared for a slight learning curve.
Our testing process
We've traveled and sat in 26 beach chairs, including 12 options with built-in backpack straps, to compare and contrast each based on comfort, stability, portability, ease of use and sustainability. In reviewing the 12 backpacking beach chairs we tested, we carefully considered portability ratings, weighting factors such as weight, strap material and location, and frame design to select the best backpacking beach chairs.
Testing began as soon as the beach chairs were unpacked. We checked the quality of the chairs closely until we were sure that buyers could expect them to arrive in perfect condition. Then we packed up our beach gear and headed out onto the sand. We prepared the chairs and sat in them for at least a couple of hours to get a feel for the comfort, durability and stability. With portability being the main draw for a backpack style beach chair, we highlighted the comfort of the straps, the weight of the chair and how easy it is to walk short or long distances with the beach chair on your back. We also paid a lot of attention to the storage and other special features that the chair comes with, especially when assessing the overall value of the chair.
Tips for buying a backpack beach chair
Pay attention to features like pockets and reclining positions
Quality backpacking beach chairs can cost a little more than your average camp chair, so take a look at the product specs to make sure you're getting the most out of it. Les chaises de plage peuvent souvent serve as an area for les serviettes, les boissons et autres accessoires de plage, alors penzez à vous procurer una chaise avec una poche zippée ordinaire, una poche isolée et un panier près de l'accoudoir pour contenir una boisson ou a telephone. Depending on your recline preferences, you should check the number and height of recline positions as not all chairs are completely flat.
Think about where you will be using the chair most often
Whether you want to lounge on the beach or sit outside at an outdoor concert, factors like the weight and size of the chair play a big part in portability, even if the chair has backpack straps. Most outdoor concerts have seat height restrictions of 12 inches off the ground, so be sure to check the restrictions before you go. If you know you have a long way to go to the beach, choose a chair that weighs more than 7 or 8 pounds or less. For those lucky enough to live within walking distance of a beach or a short drive, the weight may be less of an issue.
Why trust Travel + Leisure?
Travel + Leisure Commerce Writer Anna Popp reviews travel products and writes almost all of the content tested by the team. He takes part in almost all travel tests, including the beach team, where he likes to go to Rockaway or Brighton Beach outside of New York. Anna worked with our editors and went through extensive test notes to compile this list of the best backpacking beach chairs.
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