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Published June 30, 2026 03:04PM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
There was a time in my youth when I took a minimalist approach to beach days. I spent a year living in San Diego and I would take a towel and a surfboard to the beach and that was it. If I wasn\u2019t in the water surfing, I would sit on the towel and think about surfing. I\u2019ve evolved as I\u2019ve aged. Maybe it\u2019s because I have a family now, or maybe it\u2019s because beach days are less frequent and I want to make the most of them. For whatever reason, when I go to the beach now, I bring what is essentially a full kitchen and living room set with me. In my defense, I spend all day out there. I need shade, food, beverages, entertainment, and most importantly, a comfortable place to sit for hours on end.<\/p>\n
The beach chair is the foundation of a comfortable beach basecamp. It sets the tone. After testing a range of beach chairs on a recent family vacation to the coast\u2014from plush recliners and retro-styled classics to ultralight packable models\u2014these are the ones worth bringing.<\/p>\nWe hauled these beach chairs to the coast so you don\u2019t have to guess\u2014here\u2019s what\u2019s actually worth the investment.<\/span> (Photo: Graham Averill)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n
Best Beach Chairs: At a Glance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n(Photo: Courtesy Shibumi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMost Comfortable: <\/b>Shibumi Chair\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n Pros and Cons<\/strong><\/section>\n
Shibumi makes the best beach shade in my opinion\u2014an easy-to-set-up single piece of fabric that uses the wind as its structure\u2014and now they make my favorite backpack chair. The Shibumi Chair is super light (just 8 lbs), easy to set up, and comfortable enough to sit in for hours on end. The backpack straps have just enough padding to make carrying it a breeze, and it comes with a couple of smart attachments for the modern beach goer: a neoprene cup holder on one side, and a neoprene phone sleeve on the other. The marine-grade aluminum frame has a powder coating built to withstand the elements, and the DreamWave fabric can withstand up to 300 pounds. Four reclining positions let you dial in exactly how horizontal you want to be. If you\u2019re hiking to a remote beach, this is the chair to bring\u2014it rides comfortably on your back and leaves your hands free for a cooler and a surfboard. I had it in our living room for two weeks and sat in it nightly to watch baseball games. It was the most comfortable piece of furniture in our house.<\/p>\n\n(Photo: Courtesy REI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBest Recliner: <\/b>Zempire Xuno Beach Camp Chair<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n Pros and Cons<\/strong><\/section>\n
Zempire is a New Zealand company that makes genuinely innovative camping gear (inflatable tents), and this chair is their over-engineered approach to the beach lounger\u2014in the best possible way. It sits low to the ground so you can rest your feet comfortably in the sand, and has a cushioned seat with an integrated head rest that you can adjust to the perfect position. Levers on the arm rest allow you to fine-tune how horizontal you want to be. You\u2019d think the black fabric would be hot, but it\u2019s a mesh polyester that moves air well and doesn\u2019t overheat, even in the baking sun. It\u2019s easy to set up and break down, but cumbersome to carry\u2014it weighs 15 pounds and packs into a case more than 31 inches long. If you don\u2019t have a long walk from the car to the sand, none of that matters: the pillow, the adjustable recline, and the soft fabric make it the best nap chair on this list.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n(Photo: Courtesy Helinox)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMost Portable: <\/b>Helinox Beach Chair\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n Pros and Cons<\/strong><\/section>\n
Helinox makes some of my favorite packable camping chairs, with ultra-light aluminum frames that break apart and lock into place with shock cords. Helinox chairs are so small and light I often strap them to my handlebars on bikepacking trips. The company has taken the same proven approach to their first beach chair, giving it a slightly larger format and a few extra details that make it ideal for lounging. It sits low to the ground with stabilizing feet that keep it steady in the sand, and the whole thing is built from recycled aluminum. The back is higher than most Helinox camp chairs, with an integrated headrest sleeve that can hold a beach towel as a makeshift pillow. The built-in side pocket is big enough for a phone, a book, or a cold can of beer. The whole package weighs just 4 lbs\u2014mesh carrying case included\u2014and it\u2019s small enough to stuff into a backpack in a pinch. If you want the lightest, most packable setup possible, this is your chair.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n(Photo: Courtesy Parkit)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMost Stylish: <\/b>Parkit Voyager Outrider\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n Pros and Cons<\/strong><\/section>\n
I\u2019ve had this chair for a few years now, and it\u2019s been a staple in my lounging quiver\u2014I use it fireside in my backyard as often as I take it to the beach. It was made for travel, with backpack straps and a slim cooler that attaches beneath the seat. The first thing you notice is the retro styling (it looks exactly like the lawn chairs my grandparents had in their front yard), but look closer and you\u2019ll find a robust build: stainless steel frame, aerospace-grade aluminum parts, and durable woven nylon fabric. It\u2019s as comfortable as it is stylish. I appreciated the attachable cupholder and I thought I would like the cooler attachment, but I found the chair to be too heavy when loaded down with beer and ice. Instead, I use the cooler as a sand-free place to stash my phone, wallet, books, and snacks. If your beach basecamp needs a centerpiece that looks great on social media, just look at this thing.<\/p>\n
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