Travel + Leisure
The beach has always been my safe haven, and living in California means I find myself returning to Zuma Beach in Malibu time and time again. Usually my beach visits result in either a long tanning session or a picnic by the sunset—both of which call for comfortable seating. That’s why I’ve invested in outdoor gear that’s not only comfortable but also built to last. Beach chairs, in particular, are my top essential, and I always keep one in my car.
To find the best options, we tested 19 backpack beach chairs, evaluating them on ease of use, comfort, portability, durability, and value. Although I’ve long been a fan of Tommy Bahama, this testing process actually won me over to a chair from Mode Beach Company (you’ll find my full thoughts below). And as you keep reading, be sure to check out our top overall pick from Sunflow...
The Sunflow The Shore Thing Chair was our favorite pick thanks to the comfortable, lightweight, sturdy design that also reclines. We sat in this chair for five hours on and off, and never experienced discomfort in the back, shoulders, or thighs. The fabric felt very breathable and kept us cool, resulting in no sweating. We had no trouble wearing the chair like a backpack—even walking up and down hills—because it felt lighter than the 8 pounds listed. Despite the chair being so lightweight, it was very sturdy and stable in the sand with no shifting or unwanted movement, even when altering the reclining positions.
The adjustable cup holder is convenient because it can fit a variety of bottle sizes. Nothing about the construction of the chair felt flimsy or fragile, including the sunshade that comes already attached. We were able to effortlessly adjust the shade to different positions, successfully hiding our face from the sun. Overall, we felt that this chair provided great coverage and easy portability, making it a worthy investment for continuous beachgoers.
The Details: 8 pounds | 32 x 21.5 x 27 inches | 13-inch seat height | 250-pound capacity | 3 reclining positions | Includes sun shade, cup holder
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