Folding beach chairs should be portable and quick to take to the beach.
People have long enjoyed the use of these luxuries without needing to lie flat on the sand just to read a book or have a drink. Here are the most important factors to consider when purchasing your chair. The weight of the chair must be one of the most important points. It is pointless to buy a chair with all the bells and whistles and loaded with features, if it is too heavy to bring to the beach. Chances are that you will just leave it in the garage until it rusts a few years down the track. Get a model which is made of aluminum so it is still strong but light. The fabric is also important to contribute to the light weight. Manufactures hardly make chairs from canvas or basic cloth nowadays. These are heavy and will not necessarily be more comfortable than model mesh fabric.
The next most important feature is the support for your body. Does it give strong support around your lower back and around the head? Good chairs will feature a head rest so that you are not constantly having to hold your head up just to read a book. The padding around the rest should be thick enough to lie your head on comfortably.
There must be enough spring in the fabric to allow some give when you sit down. Too hard and you will not be able to sit for longer than an hour, too soft and you will sink through the chair into the sand. Remember that not all chairs are rated for the same weight, so look for one that suits your body weight. If in doubt, it is always better to get one that is rated higher than lower. The better vendors will specifically mention that it is a high back version.
Since the chair should be portable, how easy is it to fold and unfold? Does it require maintenance to keep it lubricated? Are there any moving parts that could become faulty under heavy use? Generally, look for a model which has warranty. This should give a good guidance on the build quality of the chair. Also if you are after some useful features, check that it comes with a lock, so it will not unfold while you are carrying it. Remember that the chair should be easy enough to unfold by your children, if they are using it. They may want to bring it closer to the water if they are having fun.
In addition to the rated weight, you should also check that it will sit high enough off the sand. If it is too low, it might get wet if the waves get close to it. This is especially important if your chair is being used to store your valuables and drinks. You should be able to customize the reclining angle at which the back rest is positioned. This is good if you want to lie more horizontal rather than sit straight up.
Some beach chairs come with umbrellas, which can be convenient if you need to keep your children out of the sun. Some come with just an option to put your own umbrellas into the holder. This may be more suitable if you already have your own, and do not want to spend more money on a new one. Check that the fabric used for the chair and the umbrella will not fade. The design of the chair should look good enough to bring it anywhere. Remember that style can go a long way in the outdoors.
Finally, check the size of the chair, when it is folder up for storage. This will be handy if you are limited in space at home, or in the car while you are going from one destination to another. This is not so much a problem if you are simply using it in your patio or by the pool, but otherwise you should look for this as a basic requirement for all folding beach chairs.