Aluminum beach chairs are almost part and parcel of any beach or pool outing. Very often, these are used to lounge near the water’s edge or as a means to comfortably soak in the sun without the need to deal with the sand underfoot. These days though, you will often find such chairs in cookouts, in bonfire gatherings, in concerts and basically just about any outdoor setting where conventional seats are hard to come by. In fact, having easy to use aluminum beach chairs on standby is now becoming a necessity rather than a fashion trend. Some advantages to having these chairs include: convenience, portability and comfort.

Convenience means that the chairs can be set up almost anywhere, whether on sandy beaches or pebbly camps. With some models, you only ever have to pull two sides of the aluminum sidings apart, and the chair is ready to use.

Portability refers to the chairs’ lightweight construction, which makes it easy to carry just about anywhere.

And lastly, comfort refers to having a good seat to take in whenever, wherever… as compared to simply plunking down on the hard earth or making do with a rock outcropping, or worse, the edge of the cooler.

But are all aluminum beach chairs alike? Not really. There are a few quality pieces out there and there are cheap imitations of cheap imitations which may not be worth more than a few bucks at the most. Commercial beach chairs of this material are usually the least expensive models, so you do not really have to worry about hefty price tags. Nonetheless, it does not necessarily follow that that cheapest ones in the market can afford you the quality you need. Here are some essential tips when buying aluminum chairs.

One: try to determine precisely what kind of chair you really want. Many people simply buy the first “nice” looking chair they come across with, and later on try to turn it into a recliner or a chaise. Although there are some chairs that do have this option, buying a recliner or chaise right from the very beginning will save you both money and time; not to mention the hassle of having to convert an upright chair to a reclining one. Other types of beach chairs include: camping chairs, lifeguard chairs, and adjustable chairs. Adjustable chairs are the ones that have the option of being converted into various forms of beach chairs. These can also be accessorized with detachable arm rests, cup holders, shades, umbrellas, etc. There are also butterfly chairs and backpack chairs. The former refers to almost all kinds of portable commercial chairs that opens and folds (just like butterfly wings); while the latter is usually small and have carrying straps which can be attached to any backpack gear.

Two: Aside from portability and function, comfort should also play an integral part when buying beach chairs. As a rule, cloth or canvas fibers make sitting on this type of furniture very easy on the body. Nylon and plastic seats come a close second.

However, you need to also make sure that the aluminum construction supports your body weight and shape effortlessly. There should be no aluminum trimmings at the back that could hinder your movement as you shift your weight in your chair. If the chair has reclining options, then the seat should recline when it should, effortlessly and noiselessly, even if no one is sitting on it.

Lounge chairs or chaise should be sturdy enough to handle the weight of the entire body. It is also important to test out or literally sit very deeply in the seat. When you sit down, your hind quarters should not brush against the supporting aluminum pole underneath. A bit of sagging is to be expected, but not that much where in parts of you could actually feel the metal… or worse, the ground. It is also important to make sure that the chair does not fold in on you while you are in the chair. The armrests should always remain at the side and not moving towards your lap. In some cases, poorly constructed beach chairs can even fold forward, making the person look that he or she is constantly leaning out of the chair.