Folding beach chairs can be a blast. These are easy to pack, easy to carry, and can be conveniently set up almost anywhere. If you are looking for some nice seats that you can use either on the beach or even just hanging around the bonfire with your friends, you may want to keep a few pointers in mind. Even though most beach chairs being touted about are inexpensive, it still pays to put in good money on folding seats that you know are both comfortable and will last more than just a couple of sit-ins.

The first thing you may want to consider is the materials being used. Cloth or canvas folding chairs are the most common materials and also considered as the most comfortable. Since the fibers tend to contour to the shape of the body, cloth or canvas folding beach chairs are great options if you plan to stay in your seat for long periods of time. These fibers also allow your skin to breathe, which can help you cool off especially if you are soaking in the sun. But surprisingly, cloth and canvas chairs are not great choices if you are planning to go to swimming in the nearest beach or pool.

The fibers of the chair tend to get wet and stay wet for hours. Unless you are planning to stand while the chair cloth dries, or you are able put up with a dripping seat you may want to switch to plastic or nylon seats instead. These synthetic materials can easily be wiped dry and are relatively comfortable enough for prolonged use. However, plastic and nylon are both non-porous materials. This means that the seats do not allow normal air circulation. This might cause some problems in places where the temperature can get very high. The seats can become uncomfortably warm, and lying back may not be an option until things cool down a bit.Also, the color of the plastic and nylon seats tend to fade faster when exposed to direct sunlight. But otherwise, their strength is almost the same as the cloth or canvas seats.

You might also try to keep aluminum folding beach chairs away from the water or any form of moisture for that matter. Too much moisture can cause the aluminum legs, joints and hinges to lock up and rust. Problematic areas can cause the aluminum to weaken and thereby no longer fit to support human weight.

Try to choose the ones with the thickest set of plastic leg coatings or even PVC outer layer to help keep out rust and eventually prolong the chairs’ use. And then there are also the wooden beach chairs. These are definitely heavier than the aluminum ones, more expensive and the seats remain quite rigid.

Nonetheless, most wooden folding beach chairs are very resilient, moisture repellant and may come with complementary seat cushions for a more fitful rest. Wooden chairs also have more varieties when it comes to seating models. There are simple upright chairs, beach loungers, recliners and even tall lifeguard chairs.

Aside from materials, one other issue you might want consider is size. True enough, most beach chair models come in the one-size-fits-all variety. But you might want to consider getting appropriately sized chairs for little ones. This will make it more comfortable and safer for kids too. If you prefer a roomier seat, there is always the super sized or over sized folding chair. There are also the lounge seats or lounge chaises which are perfect for stretching your legs or just putting up your tootsies for a rest. These chairs are usually low slung, and rise only a few inches from the ground. Some people prefer taller, recliner chairs which are easier to rise from. Taller beach chairs also help keep sand and water at bay.

When it comes to packing convenience, aluminum butterfly chairs are always the best. You basically have to pull open the aluminum bars to access the chair and fold it close when you are done. Some butterfly chairs can be strapped together so that carrying a pair would be a brisk business. But if you need to travel longer distances, you might want to consider getting backpack chairs. These are smaller chairs that can easily be attached to almost all kinds of conventional backpack gear.