4 min readAs a shopping editor, I get a special joy out of getting a purchase right the first time and not needing to change it. Plenty of decor can swap with the seasons, but sometimes a product is so durable and timeless that there’s no need. In my household, that’s the Tommy Bahama beach gear I’ve been using for over a decade. More specifically, the Backpack Beach Chair and the Tilt Beach Umbrella. They’re the best ones on the market, hands down.
I bought a Backpack Beach Chair in 2015, and then a second one in 2017. They’re still in my closet today. The fabric options and colorways have, of course, changed since the chairs debuted in 2009, but the reclining silhouette of the current Tommy Bahama beach chairs is pretty similar to the 2015 model. The frame of the chair hasn't changed much in years, nor should it. It's durable, comfortable, and, in my humble opinion, the epitome of beach comfort. After a decade of use, it's still my go-to beach chair.
Beach Chair Comfort and Durability
The Tommy Bahama Beach Chair is made of a sturdy aluminum frame and a polyester canvas seat. The back is supportive, and high enough that even my 6'1" brother can relax comfortably. The chair is comfy for kids and adults alike, making it perfect for beach days with my large family. Beach furniture also needs to excel in durability: it has to hold up to sand, sea, rain, sun, and dirt. I've brought this beach chair from the dunes of Traverse City, Michigan, to the rocky Rhode Island coasts. The rust-proof frame is just as sturdy now as it was on first use.
Key Features of the Backpack Beach Chair
Any good beach chair needs to lean back for maximum comfort (and tanning). This one can recline at five positions, including all the way flat, in case you want a nap on the beach. The wide wooden armrests are not only comfy to rest on, but they're wide enough to hold your drink of choice and keep it steady. It's the one thing I never complain about carrying across the sand. It's so lightweight I could lift it with a few fingers, and the included strap makes it a breeze to hold. It may be easy to carry, but that doesn't mean it'll blow away with the wind. You can push it down into the sand, and it'll stay put for your entire beach day, even if it gets windy.
Beach Chair Cleaning and Storage
What has worked best for us in case of spills is a simple mixture of warm water and soap, or a laundry stain treatment. The canvas seat of the chair dries so quickly that you can take a towel and brush off the sand. We'll use a hose to get any remaining sand off the legs of the chair. The Tommy Bahama beach chair also folds pretty flat, making it easy to stack and store between uses or to fit into an already-stuffed car trunk. When beach season is over, I recommend storing it vertically in the closet; it's easy to stack a few bins against it, and it won't unfold on its own.
If you need extra proof that I love this beach chair, consider the following. When I had to choose just a few things to move cross-country from my family home, I chose both Tommy Bahama beach chairs. And I could only put things in the trunk of my sedan. If you're looking for an investment in beach gear that'll last you for years to come, I highly recommend it. I don't think I'll need to buy another chair ever again.
The Tilt Beach Umbrella
A good beach chair is only so helpful if you’re baking in the afternoon sun. That’s where the Tommy Bahama beach umbrella comes in. It joined the repertoire with the second chair in 2017, and it’s been just as helpful. This technology has seen an upgrade, and I highly recommend snagging the new one. It now comes with a sand anchor to help it stay upright in loose sand. But just know, the nine-year-old version still functions just fine. The telescoping pole is easy to adjust, it doesn’t rust after exposure to salt water, and it’s super lightweight to carry up and down the beach (in its included bag). Plus, the umbrella itself is wind-vented, so it won’t blow away on a breezy day. For years, I’ve gone to the beach with a cooler, two Tommy Bahama chairs, and an umbrella, and it’s been easy to enjoy every time.
