The Short answer is yes. And the longer answer is that a camping chair can very much be used on the beach making some amendments in your usage style. It all depends on your preference, the quality, and the idea of your ideal beach day.

And of course, the idea to make an extra purchase if you already have a camping chair sitting in your garage. And you don’t want to invest in buying a new beach chair. Yes you can very well use a camping chair on the beach.

Well, as a camping enthusiast I end up buying Camping accessories often. I camp frequently, yes I do. But still, I would be glad if the products that I buy are multi-functional.

Well, to answer the complex question😁, I took my camping chair on the beach so to check the facts. Following are my observations and comparison.

My Tips to use a camping chair on the beach:

Camping chairs are meant to be used on the ground. But if plan on taking a camping chair on the beach, you’ll want a few adjustments. You need to get a chair with a flat bottom, so it wont sink in the sand.

Some models have inflatable seats, while some can be inflated with an air pump. Some models even have adjustable footrests, cup holders and storage compartments.

1) Compactness & Size of the camping chair vs beach chair.

An important feature to consider if you bring your camping chair on the beach is that it has to be light and compact. Using minimum storage space as it will occupy your precious real estate.

Here are our tips on How to Store Camping Chairs? 5+ Tips, Tricks & Storage Ideas. This is important, as beaches are usually far from the parking areas. And you have to carry your bags and other stuff from the parking to the beach.

It should be foldable as this is a key feature to consider in a camp or a beach chair. Folding and unfolding should not be complicated. The lightweight and compactness allow you to transport it easily along with other stuff.

2) Comfort level of your camping chair:

Imagine relaxing on a beach and having a backache. Unfortunately, this happened to me as my camping chair is not reclinable. Generally, good camping chairs have a long back and they give you a relaxing posture.

The problem with using a camping chair on the beach is that usually, people try to lean back and enjoy some sunlight. The same happened to me, as I was thinking that I would be comfortable sitting. But after some time I wanted to recline and take some rest. But was unable to do so.

This is where your camping chair can fail you. If it’s not reclinable. So if you’re looking to enjoy a sunbath on a beach, you should not consider bringing a camping chair with you. At least the one which cannot recline.

Another key aspect to consider is that it should have an armrest. Trust me it is quite frustrating when you are trying to relax and you don’t have something to put your arms on.

3) Sand Sinking

Another problem that I felt was that my chair was sinking in the sand. So much so that I was tilting on one side or the other. And had to adjust my position after every 15 minutes. It was quite frustrating though. but then I had an idea.

I got my car mat and kept it under my chair. This prevented the sinking and saved the day😊. This is why you should consider buying a flat bottom chair for camping so that it can be used on diverse surfaces.

4) How to make a camping chair better for the beach.

Ok so you have your camping chair, which is not an ideal choice for taking at the beach, now what can be done so that you can take your existing camping chair on the beach? Some hacks may come in handy. to avoid the sand sinking of your camping chair keep a mat or a towel under your chair.

This will help stabilizing your chair and prevent it from sinking. You can also buy a Camp chair ground sheet for sand / base mat for camp chair, which is specially made to improve the functionality of your camp chair on the beach.

Choosing A Camp Chair Within Your Budget for a beach

Well, this depends on how much you want to spend and what are your preferences. One thing is for sure that to buy quality you have to pay the price for the quality. In our opinion, one shouldn’t look for a bargain while purchasing an outdoor item.

As outdoor items are exposed to the harshness of the weather, and generally are used roughly. Plus folding unfolding, transportation, and usual storage condition also contribute to the fast depreciation and deterioration of the outdoor items.

So it is better to invest in a good camping chair.

Qualities of a Good Beach Chair

The main factor that guarantees comfort in a beach chair is its strong stability in the sand. Beach chairs are designed explicitly to cater to this issue. Some other key qualities to look in a good beach chair are as follows.

Reclining Angle of the Beach Chair

The reclining angle is one of the most important features to look at in a beach chair. This permits you to adjust the angle and range of the reclinablity of the chair, to maximize your comfort.

In some reclining chairs, there is built-in leg support. To give your legs support, when the chair is not in the reclining position. And some come with a 360º full reclining option so that you can lay down and have some rest after swimming.

Headrest of your Beach Chair

A supportive headrest is another crucial factor of comfort. This can boost your experience 10 folds. Many companies offer built-in headrests in beach chairs.

This function allows you to lean right back to relax your neck, shoulders, and head. Some of them even have plumped-up cushions to give good support to your head.

Weight Capacity

This one is especially important for people on the heavier side. Some chairs look sturdy but aren’t able to support heavier weights. That’s why it is extremely important to consider this factor. Especially if you are on the heavier side. Or maybe a pregnant or a nursing mom.

Fabric of the Beach Chair

The weight capacity and the fabric of the chair are directly related to each other. Another important aspect is that the fabric should be waterproof. A wet chair will turn off your mood on a beachy sunny day😉. 

Some good options are polyester and PVC-coated polyester fabric chairs. They can also easily be cleaned. Nylon, Canvas fabric, and cotton are also commonly used in making beach chairs. Cotton chairs are comfortable but not necessarily waterproof.

Some Extra Features

With the emergence of new technologies and competition in the market, manufacturers are introducing more features to maximize comfort.

Some of them include cup holders, a folding towel bar, insulated pouches that serve as a cooler for your drinks, canopy, or sunshades, backpack straps, pockets for storage, and an adjustable pillow. 

Your Preferred Style

Now, this is the main thing. What are your preferences and comfort? For some, a well-spent day at the beach is that they sit on the shore and watch as the tides come and go back. Having their feet soaked in water and sand.

For others, it is to relax while lying down taking sunbathe, enjoying and getting their tan.

Conclusion

As the question remains, “Can you use camp chair on the beach”? I think you would have got your answer by now, but I will elaborate on it anyway. If you really want to save some money and do not want to buy another outdoor gear, yes you can use your camp chair on beach.

Does your Camping chair fulfill all the above requirements? Well, if you just plan to sit and relax at the beach, you can use a good camping chair on the beach. If you found this article please read our other article on things I must take on camping