You just reserved a good camping spot right next to a beach and you are thinking about whether to bring a camping chair or a beach chair. Maybe you don’t have one of either choice and buying a new chair might not be worth it, right?
Heck! you might even assume a camping chair will do the job on the beach. However, it’s not just about the job, it’s also the comfort. So, let’s compare the Camping chair vs Beach chair!
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Camping chair vs Beach Chair: What are They Made of
| Feature to Compare | Camping Chair | Beach Chair |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Relatively compact | Usually have a wide base |
| Material | Usually made of wood, aluminum, or steel | Usually made up of plastic or stainless steel or aluminum |
| Fabric | Polyester fabric coated rip-step nylon or closed-cell foam padding | Marine-grade canvas or nylon mesh fabrics |
| Sling | Solid structure without a sling | Have sling |
What to Look for in a Good Camping Chair
A sturdy comfortable chair that is easy to bring along, pop out and sit down in, and chill, anywhere, anytime during your camping trip is a good camping chair. An ergonomic look with a foldable feature to effortlessly bring luxury anywhere. The four-leg design gives more than adequate stability, with a thick seat for comfort.
If you like you could also try a rocking camping chair. A swing motion of rocking back and forth could provide a relaxing time after a good long hike. If it’s a rocking chair that interests you more then a full breakdown of the best rocking chairs could help you decide better on it. A good camping chair is a chair that fulfills your need and comfort.
The Traits of a Good Beach Chair
The main feature of the ultimate comfort of a beach chair is its stability on the sand. Their legs and feet settle down into the sand and remain stable. With a wide and low base design, they are also less likely to tip over. Additionally, a good amount of padding and a recline are given to the chair to give you a good relaxing experience. If you want to find out more about the qualities of a beach chair, give this a read: Qualities of a Good Beach Chair
Differences Between Beach Chair and Camping Chair
While both chairs could do OK in their contrary environment, i.e beach chairs on a camping trip or vice versa, they are both designed with certain variations to give you the best comfort in their desired environment.
To clarify, camping chairs work well on hard surfaces such as grass, dirt, or concrete. Beach chairs, on the other hand, are designed to seat comfortably on the sand, stones, and other uneven terrains.
Let’s point out some key differences in both their designs and help you figure out what’s the right choice:
1. Weight
It makes no difference how far your camping spot is or how close the beach is to your home. The bottom line for peaceful holidays is to bring as lightweight items as much possible.
Since camping chairs are designed for travel for long journeys or even climbing ridges, they are often lighter than beach chairs. There are also foldable options to make them more compact and portable. Not all beach chairs, like camping chairs, can be folded up for easy transport and storage.
You must consider the one with the least burden and the most flexibility for your route, away and back. That is why you cannot bring a large beach chair to your camping trip. The standard camping chair comes with a bag or backpack with a belt to drape over your back. These seats are great for adventuring or backpacking.
2. Height of the Chair
Beach chairs aren’t particularly high off the ground. If you’ve ever shopped for a beach chair, you’ve probably realized that they’re not like most other folding chairs.
A standard folding or camping chair is about the same height as a regular chair and serves the same purpose. Beach chairs, on the other hand, are very different and typically much shorter in length.
Beach chairs are designed to be used on a hard surface, primarily sand. A low-slung beach chair also has a lower center of gravity, making it more durable than a camping chair. It allows you to shift it in whatever way you choose while being snug and comfortable.
This means they’re more durable, easier to use, and safer because you’re less likely to fall over when sitting when they’re close to the ground. A beach chair is typically 5 to 10 inches in height from the ground.
3. Comfort Level
You could be the type who isn’t after a very specific/special chair for your camping trip. Maybe a cozy and comfy chair will just do the job for you. Then for the beach, you’ll definitely need a big lounge chair to sit back, relax and enjoy.
Being able to stretch your arms and legs is what a beach chair is designed for. That is kind of rare in a camping chair.
So, if you’re seeking luxurious comfort, you can get it with the beach chair more than the camping chair.
4. Time to Set Up
Popping up a foldable camping chair on the ground is as simple as it sounds. No extra sophisticated setup.
Some chairs, on other hand, are just a mess to start with. Having several parts and hubs needed to be reassembled before use, taking up a lot of time. You don’t want that do you?
So, this is just a tip to save you from a lot of hassle.
As goes for beach chairs, they are not complex but they require patience. For it to be stable on a bumpy sand surface, it has to settle down first, and believe me, that can take a good amount of time.
5. Accessories
Looking for some extra add-ons on your chair? Below is a summary of some built-in accessories camping or a beach chair might have to give you some extra comfort.
Arm & Foot Rest– The majority of beach chairs don’t have this feature. Although it can add a little weight to your camping chair, it can bring some next-level comfort.
Hoods– Beach chairs feature hoods to shield you from the intense sun’s rays and from burning your skin. You may just rest beneath them and remove them whenever you wish. Sadly, a camping chair does not have the same soft feature to protect you from the sun or unexpected rain.
Cup holders– A cup holder may turn a simple camping chair into a deluxe camping chair. It’s a real hassle when you’ve just prepared yourself a delicious cup of coffee before going to bed and have nowhere safe to put your glass.
It may fall, and you don’t want to leave it on the uneven floor since it may lean over or become dirty. This is when a chair with a holder for your mug comes in handy. On the other hand, you may be carrying a bucket of cold beverages or a cooler to the beach, but a connected holder is uncommon in a beach chair.
Why You Should Not Bring a Camp Chair to the Beach
Camping chairs are designed for the purpose of camping, i.e they are supposed to be placed on a firm surface. Unlike beach chairs, they are not meant to stay upright on the sand. It’s not like it won’t be of any use but you will have to deal with an uneven and uncomfortable chair the whole time. Additionally, the height of these chairs is also an unlikable feature on the beach.
However, as mentioned above, the extra features which a camping chair offers and a beach chair can come in handy. The cup holders let your coffee take a breeze and arms and foot rest for you to relax. You can yourself make your camping chair better for the beach too!
Your Choice: Camping Chair Vs Beach Chair
Reaching the conclusion, which one is your pick? Although you are not restricted to selecting only one, you may do so based on your preferences. Just make sure you know when and why to utilize which one.
Learning these different characteristics can greatly help you in choosing the right chair for your perfect trip. It will assist you in deciding what to take when you’re going for a beach party or just for a relaxing camping trip.
So that you don’t get caught off guard with a camping chair on the beach or a pointless beach chair at your campsite.
