Best Beach Chairs for Bad Backs. Comfort by the Sea.

Best Beach Chairs for Bad BacksBest Beach Chair for Bad Backs

After an extensive examination, we have found that the best beach chairs for bad backs are an award-winning model, the Strongback low gravity beach chair. These chairs have patented lumbar support and are designed by Strongback. Most find that these chairs offer superior comfort and extra supportive features that are ideal for those with back problems.

This is a chair designed to stop you from slouching, as it supports the natural bend of your spine. Easy to carry around in backpack style, plus it is lightweight at only 8lbs. It can support up to 300lbs in body weight. For a complete review of the Strongback low gravity chair, see our Product Reviews section below.

The Runner-up of our best beach chair review, is the KingCamp Quad. It’s designed with larger or taller people in mind. Because different sized people need different lumbar support, this chair has a strap to move the support around.The support sits in your back, where it is needed the most for your body type. The KingCamp has a few extra notable features like high-quality Oxford fabric, plus feet that don’t sink into the ground. While it is not lightweight, it does have a storage bag for transportation and can support weights of up to 350 lbs.

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Our Budget Beach Chair is the Rio Beach Face Sun Bed and Lounger is not necessarily inexpensive but has a lot of features for the price. With five different reclining positions, this chair is super versatile. You can sit, but can also lay on your stomach and read a book underneath the chair. Now, who would have thought of that one! It can turn from a chair into a lounger, so you’re getting many uses from this one. It even has a slot in the armrest for a mobile phone. It’s capable of supporting up to 280lbs of weight.

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Easy-In, Easy-Out Beach Chair Buyers Guide

Why you Need a Chair with Lumbar Support

If you already suffer back aches and pains, then you need to decrease the stress on your spine. It is also a good idea to increase your muscles strength, with certain exercises. When resting though, it is vital that you sit in the correct position for your spine. If your body is slouching, then the lower back is pushed outwards. This causes strain with the natural curvature of the spine. By having lumbar support, you can keep the natural shape of your spine. A supportive chair should sit flush to the small of the back. Ideally, you should sit in a position so that your head, back, and bottom are all aligned. Once you have achieved this, then sit back in the chair. This is when you should feel the push of the lumbar support in your lower back. Lumbar cushions that are moveable can be useful to support your back, where it is needed the most.

Does Chair Weight Matter?

Carrying around heavy weights adds excess strain to ligaments and muscles, especially if you don’t have a beach cart or other method of easily transporting your beach items around. If the weight you’re carrying is not carried correctly, these weights will put a strain on the neck, shoulders, and spine. The neck is a weaker point than the back. Having two straps for carrying a weight on your back (like a backpack) will distribute the load more evenly than a single strap will. If you must use the shoulder, swap the weight over as often as you can as it will decrease postural sway. It is also better to hold the load as close to your body as you can.

Weight Capacity

One other factor of weight is how much the chair will hold. Most will hold a body weight between 200-350lbs. You do not want the frame to collapse while you are sat in it, or to cause any strain on the material, which would render it uncomfortable.

What other features to look for in an outdoor chair

Chair Feet

The last thing you want is your beach chair sinking in the sand. To prevent this, chose a chair that has flat feet or other design that works well in sand.

Storage Bag

We have explained what carrying a heavy weight can do to your spine. For this reason, try and chose a chair that has a carry bag with handles, ideally one that can be worn like a backpack

Bars

Check the frame of the chair to make sure none of the metal bars will sit directly against any part of your body. If that happens, the pressure could reduce blood supply to that area, causing numbness or tingling.

Arm Rests

You don’t want to have to shrug up your shoulders because armrests are too high, too small, or even none existent, giving no support. Your shoulders should not feel tense in any way when your arm is upon the arm-rest.

Leg Length

One feature of a beach chair is often the small legs that result in sitting close to the ground. This is fine if you feel comfortable with them, but you may struggle to get in and out of the chair. If your favorite chair does have small legs, make sure the armrests are supportive to help you get in and out.

Beach Chair Reviews

Images of the beach conjure up scenes of fun, relaxation, beauty, warmth, and happiness. But if you have a bad back, lounging at the beach can lead to aches and pains in your back. In these cases, you will need extra support. Slouching in a chair not suited for your body could cause discs in the spine to rub together. This can result in undue pressure, and eventually damage to the spine. With huge numbers of Americans suffering from back troubles, it is important that you consider how you sit. This means all the time, whether for relaxation or for work. Buy a chair that promotes a healthy posture, with inbuilt lumbar supports. That way, you can enjoy that well-earned relaxation on the beach, and sit in your supportive chair for hours on end. Though don’t sit in the sun too long, that will only lead to other health issues. To help you determine which is the perfect beach chair for you, we have chosen a few of the most popular, to review. This will hopefully give you an idea of what you need to look for.

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1. STRONGBACK Low Gravity Beach Chair with Lumbar Support

Key Points at a Glance

• Award Winning Design.
• Lumbar Support with ergonomic seat.
• Storage bag with 2 carry handles. Can be carried on back.
• Powder coated steel frame for protection and strength.
• Heavy-duty polyester, tear and wear resistant.
• Strongback Warranty for 1 year (dependent on where you purchase your chair).
• Includes drink/phone holder

Whilst there are no bells and whistles, other than a cup holder, with this beach chair, it is a good seller with great customer feedback.

Dimensions and Specs

Seat Width20 inches

Leg Height4.5 inches

Back Support21.5 inches

Weight8.5lbs

Weight Capacity300 lbs

The Strongback is a stylish, comfortable low gravity beach chair available in three color options. As it is a low gravity seat, it is ideal for lounging on a beach, fishing on a riverbank, or attending a festival. The chair-feet are wide, so it doesn’t sink in sand or grass. As this chair is positioned low to the ground, Crouching down to get in and out may not be an easy task for those with joint or back problems. Sitting low to the ground may prove problematic for some. The armrests curve downwards but they are firm, and do help those getting in and out of the chair. These armrests are practical for leaning elbows on if you want to read and also fine if you want to relax the arms whilst dozing. The scissor-type frame does not recline, but the whole frame does have a slight natural slope that helps when sitting for a while. There is nowhere to rest your head or neck though, should you need this as extra support. Those issues aside, most customers find that these chairs are extremely comfortable and are great for those with bad backs. The Strongback has strong support in the seating area, so it does not hang or sag. If you are reasonably mobile, you should be able to sit in this beach chair for long hours, resulting in no aches or pains at the end of your session. For those with only mild back issues, it contours into the base of the spine to keep you firm. For those who can’t sit low to the ground, this may not be the ideal chair, though. Don’t forget to use the locking mechanism as it holds the frame together while in use. The fact that you can carry this as a backpack, or on your shoulder, may also prove useful for some.

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2. Rio Beach Face Opening Sunbed High Seat Beach Chair & Lounger

Key Points at a Glance

• Chair can be set in 5 positions
• Removable head and lumbar support memory foam paddings.
• Lay down on stomach position, with openings for reading and to position arms accordingly.
• Adjustable footrest.
• Adjustable shoulder carry strap attached to the frame.
• Rustproof aluminum frame.
• Extra strength polyester with double stitching for wear and tear resistance.
• Rio Warranty for 1 year (dependent on where you purchase your chair).

This is a seat with many features, including:

• Armrests have a cup holder and a slot for a mobile phone to sit in.
• Frame includes a bar for towels to hang.
• Insulated attached zippered bag.
• Three removable support pillows, for head, back, and feet.
• A read-through design which allows you to read a book/Kindle while lying on your stomach. By removing a flap, it reveals an opening to enjoy this feature, including gaps for your arms to hang through.
• Footrest.
• 5 reclining positions.
• Carry strap.
• Extra wide armrests.
• Lock clips so the chair remains sturdy.

Dimensions and Specs

Seat Width23 inches

Leg Height14 inches

Back Support31inches

Weight11lbs.

Weight Capacity280lbs

The Rio Beach Face chair is a pretty amazing offering, with a ton of features and a great deal of versatility! As you can see there are quite a lot of extras and variations, but do they make this chair attractive? Regarding the footrest, many find that it is more of a calf rest. It is not positioned for where the feet fall naturally. It does provide a rest and support for the legs though, which many other chairs don’t offer. While all the varying positions sound tempting, many find that the frame can be awkward to open and shut. Buttons need to be pushed together, all at the same time, as you adjust the positions and footrest. Some find that having two people to convert the chair to different positions is helpful – pretty cumbersome operation. This difficulty may also lead to potentially damaging the frame if you become over-enthusiastic and impatient at performing these tasks, so take your time. The Rio is quite a heavy chair and has a large frame, so it might not easy for some to carry around. Most users find that the chair is quite comfortable once you have it in position, however some taller individuals find that it’s not quite a great fit for a large frame. While the makers, Rio Beach, are trusted manufactures, it appears that they sometimes take quite some time to ship out the chair. Best to order yours well in advance of your beach trip.

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3. STRONGBACK Elite Folding Camping Chair with Lumbar Support

Key Points at a Glance

• Award Winning Design
• Available in four different colors.
• Backrest with extra lumbar support.
• Cup holder in one armrest.
• Padded armrests.
• Double handled storage bag, to carry on back or shoulders.
• Powder coated steel frame, to resist rust and give extra strength.
• Heavy duty polyester to resist wear and tear.
• Suitable for tall people too.
• Strongback Warranty for 1-year (dependent on where you purchase your chair).

Dimensions and Specs

Seat Width21.5inches

Leg Height18 inches

Back Support18.5inches

Weight11.9lbs

Weight Capacity300lbs

The Strongback Elite is yet another high-quality chair from Strongback, one that has many positive aspects to it. Starting out, an important factor to note about this chair is the crossbars on the back. They allow for extra lumbar support, with added thick padding. Many customers suffering back problems are singing their praises over this model. Additionally, it is a pretty good chair for those who are on the taller side, with ample overall back support. Unfortunately, this praise is balanced by issues with weight and bulkiness, even with the storage bag included in the purchase. Which is why it’s a shame that it is such a heavy and bulky chair to carry around, even in the storage bag supplied. Some customers find that the chair is too large if you are a smaller person. The Strongback Elite is the heaviest chair on our list, and is 40% heavier than the Strongback Low Gravity chair above, despite being able to support only 300 lbs vs. 350 lbs in the Low Gravity. The cup holder is only big enough to hold a can, and not of any use for larger-format water bottles. The chair does not have flat feet, so it can be prone to sinking in the sand – another aspect of the chair that makes it less than ideal for beach use. There also appears to be a few safety issues, with some buyers complaining of nuts and bolts breaking. However, such comments are few.

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KingCamp Folding Quad Chair Lumbar Back Support Light Weight Portable Deluxe Padded

Key Points at a Glance

• Tough 600D Oxford fabric.
• Non-slip Lumbar back support.
• Cup holder in one armrest, insulated cooler bag, 2 x attached zipper storage bags
• Padded seat.
• Storage bag for shoulder carrying.
• Powder coated steel frame for extra strength and protection.

Dimensions

Seat Width17.7inches

Leg Height22 inches

Back Support18.5inches

Weight11.3lbs.

Weight Capacity350 lbs

KingCamp’s Folding Quad Chair is another great choice for those who have bad backs, and who are on the tall side. It is quite popular among those with a larger frame, or for taller people. The lumbar support is adjustable, to the point where you want it the most, by using straps. This design is unique among our chairs and is pretty clever. You can adjust the amount of lumbar support as needed.

It’s possible to add a pillow to the pocket situated at the back of the head area for extra support. However, some customers are disappointed that the top of the chair back is not quite tall enough for taller people to rest their head back completely. The included insulated cooler bag is a cool extra (sorry, couldn’t resist). The bag should hold up to 3 cans, and the cup holder is wide enough to take most bottles. This beach chair has wide feet in an accordion-like design. This system is useful in preventing the chair from sinking into the sand or grass. That said, when you’re carrying the chair to the beach you may grumble a bit, as it’s not a lightweight model. However, it is a big chair with a high weight capacity, so it’s generally made for pretty big people who can likely carry a few extra pounds. Depending on your own build, you may be forced to sit up straight rather than slouching. This is because the bars underneath the seat might dig into your legs. If this does happen, all it needs is an additional pillow cushion on the seat area, so don’t be too put off by this. Finally, it appears that this is a big chair with a little bag. Many customers are unhappy that the chair is difficult to put back into the storage bag once you’ve taken it out.

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5. Ostrich 3-in-1 Beach Chair

Key Features at a Glance

• Patented Design
• 5-position chair and 3-position footrest features
• Opening window for laying down and reading, with openings for arms.
• Heavy-duty polyester fabric.
• Available in 4 different colors.
• Extra wide bamboo armrests
• Padded lumbar pillows and footrest.
• Cup holder and extra zipper storage pockets on armrests.
• Attached strap for transportation.
• Rustproof aluminum frame.

Dimensions

Seat Width22inches.

Leg Height12 inches.

Back Support Heightapprox. 24inches

Weight9lbs.

Weight Capacity275 lbs

The Ostrich 3-in-1 chair is pretty similar to the Rio lounge chair examined above, though it’s got a slightly nicer build-out and a slightly higher price point. We love the bamboo armrests, they definitely make the chair look more stylish, and bring to mind a bit of a classic webbed lawn chair design. While this is a lightweight beach chair, making it easier for carrying, it also has a large frame which can make it a little cumbersome in transportation. It has a strap to allow you to carry the chair on your shoulder, but not as a backpack. The footrest can be a little awkward, but if you want adjustable features then it’s a great bonus. Hinges for the footrest are plastic and may be a point of failure down the line. Be sure to adjust them with care, and with luck, they shouldn’t break. The fact that you can lay on this lounger face down like a massage bed is pretty cool. You can read through the arm and face holes in order to get a perfect back tan. However, if you wear glasses, this position will be awkward because, well, gravity. You will note by the lightweight frame and low weight capacity that this chair is not built for heavy people. Having a lightweight aluminum frame does mean that you should open and fold-up with extra care, or it may be prone to damage, however, the aluminum won’t rust, which is always a plus. The Ostrich 3-in-1 is a comfortable chair and many customers are happy with their purchase. Not all are happy, though, and many find that the frame is not the best made out there. Perhaps they overloading the chair with weight, but regardless, treat the chair gently should you decide to make this your next beach chair. Again, this could be down to the lightweight feature. It’s always a risk buying a chair that does lots of things, such as many positions, as the constant adjusting may put extra stress on the frame. However, as a back-support chair, there are moveable cushions, so you should find this a help.

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Extras and Accessories

Once you’ve decided on your ideal beach chair, why not accessorize it? Here are a couple of useful extras to compliment any beach chair.

Sport-Brella Versa-Brella Swiveling Umbrella

• Has UPV 50+ to keep your skin safe from UVA/UVB rays.
• Water repellent, in case it rains, but it can also be rinsed off from sand.
• 4-way swivel with a 360° angle, adjusted with push buttons hinges.
• Universal clamp to attach securely to most surfaces, whether square or round.
• Folds into transportation bag with handle for easy carrying.
• Available in 3 colors and 2 sizes.
• Weighs up to 1.8lbs.
• Once open, measurements are up to 40 x 42 inches of cover.
• The XL has an extended pole.

Proving popular, this all-weather umbrella provides shade on a sunny day. It is treated to protect you from UVA/UVB rays. The smaller version, without the extended tube, is ideal for wheelchairs and strollers. Spokes are firm and the material is hardwearing.The larger model provides an extension pole to give you more height. The umbrella is still the same size as the regular version. It is not huge, so the shade-cover is only enough for one person, making it ideal for your own beach chair.

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Travel Pal - Healthy Back - Self-Inflating Lumbar Pillow

• Lifetime warranty.
• Self-inflatable with a specialist valve.
• Size 16 x 2 x 8 inches
• Carry Pouch for transportation

Adjust the air in the cushion to meet the needs of your own support. Will complement any lumbar supported beach chair, because you can use this elsewhere on your body such as the neck or to elevate the arms or feet. Rolls up quite small making it easy to carry around.

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Conclusion: Best Comfortable Beach Chair

Once you have the perfect beach chair, for your own personal comfort, you are good to go. A self-inflating lumbar pillow will offer extra comfort and support for those tender areas of your body. It is so important for your own wellbeing, that you take time out to relax. Equally, it is good to make sure your body benefits from the sessions of rest. By investing in the perfect chair in the first place, you should not need to buy another for years to come. What is good for one person, may not be ideal for another, as you may have different back conditions. Bear in mind your own personal situation, body type, and needs, and buy the chair around that. Most will be well-served by starting their shopping with the Strongback Low Gravity chair, unless they need one that isn’t so low to the ground. If that’s the case, move onto the King Camp. And if you really want a chair that reclines, consider the Rio.

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