Get a backpack beach chair, not a regular one.

Yes — specifically a beach chair with built-in backpack straps. That’s the feature that makes the difference when you’re hauling gear a quarter mile over sand.

Regular folding chairs are fine for car camping or a two-minute walk, but they suck to carry farther. The weight digs into one hand, the legs scrape your calf, and you end up doing that awkward shuffle every 50 feet. Backpack-style chairs (straps on the back of the chair) turn it into a hands-free load, balanced and comfortable. Most of them are also made with aluminum frames, which are light enough — usually 6-8 pounds — without sacrificing durability.

The Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair is the classic here for a reason. It’s not fancy, but it nails the combo of weight, back support, and a built-in cooler pouch. If you don’t want to pay the brand tax, any chair with similar specs (aluminum frame, backpack straps, cup holder) will do the same job. Just avoid the super-cheap mesh chairs — they save a pound but fold up weird and dig into your shoulders.

Your shoulders will thank you on the walk back.