Beachfront bliss can be hard to obtain, but having the right chair makes all the difference. YETI is expanding its chair line with a $300 sand-and-surf model, the Hondo Beach Chair, which claims to be the lightest YETI chair to date, weighing 12 pounds and supporting up to 350 pounds.
The Hondo has four reclining positions, an ergonomic waterfall edge under your legs, and a waterfall headrest made from supportive FlexGrid Fabric in place of a pillow.
Although it ranks as one of the most expensive beach chairs on the market, YETI claims its top-tier materials, portability, and comfortable seat might make it your forever beach chair — or, at least, your favorite.
YETI Hondo Beach Chair vs. YETI Hondo Camp Chair
Beach chairs vary from your classic camping chair thanks to a few key features. They are usually lower to the ground, allowing you to keep those toes wiggling in the sand. They should also be built to withstand sand and salt. If they aren’t easy to schlep hands-free over dunes and down the beach, they’re probably not a great option.
YETI took notes from its previous model, the Hondo Base Camp Chair, and said it created a lighter, lower, and more portable version for the beach. Each Beach Chair includes a carrying strap to make traveling from car to beach easy, keeping your hands free for the rest of your gear.
This Beach Chair weighs 12 pounds, significantly lighter than the Camp Chair, which weighs 16.5 pounds. But it’s still pretty heavy. Compared to other beach chairs on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Beach Chairs, the Hondo is only outweighed by the Neso Beach Lounger (a full-length lounger) and the Kelty Low Loveseat Camp Chair (meant for two people).
As mentioned, the Hondo Beach Chair also reclines, a major update from the Camp Chair. It adjusts to four positions: slightly reclined at a 100-degree angle and moving in 10-degree increments until it reaches a half-reclined position with a 130-degree angle. Locking controls under the armrest allow you to adjust without leaving your seat.
YETI Hondo Beach Chair: Additional Features
Each YETI Hondo Beach Chair comes with a YETI Chair Cup Holder that fits its Rambler 35-ounce Straw Mug, Rambler 26-ounce Water Bottle, and Rambler Wine Tumbler. This cupholder should, it said, stay upright even when the chair fully reclines.
The Beach Chair still uses a bi-fold design that collapses flat when moving or storing it, much like the Camp Chair. It stands firm on two powder-coated aluminum, U-shaped legs, which YETI said add support in the sand or over a pebble beach. The coated frame should stand up to sand and salt, but Yeti recommends hosing down the chair after each beach session.
YETI claims its solid, cast joints mimic truck door hinges and stay sturdy, even when you flop down for the afternoon.
According to YETI, the FlexGrid fabric is UV-resistant and, therefore, fade-resistant. The fabric allegedly supports up to 350 pounds. And, due to its supportive stretch, YETI said the waterfall headrest acts like a pillow when you’re ready for a midday snooze.
Should you need more storage space away from the sand, the Beach Chair sports multiple attachment points. Hooks on each armrest hold Sidekick Dry Gear Cases (sold separately), and a bar across the back holds an accessory Hondo Gear Bag.
If you don’t feel like carrying the chair via shoulder strap, you can also lift it suitcase-style from any of the bars once folded. YETI even created Beach Chair Backstraps to turn your chair into a backpack (for another $30).
Snag Your Own YETI Hondo Beach Chair
The YETI Hondo Beach Chair will be available in-store and online on Tuesday, May 20.
However, if you’re antsy to get your hands on one, YETI is offering an early gated launch today. You just need to create a free YETI account and log in between now and May 20 to snag one early.
Summer beach days are approaching quickly. If you need to round out your oceanside setup with a comfortable chair that will stand the test of time, the Hondo is worth a look. It comes at a YETI premium price, but with YETI premium quality. So you might just end up having the best seat in the house — or, more aptly, on the beach.
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