You’ve seen them everywhere. Those bright blue and green striped chairs lining every stretch of sand from Maui to Myrtle Beach. But if you’ve spent any time actually sitting in a standard beach chair, you know the struggle. You’re basically sitting on the sand. Getting back up requires a level of core strength and knee stability that most of us leave behind in our twenties.
That’s where the Tommy Bahama tall beach chairs come in.
They’re a game changer for anyone who wants the "beach vibe" without the "I can't get out of this chair" embarrassment. Most people think all Tommy Bahama chairs are the same, just with different prints. They aren't. There is a massive difference between a 17-inch seat height and the standard 8-inch low-rider.
The Highboy vs. The Backpack Classic: More Than Just Height
Let’s be real. The standard Tommy Bahama backpack chair is the "cool" one. It has the cooler pouch and the towel bar. But it sits exactly 8.5 inches off the ground. If you have bad knees or a finicky lower back, 8.5 inches is a prison sentence.
The Tommy Bahama Highboy (or the "Hi-Boy") kicks that seat height up to 17 inches.
Think about that. A standard dining room chair is about 18 inches. When you sit in a Highboy, you’re basically sitting in a real chair, just on the sand. You don't "plop." You sit. And when it’s time to grab another drink or chase a runaway umbrella, you just stand up. No rolling onto your knees. No asking your spouse for a hoist.
It makes a difference.
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The Specs That Actually Matter
Don't get distracted by the tropical prints. Here is the meat and potatoes of what you're actually buying:
- Seat Height: 17 inches (on the Highboy models) vs. 8-15 inches on "mid" models.
- Weight Capacity: Most are rated for a 250 lb dynamic load, but some heavy-duty versions (like the Big Boy) can handle up to 300 lbs.
- Frame Material: Rust-proof aluminum. This is key because salt air eats steel for breakfast.
- Weight of the chair: About 8 lbs. It's light.
Why "Tall" Doesn't Always Mean "Big"
One big misconception is that a tall chair is only for tall people. Honestly? It’s the opposite. While a 6'4" guy will certainly appreciate not having his knees in his chin, the Tommy Bahama tall beach chairs are most popular with seniors and people recovering from surgery.
If you’ve had a hip replacement, a low chair is your enemy.
The taller frame also keeps you away from the "heat radiation" of the sand. On a 95-degree day, the sand can hit 120 degrees easily. Being 17 inches up provides much better airflow. You stay cooler. Your towel stays cleaner because it's not dragging in the dunes.
The Durability Truth (What Nobody Talks About)
Tommy Bahama is a lifestyle brand, not a mountain-climbing gear company. People expect these chairs to last forever because they cost $80 to $120.
They won't.
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The fabric is usually 600D polyester. It’s tough, but UV rays are brutal. If you leave your chair on a balcony all summer, the sun will bake the fibers until they're as brittle as a potato chip. I’ve seen straps literally turn to powder because of UV degradation.
Pro tip: Hose the chair down with fresh water after every trip. Salt crystals act like tiny serrated knives on the stitching. Rinse it. Dry it. Store it in the garage.
Features You'll Actually Use
- Safe-Adjust Brackets: These are the little notches on the arms. Tommy Bahama uses a patented design that won't pinch your fingers when you recline. It's a small detail until you've had your pinky crushed by a cheap knock-off.
- The Side Pouch: Most tall models include an insulated cup holder and a zippered phone pocket. The "Tall" versions sometimes trade the giant backpack cooler for a side-hanging pouch.
- Pillow Support: The headrests are adjustable. If you're shorter, you can slide it down. If you're tall, it actually hits your neck instead of your shoulder blades.
The Recline Factor
Most tall beach chairs offer 4 to 7 reclining positions. The Highboy typically hits 7 positions.
However, there’s a catch.
Because the center of gravity is higher, tall chairs aren't always great for "laying flat." If you want to tan your back, a low-profile chair is more stable. If you try to lay a 17-inch high chair completely flat on soft sand, you might tip if you shift your weight too fast. It’s a trade-off. You get easy entry/exit, but you lose a bit of that "grounded" stability.
Real World Comparison: Which One Should You Buy?
If you're shopping at Costco or directly from the Tommy Bahama site, you'll see a few variations.
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The Highboy Canopy Chair is the "luxury" pick. It has the 17-inch height plus a built-in sunshade. It’s heavy. It’s bulky. But if you’re fair-skinned or just hate squinting, it’s worth the extra weight.
The Deluxe Backpack Tall Chair is the middle ground. Usually sits around 15 inches. It still has the backpack straps, which is the holy grail of beach gear. Lugging a chair by a handle while carrying a cooler and a bag is a nightmare. Putting it on your back like a rucksack is the only way to live.
Where People Get Scammed
Beware of the "lookalikes." There are dozens of brands on Amazon that use the same blue/white stripe pattern. They look identical in photos.
Then you sit in them.
The aluminum is thinner. The plastic brackets feel "crunchy." Most importantly, the seat height is often misrepresented. Always check the "Seat Height" in the fine print—not the "Total Height." Total height includes the backrest. You care about how far your butt is from the sand.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Beach Trip
- Check the "Static" vs "Dynamic" Weight: If a chair says it's rated for 250 lbs, that's "sitting still." If you flop into it hard, you're putting 400 lbs of force on those aluminum rivets. Sit down gently.
- Lubricate the Joints: Use a silicone-based spray (not WD-40, which attracts sand) on the folding joints once a season. It keeps the "Safe-Adjust" mechanism from sticking.
- The Sand Anchor Trick: If you're using a tall chair, the wind catches it easier because it's higher up. If you stand up, throw your heavy beach bag in the seat so it doesn't blow halfway to the boardwalk.
- Identify Your Model: Look for the "Hi-Boy" branding if you want the full 17-inch height. If it doesn't say "Hi-Boy" or "Highboy," it's likely a standard 8-inch or 12-inch "mid" height chair.
- Clean the Zippers: Salt buildup is the #1 killer of the storage pouches. A quick rub with a bit of candle wax or specialized zipper lube will keep the phone pocket from seizing up by July.
Beach days are supposed to be relaxing. Struggling to stand up every time you want a snack isn't relaxing. Choosing a chair that fits your body’s needs—especially your knees—is the simplest way to actually enjoy the view.