How We Hunker Down at the Beach
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The Strategist staff has some devoted beachgoers. We asked them about their rules for what to bring and the best way to set up a space on the sand.
Let’s start with schlepping. How do you carry all of your things to the beach?
Dominique Pariso,writer:I’m not a beach-cart person. I usually just carry everything on my back. One part of your setup must be something you can sling over your shoulder. So either your cooler or your chair.
Amelia Jerden,writer:I like very large tote bags with boning so they’re structured and stay upright, like theMultipurpose Totefrom Target. It’s wide and not as deep as a Bogg Bag, so it’s really easy to find my things.
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Ashley Wolfgang,newsletter editor:Yeah, I also use a structured tote. It comes with a pouch inside where I can stick my phone and wallet. But best of all, it has a plasticky interior. So if it gets a little dirty from sand, I can just wipe it down.
D.P.:I bought my dad a foldable model fromMy Beach Cartlast year because I felt it was time for my parents to make that transition. The bigger the wheels, the better the cart will handle over sand.
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I’m assuming everyone here is fixated on finding shade?
D.P.:I feel like I’m outing myself as a person who loves the sun, which is horrible because I write about beauty — but I don’t sit in the shade. I reapply sunscreen all day, and I will always have an umbrella for other people in my group who need it because that’s just good manners. But we’ve taken things too far with the shade contraptions. I don’t like theShibumi Shade Beach Canopy. You won’t catch me dead under a Shibumi. I just think they’re quite loud when they’re flapping in the wind.
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A.W.:I love my Shibumi! I’m usually the one bringing the beach stuff in my friend group, but I’m not sacrificing my shade for people who didn’t bring their own. So I like the Shibumi because everyone can stay under there.
What’s the best beach towel?
D.P.:The perimeter of your lounging area has to be established using a queen-size flat sheet, not a towel. Your towel should never touch the sand. So the sheet stays dry and that’s where you can lie on your stomach, lie on your back, nap, whatever.
A.W.:I don’t know — the idea of putting a bedsheet on the sand really grosses me out for some reason! I like the Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket. I just shake it, and sand slides off instantly.
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A.J.:For drying off, I like theNomadix Towel,which is really packable and quick drying.
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Does anyone have a preferred beach chair?
A.W.:I just sit and lie down — no chair!
D.P.:I have to have a chair. I used to bring a camping chair, but when sand gets in the poles, it’s difficult to put it together. TheTommy Bahama chair with backpack strapsis great, but it’s low to the ground.
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A.J.:I like to put my low chair in the surf and have my feet in the water.
D.P.:For me, getting in and out of a low chair becomes very annoying, so I now use theTommy Bahama Hi-Boy Chair. You can’t carry it on your back, but it sits higher up off the ground.
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What food and drinks do you bring, and what do you stow them in?
D.P.:Your drink cooler and food cooler have to be separate. It’s separation of church and state. And if you’re really being serious about it, you should always pre-ice your coolers.
A.W.:I usually get a six-pack of beer or seltzer, and I have a very small insulated bag that I stash them in.
A.J.:I keep it pretty simple. TheColeman XPAND 30-Can Soft Cooler Backpackis not anÜber-fancy Yeti or anything, but it works well.
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Last question: What’s the secret to a truly great beach setup?
A.J.:Bring enough stuff so that you are comfortable on the beach for a long period of time, but not so much that the stuff becomes a hindrance.
D.P.:Your setup is only as good as your spot. So go to the beach early and get as close to the shoreline as you can.
A.W.:Yes, and don’t forget sunscreen.
D.P.:This year I’m going to be adding a flag to my setup, which I’m excited about. All the real old-school people at the beach always have flags so their friends can easily find them. I kind of want to do a Margaritaville flag.
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