Lounging Around – On a Cushion of Air
By S. Levin
The best portable chairs share a few characteristics, they are comfortable, family- and kid-friendly, and lightweight. Look at a typical beach, it’s filled with similar, folding chairs, some with an umbrella, others with cup holders. These same chairs are used at sporting events, BBQs, and social gatherings, and have become the go-to answer to ‘Do you have a spare chair?’
We discovered an interesting portable seating alternative – the Wekapo inflatable sofa chair lounger. Wekapo reimagined the portable chair, creating a unique customizable experience.
Beach Comfort Has Changed
There have been many advances in standard beach fare – the ‘beach blanket’ has competition from lightweight covers designed from materials that repel sand, and umbrellas are being replaced by attachable sun shades. Cabanas are making a resurgence, these light, easy-to-assemble shelters are secured by corners filled with sand. Now the inflatable lounge offers an alternative to the traditional folding chair.
Next Generation Comfort
Wekapo’s inflatable lounger rests high above the sand, preventing the wind from blowing sand into your face. The lounger provides back and leg support, conforming to your body. There is a pillow-shaped headrest that keeps your head raised. There are so many different ways to sit on the lounge, you can lay in the middle surrounded by a pillow, rest on top suspended by a cushion of air, or sit upright, like a sofa. Sit on it any way you like; this lounger can take it.
Don’t be fooled by its attractive looks, and lightweight, Wekap is rugged. Initially, we were skeptical, about how would it hold our weight and approached the lounger gingerly. We found it undeniably strong. Now we flop in without hesitation.
The design is simple, and the inner layer is a strong plastic inner lining that is covered by a tough ripstop polyester outer layer. It can hold up to 500 pounds, despite being so light (2.6 pounds). The lounge inflates to 82 x 27 x 35 inches and is designed for use indoors and outdoors. Wekapo is available online and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
You can carry it anywhere, or use it indoors as an extra couch.
Easy to Use – Inflating the Lounge
Wekapo’s lounge was designed thoughtfully, making inflation easy. (Don’t be put off by the instructions, which sound complicated). The lounge resembles a windsock, to inflate hold the opening into the wind, simply, trap the air and then close the sleeve. To add more air whisk the lounge into the wind. You can adjust the firmness to your desired comfort. Our testers preferred our lounge less firm. Use an inflation device like a leaf blower or an air pump, or a fan but for more inflation. With the typical wind at the beach, we had no issues with inflating ours.
Once you are satisfied with the amount of air, roll back the mouth, (about three to four times). Then grab the corner ends of the mouth, bend them until the clips come together, and buckle the clips closed. We were impressed at how strong the snap was, which includes a locking mechanism to prevent it from opening. The lounger should remain inflated for 5 to 6 hours allowing you to enjoy an entire day (or evening) without worries.
We found it a little tricky to get up, initially. But found the comfort was unmatched by any traditional beach chair. We just wish they included a sun solution.
When you are ready to pack up, open the clip and let the air out. The lounge folds neatly into its matching carry bag, designed for easy carrying and storage. We tested the lounge over two seasons, and it stood the test of time without any degradation.
Designed to Travel
Wekapo designed the inflatable lounge for traveling in support of their love for adventure. They considered everything, including a stake that can be used with a built-in security look to keep the lounge from blowing away, and a bottle opener to ‘help you chill anywhere, anytime’. They included built-in pockets, ideal for reading material or shoes, and a smaller one for accessories. There are so many uses for the Wekapo lounge, a chair, a lounge, and even a blow-up bed. It comes in so many different colors and patterns to choose from.
With the Wekapo air lounge, you can enjoy the great outdoors with extreme comfort anytime, anywhere. It may take some time to get used to an inflatable lounge, but we think it is worth trying, just lay back and relax. Who knew outdoor sitting could be so satisfying?
