Let's face it: If you're looking for folding chairs and tables for lounging at the beach this summer, you're going to be overwhelmed with the countless designs available in what can only be described as a riot of styles, colors and levels of durability. It can be tough to settle on the right purchase — particularly if your childhood memories of folding chairs involve tattered woven plastic, bent or dented metal frames and even a few unpleasant rusty bits.

One of the best parts of the pontoon boat lifestyle is being able to cruise to a new destination, tie up and head ashore for a few hours of picnicking, playing games, swimming and relaxing. You might be able to choose shoreside destinations with park facilities most of the time, but what if you want to spend the day in that tranquil, pristine cove? Or on that remote island? Picnics on blankets are charming, but trust us: If you do it often enough, you're going to want to be a bit more comfortable.

So, we wondered where we could find some easily portable beach chairs and tables that also would have a slightly upscale look and feel. We found them at the Cape Cod Beach Chair Company in Harwich, Massachusetts.

Founded in 2002, the company's products have been featured on NBC's "The Today Show" and in such prominent publications as Men's Journal, New York Magazine, Outside and Sport Diver. And for good reason. Cape Cod Beach Chair Company has several chair lines and models — the Original Models allow you to choose between classic wood frames and a range of solid fabric colors, while the Limited Edition Beach Chairs feature a mix of stripes, plaids and exotic, specialty wood frames.

All chairs have classic frame designs and premium, heavyweight Sunbrella outdoor fabrics. This soft, marine-grade synthetic canvas won't stretch from heavy use, is easy to clean and won't fade with exposure to sun and water.

In addition, the company now has a folding 18.5" x 18.5" beach table made from long-lasting, weather-resistant, lightweight eucalyptus, which has been
harvested from ecofriendly Forest Stewardship Council-certified sources. Fitted with rust-proof stainless steel screws, the table folds in half to become an easily transportable 18" wide, 19" high and 2" deep. Its folded legs become a built-in handle.

The Cape Cod Beach Chair Company chairs and tables caught our eye for their classic good looks, and we were wooed by their quality, durability and portability. Their environmentally friendly credentials sealed the deal — and we're not alone. According to Amazon.com, the company's tables were on backorder in 2010 due to exceptionally high demand.

Print Article