Would Chip Bag Clips Work For Towels On Beach Chairs

Scott Simon

2 min read

·

11-01-2025

1

0

Share

The quintessential beach day: sun, sand, and the ever-present struggle to keep your towel from flapping in the breeze. Many beachgoers have wrestled with this age-old problem, leading to inventive solutions –– some more successful than others. One such suggestion making the rounds is using chip bag clips to secure towels to beach chairs. But does this unconventional method actually work?

The Case for Chip Bag Clips

The appeal is obvious: chip bag clips are readily available, inexpensive, and relatively lightweight. Their design, featuring a strong gripping mechanism, suggests they might provide a sufficient hold on a towel, especially in light breezes. The ease of application is also a plus, requiring no extra tools or complicated knots.

The Reality Check

While the concept is charmingly resourceful, the practicality is questionable. Several factors undermine the efficacy of chip bag clips in this context:

• Towel Weight and Size: Standard chip bag clips are designed for thin, relatively lightweight plastic bags. Beach towels, on the other hand, are significantly heavier and bulkier. The clips simply might not possess the clamping force necessary to securely hold a towel against the wind, particularly a larger beach towel.

• Chair Design Variation: Beach chairs come in a variety of designs and materials. The clip's grip might be compromised on certain chair types, leading to slippage and ultimately, a towel taking flight.

• Wind Strength: A gentle breeze is one thing, but a stronger gust of wind could easily overwhelm the clip's holding power, rendering it useless. The clips are not designed to withstand significant external forces.

Better Alternatives

For reliable towel security on a beach chair, consider these proven options:

• Large Clothespins: These offer a stronger grip than chip bag clips and are better suited to the weight of a beach towel.
• Towel Clips Designed for Outdoor Use: Specifically designed for this purpose, these clips are made from durable materials and capable of withstanding windy conditions.
• Beach Chair with Built-in Towel Bars: Some beach chairs are designed with bars or clips specifically for securing towels.

Conclusion

While using chip bag clips to secure beach towels to chairs is a creative idea, its practicality is limited. The clips lack the strength and durability necessary to reliably hold towels, especially in windy conditions. For a more secure and effective solution, investing in appropriate towel clips or choosing a beach chair with a built-in towel bar is highly recommended. Leave the chip bag clips for their intended purpose – securing your leftover chips.