Comparing POLYWOOD Adirondack Chairs

Originally Published on May 4, 2016. Last Updated on March 7, 2024.

Few things are better than quality time spent in the great outdoors, and no nature retreat is complete without the iconic Adirondack chair. Thanks to their wide armrests, comfortably slanted seats, and tall slatted backrests, Adirondacks have become the unofficial symbol of summertime relaxation. 

Ready to dive into our different styles of Adirondack chairs? Whether you’re looking for a folding option, a more modern look, a larger seat, or one that sits higher than average, there’s a perfect-fit Adirondack for your outdoor space. We’re going to help you find the right best POLYWOOD Adirondack chair—no matter how, when, or where you like to relax.


Jump To Section
Classic Adirondacks
Transitional Adirondacks
Modern Adirondacks
Grand Adirondacks
More Adirondack Styles
How to Find Your Perfect-Fit Adirondack
History of POLYWOOD Adirondack Chairs


Classic Adirondack Styles

Classic Adirondack Collection

POLYWOOD Classic Folding Adirondack 35.75" x 29"

Best-selling styles that prioritize both form and function.

POLYWOOD Classic Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Classic Oversized Folding Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Classic Adirondack Dining Chair
POLYWOOD Classic Adirondack Folding Ottoman POLYWOOD Classic Oversized Adirondack Folding Ottoman POLYWOOD Classic Adirondack Glider Chair
POLYWOOD Classic Adirondack 48" Glider POLYWOOD Classic Adirondack 3-Piece Set POLYWOOD 4-Piece Classic Adirondack Conversation Set

POLYWOOD Classic Adirondack Collection Sit GuideView the Entire Line of Classic Adirondacks

Long Island Adirondack Collection

POLYWOOD Long Island Adirondack

Casual yet chic with unique scalloped backrests.

POLYWOOD Long Island Upright Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Long Island Adirondack Chair 4-Piece Set with Ottomans
POLYWOOD Long Island 4-Piece Upright Adirondack Conversation Set POLYWOOD Long Island 4-Piece Upright Adirondack Conversation Set with Fire Pit Table

POLYWOOD Long Island Adirondack Collection Sit GuideView the POLYWOOD Long Island Classic Collection

Vineyard Adirondacks

POLYWOOD Vineyard Adirondack Chair

Designed with comfortably contoured seats, wide arms, and waterfall fronts.

POLYWOOD Vineyard Curveback Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Vineyard Curveback Upright Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Vineyard 3-Piece Adirondack Set with Angled Connecting Table
POLYWOOD Vineyard Curveback Adirondack Chair 4-Piece Set with Ottomans POLYWOOD Vineyard 3-Piece Adirondack Set with South Beach 18" Side Table POLYWOOD Vineyard Curveback Adirondack 5-Piece Conversation Set with Fire Pit Table

POLYWOOD Vineyard Adirondack Collection Sit GuideView the POLYWOOD Vineyard Collection


Transitional Adirondack Styles

The Wave Adirondacks

POLYWOOD The Ocean Adirondack Chair

Four seats that come together to create the look of a cresting wave.

POLYWOOD The Crest Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD The Wave Chair Right POLYWOOD The Wave Chair Left
POLYWOOD Wave Collection 4-Piece Adirondack Chair Set POLYWOOD Wave 3-Piece Adirondack Chair Set with The Crest Chairs POLYWOOD Wave Collection 3-Piece Set

POLYWOOD Wave Adirondack Chair Collection Sit GuideView the POLYWOOD Wave Collection

Nautical Adirondacks

POLYWOOD Nautical Curveback Adirondack Chair

Fanback design, waterfall fronts, and sleek leg profile balance style and comfort.

POLYWOOD Nautical Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Nautical Curveback Upright Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Nautical 3-Piece Curveback Adirondack Set with Angled Connecting Table
POLYWOOD Nautical Curveback Adirondack Chair 4-Piece Set with Ottomans POLYWOOD Nautical 3-Piece Adirondack Set with South Beach 18" Side Table POLYWOOD Nautical 4-Piece Adirondack Conversation Set

POLYWOOD Nautical 5-Piece Adirondack Chair Conversation Set with Fire Pit Table

POLYWOOD Nautical Adirondack Chair Sit GuideView the POLYWOOD Nautical Collection

Palm Coast Adirondacks

POLYWOOD Palm Coast Ultimate Adirondack with Hideaway Ottoman

Supportive contours, curved armrests, and open fanback design.

POLYWOOD Palm Coast Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Palm Coast Folding Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Palm Coast Upright Adirondack Chair
POLYWOOD Palm Coast 3-Piece Upright Adirondack Chair Set POLYWOOD Palm Coast Ultimate Adirondack 3-Piece Set POLYWOOD Palm Coast 5-Piece Adirondack Chair Conversation Set with Fire Pit Table

POLYWOOD Palm Coast Adirondack Chair Sit GuideView the POLYWOOD Palm Coast Collection

Seashell Adirondacks

POLYWOOD Seashell 4-Piece Upright Adirondack Conversation Set with Fire Pit Table

Elegant coastal-inspired designs with body-hugging backrests.

POLYWOOD Seashell Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Upright Seashell Adirondack Chair
POLYWOOD Seashell 3-Piece Upright Adirondack Chair Set POLYWOOD Seashell 4-Piece Upright Adirondack Conversation Set

POLYWOOD Seashell Adirondack Chair Sit GuideView the POLYWOOD Seashell Collection

South Beach Adirondack Chairs

POLYWOOD South Beach Adirondack Chair

Shell-style backrests that nod to Miami’s art deco design.

POLYWOOD South Beach Casual Adirodnack Chair POLYWOOD South Beach Counter-Height Chair POLYWOOD South Beach Bar-Height Chair

POLYWOOD South Beach Adirondack Chair Sit GuideView the POLYWOOD South Beach Collection


Modern Adirondack Styles

Modern Adirondacks

POLYWOOD Modern Adirondack Chair

Sleek style and endless comfort makes their way to the great outdoors.

POLYWOOD Modern Curveback Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Modern Folding Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Modern Upright Adirondack Chair
POLYWOOD Modern Curveback Upright Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Modern Studio Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Modern Studio Folding Adirondack Chair
POLYWOOD Modern 3-Piece Curveback Adirondack Set POLYWOOD Modern Curveback Adirondack 6-Piece Rustic Farmhouse Dining Set with Bench

View the POLYWOOD Modern Adirondack Collection

Quattro Adirondacks

POLYWOOD Quattro 4-Piece Upright Adirondack Conversation Set with Fire Pit Table

POLYWOOD Quattro Folding Adirondack POLYWOOD Quattro Upright Adirondack Chair
POLYWOOD Quattro 3-Piece Upright Adirondack Chair Set POLYWOOD Quattro 4-Piece Upright Adirondack Conversation Set

POLYWOOD Quattro Adirondack Chair Sit GuideView the POLYWOOD Quattro Collection


Grand Adirondack Styles

Grand Adirondacks

POLYWOOD Nautical Grand Adirondack Chair 41.25 x 33.75

Built strong with more space to stretch out or snuggle up. (And tested at double the standard weight capacity for peace of mind.) Sit anywhere, fits anyone.

POLYWOOD Modern Grand Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Vineyard Grand Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Grand Adirondack Ottoman
POLYWOOD 3-Piece Vineyard Grand Adirondack Set POLYWOOD 5-Piece Modern Grand Adirondack Set with Ottomans and Side Table 5-Piece Nautical Grand Adirondack Conversation Set with Fire Pit Table

POLYWOOD Grand Adirondack Sit Comparison Guide

Grand Upright Adirondacks

POLYWOOD Vineyard Grand Upright Adirondack Chair

The same weight capacity and grand-sized design but with less recline, making it easier to get up and sit back down. 

POLYWOOD Nautical Grand Upright Adirondack Chair POLYWOOD Modern Grand Upright Adirondack Chair
POLYWOOD Grand Upright Adirondack Ottoman POLYWOOD 3-Piece Nautical Grand Upright Adirondack Set POLYWOOD 5-Piece Modern Grand Upright Adirondack Conversation Set with Fire Pit Table

POLYWOOD Upright Grand Adirondack Comparison Chart

View the Grand Adirondack Collection


More Adirondack Styles

Westport Adirondack

Chic style meets comfort-centric design details.

POLYWOOD Westport Adirondack Chair

POLYWOOD Westport Adirondack Chair Sit Guide


How to Find Your Perfect-Fit Adirondack

Style

All POLYWOOD outdoor furniture collections can be categorized into three distinct styles, and the same is true for our Adirondacks. Here’s a brief summary of what defines each one:

Classic: Inspired by traditional furniture with soft lines and timeless appeal. 

Transitional: A fresh take on traditional that pairs subtle curves with straight lines. 

Modern: Sleek silhouettes that come together in clean lines and bold angles. 

POLYWOOD Airondack Chair Style Comparison

Overall Sit

Overall sit refers to the total seat size. It should help determine what chair will have enough space for you to scoot in and sit back comfortably. If you plan to share with pets or little ones, you may want to explore our larger Adirondack options. 

Cozy: Not too wide, not too narrow, just right. 

Roomy: Designed for extra comfort and elbow room.

POLYWOOD Cozy vs. Roomy Adrondack Chair Comparison

Seat Height

This refers to the distance between the ground and lowest point of the seat. The taller the seat, the easier it is to get into and out of. We also design all of our Adirondacks to be at an appropriate height for reaching drinks on a side table.

Lowest: Sits close to the ground for maximum lounge.

Classic: Keeps a low, linger-worthy profile. 

Highest: Easiest to sit back, relax, and stand up.

POLYWOOD Adrondack Chair Seat Height Comparison

Recline

Recline refers to the backrest’s pitch (or level of lean). As one of the defining features of this iconic seating style, all of our designs feature at least some degree of recline. 

Relaxed: Ideal for stargazing and afternoon naps.

Conversational: A medium incline for everyday relaxation.

Upright: Great for socializing or sipping a drink.

POLYWOOD Adrondack Chair Recline Angle Comparison


The History of Adirondack Chairs

The original was created by Thomas Lee in 1903 with the intent of designing the perfect outdoor chair for his home in the Adirondack Mountains. While his prototype (an unslatted model crafted from hemlock wood) paved the way for every variation we have today, the most familiar form (a waterfall front and slatted seat and backrest) was patented by another inventor in 1938. 

In 1990, the founders of POLYWOOD created a brand-new Adirondack style: one made from recycled plastics. This development diverted unnecessary waste from landfills and oceans, and it proved to be the most durable, low-maintenance material on the market. (Not to mention incredibly weather resistant.) Fast-forward a few decades, and we’re continuing our founders’ mission of sustainability with new-and-improved iterations that accommodate different comfort levels and aesthetic preferences. 

32 thoughts on “Comparing POLYWOOD Adirondack Chairs

  1. We have several Polywood pieces on our patio, and love them all. We’d love to see a patio cart, ie, 2 shelves, handle, wheels. Thanks.

    1. Thanks for the suggestion Joyce! We’ll pass that on to our engineering department as an idea.

  2. I like the Seashell the best. That rounded front is very attractive. I have two
    Adirondack chairs in our pergola but the need painted every year because they are wood. Polywood is so much better!

  3. I am trying to purchase the Trio rocking Adirondack chairs, but cannot find anyone who carries them. I’ve looked at Wayfair and Lowes Any suggestion would be helpful.
    Nancy

  4. Can you please tell me if you ship to Australia to a private home.. I really like the Seashell design. A friend of mine in NYS has the Polywood chairs and I fell in love with them when visiting last year. Thank you.. Sue

    1. Hi Laura!

      Thank you for reaching out to us! We don’t have video at this time of the chairs folding at this time. That’s a great suggestion through. You are able to fold the adirondack by removing the adirondack pins located in the front leg. Once the pins are removed, you may fold the chair by simply bringing the back assembly towards the seat assembly.

      I hope this helps!

  5. Love my Polywood, bought a outdoor dinning set last year and this year bought my first Adirondack chair. The products are fantastic

  6. Any chance you could make a non folding Adirondack that has cup holders (a cross shape so they don’t collect water) in the armrests? We have one that we bought elsewhere but cannot find them any more.
    Thanks!

    1. Hi Katie,

      Thanks for sharing your feedback!

      We’ll be sure to pass this along to our design team.

      Have a wonderful day!

    1. Hi Jeff,

      Thanks so much for reaching out to us!

      You can see all of our products, including colors and pricing on polywood.com. Once you’ve decided, you can place your order directly on the site as well!

      Have a fantastic day!

  7. Hi – I purchased the Portside 3 piece set a year ago and it is Out-of-Stock. It appears the Nautical Curve Back is very close and maybe the same chair just marketed under a name. Is my thought correct?

    1. Hi Ken,

      Thanks for reaching out!

      The Portside collection is very similar to the Nautical line, but the chairs are not identical. There are some small style differences, including dimensions. So if you are trying to add to your current seating area, we would recommend waiting for the Portside to be available again.

      Have a great day!

  8. Which chairs are best for those of us of a certain age that have trouble getting out of a very deep chair. We have several polywood and some are deeper than others.

    1. Hello Lydia,

      Thanks for your question!

      The Adirondack Chairs we manufacture with the highest seat height are our Curveback Adirondack Chairs at 16.25″. However, they will still recline towards the back of the seat. If this is still not suitable then we would recommend one of our Curveback Dining Chairs or our South Beach Casual Chair, which will have higher seat heights and less of a recline. You can view these options via the links below:

      https://www.polywood.com/modern-adirondack-dining-chair-add620.html
      https://www.polywood.com/vineyard-adirondack-dining-chair-add600.html
      https://www.polywood.com/nautical-adirondack-dining-chair-add610.html
      https://www.polywood.com/south-beach-casual-chair-sbd16.html

      I hope this is helpful!

  9. I have a question. My husband and I purchased 4 RED POLYWOOD Adirondack chairs awhile ago near Traverse City MI. We love the chairs and they get plenty of use by the lake. The red has faded quite a bit. Is there any product that we can use to get that red again? Please help us find the answer. Thank you! Great durable chairs! We love them!

    1. Good afternoon Nancy,

      Thank you for reaching out to us. Unfortunately, at this time, we do not have a method of restoring color to the material once it’s faded. We do recommend using Armor All wipes and the one with the UV protectant could help stop the fading from getting any worse.

      Best wishes,
      Heather

  10. What is the difference between the 5030 classic folding Adirondack chair and the Ad7037 Long Beach Adirondack chair?

    1. Hello Shawnee,
      These 2 chairs are very similar. The Classic Folding Adirondack Chair (AD5030) folds with the dimensions being 35.75″x29″x35.75″ (DxWxH). The Long Beach Adirondack Chair (AD7037) does not fold and is a little bigger with the dimensions being 37.31″x30.75″x37.75″ (DxWxH).
      Thanks, Michelle

  11. I am 6 feet tall.I would prefer a chair that has a taller back that I can rest my head on.And more of an upright position ( not straight up or too far back)So I can talk to people at eye level without having to lean forward all the time.What would you recommend ?

  12. Hello,
    I am between the classic and vineyard. Which one is more comfortable? I would like one for lounging and possibly be able to nap, but at the same time be able to sit and talk to other people around.

    Thanks!
    KC

    1. Hi Karen,

      The seat on the Vineyard Adirondack Chair (AD400) is slightly higher and wider than the Classic Adirondack Chair (AD4030). It also features a waterfall front for added comfort. We hope you find the perfect chair for your space!

      Thanks for asking,
      Brooke

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *