Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Comfortable Camping Chairs

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong vs GCI Outdoor Comfort Pro Chair

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 3.7). ALPS Mountaineering King Kong is best for: Car campers and tailgaters who want maximum comfort, stability, and storage and don't need to carry the chair far. Read the strengths below before deciding.

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Comfortable Camping Chairs
ALPS Mountaineering King Kong
3 sources$89.99as of Oct 17

The King Kong is the consensus best overall camp chair, topping both OutdoorGearLab and CleverHiker for comfort, stability, and value. A jaw-dropping 800-pound capacity, a big padded seat, and loaded storage make it a fortress of comfort at $90. Bulk is the trade-off: at roughly 14 pounds and 39 inches packed, it is strictly a car-camping chair.

Strengths
  • — Most universally comfortable chair tested by OutdoorGearLab
  • — 800-pound weight capacity with rock-solid stability
  • — Loaded storage: two cup holders, two side pockets, headrest pocket
Watch-outs
  • — Heavy at about 14 pounds, the bulkiest chair here
  • — Quilted seat retains water if left out in rain
  • — Cup holders are too narrow for large bottles
GCI Outdoor Comfort Pro Chair
Ranked #5 in Best Comfortable Camping Chairs
GCI Outdoor Comfort Pro Chair
1 source

The Comfort Pro is the budget pick built for tall and larger campers. A tall seat and high mesh back make getting in and out easy and keep you cooler, all for about $55. OutdoorGearLab calls it one of the more supportive chairs at its price. The catches are an awkwardly long packed length and a weight that rules out backpacking.

Strengths
  • — Tall seat and high back are easy to get in and out of
  • — Breathable angled mesh back panel for hot-day ventilation
  • — Great fit for tall and larger campers
Watch-outs
  • — 300-pound capacity trails the King Kong by a wide margin
  • — Less plush padding than premium lounge chairs

How they stack up

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong

The most comfortable and stable chair here, with far more capacity than the Helinox Sunset Chair, REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair, GCI Outdoor Comfort Pro, or NEMO Stargaze EVO-X, but also the heaviest and bulkiest of the group.

GCI Outdoor Comfort Pro Chair

The budget tall-camper pick here, cheaper than the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong, Helinox Sunset Chair, REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair, and NEMO Stargaze EVO-X, with a higher seat than most but a bulkier packed size than the King Kong.

Specs side-by-side

SpecALPS Mountaineering King KongGCI Outdoor Comfort Pro Chair
Weight14 lb8.3 lb
Weight Capacity800 lb300 lb
Seat Height19 in~15 in (front edge ~20 in)
Packed Size39 x 8 x 8 in37 in long (stowed)
FrameSteel, accordion-styleSteel
Storage2 cup holders, 2 side pockets—
SetupSeconds, no assemblyFold-out, no assembly
Price ClassBudgetBudget
MaterialPolyester & Polyester BlendMetal, Foam
Dimensions20"D x 24"W x 38"H—
Back—High angled mesh panel
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