Head-to-head · Best Beach Chairs

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair vs GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach 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.

The short answer

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about big-and-tall adult who needs a wide seat, high capacity, and stable platform at a beach base camp — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Beach Chairs

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair

4.6

$100

The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair is the oversized big-and-tall champion: 800 lb capacity, 24 in wide seat, and roughly $100 retail. OutdoorGearLab ranked it #1 of 22 camp chairs they tested, scoring 80/100, and GearJunkie awarded it best heavy-duty pick. The bulky 14 lb folded weight and limited breathability are the trade-offs; for a stable beach base camp it is hard to beat the value.

Strengths

— 800 lb weight capacity is the highest in this comparison and most camp chairs anywhere
— Wide 24 in seat plus 15-19 in seat height accommodates big-and-tall adults comfortably
— Two cup holders, three storage pockets, and adjustable armrests beat the Yeti for usable features

Watch-outs

— 14 lb folded weight and 39 in carry length make it bulky to transport
— Heavy polyester sling is poor in hot weather and slow to dry after wet conditions
— Cup holders too narrow for some large bottles

$100 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Beach Chairs

GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair

4.3

$80

The GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair is the specialty hi-back lounger pick because of its built-in adjustable UPF 50+ sunshade — the only chair on this list with attached shade. The Equipment Guide scored it 76/100 and Outoria 4.7/5 for the combination of recline, shade, and ventilation. The sunshade frame is the weak point in long-term use; baby it on pack-up and it will deliver several seasons of low-cost shade-and-comfort.

Strengths

— Built-in adjustable UPF 50+ canopy is the only on-chair shade in this comparison
— Mesh seatback panel ventilates better than solid-fabric beach chairs in hot sun
— 4-position reclining backrest plus flip-back head cushion adapts to reading or napping

Watch-outs

— Sunshade struts and attachments bend easily if mishandled during pack-up
— 10 lb weight and bulky folded profile make it heavier than expected
— 11 in low seat height is hard for older users or anyone with knee issues

$80 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair

Beats the Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair on raw capacity (800 lb vs 500 lb), seat width, and price ($100 vs $300) but is heavier (14 lb vs 13.3 lb) and uses less breathable fabric. Carries more like the Yeti than the lightweight Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair or Rio Beach Classic 5-Position. Unlike the GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair, there is no integrated shade or cooler.

GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair

The only chair in this group with an integrated adjustable canopy — the Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair, Rio Beach Classic 5-Position, Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair, and ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair all leave shade to a separate umbrella. The four-position recline is one fewer than the Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair or Rio Beach Classic 5-Position but it adds the shade. Heavier than the Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair (ten pounds vs eight pounds) and matches the Rio Beach Classic 5-Position on weight.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair	GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair
Weight Capacity	800 lbs	250 lbs
Empty Weight	14 lbs	10 lbs
Seat Height	15-19 in	11 in
Seat Width	24 in	—
Unfolded Dimensions	37 x 24 x 38 in	—
Folded Dimensions	39 x 8 x 8 in	28 x 24 x 4 in
Frame Material	Powder-coated steel	Aluminum-steel hybrid
Fabric	600D polyester	Polyester with mesh seatback
Carry Style	Backpack carry bag with adjustable straps	Backpack straps
Cup Holders	2	1
Open Dimensions	—	45 x 24 x 44 in
Recline Positions	—	4
Attached Cooler	—	No
Sunshade	—	UPF 50+ adjustable canopy

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