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.

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The short answer

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.6 vs 3.9). ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair is best for: 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 #1 in Best Beach Chairs

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair

4.6

4 sources$89.99as of Oct 11

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

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
— Comes in at around $100 — a third of the Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair's price

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

$89.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Beach Chairs

GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair

3.9

1 source$90as of Nov 5

A built-in adjustable UPF 50+ sunshade makes the GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair the specialty hi-back lounger pick, and the only chair on this list with attached shade. The Equipment Guide scored it 76/100. The sunshade frame is the weak point over the long run; baby it on pack-up and you'll get several seasons of low-cost shade and comfort.

Strengths

— Mesh seatback panel ventilates better than solid-fabric beach chairs in hot sun
— Backpack straps make the 10 lb chair hands-free for beach trips
— Hybrid aluminum-steel frame holds 250 lbs and folds flat for transport

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

$90 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair

The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair holds 800 lbs, against 500 lbs for the Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair and 250 lbs for the GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair, and it costs less than the Yeti. It has two cup holders and three storage pockets where the Yeti has one cup holder and no storage pockets. Its polyester sling is poor in hot weather and slow to dry, while the Yeti's FlexGrid mesh is breathable and quick-drying.

GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair

The GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair has a built-in UPF 50+ canopy, where the Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair has no shade canopy. Its 11 in seat sits a little higher than the 8.5 in seat of the Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair, and both weigh 10 lbs and hold 250 lbs, against 800 lbs for the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair. It reclines to four positions against the Rio's five.

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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