Verdict
All guidesMethodologyAboutContact
Head-to-head · Best Beach Chairs

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair vs Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding 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 4.4). 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.

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Beach Chairs
ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair
$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 AmazonFull review →
Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair
Ranked #5 in Best Beach Chairs
Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair
$55

The Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair is the classic low-seat foldable beach chair you grew up with — at roughly $55 it is the budget pick on this list. DIVEIN, Outoria, and Beaches and Coral all praised the build for the price, citing the wooden armrests, lay-flat recline, and 8.5 inch ground-hugging seat as standout features. Lack of a headrest and weaker fabric-to-frame attachment are the trade-offs versus pricier chairs.

Strengths
  • — Five reclining positions including full lay-flat with SAFE-ADJUST patented arm design
  • — 8.5 in low seat height is the closest to the sand for sunset and beach reading
  • — Wooden armrests with marine-grade coating add upscale feel for the price
Watch-outs
  • — No headrest or neck support beyond what the seat back provides
  • — Fabric-to-frame attachment can wear or break after a couple of seasons
  • — Recline mechanism can be tricky to lock into the position you want
$55 · Check Price on AmazonFull 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.

Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair

The lowest-priced and lowest-seated chair on this list — the 8.5 in seat height puts you closer to the sand than the Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair (11 in), GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair (11 in), ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair (15-19 in), or Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair (16.75 in). Matches the Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair on 5-position recline and lay-flat capability but skips the cooler, towel bar, and phone pocket. The Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair adds storage; the Rio keeps it bare for less money.

Specs side-by-side

SpecALPS Mountaineering King Kong ChairRio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair
Weight Capacity800 lbs250 lbs
Empty Weight14 lbs10 lbs
Seat Height15-19 in8.5 in
Seat Width24 in—
Unfolded Dimensions37 x 24 x 38 in32 x 25 x 23 in
Folded Dimensions39 x 8 x 8 in29 x 25 x 4.5 in
Frame MaterialPowder-coated steelAluminum
Fabric600D polyester600D polyester
Carry StyleBackpack carry bag with adjustable strapsPadded backpack straps
Cup Holders21
Recline Positions—5 (including lay-flat)
← See the full ranking of best beach chairs