Head-to-head · Best Beach Chairs

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair vs Tommy Bahama Deluxe 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 4.5). 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 #1 in Best Beach Chairs

Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair

4.5

$90

The Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair is the iconic backpack-cooler beach chair you see on every shoreline. CNN Underscored, Water & Outdoors, and The Equipment Guide all put it on their top-pick lists for the combination of feature load, 5-position recline, and 8 lb carry weight. The low back is the recurring complaint, but for reclined sunbathing it is hard to beat at $90.

Strengths

— Five reclining positions including full lay-flat for sunbathing
— Insulated cooler pouch on the back holds drinks and snacks for a full beach day
— Built-in cup holder, phone pocket, and towel-bar support cover most beach storage needs

Watch-outs

— Low backrest leaves the headrest pillow sitting on your shoulders when upright
— Plastic strap buckles feel flimsy compared to the rest of the build
— Front seat bar can dig into the back of your thighs when legs are stretched

$90 · 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.

Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair

More feature-dense than the Rio Beach Classic 5-Position (no cooler, no phone pocket) and dramatically lighter and easier to carry than the Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair or ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair. Falls between the bare-bones Rio and the canopy-equipped GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair on shade and shelter.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair	Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair
Weight Capacity	800 lbs	300 lbs
Empty Weight	14 lbs	8 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	37 x 25 x 4 in
Frame Material	Powder-coated steel	Rust-proof aluminum
Fabric	600D polyester	600D polyester
Carry Style	Backpack carry bag with adjustable straps	Padded backpack straps
Cup Holders	2	1
Recline Positions	—	5 (including lay-flat)
Attached Cooler	—	Yes, insulated rear pouch (4-6 cans)

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