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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 narrow margin (4.4 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.

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Beach Chairs
ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair
4 sources3 derived$79.99as of Aug 1

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
  • — 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
$79.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair
Ranked #4 in Best Beach Chairs
GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair
2 sourcesall derived$90as of Aug 1

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 and Outoria 4.7/5 for the combination of recline, shade and ventilation. 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
  • — 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
$90 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

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. Unlike the GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair, there is no integrated shade or cooler.

Specs side-by-side

SpecALPS Mountaineering King Kong ChairGCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair
Weight Capacity800 lbs250 lbs
Empty Weight14 lbs10 lbs
Seat Height15-19 in11 in
Seat Width24 in—
Unfolded Dimensions37 x 24 x 38 in—
Folded Dimensions39 x 8 x 8 in28 x 24 x 4 in
Frame MaterialPowder-coated steelAluminum-steel hybrid
Fabric600D polyesterPolyester with mesh seatback
Carry StyleBackpack carry bag with adjustable strapsBackpack straps
Cup Holders21
Open Dimensions—45 x 24 x 44 in
Recline Positions—4
Attached Cooler—No
Sunshade—UPF 50+ adjustable canopy
← See the full ranking of best beach chairs