Alps Mountaineering King Kong Review
The Alps Mountaineering King Kong ($90) lives up to its name. It’s huge and strong in ways most classic camp chairs aren’t, with a wide seat, impressive support, and a base that remains stable on just about any terrain. It’s undeniably bulky and heavier than most single‑person chairs, and we’d prefer a touch more recline, but the overall comfort and durability make it an easy chair to spend hours in. If you don’t need portability and want a chair that feels bombproof, this one delivers.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Weight
13 lb.
Dimensions (W/D/H)
38 x 20 x 38 in.
Seat Height
19 in.
Weight Capacity
800 lb.
Pros
Cons
Alps Mountaineering King Kong
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Chairs.
The Alps Mountaineering Kong is a classic camp chair that’s been given a big burliness boost. Its beefed-up proportions are most noticeable in its stability and durability, but don’t discount this seat’s comfort. The King Kong has plenty to like in this rating category, with a vertical back, a flat seat, and enough structure to keep me supported without feeling stiff. I appreciated the balance between firmness and cushioned give—it’s nowhere near hammock‑soft, but it never felt rigid, either. I’m 5-foot-10, and the backrest reached just past my shoulders, while the 19‑inch seat height let my feet rest naturally on the ground at a comfortable angle. I also liked that the broad seat (it’s 38 in. wide) kept the frame well out of my way, even when I shifted positions or spread out a bit.
During long, lazy sessions when I was hanging in camp, the support really stood out. I have a herniated disk, and some chairs aggravate it quickly, but the Alps Mountaineering King Kong kept me pain‑free. There’s no built‑in recline, which I did miss when I wanted to really relax, but the fabric has enough flex to lean back slightly without feeling unstable. Compared with the Helinox Chair One (Re) and the Kelty Low Loveseat I’ve used, both of which sit closer to the ground, the King Kong feels more structured and far easier to get in and out of. Its comfort comes closest to the Kijaro Dual Lock, which offers similar sizing and support. But the Dual Lock has a mild recline and a mesh back, while the King Kong’s quilted seat and seat height made it a better fit for my body.
The King Kong is one of the most stable camping chairs I’ve sat in. Its wide stance, beefy legs, and X‑frame support on all sides make the base feel planted on almost any surface. Even on sand at the beach or soft dirt in the forest, the feet didn’t sink, and the chair never rocked unless I intentionally tried to get it moving. Leaning to the side, reaching for gear on the ground, and even shifting my weight dramatically never caused a wobble.
Its tall, 19‑inch seat height does make it slightly more top‑heavy than lower chairs like the Low Loveseat or the Kelty Lowdown, both of which feel rooted simply by being closer to the ground. But compared to compact chairs like the Chair One (Re) or even the Dual Lock, the King Kong feels more secure under normal use. The frame just doesn’t sway, and the wider feet handle uneven terrain better than most traditional folding chairs. As long as the ground isn’t extremely sloped, this chair stays put.
This is easily the most durable single‑person chair I’ve tested. The 600‑denier polyester seat, powder‑coated steel frame, and staggering 800‑pound weight capacity put it in a different league from most competitors. (For comparison, the Yeti Trailhead, an extremely well-built chair that costs $300, has a weight capacity of 500 lb., and 600D material, found in a couple of other models, is the category’s high mark.)
After using it at the beach, on my balcony, and during a mountain camping trip, I didn’t see any meaningful wear. The only weak points are the mesh cupholders and back pocket—they’re fine for lighter items, but feel a bit fragile compared to the rest of the chair. Still, compared with similar chairs, like the Trailhead or even the REI Co-op Campwell, the King Kong’s strength and longevity stand out.
Setup and takedown couldn’t be easier. Each time I got to camp, I pulled the Alps Mountaineering King Kong out of its carry bag, opened it like any classic folding chair, and was sitting in seconds. Folding it back up takes slightly more effort only because of its size—you need to compress the frame a bit to slide it into the bag—but the whole process still took me only about 20 seconds. Compared with the Dual Lock (which requires locking mechanisms), rocking chairs like the Nemo Stargaze, or compact, backpacking-adjacent chairs that need assembly, the King Kong is refreshingly simple. The adjustable armrests and ample pockets are also easy to reach while sitting, and the included features genuinely add convenience.
Weighing 13 pounds and with a sizable packed shape, the Alps Mountaineering King Kong is undeniably bulky for a single‑person chair. It’s similar in size to classic folding camping chairs but larger in every dimension, and it’s only slightly lighter than the infamously robust Trailhead (13 lb. 4.8 oz.). The King Kong’s carry bag works fine, but it can feel tight when you’re sliding the chair in, especially because the frame is large and tends to expand outward as you’re packing it down.
Carrying this chair isn’t terrible thanks to the bag’s two backpack‑style straps, though they aren’t especially comfortable and feel snug even fully extended. Still, I prefer them to a single shoulder strap, especially for short walks from the car. This isn’t a chair I’d bring on long hikes or even park hangs that require a lot of walking, but for car camping, tailgates, or the beach, the size feels reasonable for the stability and comfort you get in return.
Select icon to view details:
Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Amrests, Cupholders, & Pockets
The King Kong comes well‑equipped. Its armrests are easy to adjust while you’re seated, and both sides include drop‑down pockets that can hold a book, magazine, or tablet. Each armrest has its own cupholder, though they’re sized for standard cans and narrow bottles—I couldn’t get my wider Hydro Flask to fit securely. Behind the headrest, there’s a long mesh pocket ideal for small essentials like keys, a phone, or a headlamp. Beyond storage, the chair keeps things simple. There’s no rocking motion, recline system, or modular add‑ons—just a sturdy, oversize folding chair built to sit solidly on almost any surface.
REI Co-op Campwell Chair ($60): A Similar Silhouette, for Less
While the King Kong prioritizes construction, the REI Co-op Campwell focuses on breathability. Its mesh back promotes airflow, though it'll likely wear out faster than the King Kong’s quilted polyester seat (which also supports 500 more pounds). The budget-minded Campwell’s feature set isn’t as robust—you get just one oversized cupholder and one drop pocket for small essentials or a second drink. On the plus side, the Campwell drains water better, folds down smaller, and undercuts the King Kong’s weight by nearly 5 pounds. And, despite the dip in build quality, it still stays stable when you shift positions and features wide feet that prevent it from sinking on soft surfaces. If you prefer the shape of a classic camp chair and find the King Kong’s burliness and price a bit overkill, the Campwell is more than enough to help you enjoy long sits outside. For more, read our review of the Campwell Chair.
Kijaro Dual Lock Chair ($55): A More Secure Seat
If you want a little extra peace of mind when sitting in your chair, the Kijaro Dual Lock has you covered. It features a locking frame that keeps it secure, whether it’s packed or fully extended. Our tester also appreciated its slight recline compared to the King Kong’s completely vertical back. However, the King Kong is much burlier, with a larger seat that can support more than 2.5 times the weight of the Dual Lock. Both chairs have a standard-sized cupholder on each armrest, but the pocket organization slightly differs. The King Kong boasts three larger pockets, while the Dual Lock has a smaller, single hanging panel with two mesh sleeves and a zippered compartment. While it won’t last nearly as long as the King Kong, the Dual Lock’s $35 savings make it a hard chair to pass up, especially if the locking system and recline appeal to you. To learn more, check out our Dual Lock Chair review.
Though the King Kong’s traditional silhouette may seem unassuming, a closer look reveals its true strength. This is a heavy, bulky chair, but its hardy construction and thoughtful details will deliver hours of comfortable lounging.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Like many REI-branded products, don’t expect the Campwell to blow you away with its top-of-the-line build or fancy features. However, we came away impressed with how comfortable, stable, and easy it is to use, especially given its accessible price point.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
You may not have thought you needed extra security in your camp chair setup, but the Dual Lock is here to provide it anyway. Its frame locks into place to hold it either open or closed, and while we would prefer a bit more structural integrity, its feel and features make for a comfy seat.
Comfort
Stability
Durability
Ease of Use
Portability
Sustainability
Is the King Kong for You?
If you want an extremely durable, supportive, and roomy camp chair—and don’t mind the weight—the Alps Mountaineering King Kong is a fantastic pick. It’ll shine for anyone who needs a reliably comfortable and stable seat on soft or uneven ground, and larger-bodied users will especially appreciate the wide seat and huge weight capacity. If you want something lightweight, reclined, or compact enough to carry a decent distance, you’ll want to look elsewhere. But for most campers who prioritize comfort and longevity, the King Kong absolutely earns its moniker.
get outside
Camping Gear Guides
Gear Guide
Best Camping Stoves of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Camping Mattresses of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Camping Tents of 2026