Helinox Chair One Original Camping Chair, Black (10001R1) vs ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair, Clay (8140317)

The short answer

For most van and car campers, where storage space is the constraint, the Helinox Chair One is the better pick. Helinox lists it at 14 by 4.5 by 4.5 inches packed and about 2 pounds, with a 320 lb rating and a 5-year warranty. Two of them fit in a door pocket or a drawer.

The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong is the more comfortable chair to sit in for a long evening, and the easier one to get out of. ALPS lists a 19-inch seat height, armrests with cup holders and pockets, and an 800 lb rating, and it opens in one motion. It packs to 40 by 8 by 9 inches and weighs 13 pounds, so buy it if you have a garage bay or another slot that size, and you value a higher seat over packed size.

For the full detail on each chair, read our Helinox Chair One review and our ALPS King Kong review.

Spec comparison

Figures are from Helinox's and ALPS's product pages and the Amazon listings we link to. Seat height note: Helinox's spec table labels 25.5 inches as seat height, but that matches the chair's overall height; the Amazon listing gives a 9-inch seat. Either way, the Chair One sits much lower than the King Kong.

Packed size and van storage

This decides it for most van owners. By volume, one packed King Kong is roughly ten times the size of a packed Chair One. Two Chair Ones fit where a water bottle goes. Two King Kongs need a slot about 40 inches long and 16 to 18 inches across, which in practice means a rear garage, a roof box or the floor between the seats.

Weight follows: about 2 pounds against 13. The Chair One can be carried to a beach or a viewpoint. The King Kong is a chair for beside the van.

Edge: Helinox Chair One, by a wide margin.

Comfort and getting in and out

The King Kong has a flatter seat at close to dining-chair height, with armrests to push up from. That makes it easier for people with stiff knees or hips, and it means you can sit at a standard-height table like the GCI Slim-Fold Cook Station.

The Chair One is a sling seat close to the ground. You sit in it, slightly reclined, which many people find comfortable for relaxing, but there's no front edge to lean forward on and nothing to push up from. It pairs best with a low table such as the GCI Compact Camp Table 20.

Edge: ALPS King Kong.

Setup

The King Kong opens and closes in one motion, with nothing to assemble. The Chair One's shock-corded poles snap together quickly, but you stretch the seat over the frame each time, which takes a minute or two and some effort when the fabric is new.

Edge: ALPS King Kong.

Stability and uneven ground

Both stand on four small feet, and both can sink into sand or soft soil. The Chair One is more affected because it's light and its feet are small; Helinox sells Ball Feet and Vibram Ball Feet accessories to spread the load. The King Kong's weight and wide frame keep it planted on firm ground, but its narrow steel feet also settle unevenly in sand. A board or mat under the feet helps either chair.

On slopes, sit facing uphill or across the slope with either one.

Edge: ALPS King Kong on firm ground; the Chair One with accessory feet on sand.

Capacity and build

ALPS rates the King Kong at 800 pounds, Helinox rates the Chair One at 320. Both are far above what most people need. The 800 lb figure tells you the King Kong's steel frame is built well beyond normal loads, which is reassuring for larger adults. Helinox's 5-year warranty is clearly stated on its page; ALPS's page describes a warranty against defects in materials or workmanship and the Amazon listing calls it a limited lifetime warranty, so check the paperwork for exact terms.

Edge: ALPS King Kong on rated capacity; Helinox on a clearly published warranty term.

Where each one fits, by vehicle

Packed size only matters against the space you actually have, so here is how the two usually work out in common camping vehicles. Measure your own slot before you buy; these are planning guides, not guarantees.

• SUV or hatchback car camper. Two King Kongs, at 40 inches long each, take most of the cargo floor's depth once a sleeping platform is in. Two Chair Ones fit in a seat-back pocket or a door bin. Chair One.
• Minivan camper. Under-bed space is usually the limit. Chair Ones slide in beside bins; King Kongs often end up on the floor between the front seats during the drive. Chair One, unless there's a dedicated slot.
• High-roof van with a rear garage. Two King Kongs usually lie across the garage floor, behind the wheel arches, without trouble. Here comfort can decide it. Either.
• Van without a garage. Long items have nowhere obvious to live and tend to slide around and rattle. Chair One, or plan a strap point for King Kongs. Our rattle-proofing guide covers securing loose gear.

Pairing the chair with your table

The rule of thumb for comfortable seating at a table is roughly 10 to 12 inches between seat and tabletop. ALPS's 19-inch seat height puts the King Kong in range of a table about 28 to 32 inches high, which covers the GCI Slim-Fold Cook Station at either of its published heights. The Chair One's low seat pairs with a low table, such as the 24-inch GCI Compact Camp Table 20, or with no table at all.

That makes the chair and table one decision rather than two. A tight-storage kit that works well is two Chair Ones plus the compact table. A roomier kit is two King Kongs plus the cook station. Mixing a low chair with a tall cook station leaves the table at chest height.

Remember too that the chair isn't where you cook. Outdoor-only stoves go on a stable table outside the van, and you cook standing at that table; sit down once the stove is off. Our van cooking safety guide covers why the stove stays outside.

Variants to check before you buy

Both chairs come in several versions, and listings can be confusing:

• Helinox Chair One (re) is Helinox's redesign, with recycled fabric, a taller seat, a second tension line and a slightly larger packed size, according to its Amazon listing. This comparison covers the Original, model 10001R1.
• Helinox Chair One Highback has a taller backrest and a bigger pack.
• ALPS King Kong XXL is a larger chair than the standard King Kong.
• King Kong colours are sold under different ALPS part numbers; the one we link is 8140317 in Clay.

Value

The Helinox Chair One is the premium option and costs considerably more than the King Kong; check current prices with the "Check price on Amazon" buttons on each review. The extra money buys packed size and weight, not comfort. If you have the room, the King Kong gives you a higher seat, armrests and pockets for less money. If you don't, the Chair One is the chair that actually comes on the trip.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the Helinox Chair One if:

• You're short on storage: a car, minivan, or van without a garage.
• You carry chairs away from the van to a beach, viewpoint or fire ring.
• You're comfortable sitting low and pair it with a low table.

Buy the ALPS King Kong if:

• You have a 40-inch slot for each chair.
• You want a 19-inch seat, armrests and cup holders.
• Getting up from a low chair is hard for you.
• You eat at a standard-height camp table.

FAQ

Which chair is better for van life? For most vans, the Helinox Chair One, because it packs to 14 by 4.5 by 4.5 inches and about 2 pounds. If your van has a rear garage with room for 40-inch bags, the King Kong is the more comfortable chair.

Which chair is easier to get out of? The ALPS King Kong. ALPS lists a 19-inch seat height and it has armrests to push up from. The Chair One is a low sling seat.

How much weight do they hold? ALPS rates the King Kong at 800 pounds. Helinox rates the Chair One at 320 pounds.

Do they work on sand? Both can sink. The Chair One's small feet sink more easily; Helinox sells accessory ball feet. A board or mat helps either chair.

Which chair is heavier? The King Kong, at 13 pounds. The Chair One is about 2 pounds packed.

Sources and verification

• Helinox, Chair One product page: packed and assembled dimensions, weight, 320 lb capacity, materials, 5-year warranty, accessory feet. https://helinox.com/products/chair-one (checked 2026-10-11)
• ALPS Mountaineering, King Kong product page: seat dimensions and height, packed size, weight, 800 lb capacity, materials, warranty wording. https://alpsmountaineering.com/king-kong.html (checked 2026-10-11)
• Amazon listings for ASIN B007ZGOWZQ (Helinox Chair One Original, 10001R1) and ASIN B09L3798QF (ALPS King Kong, Clay, 8140317): titles, model numbers, specs, warranty wording, availability (checked 2026-10-11)