• Unique table and gear system weighs only 20 ounces
• Rolls-up to fit compactly into backpack
• Table holds up to 25 pounds
• Use gear hooks to hold up to four backpacks or other gear off the ground
• Gear hooks and strap hold up to 50 pounds
• Strap adjusts to fit most trees

Description [return to top] The Backpacker’s Table & Gear System is meant to provide the user with a convenient, lightweight table as well as a place to hang some gear off the ground. All that should be required is a tree of sufficient diameter to keep the table stable and up to the task of holding up the weight. The individual components are described below. For more detailed descriptions and photos, along with usage directions, please see my Initial Report. Strap and buckle: The strap has a spring-loaded buckle at one end. It gets wrapped around a tree and the aluminum hooks slipped on to allow hanging of gear, a lantern, and/or the table.

Aluminum hooks: The hooks are slipped over the strap after it has been buckled around a tree.

Lantern hanger: The lantern hanger is meant to be inserted into one of the aluminum hooks to provide a hanging point for a lantern.

Folding tabletop: The tabletop is made from plastic panels held together by elastic cord. It stores fan-folded, but easily opens flat for use. Each panel has a slot under each end, allowing the support bars to slide through and create a stable tabletop.

Support cords: The cords slip through slots in the ends of the support bars, then wrap around the aluminum hooks to provide support for the table.

Support bars: The bars slip through slots in the tabletop panels, providing both stable support for the top and attachment points for the support cords.

Field Testing [return to top] Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly, generally in the wooded areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 25 ºF (-4 ºC) to highs around 70 ºF (21 ºC) during the 4-month test period. Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m). Our new Scoutmaster has added monthly hikes to our schedule as well. My fiancée and I, who between us have 3 First Class boy scouts (ages 14, 15 and 16), have scheduled additional camping/hiking without the scouts, and there are possibilities of more AT section hikes (two down, many to go!) in Pennsylvania – aka Rocksylvania – and New Jersey with my son as he works towards the Hiking Merit Badge.

Over the weekend of October 28-30, 2005, we took some Boy Scouts to Blue Rocks Campground near Hamburg, Pennsylvania. I arrived first and had my site set up, including the table, before the others pulled in. The table – hung at about chest/abdomen height – proved quite comfortable as an eating platform for my dinner, while the hooks on the strap – up at around chin height – made unloading my pack convenient. I hung the stuff sack from the table on one of the hooks and used it to hold all of my other stuff sacks and unused tent stakes. When packing up on Sunday morning, I hung my laundry bag from the lantern hook, set my clean items on the table while packing, and found it extremely convenient to have my pack hanging at body height while loading.

Over the weekend of November 11-13, 2005, I met up with a fellow BGT gear tester and a few other hammockers along the AT near Dingman’s Ferry in New Jersey. While I did hang the table on a tree near the fire ring at the campsite, it did not see much use since we had two full-size picnic tables available. It did start some conversation, though.

Things I am/will be looking for: Ease/speed of set-up. Can I get it up easily? When I’m tired? When it’s dark out (I prefer to know all of my gear by touch)? How long does it take? Trees. Minimum size? Maximum size? Are some barks better than others (i.e. slippage)? Load capability. Can the table handle the rated 25 lb? Can the hardware handle the rated 50 lb? Durability. This includes the cords and tree strap(s)/hardware, as well as the table and any hinge materials. Can the table handle hot items (my stove/cookset)? Packability. This will be packed as part of my 3-season load in my Deuter Futura 32, or my winter load in my Gregory Z-Pack. Does it fit fully in the Deuter? Does it need to be strapped on? If so, can it be? Safety. Do I need to worry about sharp edges damaging my other gear when packed?

My findings so far: Ease/speed of set-up. I’m getting the hang of it. I can get the whole thing set up in well under 5 minutes. Trees. It seems to me that a tree 4-6 in (10-15 cm) would be as small as I could use without the table twisting around. The maximum tree size should only be limited by the length of the strap. I have not noticed any slippage, regardless of the type of bark. Load capability. So far, the set has held everything I have needed it for. Durability. I carry a small insulated pad to put under my stove. Packability. It should certainly fit in my larger pack, but will be a snug fit in the Deuter with a colder-weather load. I have taken to placing the table on the outside, using a pocket and compression straps to hold it in place. Safety. With the stuff sack and everything else on the outside of the pack, there has been no contact with anything but the pack. No wear so far.

Things I like [return to top] It is very nice to have a table and gear hooks when using a hammock. Packs fairly small, considering its deployed size. Things I don't like [return to top] Might not be good for cooking on with a beverage-can stove. 50% heavier than claimed.

Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy

Reviews > Cook Gear > Cooking Accessories > Coleman Exponent Backpacker Table > Chuck Kime > Field Report