• 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 included a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures from lows around 25 ºF (-4 ºC) to highs around 70 ºF (21 ºC) during the 4-month test period. Elevations ranged from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m).

Over the first weekend of January, our troop attended our Scout districts 43rd annual Winter Survival campout. The table again came in handy, providing a place to hang my pack, as well as a place to keep a few things handy while I was tending to chores around our site. I will continue to carry the strap and hooks on all trips, and will bring the table along on shorter trips when I feel the convenience is worth the weight. This table is a good idea, and well executed, but is just a bit heavy for my backpacking style.

Things I was 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: 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 certainly fits in my larger pack, but is 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, for keeping things off the ground. 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 > Long Term Report