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Living off the floor, maybe sat on your roll mat if you’re feeling indulgent is a normal part of a backpackers life. Despite many hours being crouched over my camping stove on the damp grass, it never occurred to me to bring a foldable table. I assumed, like many others I imagine that they are far too bulky to bring along. In many cases, you would be right. Yet now, demand and design have come together to give you a few options.

Tables can come in useful in a range of ways from more hygienic food preparation, playing games to indulging your creative side. Many of us would prefer to eat dinner at a table, and camping tables are readily available, however, many of do not meet the needs of a backpacker. Space is valuable and weight is the overall ruler of what makes the cut.

This article will cover why you should consider taking a foldable backpacking table on your hikes and which ones might be worth grabbing.

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Why Do You Need A Backpacking Table?

If you haven’t toppled your coffee by placing it on bumpy ground then good on you! I have spilt many, many things backpacking and I don’t enjoy dodging the boiling water!

Anyone who hikes will feel the need for a flat surface. The search for a suitable lunch spot is real. The table eliminates the faff and can provide this surface despite bumpy ground. Some tables wont be perfectly horizontal, while others will allow you to push them into the ground a little bit to give a level surface.

In some cases, you will not be able to cook straight of the ground at all. Mud, snow and extremely dry vegetation can all cause a camping stove to topple or even cause fires. Raising a camping stove can reduce the risks associated with cooking.

I consider wraps an essential part of the meal. You can eat boil in the bag or dehydrated food without them but if you have not tried making a wrap then you are missing out. It doesn’t have to be wraps but juggling the food preparation, not wanting to place food on the floor can become a challenge.

A table provides a more hygienic space to prepare food. You can even cut up cheese or other delicacies if you happen to pass a shop that day. Many tables you will be able to clean either with wet wipes but if not, it’s better than the floor. No more dropping food into the mud or being reliant on a suitable rock.

Finally, it provides a good space for entertainment, both in and out your tent. You can play cards (solitaire if you’re going solo) or get doodling if you’re more creative. This can be a great way to spend the downtime when backpacking. If you’re stuck for ideas on how to entertain yourself when hiking check out my other articles.

Some of the tables also make a good place to prop up your tablet if you travel with one or your phone for some cheeky Netflix when your friends think you’re detoxing from your phone.

A table is one of those things where you don’t necessarily notice if you have not taken one before but once you use it, then you realise how versatile it is and the uses keep on growing.

5 Best Backpacking Tables

Fancy a table to chuck in your backpack for a better dining experience? There are a few options.

1) Cascade Wild Ultralight Folding Table

For the weight of a tennis ball this table does the job. It’s one piece design gives you a A4 paper sized surface to work from before folding to only a few inches wide to fit into your backpack side pockets.

This table is a made out of corrugated plastic which gives you an excellent strength to weight ratio. It’s half air! The plastic is also waterproof and resistant to melting up to 160 degrees Celsius so it will survive the coffee spills.

This table also comes with a few handy features such as reflective tape to make it easier to find and the ability to attach several tables together to give a larger surface area.

For what it is, I think this is a really useful bit of kit, but there are some points to consider. The recommended maximum weight is around 4.5kg, which is more than enough for your camping stove and cup of coffee but it is not particularly strong.

Other users have committed that there is a ridge in the middle (due to the foldable design) so weight is needed to make the table level. One final point is that 60g is pretty easy to blow away so it may need some supervision on those windy days.

2) Snow Peak Ozen Solo Table

The snow peak ozen solo table is a very elegant solution to your table needs. Made of sleek aluminium it is both durable and functional. One reviewer even said they accidentally stood on it and it survived (albeit they had to bend it back into shape).

I personally feel more comfortable cooking off of a metal surface compared to plastic or fabric, whether they are approved for this function or not.

Similarly this table folds out to about the size of a A4 piece of paper and weighs less than a can of soup. Again giving you room for a meal for one and a coffee.

You may not be able to attach multiple tables together but you could choose to carry more should you want more space. It may feel considerably heavier than the ultralight folding table (4.5x to be precise) but it is unlikely to blow away and can be used as a windscreen for your camping stove if the weather turns.

The holes in the table is likely a design feature more to do with keeping it durable but lightweight which could put some people off such as the artists.

If you wanted to use the table as a flat surface to draw or paint you may need to bring along an additional layer to make the surface smooth. I would say that a sketchpad just really needs a surface that does not bend as it normally is padded by itself so this may be something to test and adjust.

Another consideration is that the legs detach from the table. They are designed to fit and hold the folded table together to stop any rattling but there is a chance they would be lost.

The original site states that a storage case is included but on Amazon it does not state that a case is provided. So whether this case is useful or just for storage, that could impact on where you stuff the table. I imagine with so many positive reviews that this hardly an issue and it all sites together beautifully as would be expected from a respected outdoor brand.

3) Eurohike Compact Table

Another sturdy table which is small enough to attach to your backpack but gives you more space to work with. Made of metal panels to provide a flat surface. The aluminium is easy to wipe down and it comes with a carry bag to stuff into your backpack. The legs are also adjustable to give you two different heights to match to your needs.

This is a more budget friendly metal foldable table which has lots of positive views. They comment on how it folds up and that it is fairly sturdy especially for the price. Only comment is that the way it folds is not what people had expected but they do not say it is difficult to put together.

This table would be suited to a short hike when backpacking when space and weight is not at a premium but you want some affordable luxury.

4) iBasingo Mini Camping Table

iBasingo foldable camping table is again roughly an A4 paper size with the strength to hold up to 20kg. This table can be put together quickly by pushing in the legs and away you go.

This table unlike the others offers a flat surface with no holds or bumps, just the foldable ridge in the centre. This makes it a good choice for those who like to doodle out there.

The product is reviewed highly and the only criticism I can find is that some of the edges are a little rough and others find it a little expensive. Quality is always a compromise when it comes to price but this table appears to be a good compromise on affordability and practicality.

5) iClimb Mini Solo Folding Table

The iClimb mini table is the smallest option for backpacking (and square in shape) although it does come with a selection of larger sizes to find your perfect match. The size up is very similar in specification to the iBasingo foldable table.

This table again is easy to wipe clean and can withstand up to 15kg so very much will do the job of keeping your items off the ground.

Like the snow peak design it does have detachable legs and a mesh approach which some found easy to assemble, other people found it more of a challenge. I can imagine a design like this just requires learning the knack to it.

The reviews for this simple camping table are very positive.

Summary Of The 5 Best Backpacking Tables

Sometimes all you need is a table to make quick comparisons of an item so have a look at the table.

Personally, if we are considering the best overall I would choose the snow peak ozen solo table. I am still amazed that it is larger than the iClimb mini and still comes in weighing less. That is some good choice of materials given that the two look very similar. Although given that this premium product does come with an eye watering price tag, the iClimb mini will do the job too.

Of course, if weight is your real enemy then the cascade wild ultralight folding table is a clear winner. It may not look as pretty but it will do the job and even the lightest metal alternative is 4.5x heavier. Personally, I think I would spend more time chasing it down the hill in the wind than cooking on it but if you careful to place items on it immediately it’s a great option.

I have chosen the options I think are a good shout and represent the broad range of styles out there but with many up and coming models you may bag yourself a bargain.

Conclusion

The struggle of cooking on the ground is very real and admittedly I may end up treating myself to one of these tables! From the reviews I have read and taking a good look at the tables on the market I think I may end up finding more and more uses for this handy trick.

I hope I have helped you narrow down as to whether people have these and which one would suit you. Like I have said I did not realise there would good options out there! Happy Backpacking!