Reviews You Can Rely On

ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table Regular Review

Length and height make this table perfect for dining or playing cards with plenty of leg room underneath
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alps mountaineering dining table regular camping table review
Credit: ALPS Mountaineering
Price:  $160 List
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Manufacturer:   ALPS Mountaineering
By Jason Wanlass ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 30, 2018
62
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#10 of 14
  • Stability and Strength - 30% 5.0
  • Portability - 30% 7.0
  • Durability - 20% 6.0
  • Ease of Setup - 20% 7.0

Our Verdict

At nearly 43 inches in length, the ALPS Mountaineering Regular Dining Table is a long, spacious, and surprisingly portable camp table. This table's function adheres closely to its name: An outdoor dining table. We love that we can belly up to this table and have plenty of room to move our legs without smacking our knees into a cross-bar. Its all-aluminum design makes it lightweight for its size. The result is a compact table that can be carried to many destinations. We were not super impressed by this table's ability to support weight nor by its durability, though.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight for its size
Portable
Lots of surface space
Easy to set up
REASONS TO AVOID
Short for cooking
Non-adjustable legs
Durability concerns

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award 
Price $160 List
$149.99 at Amazon
$75 List$149.95 at REI$99 List$50 List
$45.99 at Amazon
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Star Rating
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Pros Lightweight for its size, portable, lots of surface space, easy to set upSolid plastic table top, quick set up, durable, large but portable, steel legs and baseSuper durable, heat-resistant top, compact storage, very strong and sturdy, dual-height levelsCompact storage, durable, solid-surface table top, easy to clean, base and table top store together nicelyLightweight, relatively strong, metal
Cons Short for cooking, non-adjustable legs, durability concernsA little heavy, more difficult to carry than collapsible aluminum tables, difficult for one person to adjust leg heightExpensive for its size, slightly heavy, pack strap is a little shortCan be wobbly, setup requires top of table to face down, hands get dirty during set upA little wobbly, can't place knees underneath
Bottom Line Length and height make this table perfect for dining or playing cards with plenty of leg room underneathThis is a sturdy and spacious folding table that can provide years of use at everything from BBQs and camping to tailgating, birthday parties, and bake salesThis table folds up thin and is perfect for any road or river trip as well as basic camping or day tripsThis long-time classic table with a vinyl cover is easy to clean, has a straightforward setup, and packs up nicelyRigorous daily use isn't this table's gig, but it can hold its own in basic situations and compares well against similar lightweight models
Rating Categories ALPS Mountaineering... Lifetime 4428 Heigh... NEMO Moonlander Camp Time Roll-A-Table Portal Outdoor Ligh...
Stability and Strength (30%)
5.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Portability (30%)
7.0
5.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Durability (20%)
6.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Ease of Setup (20%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Specs ALPS Mountaineering... Lifetime 4428 Heigh... NEMO Moonlander Camp Time Roll-A-Table Portal Outdoor Ligh...
Measured Weight 10.7 lbs 18.1 lbs 5.1 lbs 10.1 lbs 8.9 lbs
Unfolded Dimensions 42.5 x 28 x 28 in 48 x 24 x 24/29/36 in 19 x 15 x 16 in 32.3 x 32.3 x 28 in 27. 5 x 27. 5 x 26 in
Folded Dimensions 42 x 5 x 9 in 24 x 23.5 x 3 in 15.5 x 10 x 1.2 in 32.3 x 6.5 x 4.5 in 28 x 7. 5 x 2. 2 in
Table Height 28 in 24, 29, or 36 in 16 in 28 in 26 in
Table Top Material Aluminium Injection molded plastic Nlyon/aluminum/steel Wood and poly-vinyl Aluminum
Claimed Max Support Weight Not stated Not stated 100lbs 100 lbs 60 lbs

Our Analysis and Test Results

The ALPS Dining Table stands 28 inches tall on an all-aluminum frame and folding tabletop. It packs down into an accommodating carrying bag with a length of 42 inches. It has a modest weight at just over 10 pounds, and transform from packed in your trunk to deployed at your campsite in a few minutes.

Performance Comparison


alps mountaineering dining table regular camping table review - the alps mountaineering model is specifically designed as a table...
The ALPS Mountaineering model is specifically designed as a table for eating. It's perfect for lunch at a motocross race.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Stability


We love this table and feel it is stable for most uses. However, during our tests, we were surprised to have the table's legs quickly collapse when too much weight was applied to its corners. To study the stability of all our tables, we stacked 29-pound cases of bottled water on the corner of the table to see how much weight could be supported before the table tipped over.

alps mountaineering dining table regular camping table review - we were surprised to see two table legs buckle during our stability...
We were surprised to see two table legs buckle during our stability test. The Alps table performs best when sticking to lighter loads like meals, a camp stove, or basic gear.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

We were surprised to see an immediate crease in the table's leg when we added the first case of water. We plopped it down the same way someone would if they were carrying it across camp and dropped it onto the table's surface (about a half-inch drop). Concerned with the crease, we moved to a different corner and restarted the test. At 60 pounds, one of the table's legs quickly buckled.

For comparison, we tested three other tables that were similar in size. We completely stopped the same test on all three after reaching 150 pounds because we didn't dare stack any more items. In error, we assumed the Alps Dining Table would accommodate the same amount of weight.

alps mountaineering dining table regular camping table review - the slatted aluminum tabletop unfolds and rolls into place with...
The slatted aluminum tabletop unfolds and rolls into place with ease. At just over 32 inches long, it has one of the larger surface areas of the tables tested.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

The Alps model has an impressive size-to-weight ratio. Its long body gives the table a wide and steady stance, and we noticed an average amount of natural wobble. In summary, the ALPS Dining Table is stable, but only when used as a dining or game table. We were disappointed with how the table performed in our weighted stability test when compared to other tables in the same group. We don't feel this table is adequate for heavy loads, large cooking endeavors, or large items like coolers.

Portability


alps mountaineering dining table regular camping table review - at just over 10 pounds, the alps mountaineering dining table is easy...
At just over 10 pounds, the Alps Mountaineering Dining Table is easy to throw over your shoulder while packing or unpacking camp.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

The Alps Dining Table received above-average scores for its portability. Being one of the larger dining-style tables we tested, we were pleased with the ease with which we carried the table around camp or while tailgating at the motocross track. The storage bag has a large shoulder strap and rides comfortably on your back while freeing up both hands to carry chairs, coolers, water jugs, or hold onto the dog leash. We gave this table above-average marks for this category.

alps mountaineering dining table regular camping table review - this table is no bigger than a common camp chair and easily fits...
This table is no bigger than a common camp chair and easily fits into a multitude of spaces.
Credit: Gentrye Houghton

Durability


While nestled under the Ponderosa Pines of Bryce Canyon National Park, we pulled this table out of its stuff sack, put it together, took it apart and re-stuffed it more than 30 times to see if we could see any immediate wear and tear. In the end, the table responded perfectly. The manufacturer also has a respectable warranty plan, which earned this table good overall marks for durability, as did its all-aluminum design which protects it from water, sun rot, sharp cooking knives and campfire sparks.

alps mountaineering dining table regular camping table review - the table top is held together with an elastic bungee. this makes it...
The table top is held together with an elastic bungee. This makes it easy to set up, but could potentially wear out over time.
Credit: Gentrye Houghton

As shown in our strength test, the aluminum legs are not incredibly robust. If loaded beyond its weight capacity, we saw first-hand that the legs can buckle.

Ease of Setup


alps mountaineering dining table regular camping table review - the alps mountaineering table fits neatly into its own bag and has a...
The ALPS Mountaineering table fits neatly into its own bag and has a quick and easy two-step setup process.
Credit: Gentrye Houghton

The Alps Dining Table received some of its highest scores for its ease set up. The table's design is logical and intuitive. Most bystanders could set up the table without the use of instructions. It was easy to set up and tear down, even for one person, and the storage bag was large enough to accommodate the legs and tabletop without a struggle.

alps mountaineering dining table regular camping table review - even with a lower dining table design, we had enough room to keep...
Even with a lower dining table design, we had enough room to keep our knees under the table without bumping cross beams.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Value


As we consider this table's price tag, which is significantly less than some of the cooking stations we tested, we feel it may be a tiny bit overpriced but not enough to take much notice. After all, it's one of the larger and lightest general-purpose tables we tested.

alps mountaineering dining table regular camping table review - if you stick with basic uses like lunch, dinner, and cooking, the...
If you stick with basic uses like lunch, dinner, and cooking, the ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table Regular is a great product. Avoid placing heavier items like full coolers on the table.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Conclusion


The ALPS Mountaineering Regular Dining Table is one of our favorites. We like the look, right down to how the slatted tabletop folds over the edges on each end. Not only does this feature add stability but it just looks nice. We like just about everything about this table, including that the metal top didn't seem to heat up, even in direct, 80-degree, sunlight. We were surprised and a little unhappy with the fact that it collapsed on one end during our stability test; however, under normal circumstances, we feel this table will meet the needs of most outdoor enthusiasts.

alps mountaineering dining table regular camping table review - checkmate! this table can be utilized for much more than just...
Checkmate! This table can be utilized for much more than just cooking or dining.
Credit: Gentrye Houghton

Jason Wanlass
 

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