Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top Review

Performance Comparison

Small, thin and lightweight, make this table easy to carry, set up and use. However, it also limits its strength and durability.

Stability and Strength

There are two distinct sides to the Deluxe, the roll tabletop side has crisscrossed supports and is secured with two levels of aluminum tops which snap into place. Reinforcement from the roll-top table and shelf, combined with the supports, give relative stability to this side of the table. However, in stark contrast, the opposite side (designed to be a fold-out dining or prep table) has little support, creating quite an imbalance in our stability testing.

The main support and strength of this table come from its core tabletop section. However, the foldout table section has little support.

For simple cooking and dining tasks, this table is adequate, but overall, we found it to be quite wobbly and prone to twist, especially on the fold-out table side. The table's design and features are appealing, but the softer nature of aluminum left us continually feeling that we needed to be careful with it. After weeks of lugging this table around, our broad opinion is that it's not incredibly strong and prone to tip if weighted items aren't distributed evenly on the table's shelves.

Soft aluminum causes the table's locking braces to easily bend out of place and become somewhat ineffective in keeping the table extra sturdy.

Portability

A sturdy carrying case and lightweight aluminum give the Deluxe high marks for portability. For its unfolded size and shelf space, this table is a pleasant surprise when it comes time to lift if from a trunk or back seat. Easy to carry and reposition, the Deluxe can be maneuvered from setup to tear down by one person.

We like the storage bag of the Mountain Summit table. It's large enough to easily fit the table's components and convenient enough to easily sling over a shoulder for easy transport.

Once set up, we found the stability imbalance of the table's two sides, combined with the lightness and softness of the aluminum frame, made it difficult to move to the table around. If we repositioned the table by sliding it, it bounced, shook, and was prone to twist out of shape slightly.

Durability

Although constructed of quality aluminum, the Deluxe received average marks for durability. Its two-sided design offers lop-sided support, and is a little problematic in terms of damage caused by human error (i.e., accidentally leaning or tripping on it). That said, the table is very lightweight and therefore has its benefits. Extra care is advised, however. The overall construction of the table is adequate. The manufacturer employs quality materials and craftsmanship, but this table is simply lightweight and thin, and therefore more fragile.

The Deluxe's table top and bottom shelf unfold and easily snap into place. While easy and convenient, we feel the plastic clips may wear out, crack or break overtime.

Ease of Setup

The Deluxe received average marks for ease of setup. The table easily unfolds and locks into place. Snapping both aluminum roll-top shelves into place add a little extra time to the setup and tear down of this table. However, overall, it was a breeze to set up and just as easy to stow away. Both procedures can be done by one person.

Best Applications

The Mountain Summit table is suitable for car camping trips. It is not designed for rigorous use. Its primary niche serves outdoor lovers who are conscious of weight or need something that packs down relatively flat. The Deluxe provides ample cooking, storage, and prep space for simple meals. It is not designed for heavy usage or large, heavy stoves or cooking supplies. If you're looking for low weight, the Deluxe is a good option.

This table is adequate for light use preparing, cooking and dining. Its aluminum frame cause it to be a little flimsy and not as durable as other tables we reviewed.

Value

A hesitated yes, leaning toward no, is our value opinion on the Deluxe. It does serve a purpose for campers specifically looking for larger, but lightweight, cooking stations. However, we have reviewed other stations that are more durable, sturdy, and functional — even at a lower price.

Conclusion

You'll love the Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top if you need simple and lightweight. We loved the look and concept of the Deluxe but were underwhelmed by its overall performance, sturdiness, and strength. It is by no means a terrible option, but compared to other options available, it's not the top performer according to our testing. If you need lightweight, and you intend to use it with care, you'll enjoy this product.

A hanging cupboard that attaches below the dining table can be purchased separately. We feel it's a good option and liked have a protected area to hide freshly cooked food away from bugs and dirt.