Folding tourist tables: types and subtleties of choice
When you go hiking, you need to take into account all the important nuances. In addition to a tent, sleeping place and other tourist equipment, it is also necessary to take care of a place where the whole company can sit and drink tea, have lunch or even celebrate a trip to nature.
An excellent solution would be a folding tourist table, which you can take with you not only on a long hike, but also a short trip to the fresh air. Let's take a closer look at the features, advantages and disadvantages of various designs, as well as consider the varieties and rules for choosing tables.
Peculiarities
A folding travel table is ideal for a picnic in nature. It would seem that such an item of marching paraphernalia should have only advantages, because it is quite difficult to see the shortcomings with the naked eye, but they still exist.
Consider first the benefits, which are much larger.
- Such products are quite light, so they are very easy to move and carry in the hands of even one person.
- Folding camping tables are very compact, so they take up little space when transporting.
- In combination with chairs, such tables will help to organize a completely comfortable place to relax.
- Folding tables have a clear advantage over placing on bedding and bedspreads spread on the ground.
- With a certain size, even a large company can be accommodated behind such an object.
- This item can be used not only as a dining table. For example, while fishing, you can put buckets with caught fish, bait and other small accessories on it, as well as get a job with gear repairs.
- As a rule, folding tables have a very affordable cost.
- Usually only high-quality materials are used for the manufacture of such items.
- Such a table can also be used as a summer option if you decide to have a picnic on the site.
This tourist attribute has much less disadvantages, but they still exist and deserve attention, because some of them can be decisive when choosing a particular product.
- Few people attribute the appearance of such products to the minuses, since they often look quite simple and not very presentable.
- Other unscrupulous manufacturers produce low-quality goods. Table legs can be unstable, and with prolonged exposure to the sun, some models may even break or deform.
- Not always sold complete with chairs.
This item can be a disadvantage due to the fact that kits usually have a lower cost than separately purchased items.
Materials used
In the manufacture of tourist folding tables, only high-quality materials should be used, since these products should not be fragile, otherwise they will not last long, they will need to be replaced, which, in turn, is quite expensive.
That's why when choosing such a product, the first thing to pay attention to is the material from which it is made. For example, aluminum models made of high-quality high-strength alloys of this metal are very practical. It is worth paying special attention to the coating, because in its absence or presence, but with the use of low-quality materials, the metal may begin to rust over time and gradually collapse.
To avoid this, you can use special waterproof cases or take care of coating the metal yourself.
Most often, aluminum tables are not made of metal alone, but in combination with plastic or wood. Tabletops are made from these materials, which are able to serve and retain their original appearance for quite a long time, especially when using protective tablecloths and napkins.
Often there are also models entirely made of plastic, which raises doubts about their quality. Plastic tables, like aluminum tables, can be made from a material of poor quality composition, and this will negatively affect their service life and operation in general. It is recommended to pay attention to products made of dense plastic, with reliable fastenings at the junctions of parts with each other.
Wooden products can be called very practical and durable, but often they are quite heavy, which can become a hindrance if such a table has to be carried in the hands for a long time. In addition, if there is no paint on the surface or at least protective impregnation, it will quickly become dirty and lose its appearance.
Besides, it is necessary to pay attention to the fastening of folding mechanisms - no matter what material the table itself is made of, it is best that the fasteners are metal, since this way the structure will be more stable and reliable.
And you should also ask about the presence of impregnating compositions for the table top, which will help to avoid all sorts of pollution and significantly increase the service life.
Construction types
Each table has its own distinctive features. For example, differences can be in the shape of the product - round and oval ones are more spacious, but less compact, while rectangular and square ones are easier to store. Differences can also be in the size of the products - large tables are ideal for relaxing a noisy company, while small ones will be an excellent option for children, since it is also important to provide a child with a play area on vacation.
In addition, the tables may differ in the location of the legs:
- Products with legs parallel to each other are the most comfortable in terms of sitting at the table, but less stable and strong, since they do not have a central support;
- High stability is typical for models with legs arranged crosswise;
- Detachable adjustable feet are ideal for uneven surfaces while on the move, as they can be adjusted in height to lock the table into a level, stable position.
The tables also differ in other features of the structure: Folding table-transformer, which most often comes with small chairs, it folds up very simply, forming a small kind of "suitcase". When folding this design, the legs are placed inside, while also leaving the interior space, which is also easily entered inside. There are also models where not chairs are placed inside the table, but small benches attached to the product itself. In this way, table and seating form a single structure.
The rack design of the folding table is a classic folding model with legs parallel to each other, a distinctive feature of which are crossed jumpers located in the upper part on the legs. It is these rails that ensure the stability of the entire structure as a whole. The design "Accordion" has such a name, since the folding mechanism resembles this musical instrument.
Perhaps this design is the most compact, precisely due to the mechanism, as well as the most durable and lightweight, since most often such products are made of aluminum.
Popular Models
There are many manufacturers and models of folding tourist tables. The best and most popular of them are in unprecedented demand, as they meet the expectations of tourists, and also have a very attractive price-quality ratio. For example, Nika products have a wide variety in the model range.The most popular products are "Suitcases", as well as tables with a soft surface made of dense fabric and holes for glasses.
Very popular products of the same design, released branded Green Glade. They are less practical as they have a steel frame which is heavier than aluminum. Besides, models with parameters 180x80x70 cm are very relevantbecause they are very compact when folded and roomy when unfolded.
How to choose?
When choosing a camping table for tourism, you should not take the first model that comes across. It is better to pay much more attention to this process, taking into account many important details. Consider the main recommendations for choosing a folding table for tourism.
- First of all, you need to be guided by the reliability of the design and choose a product of only high quality. The table, despite its lightness and compactness, must still be strong.
- In the age of modern technology, in the manufacture of various things, materials that are unhealthy and not certified can be used. Therefore, you should not buy products at too low a cost on the market, without packaging and labels.
- If you are going to spend time in nature near the water, you should definitely exclude wooden models from the selection, since excessive humidity or constant contact with water can adversely affect its condition.
- If you choose a model for placement in a tent, you need to think about the dimensions of the product, which should not be too large.
- It is worth paying attention to the appearance of the folded table - the portable model must be equipped with fixing mechanisms and a handle.
- The rest table should be at a comfortable height so that you do not have to strain your back while sitting at it.
- The color and stylistic design of the table should match your personal preferences.
- When choosing, it is recommended to fold and unfold the product yourself several times to make sure that you can cope with this process without outside help.
In addition, it is also recommended to lightly press the top of the unfolded table and sit at it in order to roughly understand how functional it is.
Proper furniture care
In order for this piece of furniture to serve you for a long time, you need to take care of the proper care of the product. Of course, in addition to care procedures, you should also take care of things during operation. But we all know that in the conditions of a tourist trip, everything can be unpredictable.
Consider some of the features of care for folding tables.
- In the event of contamination, it is necessary to clean the surface of the table, as well as its individual parts. For example, the legs will need to be wiped after being in the grass and on the ground.
- It is not recommended to cut on the surface of the countertop as you risk scratching it. Use cutting boards to cut vegetables, fruits and other foods.
- To further protect the surface of the table from contamination, it is recommended to cover it during feasts.
- It is strictly forbidden to stand on the folding table with your feet, sit on it in a disassembled or folded state, since it does not have sufficient strength to withstand the weight of a person.
- At home, it is recommended to store this furniture attribute folded in a special case.It is best to give it a steady state so that it does not fall and is not damaged.
- For washing the table, it is not recommended to use aggressive detergents or products with hard powder granules, the impact of which may adversely affect the condition of the surfaces.
- After washing, the table must be thoroughly wiped with a dry cloth.
In the next video you will find a review of the Xiaomi Youpin Aluminum Alloy Table folding travel table.