The Global Paddling Community

Independent Product Review: NRS Roll-A-Table.

The Table Quest

I've been looking for a decent camping table for years. My criteria were simple - I wanted a table that was:

• compact
• stable
• large
• easy to build

Most products I found satisfied one or more of those criteria, but none seemed to be the perfect product.

I looked at some suitcase-like tables that unfold into a table plus chairs. Sort of like eating at Mc Donald's. Apart from the integrated seats being tiny and instable, I already have some perfect outdoor chairs, so it was both more and less than I actually needed.

I also found some tables that were really light and easy to put together (e.g. see the black table in front on the photo below), but they typically have a surface made of fabric: not stable....

The NRS Answer

And then I came across the 'NRS table' and must admit that it comes close to fulfilling all my wishes. Let's just give this table some fulfillment percentages for my criteria:

Compact - 90%

The surface is built with polyester-coated planks, which you can roll up together with the table legs into a compact package. The integrated carrying handle makes that role easy to transport and the required storage space is minimal.

Stable - 80%

The planks make for a very stable surface. The only problem is that the table as a whole is bit wobbly, as the four legs are not interconnected. I.e. you shouldn't shake the table too much when tall bottles are standing on it and of course this isn't a table to have sex on, but for 'normal' camping usage it's OK :-)

Large - 90%

The surface is large enough for normal use and the height is OK for having a normal meal with plates, knifes and forks.

Easy to build - 70%

Although I prefer an Inspector Gadget approach to setting up camping inventory, I realize that this wish is very incompatible with the other criteria. The NRS table consists of the rollable table surface, two stability tubes and 4 table legs. The tubes are put under the surface and then the legs are screwed in... ready. It takes about 2 minutes to put the whole thing together - fair enough!

Conclusion

All in all, a very handy camping table for a fair (if not cheap) price. Definitely the best I've seen so far.

For Playak,
Jeroen

Quick Facts

More info and ordering ($45): NRS.