Campman Outdoor Gear & Apparel

A camp table is a camp table… right?

Not so fast.

You might have been using camp tables for a long as you’ve considered yourself an outdoors person, but we’re willing to bet you’ve never seen one quite like the NEMO Moonlander Dual-Height Camp Table.

Harnessing the power of the current “City Streets to Mountain Peaks” trend in outdoor retail, the Moonlander ensures that you have a sturdy surface on hand for almost any occasion.

Packing down to about the size of an average laptop, this folding camping table is easy to take with you, whether you’re soaking up some sun seaside or are deep in the Appalachian backcountry. The dual-height design lets you choose your own adventure, with the low-option being perfect for picnics and the taller, 16-inch height working seamlessly with their Stargazer Luxury and Moonlite Reclining Chairs. Topped off with a heat-resistant and easy-to-clean nylon surface, the Moonlander represents a step in the right direction when it comes to camping table R&D.

But how does it stack up to a standard foldable camping table? We took one for a spin to find out.

Features

Dual-Height Design

Setting up the Moonlander takes just a few seconds. Simply unzip the padded carry case, remove the Moonlander, and unfold it. The low legs automatically deploy, giving you a sturdy surface four inches off of the ground for picnics at the park or days at the beach. In case you want to keep your food and drink on hand at the campsite, all you need to do is remove the aluminum legs from their storage space, twist them into place, and voila, you’ve got yourself a 16-inch tall table. Best of all, this sits at a comfortable height that makes it easy to reach your goodies from the comfort of your Stargaze Luxury Recliner Camp Chair.

Convenient Carry

Packing this table around is easy as pie thanks to the low carry weight and slim packed size. Weighing just under 5 pounds, this table is light enough to bring along on almost any outing while still offering a substantial carrying capacity of 100 lbs. When packed away, the Moonlander is just 14.5” x 9.5” x 1.5”, letting it fit comfortably in most backpack laptop sleeves as well. Just don’t forget your laptop at home in case you’re planning on doing any work from the campsite.

Hard-Wearing Table Top

Using a heat-stabilized nylon material, the table’s surface is impermeable, smooth, and highly durable. And, importantly, it’s incredibly easy to clean with just a simple wipe-down.

At the Campsite

Features are nice, but what really matters is how those features come together at camp.

For us, setting up the table using only the low legs seemed like a good way to turn around only to find that insects or rodents had gotten into your food. The low setting would be great at the beach, where you just want to keep your snacks out of the dirt, but in the wilderness, we’re inclined to think that the taller aluminum legs are more practical around camp. Once the legs are installed, the table worked as an ideal beer holder while we set everything up and unrolled our sleeping bags.

Then we pulled out the stove and set it on the table, only to realize that it was about two sizes too small for our dual-burner camp stove. Simply put, it is a rather small camping table, especially if you’re planning on doing meal prep and cooking on the same surface. Firing up your Jetboil and making a dehydrated meal is probably a better use of this table as a cook space. Fortunately, we have a tailgate to cook on in a pinch, but if you glossed over the spec sheet, you might be surprised that this nifty little table is so small in person.

Once dinner was cooked though, it made for the perfect camping side table for a hot meal. And as promised, the Moonlander is indeed the perfect height to use while sitting comfortably in a camp chair.

What We Like

• Dual-Height Design: Despite it not being the most useful feature around camp, the ability to choose from two height options is a nifty feature that will come in handy in certain situations. Perfect applications for the low-height are days spent at the beach, picnicking, outdoor concerts, and conceivably even while cragging.

• Durable Top: One of our favorite features was the tabletop itself. You don’t have to worry about burning it by placing hot pots and pans on top, it will easily withstand tough treatment (in case you forget the cutting board), and the smooth surface makes cleanup a breeze.

• Slim Carry: We’re used to lightweight camp tables that practically need a full seat of their own in the back of the car. To have one that packs down to the size of a notebook feels a little bit like cheating.

What Could Be Improved

• Twist-Lock Poles: For all the strength and durability this design might offer, it is completely overshadowed by the fact that these aluminum poles can be difficult to get into place. For all of the tech this design brings to the table, getting the legs out and getting them into place takes more doing than we initially expected.

• Limited Work Space: The small carry size is great for anyone who wants a table they can take on the go. And to its credit, the Moonlander can conveniently go just about anywhere with you. But if you intend to use it as a cooking station, its small size leaves something to be desired. If you’re planning on using a dual burner camp stove, you’re going to need more surface area.

• Premium Price: This table is very well designed, almost to the point of being overdesigned, and it’s reflected in the price tag.

Conclusion

The Moonlander represents a measurable step in the right direction when it comes to rethinking camp tables. It has some truly unique features which work hard to ensure that this table can be used most anytime you step outside your front door, especially for a laid-back picnic or a concert at the park.

Does that make it the ideal table for everyone? We think not. It’s simply too small to replace a full-sized folding table, especially for the glamping set. But if you are looking for a versatile table, that has multiple legitimate uses around town and camp, the Moonlander is worthy of your consideration. And that’s doubly true for anyone who is simply looking for a second table to give them more working room while playing camp chef.

About Campman

Campman is an outdoor retail store located in Salt Lake City, Utah, that specializes in gear and equipment for camping, skiing, backpacking, climbing, and everything in between. We understand that the difference between a bad memory and the adventure of a lifetime can come down to the gear you take with you when you head outdoors, and we want our customers to have the best experiences possible. When it comes to getting outside, we get it, and we’ll get you the gear you need to get there.

Questions? Feel free to contact us by phone at (801) 999-8117 or by email at sales@campman.com.