Folding camping seats/bench

[happyfriggincamper]

Hi all - in the market for a folding table/bench for camping trips.

There seem to be two styles on available, separate table/bench or the all-in-one.

Can anyone lend any insight to the pros/cons of the two styles from experience?

[Mattblack]

They both look like death traps for heavy drinkers

[Andrews]

I couldn't say I'm an expert when it comes to camping furniture, my perspective for any outdoor equipment is the less moving parts the better.

If it's exposed to the elements, that all in-one folding mechanism I'd imagine would be even more difficult than it already looks. It just looks heavy and a pain to carry.

The top one would be my pick, you've got one table and two benches separate. It gives you more options, say if you're sitting around a fire you can have two benches, one bench one table, whatever you choose. The table looks to the option to lower it and make it about bench height. I'd maybe see if the benches themselves are reinforced on the underside with a cross bar, or if the top surface and legs are strong enough to not need one. They look easier to wipe down too. Side handle on the table, I'd imagine the benches have one too. Just easier to manage.

[Texas]

Had one like the bottom picture.
It was not comfortable for 4 people, of different sizes to sit around
Prefer the top one, as it's more versatile
Check load capacity before buying either
Gra

[DougieK]

I find the folding ones incredibly difficult to sit on for a long period of time and have opted for a folding trestle and a camp chair or an esky to sit on.

[happyfriggincamper]

I couldn't say I'm an expert when it comes to camping furniture, my perspective for any outdoor equipment is the less moving parts the better.

If it's exposed to the elements, that all in-one folding mechanism I'd imagine would be even more difficult than it already looks. It just looks heavy and a pain to carry.

The top one would be my pick, you've got one table and two benches separate. It gives you more options, say if you're sitting around a fire you can have two benches, one bench one table, whatever you choose. The table looks to the option to lower it and make it about bench height. I'd maybe see if the benches themselves are reinforced on the underside with a cross bar, or if the top surface and legs are strong enough to not need one. They look easier to wipe down too. Side handle on the table, I'd imagine the benches have one too. Just easier to manage.

Thanks Andrew's, no experience but you've repeated a few thoughts I had and added some others I didn't think of

[happyfriggincamper]

Thanks all - for the perspective and thoughts. Gut feel was the top style and it's mostly been validated.

[Troy McLure]

The bottom one is only good for kids in my opinion, I’m a big guy and those things are hard to negotiate and very uncomfortable.

[smokin_reels]

definely tables\bench separate.

Bench's double as great side tables at campfires for drinks

[KeenAds]

The folding trestle table and camping chairs are the way to go as Dougie suggested. I have one like the bottom picture and they are way to unstable and heavy to use.