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Get outside, but don't forgo convenience. Here are our picks for the best camping tables of the year.

Camping tables — much like camping stoves, sleeping bags and tents — belong to a unique subcategory in the outdoors: indispensable items that can make or break a weekend in the wild.

Forgo the camp table and you’re losing a convenient breakfast, lunch and dinner prep site and serving station; an easy to clean board game area; a gathering place for good friends, good food and good conversation.

This guide covers what to look for when purchasing a camping table, as well as few superlative examples we consider a cut above the rest.

A quality camp table combines versatility and modularity - it will fold down to a fraction of its size, be easy set up or pack down when needed, and will be made from materials meant to stand up to the wear and tear of camp life. Most camp tables are made with aluminum or steel for the frame, with varying materials used for the table top - everything from nylon and polyester to bamboo, depending on the type of construction and durability you’re looking for.

Similar to material, the size and shape of camping tables are varied depending on the intended use, the amount of people you’ll need to seat and whether or not they’re part of a camping system or designed for use on their own. Some tables feature a fixed construction, while others have adjustable legs that allow for varied uses.

The Moonlander checks many of the boxes required of a camp table: it's easy to carry at less than five pounds, packs down to a fraction of its size and is easy to set up. The most notable feature of the table isn't its packability though; the dual-height design steals the show. Set it up at four inches off the ground for picnic mode, or give things a lift and extend it up to 16 inches, or side table height.

For added sturdiness, Nemo integrated carbon fiber and and zinc pole tips into the aluminum poles, and the custom engineered aluminum hinges are blind-molded onto the tabletop for extended performance. When you're done eating, drinking or playing cards, fold the Moonlander up and pack it into its padded case for easy and hassle-free travel.

Materials: Nylon, aluminum, carbon fiber

This lightweight little wonder is easily the most packable on this, if one of the smallest. If you're flying solo or in a pair, though, this is really all the space 1-2 people would need. Bring it to the park, backpacking (if you're feeling extra) or for a quick camp trip, and you'll be covered.

Thoughtful details like two inset cup holders and a storage bag with zipper closure and grab handles make the Table One easy to transport, and convenient to use. Taller folks, beware: at 14 inches high, this table is best used with chairs that sit low to the ground (like one of our favorites, the Chair One), and may be uncomfortable for those of us with longer legs.

Materials: Polyester/polyester mesh; DAC aluminum

Rather than a large, bulky table that can seat everyone and your mom, some of us crave the simplicity of the humble side table. Enough to hold your favorite ice-cold brew and a plate of camp chili, this Compact Camp Table is simple to set up, easy to move around camp and built with materials meant to stand up to wind, rain and sun.

The one-piece design of this compact little wonder means no lost parts and no complicated set up. Great for campers with kids or pets, this table can take plenty of abuse and continue to stand tall.

For campers that prioritize aesthetics as much as they do performance, there's no other brand that does it like Snow Peak. Designed in Japan, this large table features a solid laminated bamboo top, supported by aluminum legs, and sits 4-6 people comfortably. Use it for group dinners, or as a stable and sturdy prep surface for meals by the campfire.

The Renewed Single Action Table comes with a nylon carrying case, and folds up to half its size for easy storage to and from camp. At slightly less than thirty pounds, this table is definitely weighty, but pound for pound, the craftsmanship and aesthetic are unparalleled. Snow Peak's camp table isn't just designed for the campsite: set it up on the patio for al fresco dining when you're not in the wild.

Do you like to roll with all the cooking tools necessary to create a gourmet dinner on the go? Then you'll need something more than the standard table to house everything (and keep yourself sane as messes start to accumulate). The Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen comes with two side tables and a detachable compartment with two shelves to keep forks, knives and plates straight. At less than 15 pounds, it's easy to haul around for a car camping adventure (or backyard cookout). When you're done cooking your four-course meal, everything folds up into a convenient, easy-carry bag.

The coolest feature on this camp table is easily the catch-all secured to the underside — the mesh layer is a great place to store small board games, a pack of cards and utensils for easy access. In the spirit of adaptability, one of the legs is specifically designed to adjust and telescope, to combat uneven ground.

At first glance, Front Runner's $600 camp table may seem like an extravangance — and for those that don't already own one of the brand's rack systems, it may very well be. But, for anyone who has the Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack on their rig, this hardy table is a welcome addition to any camp set up.

The stainless steel top is the same grade used in restaurants around the world, while the aluminum locking legs are powder coated with the same corrosion resistant black powder coating as the corresponding rack. Notice the rounded corners: they're glass-filled nylon, and were designed to prevent accidental damage. The Pro Stainless Steel Camp Table can be mounted under the Slimline II Roof Rack with ease, making packing and stowing a piece of cake. If you don't have Front Runner's rack system, but still want the best of the best for campsite, this durable table is a cut above the rest. It's big without being bulky,

Materials: Black powder-coated aluminum, 0.9mm stainless steel