Sonik Hi-Lo Session Table

How well is it built?

So, does lighter mean flimsy? Not really, but it is a different kind of table from the laminated Fox and Nash designs.

The top is made of aluminium slats that roll out across the frame, and the whole table has a black anodised finish, which should stand up well to rain, dew and the odd spill from a pan.

A slatted roll-out top is never quite as rigid as a one-piece laminated board, and the frame is built for low weight rather than brute strength.

That's the trade-off for a table this easy to carry, and it's why the build sits a little below the Fox Session Table XXL, which uses a solid laminated top.

I think 8.0 is a fair reflection. It's a well-made, weatherproof table that should last if it's looked after, just not a heavyweight one for leaning your whole weight on.

Stability & Footing

All four legs adjust individually, which is the key feature on a table that has to cope with sloping swims and lumpy ground. Getting a cooking surface truly level is worth a lot on a real bank, as nobody wants a pan of boiling water creeping towards the edge.

The height range is the other strength. At 45cm it suits sitting in a low chair to eat or cook, and at 66cm it's set for standing jobs like prepping bait or washing up, with intermediate heights for everything in between.

Diagonal braces run between the legs, which should help stop the frame racking sideways.

To be fair, the feet are small compared with the wide feet on the Fox Session Table XXL, so on very soft mud it's worth finding a firmer patch. Even so, the individual leg adjustment and the wide height range earn it the 8.5.

Storage & Organisation

The roll-out top is a clever bit of design for packing. It rolls up, the legs fold down, and everything goes into a zipped carry case that's far easier to fit in a car or on a barrow than a big, flat laminated panel.

On the bank, the 90 x 51cm working area gives you room for a stove, a couple of pans, plates and a bait tub, which is pretty much what a cooking table needs. It's an open surface, though, with no recessed trays or tool slots, so rig bits and small items are better kept in a box.

Would I want more organisation? For a bedside table, yes, and the Fox Compact 2 Tier Bivvy Table is far better at keeping small items sorted. For a cooking and social table, the open top makes more sense, and 8.0 is about right.

Is it good value for money?

On price, it makes a strong case. It costs a good deal less than the Fox XL Bivvy Table and the Nash Bank Life Adjustable Table, yet its 90 x 51cm working area isn't far off the Fox's 80 x 60cm top.

You give up some solidity for that saving, but you also get a table that packs down smaller and is easier to carry.

It's dearer than a bedside table like the Sonik Bank-Tek Bivvy Table, but that's a different tool for a different job. The Hi-Lo is about cooking, eating and socialising, while the Bank-Tek sits beside the bedchair holding remotes and a torch.

I'd recommend it to anglers who cook properly on the bank, fish socials with friends, or want one table that works seated and standing. If you want a heavy-duty, laminated work surface for long sessions, the Fox XL Bivvy Table is the sturdier choice.