Affordable Cots For Backpackers
For backpackers who want to enhance their sleeping experience without sacrificing pack space or back muscles, these cots with a more cushy design are a great choice.
Our mom tester loved this luxurious cot that is gorgeous enough to be a perfect fit for Scandi style nurseries, but is also extremely practical, with three mattress heights that will keep it functional until your child reaches four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is our top budget pick and an ideal choice for campers who are seeking a simple sleeping solution. It's simple to set up and pack and is comfortable to sleep on. This cot features a, wide base that can support anyone who is 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, and our test subjects found it to be solid on any terrain. It has a side pocket to store items such as sleeping pads, water bottles, and phones. Although it's heavier than other backpacking cots however, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is still easily portable and fits well into most car camping tents.
If you're looking to buy something a bit more luxurious, the REI Cooperative Kingdom Cot 3 is a fantastic option. The cot can accommodate two people and is incredibly comfortable, even without an inflatable mattress. The cot is quilted with a surface which is a comfortable surface to lie on. It also has baffles on the sides, which help prevent the user from falling. The cot is also sturdy, with heavy steel and aluminum bars that connect to large swinging legs, which make it able to stand on any terrain. Our test subjects found it simple to set up, however the last knob that connects to the main bar requires more strength from a third party.
Another option that is a great choice is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot, which is very similar to our top pick in terms of setup and packing. It folds down in a similar way as a folding camp chair and the middle joints snap together easily and quickly. It's heavier and larger than the Osage river model, but it folds into a smaller carry case that's roughly the same size as a camping chair's carry bag. It offers a more spacious sleeping space and a side storage pocket making it a good choice for anyone looking for an easy camping bed that can also be used as a guest bed at home. The cot is available in a version with a headrest for added comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are the perfect camping cot if you require an affordable, lightweight cot. This cot is made of high-quality materials and has an unique foldable design that makes it easy to carry and store. It's also incredibly comfortable and durable and can be used as a bed or lounge chair.
The Onwak cheap cots are not only great for camping but also for backpacking and hiking. Its lightweight aluminum and iron construction makes it easy to carry heavy loads yet still being portable. The product has also been thoroughly tested for superior quality and performance. Onwak makes use of only the finest materials for its products, and offers the best baby cots service, even when shipping bulk quantities.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal bed for couples who enjoy camping together. The cot can be set up in a matter of minutes and is ready for sleep. It also comes with a range of useful features, such as the ability to wash the base of the cot as well as a head section that is padded and mesh storage hammock. Additionally, it can be used as a lounger and offers a variety of reclining positions for a customizable experience.
If you're not looking for a cot that's as comfortable as mattress and isn't too expensive, the Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent option. The cot can be put together in less than two minutes. It has a broad base at each leg that can be rotated to allow to uneven ground. It's also affordable and can be bought with or without a mattress.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent option for car campers. However, it's not the best choice for backpackers or backcountry hikers. It's too heavy and hefty to transport over long distances, which is why it's best for those who are driving into their campsites. The legs are a bit difficult to fold and feed back into the cot body to store.
Helinox Lite Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineered fabric with non-stretch technologies to create an ultra-lightweight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. Its patent-pending tensioners remove the need for bulky crossbars and braces, and provide great tension to the bed's surface without adding additional weight. The tensioners also keep the surface of the cot from flattening when it is set up on uneven terrain. The only downside to this model is its higher price point.
There are a variety of affordable options for backpackers on a tight budget. For example the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half than the Helinox Lite Cot but is substantially heavier. The main drawback to the OEX is that it's not as easy to put together and it can be difficult for smaller-framed people to bend its five aluminum leg assemblies into position.
Helinox Lite online cots come with unique tensioning systems that include the lever lock that makes them much easier to put together and disassemble. This lever is located on the left side of each leg and features an arm pivoting that connects with the top frame bar. The other end of the lever has a tab that is compressed and you press to let it go. This mechanism uses mechanical leverage to give you great tension on the bed's surface, without adding bulk or stress to the legs.
Another benefit of the Lite Cot is that it can be adjusted to different heights using the leg extensions. This is especially beneficial if you are camping in an alpine area in which you'll require a higher level due to snow or uneven terrain. However, the low profile of this cot could be a disadvantage if you're moving a lot in your sleep, or when you share the tent with a person.
The Lite Cot is no different. It takes some practice to install it and then remove it from its place. However, after a few hours, it becomes a breeze to pack and use. It is also extremely light and compact for a cot and will fit into the majority of vans and cars, with their gear packed. This makes it a great option for bike or car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite cot is the perfect choice if you want a lightweight, easy-to-pack and set-up backpacking cot. Its aluminum 7000 series frame and 420D polyester honeycomb rip stop fabric make this cot extremely light and sturdy. It weighs less than five pounds, but can support 300 pounds of weight. It folds into an a7x17 inch carry bag that makes it easy to transport.
The ALPS ReadyLite Cot is unlike other cots, which require you to spread it out from the middle. Instead its legs extend at the bottom of each side. This means that all you have to do is spread the cot out and then tighten the straps. We found it to be one of the most simple cots to set up however its larger size may make it too large to fit into some tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as lightweight as other cots on this list, is still the best choice for backpacking cots. Additionally, its large feet at the base of each leg can swivel to adapt to uneven terrain and even let you sleep in the rain.