affordable cots (our source) For Backpackers
These cots offer a more comfortable sleeping experience for backpackers, without compromising their space in their packs or back muscles.
This luxurious crib is an excellent choice for Scandi-style nurseries. It's also extremely practical with three mattress heights that will keep your child comfortable until they are around four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is our top budget choice and is an excellent option for campers looking for a simple sleeping solution. It's easy to set up and a great packability and is comfortable to sleep on. This cot has a large, wide base that can support someone up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds. Our test subjects found it to be solid on any terrain. It also has a convenient side pocket, which is great to store items such as phones, water bottles and sleeping pads. While it's bulkier than some backpacking cots but the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is still easily portable and can be easily incorporated into most car camping tents.
If you're looking to buy something a more luxurious then the REI Cooperative Kingdom Cot 3 is a fantastic option. The cot is designed to sleep two people and has an extremely comfortable sleeping area that's comfortable, even without an air mattress. The cot is quilted with a surface which is comfortable to lay on. It also has baffles on the sides, which prevent you from falling. This cot is also extremely sturdy, with heavy aluminum and steel bars that join to huge swinging legs, making it stable on most terrain. It was easy to set up for our testers, but the last knob connecting to the main bar required additional strength.
The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is another great option. It is very similar to the top pick when it comes to packing and setting up. It folds in a similar way to the folding camping chair. The middle joints snap in a snap. It's a little larger and heavier than the Osage River model, but it packs down into a smaller carrying case that's about the same size as the carry bag of the camp chair. It comes with a bigger sleeping area as well as an additional storage compartment on the side making it a good option for anyone who is looking for a comfortable camping bed that can also be used as a spare guestbed at home. You can also find the cot with a headrest that is attached to provide additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are the ideal camping cot if you require a sturdy, lightweight cot. This cot is unique in its folding design and is constructed of top quality materials. It's easy to store and transport. It is also extremely comfortable and durable and can be used either as a lounger chair or bed.
The Onwak Cots are not just great for camping but also for hiking and backpacking. Its lightweight aluminum and iron construction allows it to carry heavy loads while still remaining portable. In addition, the cot has been rigorously tested to ensure superior quality and performance. The Onwak team uses the highest-quality materials to craft its products and offers an efficient service, even if it's shipping in huge quantities.
The Kamprite Double Kwik Cot makes the perfect cot for couples that enjoy camping together. It is easy to install and is ready to sleep in just a few minutes. It is equipped with many useful features including a washable denier base with a padded section, as well as a mesh storage hammock. It can also be used as lounger or chair and has various reclining positions that can be customized to your experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for those who don't require a cot as comfy as a bed. It can be set up in just two minutes. It also has a broad foot at the base of each leg that swivels to adapt to uneven ground. Additionally, it's affordable and can be purchased with or cot Beds without a mattress.
While the Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for car campers, it's not the best cots option for backpackers or hikers in the backcountry. It's too heavy and cumbersome to carry for long distances, so it's ideal for those driving into their camping spots. In addition the legs can be tricky to unfold properly and require some strength to feed them back into the body of the sale cot in order to store them.
Helinox Lite Cot
The Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineering with non-stretch fabric to produce an ultralight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. The patented tensioners remove the necessity for bulky cross bars and braces, and provide great tension to the bed's surface without adding weight. The tensioners also stop the cot's surface from flattening out when it is set up on uneven terrain. The only downside to this model is its high cost.
There are numerous affordable options for backpackers on a budget. The OEX Ultralite Folding Cot, for instance, is less than half the cost of the Helinox Lite Cot while being significantly heavier. The main drawback to the OEX is that it's not as straightforward to assemble and may be difficult for small-framed people to bend its five aluminium leg assemblies into place.
Helinox Lite cots 4 tots feature an exclusive tensioning system that includes the lever lock that makes them simpler to assemble and disassemble. The lever is situated on the side of each leg. It has a pivoting arm which is able to engage the top frame bar. The other end of the lever has an uncompressed tab that is pressed to release it. The mechanical leverage of this mechanism provides immense tension to the bed surface without adding bulk or stress to the legs.
The Lite Cot can also be adjusted to a different height using the leg extensions provided. This is especially useful if you are camping in an alpine area where you might require a higher level due to snow or uneven terrain. The low profile of the cot can be an issue for those who are active in their sleep or share a sleeping space with a person else.
The Lite Cot is no different. It takes a bit of practice to put it together and then disassemble it. After a few times it's easy to set up and take down. It's also incredibly lightweight and compact for a cot and will fit into the majority of cars, SUVs and vans, even if they are jam-packed with gear. This makes it an excellent option for bike or car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite cot is an excellent choice for those looking for an easy-to-pack, lightweight and easy to set-up backpacking cot. Its 7000 series aluminum design frame and 420D polyester honeycomb rip stop fabric make this cot extremely light and robust. It weighs less than 5 pounds, but it can carry 300 pounds of weight. It also folds down into the size of a 7x17 inch carry bag, which makes it easy to store in your backpack.
Unlike many other cots that require you to extend it from the middle, the ALPS ReadyLite Cot has legs that extend at the bottom of each side, which means all you need to do is spread out the cot, then tighten the straps. We found it to be one of the simplest cots to set up, although its bulkier size could make it difficult to fit into some tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as portable as other cots listed here, is still the best cots option for backpacking cots. The large feet at the bottom of each leg can be adjusted to accommodate uneven terrain and you can even sleep in the rain.