Affordable Cots For Backpackers
For backpackers who want to improve their sleeping without sacrificing pack space or back muscles, these cushier cots are a great choice.
Our mum test-taker loved this luxurious cot that looks beautiful enough to suit Scandi design nurseries but is also super practical with three mattress heights that will keep it in use until your child is four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot which is our top budget pick is a great option for campers looking for an easy way to sleep. It's easy to set up and impressive packability and is also comfortable to sleep on. This cot has a large and wide base that can support someone up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, and our test subjects found it to be solid on any terrain. It also has a side pocket to hold items such as sleeping pads, water bottles, and phones. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot, while bulkier than some back-packing cots, is surprisingly portable. It fits into most camping tents for cars.
If you're looking to buy something a more luxurious, the REI Cooperative Kingdom Cot 3 is a fantastic option. The cot is designed for two and has an extremely comfortable sleeping area that's comfortable even without an air mattress. The cot has a quilted surface which is comfortable to lay on. It also has baffles along the sides to prevent the user from falling. This cot is extremely stable due to its sturdy steel and aluminum bars that connect to the large swinging feet. Our test subjects found it easy to set up, however the last knob that connects to the main bar requires extra strength from another person.
The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is another excellent choice. It's very similar to the top pick in terms of packing and setting up. It folds down similar to a folding camp chair, and the middle joints snap together quickly and easily. It's a bit heavier and bigger than the Osage River model, but it packs down into a smaller carry case that's about the same size as the bag that comes with a camp chair. It has a larger sleeping space and a side storage pocket making it a good option for those looking for a comfortable camping bed that can also be used as a guest bed at home. There is even a version of this cot with a headrest that is attached to provide additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are the ideal camping cot if you need a lightweight, durable cot. The cot features a unique folding design and is constructed of high-quality materials. It's easy to store and move. It's also extremely comfortable and sturdy, and can be used as a bed or a lounge chair.
In addition to being a wonderful cot sales for camping, the Onwak Cots is also perfect for hiking and backpacking. Its light aluminum and iron construction makes it easy to support large loads yet still being portable. The product has also been thoroughly tested for its superior quality and performance. Onwak makes use of only the finest materials for its products and provides the best service, even when shipping in bulk.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik cot beds is the ideal cot for couples who enjoy camping together. It is easy to set up and can be ready to sleep in a matter of minutes. It also comes with a range of features that are convenient, including a washable denier base for the cot and a padded head section and a hammock for storage. It can also serve as a chair or lounger and has various reclining positions that can be customized to your experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for those who do not need a cot that is as comfortable as a bed. This cot is easy to set up and will be set up to lie down in under two minutes. It also has a broad foot at the base of each leg that swivels to adjust to uneven ground. It is also very affordable and comes with or without a bed mattress.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent option for car campers. However, it's not the best option for hikers who backpack or backcountry trek. It's heavy and bulky to carry over long distances, making it recommended for those driving into their camping spots. The legs are a bit difficult to fold and feed back into the body of the cot for storage.
Helinox Lite Cot
The Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineering with non-stretch fabric to create an ultralight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. The patented tensioners remove the need for bulky cross bars and braces and provide excellent tension to the bed's surface without adding weight. They also keep the cot from getting flat when it's placed on uneven ground. The only downside to this model is the cost.
There are a variety of inexpensive options for backpackers on a tight budget. For instance the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half as much as the Helinox Lite Cot but is substantially heavier. The major drawback of the OEX is that it's not as straightforward to assemble and can be difficult for small framed people to bend its five aluminum leg assemblies to fit.
Helinox Lite Cots come with unique tensioning systems that include a lever lock, which makes them easier to assemble and disassemble. The lever is located on the end of each leg. It has a pivoting arm which engages the top frame bar. The other end of the lever is a compressed tab that you depress to release it. The mechanical leverage of this mechanism provides an excellent tension to the bed surface without adding bulk or stress to the legs.
Another advantage of the Lite Cot is that it can be adjusted to various heights using the leg extensions. This is very helpful when camping in an alpine area where you may need to be off the ground due to snow or uneven terrain. However, the low profile of this cot may be a problem if you're a big mover in your sleep or if you have to share the tent with a person.
As with other cots, the Lite Cot requires a bit of practice to set up and take down. However, after a few hours, it becomes a breeze to use and pack up. It is also incredibly lightweight and compact for a cot, and can be tucked away in the majority of vans and cars, with their gear packed. This makes it a great option for bike and car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
If you're looking for a cot to travel with that's easy to pack and set up it's the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is a good option. It is light and durable due to its aluminum frame of the 7000 series and 420D honeycomb polyester rip-stop material. It weighs less than five pounds, but can support 300 pounds of weight. It can be folded into a 7x17 inch carry bag which 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 need to do is spread the cot out and tighten the straps. It was simple to set up. However its bigger size might not fit in certain tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as portable as other cots listed here, is still the best cot bed option for backpacking cots. The wide feet at the bottom of each leg can be adjusted to uneven terrain and you can sleep in the rain.