Affordable Cots - 47.108.239.202, For Backpackers
For backpackers who want to elevate their sleeping experience without sacrificing pack space or back muscles, these cushier cots are a great choice.
Our mum tester loved this luxurious cot that is gorgeous enough to be a perfect fit for Scandi style nurseries, but it is also very practical with three mattress base sizes that will make it functional until your child reaches four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon cot beds
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot, our top budget pick is a great choice for campers looking for a simple solution to sleeping. It has a straightforward setup and impressive packability and is comfortable to sleep on. This cot's large, wide base can support people up to 6 feet tall and 300 lbs. Our testers found that it was stable across all kinds of terrain. It has a side pocket to hold items such as sleeping pads, water bottles, and phones. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is heavier than other back-packing cots, is surprisingly transportable. It can be easily incorporated into most car camping tents.
If you're looking for something that's more luxurious, we suggest the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. The cot can accommodate two people and is extremely comfortable even without an inflatable mattress. The cot features a plush quilted surface that's comfy to lie on, and baffles on the sides to prevent the occupants from falling off. This cot is also extremely sturdy, with heavy aluminum and steel bars that connect to large and swiveling legs, which makes it stable on all terrains. Our test subjects found it to be easy to set up, though the last knob that connects the main bar requires extra strength from a third party.
Another great option is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot, which is very similar to our top pick in terms of set-up and packing. It folds down in a similar way as a folding camp chair and the middle joints snap together quickly and easily. It's heavier and more spacious than the Osage river model but it folds into a smaller carrying case which is about the same size as a chair's carry bag. It also comes with a larger sleeping area, as well as a side pocket for storage, which makes it a great choice for anyone who needs a comfortable camping cot that can also double as a guest bed at home. This cot is available in a model that has a headrest to provide extra comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are a great camping cot if you need a lightweight, durable cot. This cot is unique in its folding design and is constructed of high-quality materials. It's easy to store and transport. It is also extremely comfortable and sturdy and can be used as a lounger chair or bed.
The Onwak Cots are not only great for camping but also for hiking and backpacking. Its lightweight iron or aluminum construction allows it to effortlessly support heavy loads while remaining portable and affordable. The cot has also been rigorously tested to ensure superior quality and performance. Onwak uses only the Best cot for newborn materials for its products, and provides reliable service even when shipping bulk quantities.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal cot for couples who love camping together. This cot is easy to put together and ready to sleep in a matter of minutes. It comes with a variety of useful features like a washable base with a cushioned section as well as a mesh storage hammock. It can also be utilized as a lounger and has different recline positions for a custom experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great alternative for those who don't want a cot as comfortable as a bed. It can be set up in just two minutes. It has a large base at each leg that can be rotated to make it more suitable for uneven ground. It's also affordable and comes with or without a bed mattress.
While the Coleman ComfortSmart is a great choice for car campers, it's not the best option for backpackers or backcountry hikers. It's too heavy to transport long distances. This is why it's better for those who drive into their campsites. In addition legs can be difficult to unfold correctly and require some strength to feed them back into the body of the cot in order to store them.
Helinox Lite Cot
The Helinox Cot One Convertible combines high-end engineering and non-stretch fabric to create a light camp bed that is comfortable and durable. Its patented tensioners deliver great tension on the bed's surface without adding extra weight. The tensioners also prevent the cot's surface from flattening when it is placed on uneven terrain. The only downside to this model is its high price.
If you're a backpacker with a tight budget, there are other affordable cot options available. The OEX Ultralite Folding Cot, for example, costs less than half the price of the Helinox Lite Cot while being substantially heavier. The main disadvantage of the OEX is its difficulty in assembly. It can be a challenge for people with smaller frames to bend five leg assemblies.
Unlike the OEX, the Helinox Lite Cot has an exclusive lever lock tensioning system that makes it easier to erect and disassemble. The lever is situated on the end of each leg. It has a pivoting arm which is able to engage the top frame bar. The lever has a compressed tab at the other end that you can press to let it go. The mechanical leverage of this mechanism provides immense tension to the bed surface without adding bulk or strain on the legs.
The Lite Cot can also be adjusted to a different height by using the leg extensions provided. This is extremely useful when camping in an alpine environment where you'll have to stand away from the ground due to snow or uneven terrain. However, the slim profile of this cot can be a disadvantage 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 put it together and take it down. After a few times it's a breeze to use and pack up. It's also extremely lightweight and compact for a cot and will fit in most cars, SUVs and vans even when they're packed with gear. This makes it a great option for car and bike camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot makes an excellent choice if you want lightweight, easy to pack and set-up backpacking cot. The cot is light and durable due to its aluminum frame 7000 series and 420D honeycomb polyester rip-stop fabric. In actuality, it weighs less than 5 pounds, yet it has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. It folds into an a7x17 inch carry bag that makes it easy to transport.
The ALPS ReadyLite Cot is unlike other cots and tots, 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 tighten the straps. It was easy to set up. However its bigger size might not fit in certain tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as mobile as the other cots on this list, is still the best option for backpacking cots. Plus, its large feet at the base of each leg swivel in order to adapt to uneven terrain and allow you to sleep in the rain.