Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots offer a more comfortable sleeping experience for backpackers, without compromising their backpack space or back muscles.
This deluxe crib is a fantastic option for nurseries that are Scandi-style. It's also extremely practical with three mattress sizes to ensure your child is snug until they reach 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 basic sleeping solution. It's simple to set up and pack and is comfortable to sleep on. This cot's large, wide base can accommodate people with a height of up to 6 feet, and 300 pounds. Our test subjects found that it was stable on most terrains. It also has a convenient side pocket, which is great for holding gear like water bottles, phone, and sleeping pads. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot although heavier than many back-packing cots is still easily transportable. It can be easily incorporated into most car camping tents.
If you're looking for something that's a little more luxurious, we suggest the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. This cot is built for two people and has an area for sleeping that is incredibly comfortable, even without an air mattress. The cot has a soft, quilted surface that's comfortable to lie on, and baffles on the sides to prevent you from falling off. The cot is extremely sturdy due to its sturdy steel and aluminum bars that connect to the large, swiveling feet. Our test subjects found it to be simple to set up, but the last knob connecting to the main bar requires extra strength from another person.
Another excellent choice is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot, which is similar to our top pick in terms of setup and packability. It folds in a similar way as a folding camping chair. The middle joints snap together easily. It's a bit larger and heavier than the Osage River model but it can be folded into a smaller case that's the same size as the bag that comes with the camp chair. It comes with a bigger sleeping area as well as a side storage pocket which makes it a great choice for anyone looking for an easy camping bed that can also be used as a guest bed at home. The cot comes in a version that has a headrest to provide added comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are the ideal camping cot for those who require a sturdy, lightweight cot. The cot is constructed of top-quality materials, and features an unique foldable design that makes it easy to store and transport. It is also extremely comfortable and sturdy and can be used as a lounger or bed.
In addition to being a wonderful cot for camping, the Onwak Cots is also ideal for hiking and backpacking. Its light aluminum and iron construction makes it easy to carry heavy loads yet still being portable. The cot has also been rigorously tested for superior quality and performance. The Onwak team utilizes the best cot bed materials to make its products, and also provides the best crib for newborn service, even when it's shipping in large quantities.
The Kamprite Double Kwik Cot makes the ideal cot for couples who love camping together. This cot is easy to put together and ready to sleep in just a few minutes. It also has a number of convenient features, including a washable denier base for the cot as well as a head section that is padded and a mesh storage hammock. 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 want a cot as comfortable as a bed. It's easy to set up and will be ready to lay down in less than two minutes. It also has a wide foot at the bottom of each leg that swivels to adjust to uneven ground. It's also reasonably priced and comes with or without a bed mattress.
While the Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for car campers it's not the best choice for backpackers or hikers in the backcountry. It's too heavy for long distances. This is why it's best infant cribs for those who drive to their campsites. Additionally, the legs can be a little tricky to unfold properly, and it takes some strength to return them to the body of the cot for storage.
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 tensioners are patented and provide excellent tension to the bed without adding extra weight. They also stop the cot from becoming flat when it's placed on uneven ground. The only downside to this model is its high price point.
If you're a backpacker on an extremely tight budget there are other budget cot options available. The OEX Ultralite Folding Cot, for instance, is less than half the price of the Helinox Lite Cot while being significantly heavier. The biggest drawback of OEX is its difficulty assembly. It can be a challenge for people with smaller frames to bend five aluminum leg assemblies.
In contrast to OEX model, the Helinox Lite cheap cot beds is equipped with an exclusive lever lock tensioning system that makes it easier to erect and disassemble. The lever is situated on the side of each leg and features a pivoting arm that engages with the top frame bar. The other end of the lever is a tab that is compressed and is pressed to let it go. This mechanism uses mechanical leverage to give you great tension on the bed surface, without adding bulk or stress to the legs.
The Lite Cot can also be adjusted to a different height by using the leg extensions included. This is especially beneficial for camping in an alpine location where you may require an elevated position due to snow or uneven terrain. However, the low-profile of this cot may be a problem if you're an active person in your sleep or if you have to share your tent with another.
The Lite Cot is no different. It takes a bit of practice to set it up and disassemble it. After a few uses it becomes easy to use and take it with you when packing. It's also extremely light and compact for a cot and can be tucked away in the majority of vans and cars with their gear. This makes it a great option for car and bike camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
If you're looking for a cot to travel with that is easy to pack and set up, the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is a good choice. Its 7000 series aluminum frame and 420D honeycomb ripstop fabric made of polyester make this cot extremely light and sturdy. In actuality, it weighs less than 5 pounds, yet has a 300-pound capacity for weight. It folds into the size of a carry bag 7x17 inches which makes it easy to transport.
The ALPS ReadyLite Cot is unlike other cots that require you to spread it out from the middle. Instead the 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. We found it to be one of the simplest cotes to set up, although its bulkier size may make it too large to fit into some tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as lightweight as other cots in this list is still the best choice for backpacking cots. Its wide feet at the bottom of each leg swivel to adapt to uneven terrain and even let you sleep in the rain.