Affordable Cots For Backpackers
For backpackers who wish to improve their sleeping without sacrificing space for their pack or back muscles, these softer cots are a good option.
Our mom tester loved this deluxe cot that is beautiful enough to fit Scandi design nursery designs. It is also extremely practical, with three mattress heights that will make it in use until your child reaches four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is our top budget pick and is an excellent option for campers looking for a simple sleeping solution. It's easy to set up and pack and is comfortable to sleep on. This cot features a, wide base that can hold anyone up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, and our test subjects found it to be solid on any terrain. It has a pocket on the side for holding items like sleeping pads, water bottles, and phones. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot although heavier than many back-packing cots, is surprisingly transportable. It can fit into the majority of car camping tents.
If you're looking for something a little more lavish, the REI Cooperative Kingdom Cot 3 is a great choice. The cot is able to sleep two people and is extremely comfortable even without an inflatable mattress. The cot has a soft quilted, soft surface that's easy to lie on, as well as baffles on the sides that stop you from falling off. The cot is also robust, with a thick steel and aluminum bars that connect to large, swiveling 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 extra 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 choice in terms of setup and packability. It folds down similarly to a folding camping chair, and the middle joints snap together easily and quickly. It's heavier and more spacious than the Osage river model, but it folds into a smaller carry case which is about the same size as a camping chair's carry bag. It offers a more spacious sleeping space and an extra storage pocket on the side, making it a great option for anyone who is seeking an easy camping bed that can be used as a guest bed at home. The cot is available in a model with a headrest for added comfort.
cribs beds are the ideal camping cot if you need a sturdy, lightweight cot. The cot features a unique design that folds and is made of top-quality materials. It's easy to store and move. It's also incredibly comfortable and sturdy and can be used as a bed or a lounge chair.
The Onwak Cots are not only great for camping, but also great for hiking and backpacking. Its lightweight iron or aluminum construction allows it to easily support large loads while remaining portable and affordable. Additionally the cot has been rigorously tested to ensure superior quality and performance. The Onwak team utilizes the best materials to make its products and provides reliable service, even when it's shipping in large quantities.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal cot for couples who love camping together. It can be assembled in just a few minutes and is ready for sleep. It has many convenient features including a washable denier base, padded section and mesh hammocks for storage. It can also serve as lounger or chair, and it has several reclining positions to tailor your experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for those who do not want a cot as comfortable as a bed. The cot can be put together in just two minutes. It also has a broad foot at the base of each leg, which can swivel to adjust to uneven ground. Additionally, it's affordable and can be bought with or without a mattress.
While the Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for car campers it's not the ideal choice for backpackers or hikers in the backcountry. It's too heavy to carry long distances. This is why it's better for those who drive into their campsites. The legs are difficult to fold and feed back into the cot body to store.
Helinox Light Cot
The Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineering with non-stretch fabric to create a light camp bed that is both comfortable and durable. The tensioners are patented and provide excellent tension on the bed's surface without adding extra weight. They also keep the cot from flattening if it's set up on uneven ground. The only drawback to this model is its higher price.
If you're a backpacker on an extremely tight budget, there are other affordable cot options to choose from. The OEX Ultralite Folding Cot, for instance, is less than half the cost of the Helinox Lite Cot while being considerably heavier. The main disadvantage of the OEX is its difficulty assembly. It isn't easy for those with smaller frames to bend five aluminum leg assemblies.
Helinox Lite Cots feature an exclusive tensioning system that includes the lever lock that makes them much easier to put together and disassemble. This lever is located on the opposite side of each leg and has a pivoting arm that engages with the top frame bar. The other side of the lever is a tab that is compressed and you press to let it go. This system uses mechanical leverage to give you great tension on the bed surface, without adding bulk or strain to the legs.
The Lite Cot can also be adjusted to a different height using the leg extensions that come with it. This is especially useful for camping in an alpine area where you may require an elevated position due to snow or uneven terrain. However, the slim profile of this cot may be a disadvantage if you're an active person in your sleep or when sharing a tent with someone.
The Lite Cot is not any different. It requires some practice to install it and then take it apart. After a few hours, it becomes a breeze to use and pack. It's also incredibly light and compact for a cot. It will fit in most cars, SUVs and vans, even if they are jam-packed with equipment. This makes it an excellent choice for bike or car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
If you're looking for a cot to travel with that's easy to pack and set up, the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is an excellent choice. The cot is light and durable thanks to its 7000 series aluminum frame and 420D honeycomb polyester rip-stop fabric. In fact, 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 that makes it easy to transport.
Unlike many other cots that require you to expand it from its middle it is the ALPS ReadyLite Cot has legs that extend at the bottom of each side, which means that all you have to do is spread the cot, then tighten the straps. We found that it was one of the easiest cots to set up, although its bulkier size could make it difficult to fit into some tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as mobile as the other cots in this list is still the best 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.