Affordable Cots For Backpackers
For backpackers who want to elevate their sleeping experience without sacrificing pack space or back muscles, these cots with a more cushy design are a good option.
This luxury crib is an excellent option for nurseries with a Scandi style. It's also practical with three mattress sizes to ensure your child is comfortable until they are around four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is our top budget choice is a great choice for campers seeking an easy solution to sleep. It is easy to set up and impressive packing capacity and is comfortable to sleep on. The cot has a, wide base that can hold anyone up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds. read review found it to be sturdy on all terrains. It also comes with a handy side pocket, which is great for storing items like phones, water bottles and sleeping pads. While it's bulkier than some backpacking cots but the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is still very portable and fits well into most car camping tents.
If you're looking for something a little more lavish, the REI Cooperative Kingdom Cot 3 is a fantastic option. The cot is able to sleep two people and is incredibly comfortable even without an inflatable mattress. The cot has a soft, quilted surface that's comfortable to lay on, as well as baffles on the sides that stop the occupants from falling off. This cot is extremely stable thanks to its heavy steel and aluminum bars which connect to the oversized, swiveling feet. It was simple to set up for our testers, however the last knob that connects to the main bar required additional strength.
Another excellent choice is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot, which is similar to our top choice in terms of setup and packing. It folds similarly as a folding camping chair. The middle joints snap in a snap. It's slightly heavier and bigger than the Osage River model, but it packs down into a smaller carrying case that's the same size as the bag that comes with a camp chair. It has a larger sleeping area as well as a side storage pocket, making it a great option for those looking for a comfortable camping bed that can also be used as a spare bed at home. The cot comes in a version with a headrest for additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are the perfect camping cot for those who require 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 lounge chair.
The Onwak Cots are not just ideal for camping, but also for hiking and backpacking. Its light iron or aluminum construction allows it to easily support heavy loads, while remaining lightweight and affordable. In addition the cot has been rigorously tested to ensure top quality and performance. The Onwak team makes use of the finest materials to craft its products and offers an efficient service, even if it's shipping in large quantities.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal bed for couples who enjoy camping together. This cot is easy to set up and can be ready for sleeping within minutes. It also has a number of convenient features, including a washable denier cot base, padded head section, and a hammock for storage. It can also be utilized as a lounger and has different recline positions for a custom experience.
For those who aren't looking for a cot as comfortable as a mattress, the Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent option. This cot is easy to set up and can be ready to lay down in less than two minutes. It also has a broad foot at the bottom of each leg, which can swivel to adjust to uneven ground. It's also reasonably priced and is available with or without a bed mattress.
While the Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for car campers it's not the ideal choice for backcountry hikers or backpackers. It's too heavy to carry long distances. This is why it's better for those who drive to their campsites. The legs can be difficult to unfold and feed back into the cot body for storage.
Helinox Light Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineered fabric with non-stretch technology to create a light-weight camping bed that is durable and comfortable. The patented tensioners provide great tension on the bed surface without adding weight. The tensioners also stop the bed's surface from flattening out when it is set up on uneven terrain. The only downside to this model is the price.
There are many affordable options for backpackers on a tight budget. The OEX Ultralite Folding Cot, for example, costs less than half the price of the Helinox Lite Cot while being significantly heavier. The main disadvantage of the OEX is its difficulty in assembly. It isn't easy for people with small frames to bend five aluminum leg assemblies.
Helinox Lite Cots come with a unique tensioning system with 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 features an arm that pivots and connects with the top frame bar. The other side of the lever is a tab that is compressed and you press to release it. This mechanism uses mechanical leverage to give you great tension on the bed's 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 extremely useful if you're camping in an alpine setting where you may need to get off the ground because of snow or uneven terrain. However, the low-profile of this cot can be a problem if a big mover during the night or when you share the tent with a person.
The Lite Cot is the same. It requires some practice to put it together and then disassemble it. However, after a few hours it's a breeze to pack and use. It's also incredibly light and compact for a cot and will fit in most cars, SUVs and vans, even when they are jam-packed with gear. This makes it an excellent choice for bike and car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is the perfect choice if you want a lightweight, easy-to-pack and set-up backpacking cot. It is light and durable thanks to its 7000 series aluminum frame and 420D honeycomb polyester rip-stop material. It weighs less than five pounds, but can support 300 pounds of weight. It also folds down into a 7 x 17 inch carry bag, which makes it easy to carry in your backpack.
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 have to do is spread the cot out and tighten the straps. We found it to be one of the easiest to set up cots, although its bulkier size could cause it to be too big to fit in some tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as mobile as the other cots on this list, is still the best choice for backpacking cots. The large feet at the bottom of each leg can be adjusted to uneven terrain and you can sleep in the rain.