Affordable Cots For Backpackers
For backpackers who wish to enhance their sleeping experience without sacrificing space for their pack or back muscles, these softer cots are a good option.
Our mom tester loved this luxury cot which is beautiful enough to fit Scandi design nursery designs. It is also extremely practical, with three mattress heights that will keep 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 an ideal choice for campers who are looking for a simple sleeping solution. It has a straightforward setup and impressive packing capacity and is comfortable to sleep on. This cot's large, wide base can hold those who are who are up to 6 feet tall, and 300 pounds. Our test subjects found that it was sturdy on all types of terrain. It has a pocket on the side to store items such as sleeping pads, water bottles and phones. While it's more bulky than some backpacking cots, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is still very portable and can be easily incorporated into most car camping tents.
If you want something more luxurious, we suggest the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. This cot can sleep two people and is incredibly comfortable even without an inflatable mattress. The cot comes with a soft, quilted surface that's comfortable to lay on, and baffles on the sides to keep you from falling off. The cot is also robust, with a thick aluminum and steel bars that join to huge swinging legs, which makes it stable on most terrain. It was simple to set up for our testers, however the last knob that connected the main bar needed additional strength.
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 similarly as a folding camping chair. The middle joints snap together quickly. It's a little larger and heavier than the Osage River model but it packs down into a smaller carry case that's roughly the same size as the carry bag of the camp chair. It has a larger sleeping space and an extra storage pocket on the side which makes it a great option for those seeking a comfortable camping bed that can be used as a spare bed at home. This cot is available in a version with a headrest for extra comfort.
Onwak Cots
If you're looking for a durable, lightweight camping cot for your outdoor needs then look no further than Onwak Cots. This cot is made with high-quality materials and has an unique foldable design that makes it easy to store and transport. It is also extremely comfortable and sturdy and can be used either as a lounger or bed.
The Onwak Cots are not just great for camping, but also for hiking and backpacking. Its lightweight aluminum or iron construction allows it to easily support heavy loads while remaining compact and affordable. In addition, the cot has been thoroughly tested to ensure top quality and performance. The Onwak team uses the highest-quality materials to craft its products and offers reliable service, even when it's shipping in bulk.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal cot for couples who enjoy camping together. It is easy to install and is ready to sleep in a matter of minutes. It is equipped with many useful features, including a washable denier base with a cushioned section as well as a mesh hammocks for storage. It can also be used as a chair or lounger, and it has various reclining positions that can be customized to your experience.
For those who aren't looking for a cot as comfortable as mattress The Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent option. This cot can be set up in just two minutes. It has a broad base at each leg which can be rotated to make it more suitable to uneven ground. It's also affordable and can be bought with or without a mattress.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent choice for car campers. However, it's not the ideal choice for backpackers or backcountry hikers. It's heavy and bulky to carry over long distances, so it's recommended for those driving to their camping spots. The legs can be difficult to fold and feed back into the cot body for storage.
Helinox Lite 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 patented tensioners provide great tension on the bed surface without adding additional weight. The tensioners also keep the cot's surface from flattening when it is set up on uneven terrain. The only downside to this model is its high price.
There are numerous inexpensive options for backpackers on a tight budget. For example the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half as the Helinox Lite Cot but is substantially heavier. The main disadvantage of the OEX is its difficulty in assembly. It can be a challenge for those with smaller frames to bend five aluminium leg assemblies.
In contrast to OEX, the Helinox Lite Cot is equipped with an exclusive lever lock tensioning system which makes it easier to erect and disassemble. The lever is situated on the bottom of each leg. It has a pivoting arm that is able to engage the top frame bar. The lever has a compressed tab at the other end which you can press to let it go. This system uses mechanical leverage to provide an excellent tension to the bed without adding bulk or stress to the legs.
Another benefit of the Lite Cot is that it can be adjusted to different heights with the included leg extensions. This is extremely useful if you're camping in an alpine environment where you may need to be off the ground because of snow or uneven terrain. The low profile of the cot can be an issue for those who move a lot in their sleep or share a bed with a person else.
As with other cots, the Lite Cot requires some practice to set up and disassemble. After a few uses it becomes a breeze to set up and then pack. It's also incredibly compact and lightweight for a cot, and can fit into the majority of SUVs, cars and vans even when they are jam-packed with gear. This makes it an excellent option for car or bike camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot makes a great option if you are looking for a lightweight, easy-to-pack and set-up backpacking cot. via is light and durable due to its aluminum frame of the 7000 series and the 420D honeycomb rip-stop polyester fabric. It weighs less than 5 pounds, yet has a 300-pound capacity for weight. It folds down into an 7 x 17 inch bag that makes it easy to transport in your backpack.
The ALPS ReadyLite Cot is unlike other cots that require you to spread it out from the middle. Instead, its legs extend out 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 that it was one of the most simple cots to set up, although its bulkier dimensions could cause it to be too big to fit into some tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as portable as 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 uneven terrain and you can even sleep in the rain.
