Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots offer a more comfortable sleeping experience for backpackers, without compromising their backpack space or back muscles.
Our mum test-taker loved this deluxe cot that looks beautiful enough to suit Scandi design nurseries but is also super practical with three mattress heights that will make it usable until your child is four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is our top budget choice, is a great option for campers who want an easy way to sleep. It's simple to set up and pack, and is comfortable to sleep on. This cot has a large, wide base that can accommodate someone who is 6 feet tall and 300 pounds. Our testers found it stable on most terrain. It also has a side pocket to hold items such as sleeping pads, water bottles and phones. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot, while bulkier than some back-packing cots, is surprisingly transportable. It can fit into the majority of car camping tents.
If you're looking to buy something a little more lavish and luxurious, the REI Cooperative Kingdom Cot 3 is a great choice. This cot is built for two and has a sleeping area that's incredibly comfortable even without an air mattress. The cot comes with a soft, quilted surface that's comfortable to lie on, as well as baffles on the sides that prevent the occupants 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 easy to set up, however the last knob connecting to the main bar requires additional strength from a third party.
The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is an great option. It is very similar to the top selection in terms of setting up and packing. It folds down in a similar way to a folding camping chair and the middle joints snap together easily and quickly. It's a little heavier and bigger than the Osage River model but it packs down into a smaller carry case that's the same size as the bag that comes with the camp chair. It has a larger sleeping area as well as an extra storage pocket on the side, making it a great option for anyone who is looking for a comfortable camping bed that can be used as a guest bed at home. You can even find an alternative version of this cot with a headrest that is attached for additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
If you're looking for a durable lightweight camping cot that is light for your outdoor requirements look no further than Onwak Cots. This cot is unique in its folding design and is made of high-quality materials. It's easy to store and move. It's also incredibly comfortable and durable, and can be used as a bed or a lounge chair.
recommended cribs are not just great for camping but also for hiking and backpacking. Its light aluminum and iron construction makes it easy to support heavy loads, while remaining lightweight. Additionally the cot has been thoroughly tested to ensure the highest quality and performance. Onwak makes use of only the finest materials for its products, and provides the best service, even when shipping in bulk.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal bed for couples who enjoy camping together. The cot can be assembled in just a few minutes and is ready to go to sleep. It also comes with a variety of features that are convenient, including a washable denier cot base and a padded head section and a hammock for storage. Additionally, it can be used as a lounger and offers a variety of recline positions for a custom experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for those who don't need a cot that is as comfortable as a bed. The cot can be put together in just two minutes. It has a broad base at each leg that can be swiveled to adjust to uneven ground. It's also reasonably priced and includes or without a bed mattress.
While the Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for car campers it's not the best option for backpackers or hikers in the backcountry. It's too heavy to transport long distances. This is the reason it's best suited for those who drive into their camping sites. Additionally, the legs can be a little tricky to unfold properly and require some strength to return them to the body of the cot to store them.
Helinox Lite Cot
The Helinox Cot One Convertible combines the highest quality engineering with non-stretch fabrics to produce an ultralight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. The tensioners are patented and provide excellent tension on the bed's surface without adding weight. The tensioners also keep the surface of the cot from becoming flat when it is placed on uneven terrain. The only drawback to this model is its high price.
If you're a backpacker on an extremely tight budget, there are other affordable cot options available. For instance the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half as the Helinox Lite Cot but is considerably heavier. The primary drawback of the OEX is its difficulty assembly. It can be a challenge for people with smaller frames to bend five aluminum leg assemblies.
Helinox Lite Cots come with a unique tensioning system with a lever lock, which makes them much easier to put together and disassemble. The lever is situated on the side of each leg. It has a pivoting arm which is able to engage the top frame bar. The other end of the lever has a compressed tab that is pressed to let it go. This system makes use of mechanical leverage to create an excellent tension on the bed's surface 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 for camping in an alpine setting where you'll have to get off the ground due to snow or uneven terrain. However, the low profile of this cot can be a disadvantage if you're moving a lot in your sleep, or if you have to share the tent with a person.
As with other cots, the Lite Cot requires some practice to set up and take down. After a few uses it's easy to use and take it with you when packing. It is also extremely light and compact for a cot and fits in most cars and vans with their gear packed. This makes it a great option for bike and car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
If you're looking for a cot to travel with that is easy to carry and set up it's the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is a great choice. Its aluminum 7000 series frame and 420D polyester honeycomb rip stop fabric make this cot extremely light and sturdy. It weighs less than 5 pounds, but it can carry 300 pounds of weight. It folds into an a7x17 inch carry bag that makes it simple to carry.
Contrary to other cots which require you to extend it from its middle, the ALPS ReadyLite Cot has legs that extend out at the base of each side, which means all you need to do is spread out the cot and then tighten its straps. We found it to be one of the easiest to set up cots, 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 choice for backpacking cots. Its wide feet at the base of each leg swivel to adjust to uneven ground and allow you to sleep in the rain.