Affordable Cots For Backpackers
For backpackers who want to elevate their sleeping experience without sacrificing pack space or back muscles, these cushier cots are a great choice.
Our mom tester loved this luxurious cot that is gorgeous enough to be a perfect fit for Scandi design nurseries but it is also very practical with three mattress base sizes that will make it functional until your child is four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is our top budget choice and an ideal choice for campers who are seeking a basic sleeping solution. It's easy to set up and impressive packing capacity and is comfortable to sleep on. The cot has a, wide base that can support people up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, and our testers found it sturdy on all terrains. It also comes with a handy side pocket that's great for storing items like phones, water bottles and sleeping pads. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot although heavier than many back-packing cots is still easily portable. It can fit into the majority of camping tents for cars.
If you're looking for something a little more luxurious, we suggest the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. The cot can accommodate two people and is incredibly comfortable even without an inflatable mattress. The cot has a soft quilted surface that's comfy to lie on, as well as baffles on the sides to prevent you from falling off. The cot is also robust, with a thick steel and aluminum bars that join to huge swinging legs, making it stable on all terrains. Our testers found it to be simple to set up, though the last knob that connects to the main bar requires more strength from a third party.
The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is another excellent option. It's very similar to the top choice in terms of setting up and packing. It folds down similar as a folding camp chair, and the middle joints snap together quickly and easily. It's slightly heavier and bigger than the Osage River model however, it folds down into a smaller carrying case that's about the same size as the bag that comes with the camp chair. It has a larger sleeping space and a side storage pocket making it a good option for anyone who is looking for a comfortable camping bed that can be used as a guest bed at home. The cot is available that has a headrest to provide extra comfort.
Onwak Cots
If you're looking for a sturdy lightweight camping cot that is light for your outdoor requirements, take a look at the Onwak Cots. full report is made with top-quality materials and features an unique foldable design that makes it easy to store and transport. It's also incredibly comfortable and durable, and can be used as a bed or lounge chair.
In addition to being a fantastic cot for camping, the Onwak Cots is also great for hiking and backpacking. Its lightweight aluminum or iron construction permits it to effortlessly support heavy loads while remaining compact and affordable. The cot has also been rigorously tested to ensure superior quality and performance. Onwak uses only the best materials for its products, and provides reliability even when shipping bulk quantities.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal bed for couples who enjoy camping together. This cot is easy to put together and ready for sleeping within minutes. It is equipped with many useful features, including a washable denier base with a cushioned section as well as a mesh storage hammock. It can also be used as a lounge chair and has different reclining positions for a customizable experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great alternative for those who don't want a cot as comfortable as a bed. The cot is simple to set up and will be set up to lie down in under two minutes. It has a large base on each leg that can be rotated to make it more suitable for uneven ground. It's also reasonably priced and is available with or without a mattress.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent choice for car campers. However, it's probably not the best option for backpackers or hikers in the backcountry. It's too heavy to transport long distances. This is why it's best for those who drive into their camping sites. The legs are a bit difficult to unroll and feed back into the cot body for storage.
Helinox Lite Cot
The Helinox Cot One Convertible combines high-end engineering and non-stretch fabric to create an ultralight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. The patented tensioners provide great tension on the bed's surface without adding weight. The tensioners also prevent the cot's surface from becoming flat when it is set up on uneven terrain. This model's only downside is its high cost.
If you're a backpacker with an extremely tight budget there are other budget cot options to choose from. For instance the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half as much than the Helinox Lite Cot but is substantially heavier. The biggest drawback with the OEX is that it's not as straightforward to put together and it can be difficult for small-framed people to bend its five aluminum leg assemblies into position.
Contrary to OEX and the OEX, the Helinox Lite Cot comes with a unique lever locking tensioning system that makes it easier to erect and disassemble. This lever is located at the bottom of each leg. It has a pivoting arm which is able to engage the top frame bar. The other side of the lever is a tab that is compressed and you depress to let it go. This system makes use of mechanical leverage to give you an excellent tension on the bed surface, without adding bulk or strain to the legs.
Another advantage of the Lite Cot is that it can be adjusted to different heights with the included leg extensions. This is especially useful if you are camping in an alpine area where you may need to be elevated due to snow or uneven terrain. The low profile of the cot is not ideal for people who move a lot in their sleep, or who have to share a bed with a partner.
The Lite Cot is not any different. It takes some practice to set it up and disassemble it. After a few uses it becomes a breeze to set up and then pack. It is also extremely light and compact for a cot and can be tucked away in the majority of vans and cars, with their gear packed. This makes it an excellent option for bike and car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
If you're looking for a cot to travel with that is easy to pack and set up it's the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is an excellent option. Its aluminum 7000 series frame and 420D honeycomb ripstop fabric made of polyester makes this cot extremely lightweight and sturdy. In fact, it weighs less than 5 pounds, yet it has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. It can be folded into the size of a carry bag 7x17 inches which makes it easy to carry.
In contrast to other cots that require you to expand it from the middle, 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 and tighten its straps. It was simple to install. However its bigger size might not be suitable for some tents.
Although the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite isn't as versatile as other cots on this list, it's the most affordable option for backpackers who need a coffin. The wide feet at the bottom of each leg can be adjusted to uneven terrain and you can sleep in the rain.