Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots provide an extra comfortable sleeping experience for backpackers without sacrificing their backpack space or back muscles.
This deluxe cot is a great option for nurseries with a Scandi style. It is also very 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 which is our top budget pick is a great option for campers who want a simple solution to sleeping. It's simple to set up and take down and comfortable to sleep on. This cot has a large, wide base that can hold people who is 6 feet tall and 300 pounds. Our test subjects found it to be stable on most terrain. It also has a side pocket for holding items like sleeping pads, water bottles, and phones. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is heavier than other backpacking cots, is still portable. It fits into most car camping tents.
If you're looking for something that's a little more luxurious, we suggest the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. This cot can sleep two people and is extremely comfortable even without an inflatable mattress. The cot comes with a soft, quilted surface that's comfortable to lie on, and baffles on the sides that keep the occupants from falling off. The cot is also sturdy, with heavy steel and aluminum bars that join to huge and swiveling legs, which make it able to stand on any terrain. Our test subjects found it to be easy to set up, however the last knob that connects the main bar requires extra strength from a third party.
Another great option is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot, which is very similar to our top choice in terms of setup and packing. It folds in a similar way as the folding camping chair. The middle joints snap in a snap. It's a bit 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 a camp chair. It also comes with a larger sleeping area as well as a side pocket for storage that makes it a great choice for anyone who needs a comfortable camping cot that can double as a bed for guests at home. The cot is available in a version that has a headrest to provide additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are the ideal camping cot if you require a sturdy, lightweight cot. This cot is made with top-quality materials and features a unique foldable design that makes it easy to store and transport. It is also extremely comfortable and durable and can be used as a lounge chair or bed.
The Onwak Cots are not just ideal for camping, but also for hiking and backpacking. Its lightweight aluminum and iron construction makes it easy to carry heavy loads while still remaining portable. The product has also been thoroughly tested for its superior quality and performance. Onwak makes use of only the highest quality materials to make its products, and offers reliability even when shipping bulk quantities.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal cot for couples who enjoy camping together. This cot is easy to put together and ready for sleeping within minutes. It comes with a variety of useful features including a washable denier base with a cushioned section as well as a mesh storage hammock. It can also be used an ottoman or a lounger, and it has various reclining positions that can be customized to your experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great alternative for those who don't want a cot as comfortable as a bed. This cot can be put together in just two minutes. It also has a wide foot at the bottom of each leg that swivels to adapt to uneven ground. In addition, it's very affordable and can be bought with or without a mattress.
While the Coleman ComfortSmart is a great choice for car campers, it's not the ideal choice for backpackers or backcountry hikers. It's too heavy to carry long distances. This is why it's better for those who drive to their camping sites. In addition the legs can be difficult to fold correctly and require a bit of strength to return them to the body of the cot for storage.
Helinox Light Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines the highest quality fabric engineered by a specialist with non-stretch technology to create an ultra-lightweight camp bed that is durable and comfortable. Its patented tensioners eliminate the need for bulky crossbars and braces and provide excellent tension to the bed surface without adding additional weight. The tensioners also stop the bed's surface from becoming flat when it is placed on uneven terrain. The only drawback to this model is its premium price.
If you're a backpacker on a tight budget there are other budget cot options available. For instance, the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half as much than the Helinox Lite Cot but is significantly heavier. The biggest drawback with the OEX is that it's not as straightforward to assemble and may be difficult for small framed people to bend its five aluminum leg assemblies into position.
Helinox Lite Cots feature unique tensioning systems that include the lever lock that makes them much easier to put together and disassemble. The lever is situated on the side of each leg and has a pivoting arm that engages with the top frame bar. The lever is equipped with an open tab at the other end which you can press to let it go. The mechanical leverage of this mechanism provides great tension to the bed without adding bulk or strain on the legs.
Another benefit of the Lite Cot is that it can be adjusted to various heights using the leg extensions. This is especially useful when camping in an alpine location in which you'll require an elevated position due to snow or uneven terrain. The low profile of the cot can be not ideal for people who are active in their sleep or share a bed with a partner.
Like other cots the Lite Cot requires some time to put it together and take it down. But after a few uses it's a breeze to set up and take down. It's also extremely light and compact for a cot and can be tucked away in most cars and vans with their gear. This makes it an excellent option for bike and car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
If you're looking for a backpacking cot that is easy to pack and set up it's the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is a great option. Its 7000 series aluminum design frame and 420D honeycomb ripstop polyester make this cot very lightweight and sturdy. It weighs less than five pounds, yet it can hold 300 pounds of weight. It also folds down into an 7 x 17 inch bag that makes it easy to transport in your backpack.
In contrast to other cots that require you to extend it from the middle and then spread it out, the ALPS ReadyLite Cot has legs that extend at the base of each side, which means all you have to do is spread out the cot and tighten its straps. It was simple to install. However, cot sales may not fit in some tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as portable as other cots in this list is still the best choice for backpacking cots. The wide feet at the bottom of each leg can be adjusted to accommodate uneven terrain and you can even sleep in the rain.