Are The Advances In Technology Making Affordable Cots Better Or Worse?
Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots offer a more comfortable sleeping experience for backpackers, without compromising their pack space or back muscles.
Our mum tester loved this deluxe cot that is beautiful enough to fit Scandi style nurseries, but is also super practical with three mattress base sizes that will make it usable until your child reaches 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 looking for an easy way to sleep. It's easy to set up and pack and comfortable to sleep on. The cot has a broad base that can hold someone who is 6 feet tall and 300 pounds. Our test subjects found it to be stable on most terrain. It also has a handy side pocket, which is great for storing items like phones, water bottles and sleeping pads. While it's more bulky 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 luxurious, we recommend the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. This cot is built for two people and features an extremely comfortable sleeping area that's comfortable, even without an air mattress. The cot comes with a soft quilted surface that's comfy to lie on, and baffles on the sides to prevent you from falling off. The cot is extremely sturdy thanks to its heavy aluminum and steel bars, which connect to the oversized, swiveling feet. Our test participants found it to be easy to set up, but the last knob that connects the main bar requires additional strength from another person.
Another option that is a great choice is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot, which is similar to our top pick in terms of setup and packability. It folds in a similar way to the folding camping chair. The middle joints snap together easily. It's slightly heavier and bigger than the Osage River model, however, it folds down into a smaller carry case that's roughly the same size as the bag that comes with a camp chair. It has a larger sleeping area as well as an extra storage pocket on the side making it a good choice for anyone seeking a comfortable camping bed that can also be used as a spare guestbed at home. You can even find an alternative version of this cot that has a headrest attached to provide additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
If you're looking for a sturdy lightweight camping cot to meet your outdoor requirements look no further than Onwak Cots. This cot is made of high-quality materials and has 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 lounger or bed.
The Onwak Cots are not just great for camping but also for hiking and backpacking. Its light iron or aluminum construction allows it to easily support heavy loads while remaining compact and affordable. Additionally, the cot has been thoroughly tested to ensure the highest quality and performance. The Onwak team uses the highest-quality materials to make its products, and also provides an efficient service, even if it's shipping in huge quantities.
The Kamprite Double Kwik Cot makes the perfect cot for couples that like camping together. This cot is simple to install and is ready for sleeping within minutes. click here for more info comes with a range of convenient features, including the ability to wash the base of the cot as well as a head section that is padded and a mesh storage hammock. It can also serve as an ottoman or a lounger and comes with various reclining positions that can be customized to your experience.
If you're not looking for a cot that's as comfortable as a mattress and isn't too expensive, the Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent choice. This cot is easy to set up and can be ready to sleep in just two minutes. It also has a broad foot at the base of each leg that swivels to adjust to uneven ground. It's also affordable and is available with or without a 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 and cumbersome to carry for long distances, which is why it's best for those who are driving to their campsites. The legs can be difficult to unfold and feed back into the cot body for storage.
Helinox Lite Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineered fabric with non-stretch technology to make a light-weight camping bed that is durable and comfortable. Its patent-pending tensioners remove the need for bulky cross bars and braces, and provide great tension to the bed's surface without adding extra weight. They also keep the cot from becoming flat when it's placed on uneven ground. The only downside to this model is its higher price.
If you're a backpacker on an extremely tight budget there are some other low-cost cot options to choose from. The OEX Ultralite Folding Cot, for example, costs less than half the cost of the Helinox Lite Cot while being significantly heavier. The major drawback of the OEX is that it's not as straightforward to put together and it can be difficult for smaller-framed people to bend its five aluminum leg assemblies to fit.
Contrary to OEX model, the Helinox Lite Cot has an exclusive lever lock tensioning system which allows it to be erected and disassemble. This lever is located on the left side of each leg and has an arm that pivots and connects with the top frame bar. The lever has an uncompressed tab on the other end which you can press to let it go. The mechanical leverage of this system gives great tension to the bed without putting extra weight or stress to the legs.
The Lite Cot can also be adjusted to a different height using the leg extensions provided. This is very helpful if you're camping in an alpine environment where you'll need to be away from the ground 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 share a bed with a partner.
As with other cots, the Lite Cot requires a bit of practice to set up and disassemble. After a few times it's a breeze to set up and take down. It's also extremely compact and lightweight for a cot and will fit in the majority of cars, SUVs and vans, even if they're stuffed with equipment. This makes it a great option for bike and car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot makes an excellent choice if you want lightweight, easy to pack and set-up backpacking cot. Its 7000 series aluminum frame and 420D honeycomb ripstop polyester make this cot extremely light and robust. In fact, it weighs less than 5 pounds, yet has a 300-pound capacity for weight. It folds into an a7x17 inch carry bag that makes it easy to transport.
Contrary to other cots which require you to extend it from its middle and then spread it out, the ALPS ReadyLite Cot has legs that extend at the base of each side, which means all you need to do is spread out the cot and then tighten the straps. It was easy to set up. However its bigger size might not fit in some tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as lightweight as other cots in this list is still the best option for backpacking cots. The wide feet at the bottom of each leg can be adjusted to uneven terrain and you can even sleep in the rain.