Why We Do We Love Affordable Cots (And You Should Too!)
Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots offer an extra comfortable sleeping experience for backpackers without sacrificing their pack space or back muscles.
Our mom tester loved this deluxe cot that is gorgeous enough to be a perfect fit for Scandi style nurseries, but it is also very practical with three mattress base heights that will make it usable until your child is around four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is our best budget pick and is a great choice for campers who are seeking a basic sleeping solution. It is easy to set up and impressive packability, and it's also comfortable to sleep on. The cot's huge, wide base can support people with a height of up to 6 feet, and 300 pounds. Our testers reported that it was sturdy across all kinds of terrain. It also has a side pocket to hold 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 a great option for portable storage and fits nicely into the majority of camping tents for cars.
If you're looking for something that's 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 has a soft, quilted surface that's comfortable to lie on, as well as baffles on the sides that keep the occupants from falling off. The cot is extremely sturdy thanks to its heavy steel and aluminum bars which connect to the oversized, swiveling feet. It was easy to set up for our testers, but the last knob connecting the main bar needed additional strength.
The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is another excellent option. It's very similar to the top choice when it comes to setup and packing. It folds in a similar way to the folding camping chair. The middle joints snap together easily. It's a little larger and heavier than the Osage River model but it packs down into a smaller carrying case that's about the same size as the carry bag of the camp chair. It also has a bigger sleeping area as well as a side pocket for storage that makes it a great option for anyone in need of a comfortable camping cot that can also double as a guest bed at home. You can even find an alternative version of this cot with an attached headrest to provide additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
If you're looking to purchase a durable, lightweight camping cot to meet your outdoor needs then take a look at the Onwak Cots. This cot has a unique folding design and is constructed of top-quality materials. It's easy to store and transport. It is also very comfortable and durable, and can be used either as a lounger or bed.
In addition to being a wonderful 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 portable and affordable. The cot has also been rigorously tested to ensure superior quality and performance. The Onwak team makes use of the finest materials to make its products and provides reliable service, even when it's shipping in bulk.
The Kamprite Double Kwik Cot makes the perfect cot for couples that like camping together. This cot can be set up in minutes and is ready for sleep. It is equipped with many useful features like a washable base with a cushioned section as well as a mesh storage hammock. Additionally, it can be used as a lounge chair and has different recline positions for a custom experience.
For those who aren't looking for a cot that's as comfortable as mattress The Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent choice. It's easy to set up and will be set up to lie down in under two minutes. It also has a broad foot at the bottom of each leg that swivels to adapt to uneven ground. It's also 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 best option for backpackers or backcountry hikers. It's too heavy to transport long distances. This is why it's best for those who drive into their camping sites. The legs can be difficult to unfold and feed back into the body of the cot to store.
Helinox Lite Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines high-end engineered fabric with non-stretch technology to create an ultra-lightweight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. The patented tensioners provide great tension on the bed's surface without adding additional weight. They also keep the cot from becoming flat if it's set up on uneven ground. The only downside to this model is its higher price.
If you're a backpacker on a tight budget there are some other low-cost cot options available. The OEX Ultralite Folding Cot, for example, costs less than half the cost of the Helinox Lite Cot while being substantially heavier. The major drawback of 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 come with an exclusive tensioning system that includes a lever lock, which makes them much easier to put together and disassemble. This lever is located on the opposite side of each leg. It has an arm that pivots and connects with the top frame bar. The lever has an open tab at the other end which you can press to release it. The mechanical leverage of this system gives great tension to the bed without adding bulk or stress 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 extremely useful for camping in an alpine setting where you'll need to stand off the ground because of snow or uneven terrain. However, the low profile of this cot could be a problem if an active person in your sleep or when you share the tent with a person.
The Lite Cot is no different. It requires some practice to install it and then take it apart. After a few uses it becomes a breeze to use and pack. It is also incredibly lightweight and compact for a cot and fits in the majority of vans and cars with their gear. This makes it an excellent choice for bike or car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is an excellent option if you are looking for lightweight, easy to pack and set-up backpacking cot. The cot is light and durable thanks to its 7000 series aluminum frame and 420D honeycomb polyester rip-stop fabric. It weighs less than five pounds, but can support 300 pounds of 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 the legs extend at the bottom of each side. This means that all you need to do is spread the cot and tighten the straps. It was easy to set up. However its bigger size might not fit in some tents.
Although the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite isn't as mobile as the other cots on this list, it's still the most affordable choice if you need a backpacking bed. cot bed sales at the base of each leg swivel to adjust to uneven ground and even allow you to sleep in the rain.