Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots provide the most comfortable sleep for backpackers without sacrificing their pack space or back muscles.
This luxury crib is an excellent option for nurseries with a Scandi style. It's also extremely practical and has three mattress heights that will keep your child comfortable until they are around four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot, our top budget pick is a great choice for campers looking for a simple solution to sleeping. It has a straightforward setup and a great packability, and it's also comfortable to sleep on. The cot's huge, wide base can support those who are up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds. Our testers found that it was sturdy across all types of terrain. It has a side pocket for holding items like sleeping pads, water bottles and phones. While it's bulkier than some backpacking cots, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is still a great option for portable storage and can be easily incorporated into the majority of car camping tents.
If you're looking for something a little more luxurious, we suggest the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. The cot is able to sleep two people and is extremely comfortable even without an inflatable mattress. The cot has a soft, quilted surface that's comfortable to lay on, as well as baffles on the sides to prevent you from falling off. The cot is extremely sturdy due to its sturdy aluminum and steel bars, that connect to the large swinging feet. Our test participants found it to be simple to set up, though the last knob connecting to the main bar requires additional strength from a third party.
Another excellent choice is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot, which is similar to our top pick in terms of set-up and packing. It folds down similar to a folding camp chair and the middle joints snap together quickly and easily. It's a bit heavier and bigger than the Osage River model, but it can be folded into a smaller case that's roughly the same size as the bag that comes with the camp chair. It comes with a bigger sleeping space and an extra storage pocket on the side, making it a great option for those seeking an easy camping bed that can also be used as a spare bed at home. The cot is available with a headrest for additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
If you're looking for a durable, lightweight camping cot for your outdoor requirements, look no further than Onwak Cots. The cot is constructed of high-quality materials and has a unique foldable design that makes it easy to move and store. It's also extremely comfortable and sturdy and can be used as a bed or a lounge chair.
The Onwak Cots are not only great for camping, but also for backpacking and hiking. Its lightweight iron and aluminum construction makes it easy to support large loads while still remaining portable. In addition, the cot has been thoroughly tested to ensure the highest quality and performance. The Onwak team makes use of the finest materials to make its products and provides the best service, even when it's shipping in bulk.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal bed for couples who enjoy camping together. It can be set up in minutes and is ready to sleep. It has many convenient features, including a washable denier base with a cushioned section as well as a mesh storage hammock. It can also be used lounger or chair and comes with several reclining positions to tailor 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. The cot can be put together in just two minutes. It has a large base at each leg which can be rotated to make it more suitable to uneven ground. Additionally, it's affordable and is available with or without a mattress.
While the Coleman ComfortSmart is a great choice 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, making it ideal for those driving into their campsites. The legs are difficult to unfold and feed back into the cot body for storage.
Helinox Light Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines the highest quality fabric engineered by a specialist with non-stretch technologies to create a light-weight camping bed that is comfortable and durable. Its patented tensioners deliver great tension on the bed's surface without adding extra weight. The tensioners also keep the surface of the cot from flattening out when it is set up on uneven terrain. The only drawback to this model is the cost.
If you're a backpacker on an extremely tight budget there are some other low-cost 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 in assembly. It can be difficult for those with smaller frames to bend five leg assemblies.
Helinox Lite Cots feature an exclusive tensioning system that includes 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 that is able to engage the top frame bar. The lever has a compressed tab on the other end that you press to let it go. This system makes use of mechanical leverage to provide an excellent tension to the bed, without adding bulk or strain 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 especially beneficial when camping in an alpine area where you may require an elevated position due to snow or uneven terrain. The low profile of the cot is not ideal for people who move around a lot during their sleep, or who have to share a bed with someone else.
The Lite Cot is the same. It takes some practice to put it together and then remove it from its place. After a few hours, it becomes easy to use and pack. It is also incredibly lightweight and compact for a cot and will fit into the majority of vans and cars with their gear. This makes it a great option for car and bike camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is an excellent option if you are looking for an easy-to-pack, lightweight and easy to set-up backpacking cot. This cot is lightweight and durable thanks to its aluminum frame 7000 series and 420D honeycomb polyester rip-stop fabric. In fact, it weighs less than 5 pounds and has a 300-pound capacity for weight. It 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 its middle it is the ALPS ReadyLite Cot has legs that extend to the bottom 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 simplest cotes to set up, although its bulkier dimensions could make it too large to fit into some tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as lightweight as other cots in this list is still the best choice for backpacking cots. The large feet at the bottom of each leg can be adjusted to accommodate uneven terrain and you can sleep in the rain.