Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots offer the most comfortable sleep for backpackers, without compromising their pack space or back muscles.
Our mom tester loved this luxurious cot that is gorgeous enough to be a perfect fit for Scandi style nurseries, but is also extremely practical, with three mattress base heights 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 best budget pick and an ideal choice for campers who are seeking a basic sleeping solution. It is easy to set up and impressive packing capacity and is comfortable to sleep on. The cot's wide, large base can hold those who are with a height of up to 6 feet and 300 pounds. Our test subjects found that it was stable on all kinds of terrain. It also comes with a handy side pocket that's great to store items such as phones, water bottles, and sleeping pads. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot, while bulkier than some back-packing cots is still easily transportable. It can fit into the majority of camping tents for cars.
If you're looking for something more luxurious, we suggest the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. The cot is designed to sleep two people and features an extremely comfortable sleeping area that's comfortable, even without an air mattress. The cot has a soft quilted surface that's comfy to lay on, as well as baffles on the sides that prevent you from falling off. The cot is extremely sturdy, thanks to its thick steel and aluminum bars which are connected to the massive, swiveling feet. Our testers found it simple to set up, though the last knob that connects to the main bar requires more strength from another person.
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 similarly to a folding camp chair and the middle joints snap together quickly and easily. It's slightly larger and heavier than the Osage River model, but it can be folded into a smaller carry case that's roughly the same size as the carry bag of a camp chair. It has a larger sleeping area and an extra storage pocket on the side which makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a comfortable camping bed that can be used as a spare guestbed at home. There is even an alternative version of this cot that has a headrest attached for added comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are a great camping cot for those who require an affordable, lightweight cot. This cot is unique in its folding design and is made 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 lounge chair or bed.
online cots are not just great for camping but also for backpacking and hiking. Its light iron and aluminum construction makes it easy to support heavy loads, yet still being portable. The Cot has also been rigorously tested for superior quality and performance. Onwak uses only the best materials to make its products, and offers the best service, even when shipping in bulk.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal cot for couples who love camping together. This cot can be set up in a matter of minutes and is ready to go to sleep. It also comes with a range of useful features, such as a washable denier base for the cot, padded head section, and a mesh storage hammock. Additionally, it can be used as a lounge chair and offers a variety of recline positions to provide a customized experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for those who don't need a cot that is as comfortable as a bed. This cot is easy to set up and can be ready for you to lay down in less than two minutes. It also has a broad foot at the base of each leg, which can swivel to adjust to uneven ground. It's also affordable and includes or without a bed mattress.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent option for car campers. However, it's not the best option for hikers who backpack or backcountry trek. It's too heavy and hefty to transport over long distances, so it's ideal for those traveling to their camping spots. In addition, the legs can be tricky to unfold properly, and it takes some strength to bring them back into the body of the cot for storage.
Helinox Light Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineered fabric with non-stretch technology to make an ultra-lightweight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. The tensioners are patented and provide excellent tension on the bed surface without adding weight. The tensioners also keep the cot's surface from becoming flat when it is set up on uneven terrain. The only downside to this model is its high price point.
If you're a backpacker with limited funds there are some other low-cost cot options to choose from. For instance the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half the price than the Helinox Lite Cot but is considerably heavier. The biggest drawback of OEX is its difficulty assembly. It can be difficult for those with smaller frames to bend five leg assemblies.
Contrary to OEX model, the Helinox Lite Cot has an exclusive lever lock tensioning system which makes it easier to erect and disassemble. This lever is located on the side of each leg and has an arm that pivots and connects with the top frame bar. The other side of the lever is an uncompressed tab that you depress to let it go. The mechanical leverage of this mechanism provides immense tension to the bed without adding bulk or stress on the legs.
The Lite Cot can also be adjusted to a different height by using the leg extensions provided. This is extremely useful if you're camping in an alpine area where you may need to be off the ground due to snow or uneven terrain. The low profile of the cot can be an issue for those who move a lot in their sleep, or who have to share a sleeping space with someone else.
Like other cots, the Lite Cot requires a bit of practice to put it together and take it down. After a few times it's easy to pack and use. It's also extremely compact and lightweight for a cot. It will fit easily into the majority of cars, SUVs and vans even when they're stuffed with equipment. This makes it a great choice for bike or car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot makes an excellent choice for those looking for a lightweight, easy-to-pack and set-up backpacking cot. Its aluminum 7000 series frame and 420D honeycomb ripstop fabric made of polyester make this cot very lightweight and sturdy. In fact, it weighs less than 5 pounds and has a 300-pound capacity for weight. It can be folded into the size of a carry bag 7x17 inches that makes it simple to transport.
The ALPS ReadyLite Cot is unlike other cots, which require you to spread it out from the middle. Instead the legs extend at the bottom of each side. This means that all you have to do is spread the cot and tighten the straps. We found it to be one of the most simple to set up cots however its larger size may make it difficult to fit into some tents.
Although the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite isn't as portable as some of the other cots listed on this list, it's still the most affordable option for backpackers who need a bed. Plus, its large feet at the base of each leg can swivel to adjust to uneven ground and allow you to sleep in the rain.