Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots offer the most comfortable sleep for backpackers without compromising their space in their packs or back muscles.
Our mum tester loved this luxury cot which is beautiful enough to fit Scandi style nurseries, but is also extremely practical, with three mattress base heights that will keep it usable until your child is 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 an easy solution to sleep. It's simple to set up and take down and is comfortable to sleep on. This cot features a broad base that can support people who is 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, and our testers found it to be stable on most terrain. It also has a convenient side pocket that is ideal for storing items like water bottles, phone, and sleeping pads. While it's more bulky than some backpacking cots however, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is still a great option for portable storage and fits nicely into most car camping tents.
If you're looking for something a more luxurious, the REI Cooperative Kingdom Cot 3 is a excellent choice. The cot is designed to sleep two people and features a sleeping area that's incredibly comfortable even without an air mattress. The cot has a soft quilted, soft surface that's easy to lay on, and baffles on the sides to keep you from falling off. The cot is extremely sturdy thanks to its heavy aluminum and steel bars, that connect to the large swinging feet. It was simple to set up for our test subjects, but the last knob that connects to the main bar required additional strength.
The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is an excellent choice. It's a lot like to the top pick in terms of packing and setting up. It folds in a similar fashion to a folding camping chair. The middle joints snap together easily. It's heavier and larger than the Osage river model however, it folds down into a smaller carrying case that's roughly the same size as a camp chair's carry bag. It also comes with a larger sleeping area as well as a side pocket for storage that makes it an excellent option for those who require a comfortable camping cot that can double as a guest bed at home. There is even the cot with an attached headrest for added comfort.
Onwak Cots
If you're looking for a sturdy lightweight camping cot to meet your outdoor needs look no further than the Onwak Cots. The cot is constructed of top-quality materials, and features an unique foldable design that makes it easy to move and store. It's also incredibly comfortable and durable and can be used as a bed or lounge chair.
The Onwak Cots are not just great for camping but also for hiking and backpacking. Its lightweight iron and aluminum construction allows it to support heavy loads, yet still being portable. The product has also been thoroughly tested for its superior quality and performance. Onwak makes use of only the highest quality materials to create its products, and offers reliable service even when shipping bulk quantities.
The Kamprite Double Kwik Cot makes the ideal cot for couples who love camping together. This cot is easy to install and is ready for sleeping within minutes. It also comes with a range of useful features, such as the ability to wash the base of the cot as well as a head section that is padded and mesh storage hammock. It can also serve as a chair or lounger, and it has multiple reclining positions to customize your experience.
If you're not seeking a cot that is as comfortable as a mattress and isn't too expensive, the Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent choice. It's easy to set up and can be ready to sleep in just two minutes. It also has a large foot at the bottom of each leg, which can swivel 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 backpackers or hikers in the backcountry. It's heavy and bulky to carry over long distances, so it's ideal for those driving to their campsites. The legs are difficult to fold and feed back into the cot body for storage.
Helinox Lite Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines high-end engineered fabric with non-stretch technologies to create a light-weight camping bed that is comfortable and durable. Its patented tensioners deliver great tension to the bed without adding weight. They also stop the cot from getting flat if it's set up on uneven ground. The only drawback to this model is its high cost.
There are a variety of inexpensive options for backpackers with a budget. The OEX Ultralite Folding Cot, for instance, is less than half the price of the Helinox Lite Cot while being considerably heavier. The biggest drawback of OEX is its difficulty in assembly. It can be difficult for people with smaller frames to bend five aluminium leg assemblies.
Contrary to OEX, the Helinox Lite Cot has an exclusive lever locking tensioning system that makes it easier to erect and disassemble. The lever is situated on the opposite side of each leg and features a pivoting arm that engages with the top frame bar. The other end of the lever has a compressed tab that is pressed to let it go. The mechanical leverage of this system gives an excellent tension to the bed without adding bulk or stress on the legs.
The Lite Cot can also be adjusted to a different height using the leg extensions that come with it. This is especially beneficial for camping in an alpine location where you may require a higher level due to snow or uneven terrain. However, the slim profile of this cot can be a problem if you're an active person during the night or when you share a tent with someone.
The Lite Cot is the same. It requires some practice to put it together and then remove it from its place. However, after a few hours it's a breeze to pack and use. It's also extremely compact and lightweight for a cot, and can fit into the majority of cars, SUVs and vans even when they're packed with equipment. This makes it a great option for car or bike camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite cot is a great choice if you want lightweight, easy to pack and set-up backpacking cot. It is light and durable thanks to its aluminum frame of the 7000 series and the 420D honeycomb rip-stop polyester fabric. It weighs less than 5 pounds, yet has a 300-pound capacity for weight. It also folds down into an 7 x 17 inch carry bag, which makes it easy to store in your backpack.
The ALPS ReadyLite Cot is unlike other cots, which require you to spread it out from the middle. Instead, its legs extend out at the bottom of each side. This means that all you need to do is spread the cot out and tighten the straps. online cots found it to be one of the easiest cots to set up, although its bulkier dimensions could cause it to be too big to fit into some tents.
While the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite isn't as mobile as the other cots on this list, it's still the most affordable option if you need a backpacking coffin. Its large feet at the base of each leg swivel in order to adjust to uneven ground and allow you to sleep in the rain.