Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots provide an extra comfortable sleeping experience for backpackers without compromising their space in their packs or back muscles.
Our mum tester loved this deluxe cot that is gorgeous enough to be a perfect fit for Scandi style nurseries, but is also extremely practical, with three mattress base sizes that will make it functional until your child is four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot which is 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's large, wide base can accommodate individuals up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds. Our testers reported that it was stable on most types of terrain. It also has a handy side pocket, which is great to store items such as phones, water bottles, and sleeping pads. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is heavier than other back-packing cots, is surprisingly portable. It can fit into the majority of car camping tents.
If you're looking for something that's a bit more luxurious then the REI Cooperative Kingdom Cot 3 is a fantastic option. 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 quilted surface that is a comfortable surface to lie on. It also has baffles on the sides, which prevent the user from falling. The cot is also sturdy, with thick steel and aluminum bars that connect to large and swiveling legs, which make it stable on most terrain. Our testers found it to be simple to set up, but the last knob connecting to the main bar requires extra 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 set-up and packing. best cots for newborns folds down in a similar way to a folding camp chair, and the middle joints snap together easily and quickly. It's heavier and bigger than the Osage river model, but it folds down into a smaller carry bag that's about the same size as a camp chair's carry bag. It also comes with a larger sleeping area, as well as a storage pocket on the side making it a great choice for anyone who needs a comfortable camping cot that can double as a bed for guests at home. You can also find an alternative version of this cot with an attached headrest to provide additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
If you're looking for a durable lightweight camping cot that is light for your outdoor requirements look no further than the Onwak Cots. This cot has a unique design that folds and is made of top-quality materials. It's easy to store and move. It is also very comfortable and durable, and can be used as a lounge chair or bed.
The Onwak Cots are not just ideal for camping, but also great for backpacking and hiking. Its lightweight aluminum or iron construction permits it to effortlessly support heavy loads while remaining compact and affordable. The cot has also been rigorously tested for its superior quality and performance. Onwak uses only the best materials to create its products, and provides reliability even when shipping in bulk.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal bed for couples who enjoy camping together. This cot can be assembled in just a few minutes and is ready for sleep. It also has a number of useful features, such as a washable denier cot base and a padded head section and a mesh storage hammock. It can also be used an ottoman or a lounger and has various reclining positions that can be customized to your experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for those who don't want a cot as comfortable as a bed. It's easy to set up and can be set up to lay down in less than two minutes. It has a large base at each leg which can be swiveled to adjust for uneven ground. In addition, it's very affordable and is available with or without a mattress.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent option for car campers. However, it's not the best choice for backpackers or hikers in the backcountry. It's heavy and bulky to carry over long distances, so it's ideal for those traveling to their camping spots. Additionally legs can be a little difficult to unfold correctly and require a bit of strength to feed them back into the body of the cot in order to store them.
Helinox Lite Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines high-end engineered fabric with non-stretch technology to create a lightweight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. Its patented tensioners remove the need for bulky crossbars and braces and deliver great tension to the bed's surface without adding extra weight. The tensioners also keep the cot's surface from flattening out when it is placed on uneven terrain. The only drawback to this model is its high price point.
If you're a backpacker on a tight budget there are other budget cot options to choose from. For example, the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half the price as the Helinox Lite Cot but is considerably heavier. The biggest drawback with the OEX is that it's not as simple to assemble and may be difficult for smaller-framed people to bend its five aluminum leg assemblies into position.
Helinox Lite Cots feature unique tensioning systems that include a lever lock, which makes them much easier to put together and disassemble. The lever is situated on the opposite side of each leg and features an arm that pivots and connects with the top frame bar. The lever is equipped with an open tab on the other end which you can press to let it go. The mechanical leverage of this system gives immense tension to the bed without putting extra weight or strain 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 if you are camping in an alpine location where you might need to be elevated due to snow or uneven terrain. The low profile of the cot can be not ideal for people who move a lot in their sleep or share a bed with a person else.
Like other cots the Lite Cot requires a bit of practice to set up and disassemble. After a few hours, it becomes easy to set up and then pack. It's also extremely light and compact for a cot, and can be tucked away in most cars and vans with their gear. This makes it a great option for car and bike camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
If you're looking for a cot to travel with that is easy to pack and set up, the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is a great choice. The cot is light and durable thanks to its aluminum frame 7000 series and 420D honeycomb polyester rip-stop material. It weighs less than five pounds, but it can carry 300 pounds of weight. It folds into the size of a carry bag 7x17 inches which makes it easy to transport.
The ALPS ReadyLite Cot is unlike other cots that 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 have to do is spread the cot out and 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. Its wide feet at the bottom of each leg swivel in order to adapt to uneven terrain and allow you to sleep in the rain.