Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots provide a more comfortable sleeping experience for backpackers, without compromising their backpack space or back muscles.
This luxurious crib is an excellent option for nurseries that are Scandi-style. It's also extremely practical with three mattress heights to keep your child at ease until they reach 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 is easy to set up and impressive packability, and it's also comfortable to sleep on. The cot has a broad base that can hold anyone who is 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, and our testers found it stable on most terrain. It also has a side pocket for holding items like sleeping pads, water bottles and phones. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot, while bulkier than some backpacking cots, is still portable. It fits into most camping tents for cars.
If you're looking for something that's a little more luxurious, we suggest the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. This cot is built for two people and has a sleeping area that's incredibly comfortable even without an air mattress. The cot features a plush quilted, soft surface that's easy to lay on, as well as baffles on the sides that stop you from falling off. This cot is also extremely robust, with a thick steel and aluminum bars that connect to oversized swinging legs, making it able to stand on any terrain. Our test participants found it to be easy to set up, however the last knob that connects to the main bar requires additional strength from another person.
The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is an excellent option. It's very similar to the top selection in terms of setting up and packing. It folds similarly as the folding camping chair. The middle joints snap in a snap. It's a bit heavier and bigger than the Osage River model however, it folds down into a smaller carry case that's the same size as the carry bag of the camp chair. It offers a more spacious sleeping space and an additional storage compartment on the side making it a good option for those seeking an easy camping bed that can be used as a guest bed at home. The cot is available in a model that has a headrest to provide added comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are the perfect camping cot if you require a sturdy, lightweight cot. This cot is made with high-quality materials and has a unique foldable design that makes it easy to carry and store. It is also extremely comfortable and durable, and can be used as a lounge chair or bed.
In addition to being a fantastic cot for camping and camping, the Onwak Cots is also ideal 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. The Onwak team utilizes the best materials to craft its products and offers reliable service, even when it's shipping in large quantities.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal cot for couples who enjoy camping together. This cot is easy to install and is ready to sleep in just a few minutes. It also comes with a range of features that are convenient, including the ability to wash the base of the cot, padded head section, and mesh storage hammock. It can also be used as lounger or chair, and it has multiple reclining positions to customize your experience.
For those who aren't looking for a cot that's as comfortable as mattress, the Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent option. The cot is simple to set up and will be ready for you to sleep in just two minutes. It has a wide base on each leg that can be rotated to allow for uneven ground. Additionally, it's affordable and can be purchased 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 backcountry hikers. It's too heavy and hefty to carry over long distances, so it's best for those who are driving to their camping spots. The legs are difficult to unfold and feed back into the body of the cot for storage.
Helinox Lite Cot
The Helinox Cot One Convertible combines high-end engineering and non-stretch fabric to create an ultralight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. Its patented tensioners remove the need for bulky cross bars and braces, and provide great tension to the bed surface without adding extra weight. top rated cots stop the cot from getting flat when it's positioned on uneven ground. The only drawback to this model is its premium price point.
There are numerous inexpensive options for backpackers on a budget. For example, the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half as the Helinox Lite Cot but is considerably heavier. The main disadvantage of the OEX is its difficulty assembly. It isn't easy for people with small frames to bend five leg assemblies.
Contrary to OEX model, the Helinox Lite Cot has an exclusive lever lock tensioning system which allows it to be erected and disassemble. The lever is situated on the opposite side of each leg. It has an arm pivoting that connects with the top frame bar. The other end of the lever has a tab that is compressed and you press to let it go. This system makes use of mechanical leverage to create immense tension to the bed without adding bulk or stress to the legs.
The Lite Cot can also be adjusted to a different height using the leg extensions included. This is particularly useful for camping in an alpine region where you may need to be elevated due to snow or uneven terrain. The low profile of the cot is a disadvantage for those who move a lot in their sleep, or who have to share a space with a person else.
The Lite Cot is the same. It takes a bit of practice to install it and then disassemble it. After a few times it's a breeze to set up and take down. It's also extremely light and compact for a cot, and will fit into the majority of vans and cars, with their gear. This makes it a great choice for bike or car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
If you're looking for a backpacking cot that is easy to pack and set up it's the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is a good option. Its 7000 series aluminum frame and 420D polyester honeycomb rip stop fabric make this cot very lightweight and robust. In fact, it weighs less than 5 pounds and has a 300-pound capacity for weight. It folds into the size of a carry bag 7x17 inches that makes it simple to transport.
Contrary to other cots which require you to extend it from the middle and then spread it out, the ALPS ReadyLite Cot has legs that extend out at the base of each side. This means that all you have to do is spread out the cot and tighten its straps. We found that it was one of the easiest cots to set up, although its bulkier dimensions could make it difficult to fit into some tents.
Although the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite isn't as versatile as other cots on this list, it's the most affordable choice for those who require a backpacking cot. Plus, its large feet at the base of each leg swivel in order to adapt to uneven terrain and even let you sleep in the rain.