Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots offer a more comfortable sleeping experience for backpackers, without compromising their backpack space or back muscles.
This luxurious crib is a fantastic option for nurseries with a Scandi style. It is also very practical, with three mattress heights that will keep your child snug until they reach four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is our top budget pick and is a great choice for campers who are seeking a simple sleeping solution. It's easy to set up and a great packability and is also comfortable to sleep on. The cot has a broad base that can hold anyone up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, and our testers found it to be solid on any terrain. It also comes with a handy side pocket, which is great to store items such as phones, water bottles, and sleeping pads. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot although heavier than many backpacking cots, is still transportable. It can be easily incorporated into most car camping tents.
If you're looking for something a bit more luxurious then the REI Cooperative Kingdom Cot 3 is a fantastic option. The cot is able to sleep two people and is incredibly comfortable even without an inflatable mattress. The cot features a plush 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 due to its sturdy steel and aluminum bars that connect to the large swinging feet. It was easy to set up for our testers, but the last knob connecting the main bar needed additional strength.
Another great option is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot, which is very similar to our top pick in terms of set-up and packability. It folds in a similar fashion as the folding camping chair. The middle joints snap in a snap. It's a little heavier and bigger than the Osage River model, however, it folds down into a smaller carrying case that's the same size as the carry bag of the camp chair. It offers a more spacious sleeping area as well as a side storage pocket which makes it a great option for anyone who is seeking a comfortable camping bed that can be used as a spare bed at home. The cot comes in a model with a headrest attached for added comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are the perfect camping cot if you need a sturdy, lightweight cot. This cot is made 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 a lounge chair.
In addition to being a wonderful cot for camping, the Onwak Cots is also ideal for backpacking and hiking. Its light aluminum or iron construction allows it to easily support heavy loads while remaining portable and affordable. Additionally, the cot has been thoroughly tested to ensure top quality and performance. Onwak makes use of only the finest materials to make its products, and offers the best service, even when shipping bulk quantities.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal cot for couples who love camping together. This cot can be set up in minutes and is ready to sleep. cheap cot beds is equipped with many useful features like a washable base with a padded section, as well as a mesh hammocks for storage. Additionally, it can be used as a lounge chair and has different reclining positions for a customizable experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great alternative for those who don't want a cot as comfortable as a bed. It can be set up in less than two minutes. It also has a broad foot at the base of each leg that swivels to adjust to uneven ground. It's also affordable and comes with or without a mattress.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent choice for car campers. However, it's probably not the ideal choice for backpackers or hikers in the backcountry. It's heavy and bulky to carry over long distances, which is why it's best for those who are driving into their campsites. Additionally legs can be difficult to unfold correctly and require some strength to bring them back into the body of the cot in order to store them.
Helinox Light Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines high-end engineered fabric with non-stretch technologies to create a lightweight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. The patented tensioners eliminate the necessity for bulky cross bars and braces and deliver great tension to the bed surface without adding weight. They also keep the cot from becoming flat when it's placed on uneven ground. The only drawback to this model is its premium price.
If you're a backpacker with a tight budget there are some other low-cost cot options to choose from. For instance, the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half the price as the Helinox Lite Cot but is substantially heavier. The main drawback to the OEX is that it's not as simple to assemble and can be difficult for small framed people to bend its five aluminum leg assemblies into place.
Helinox Lite Cots have unique tensioning systems that include a lever lock, which makes them simpler to assemble and disassemble. The lever is on the side of each leg and has a pivoting arm that engages with the top frame bar. The other side of the lever is a compressed tab that you depress to release it. This system uses mechanical leverage to create an excellent tension to the bed, without adding bulk or strain to the legs.
Another advantage of the Lite Cot is that it can be adjusted to different heights by using the included leg extensions. This is a huge benefit for camping in an alpine area where you'll need to stand away from the ground due to snow or uneven terrain. The low profile of the cot can be a disadvantage for those who are active in their sleep or share a bed with a person else.
The Lite Cot is no different. It takes a bit of practice to set it up and take it apart. After a few hours, it becomes easy to set up and then pack. It's also extremely compact and lightweight for a cot, and can fit in the majority of cars, SUVs and vans even when they are jam-packed with gear. This makes it a great option for car and bike camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot makes the perfect option if you are looking for a lightweight, easy-to-pack and set-up backpacking cot. This cot is lightweight and durable due to its 7000 series aluminum frame and 420D honeycomb polyester rip-stop fabric. It weighs less than five pounds, but can support 300 pounds of weight. It folds into a 7x17 inch carry bag which makes it easy to carry.
The ALPS ReadyLite Cot is unlike other cots that require you to spread it out from the middle. Instead the legs extend at the bottom of each side. This means that all you need to do is spread the cot out and tighten the straps. We found it to be one of the easiest cots to set up however its larger size may cause it to be too big to fit into some tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as portable as other cots listed here, is still the best choice for backpacking cots. The wide feet at the bottom of each leg can be adjusted to accommodate uneven terrain and you can even sleep in the rain.