Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots provide the most comfortable sleep for backpackers without compromising their pack space or back muscles.
Our mom tester loved this luxury cot which is gorgeous enough to be a perfect fit for Scandi style nurseries, but is also super practical with three mattress 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 is our top budget choice and is an excellent choice for campers who are looking for a simple sleeping solution. It's simple to set up and take down and comfortable to sleep on. The cot's wide, large base can accommodate individuals up to 6 feet tall and 300 lbs. Our test subjects found that it was stable on most terrains. It has a pocket on the side for holding items like sleeping pads, water bottles, and phones. While it's bulkier than some backpacking cots however, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is still easily portable and fits well into most car camping tents.
If you're looking for something more luxurious, we suggest the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. The cot is designed to sleep two and has an area for sleeping that is incredibly comfortable, even without an air mattress. The cot features a plush quilted surface that's comfy to lie on, and baffles on the sides that keep the occupants from falling off. The cot is extremely sturdy, thanks to its thick aluminum and steel bars, that connect to the large, swiveling feet. It was easy 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 is very similar to the top choice when it comes to packing and setting up. It folds in a similar fashion similar to the folding camping chair. The middle joints snap in a snap. It's slightly heavier and bigger than the Osage River model, but it packs down into a smaller carrying case that's roughly the same size as the carry bag of the camp chair. best cots for newborns has a larger sleeping area and an extra storage pocket on the side, making it a great option for anyone who is seeking an easy camping bed that can also be used as a spare bed at home. The cot is available in a model with a headrest for added comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are the perfect camping cot if you require an affordable, lightweight cot. This cot is unique in its design that folds and is made of high-quality materials. It's easy to store and move. It is also very comfortable and durable and can be used either as a lounger chair or bed.
The Onwak Cots are not just great for camping, but also for hiking and backpacking. Its lightweight iron and aluminum construction makes it easy to support heavy loads, while remaining lightweight. best cots for newborns has also been rigorously tested for superior quality and performance. The Onwak team makes use of the finest materials to craft its products and provides an efficient service, even if it's shipping in large quantities.
The Kamprite Double Kwik Cot makes the perfect cot for couples that like camping together. This cot is easy to set up and can be ready to sleep in a matter of minutes. It comes with a variety of useful features including a washable denier base, padded section and mesh storage hammock. Additionally, it can be used as a lounge chair and offers a variety of reclining positions for a customizable experience.
For those who aren't seeking a cot that is as comfortable as mattress and isn't too expensive, the Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent option. The cot can be put together in less than two minutes. It also has a wide foot at the base of each leg that swivels to adjust to uneven ground. In addition, it's very 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 to carry long distances. This is why it's best for those who drive to their campsites. The legs are a bit difficult to unroll and feed back into the body of the cot for storage.
Helinox Lite Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineered fabric with non-stretch technologies to create a light-weight camping bed that is durable and comfortable. Its patent-pending tensioners remove the need for bulky cross bars and braces and deliver great tension to the bed surface without adding extra weight. They also keep the cot from getting flat when it's placed on uneven ground. The only drawback to this model is its high cost.
If you're a backpacker with limited funds there are other budget cot options to choose from. For example the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half than the Helinox Lite Cot but is substantially heavier. The main drawback to the OEX is that it's not as easy to put together and it can be difficult for small-framed people to bend its five aluminum leg assemblies to fit.
In contrast to OEX, the Helinox Lite Cot comes with a unique lever lock tensioning system that allows it to be erected and disassemble. The lever is situated on the end of each leg. It has a pivoting arm that is able to engage the top frame bar. The other end of the lever is a tab that is compressed and you depress to release it. The mechanical leverage of this system provides great tension to the bed without putting extra weight or strain on the legs.
The Lite Cot can also be adjusted to a different height by using the leg extensions that come with it. This is especially beneficial when camping in an alpine location in which you'll need to be elevated due to snow or uneven terrain. However, the low-profile of this cot can be a problem if you're moving a lot in your sleep, or when you share a tent with someone.
The Lite Cot is not any different. It takes a bit of practice to set it up and remove it from its place. But after a few uses it's easy to set up and take down. It is also incredibly lightweight and compact for a cot, and can be tucked away in the majority of vans and cars, with their gear packed. This makes it a great option for bike and car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
If you're looking for a backpacking cot that's easy to pack and set up it's the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is an excellent option. Its 7000 series aluminum frame and 420D polyester honeycomb rip stop fabric make this cot very lightweight and durable. In actuality, it weighs less than 5 pounds and has a 300-pound capacity for weight. It folds into an a7x17 inch carry bag which makes it easy to transport.
Unlike many other cots that require you to expand it from the middle and then spread it out, the ALPS ReadyLite Cot has legs that extend to the base of each side. This means all you need to do is spread the cot and tighten its straps. We found it to be one of the simplest to set up cots, although its bulkier size may cause it to be too big to fit in some tents.
Although the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite isn't as portable as some of the other cots on this list, it's the best affordable option for those who require a backpacking bed. Its large feet at the base of each leg swivel to adapt to uneven terrain and even allow you to sleep in the rain.