Affordable Cots For Backpackers
For backpackers who wish to enhance their sleeping experience without sacrificing pack space or back muscles, these softer cots are a great choice.
Our mum tester loved this deluxe cot that is gorgeous enough to be a perfect fit for Scandi design nurseries but is also extremely practical, with three mattress 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 seeking an easy way to sleep. It's simple to set up and pack, and is comfortable to sleep on. This cot features a broad base that can support someone up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds. Our testers found it sturdy on all terrains. It also has a handy side pocket, which is great for storing items like phones, water bottles and sleeping pads. While it's more bulky than some backpacking cots, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is still easily portable and can be easily incorporated into most camping tents for cars.
If you want something a little more luxurious, we recommend the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. The cot can accommodate two people and is incredibly comfortable, even without an inflatable mattress. The cot features a quilted surface that is a comfortable surface to lie on. It also has baffles on the sides, which help prevent the user from falling. This cot is also extremely sturdy, with thick steel and aluminum bars that connect to large, swiveling legs, making it stable on most terrain. It was easy to set up for our test subjects, but the last knob connecting to the main bar required additional strength.
The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is an excellent option. It's very similar to the top choice in terms of packing and setting up. It folds in a similar way similar to a folding camping chair. The middle joints snap together easily. It's a bit larger and heavier than the Osage River model however, it folds down into a smaller case that's roughly the same size as the bag that comes with a camp chair. It comes with a bigger sleeping area as well as an additional storage compartment on the side which makes it a great choice for anyone seeking an easy camping bed that can also be used as a guest bed at home. You can even find an alternative version of this cot that has a headrest attached for additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
If you're looking for a sturdy lightweight camping cot that is light for your outdoor needs look no further than the Onwak Cots. The cot is constructed of high-quality materials and has a unique foldable design that makes it easy to store and transport. It's also extremely comfortable and durable, and can be used as a bed or a lounge chair.
The Onwak Cots are not just ideal for camping, but also for hiking and backpacking. Its light aluminum and iron construction allows it to support large loads yet still being portable. The Cot has also been rigorously tested for its superior quality and performance. Onwak makes use of only the finest materials to make its products, and offers reliable service even when shipping in bulk.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal bed for couples who enjoy camping together. This cot is simple to install and is ready for sleeping within minutes. It also has a number of features that are convenient, including 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 comes with various reclining positions that can be customized to your experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for those who do not require a cot as comfy as a bed. The cot is simple to set up and will be ready to sleep in just two minutes. It also has a wide foot at the bottom of each leg that can be swiveled to adapt to uneven ground. It's also 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 backcountry hikers. It's too heavy to carry long distances. This is why it's better for those who drive to their campsites. Additionally, the legs can be a little tricky to unfold properly, and it takes some strength to feed them back into the body of the cot in order to store them.
Helinox Light Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineered fabric with non-stretch technology to create an ultra-lightweight camp bed that is durable and comfortable. The tensioners are patented and provide excellent tension to the bed without adding additional weight. They also prevent the cot from flattening if it's set up on uneven ground. read review to this model is the price.
If you're a backpacker on a tight budget there are other budget Cot options available. The OEX Ultralite Folding Cot, for instance, is less than half the cost of the Helinox Lite Cot while being considerably heavier. The major drawback of 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 to fit.
In contrast to OEX model, the Helinox Lite Cot has an exclusive lever locking tensioning system that makes it easier to erect and disassemble. This lever is located at the bottom of each leg. It has a pivoting arm that connects to the top frame bar. The other end of the lever is a tab that is compressed and you depress to let it go. This mechanism uses mechanical leverage to give you immense tension on the bed surface, without adding bulk or stress to the legs.
The Lite Cot can also be adjusted to a different height by using the leg extensions that come with it. This is very helpful if you're camping in an alpine area where you'll need to be off the ground due to snow or uneven terrain. However, the low profile of this cot can be a problem if you're an active person in your sleep, or when you share a tent with someone.
The Lite Cot is not any different. It requires some practice to set it up and disassemble it. 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 will fit into the majority of vans and cars, with their gear packed. This makes it an excellent option for bike and car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
If you're seeking a cot for backpacking that is easy to pack and set up it's the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is a great option. Its 7000 series aluminum frame and 420D honeycomb ripstop polyester make this cot extremely light and durable. It weighs less than five pounds, but it can carry 300 pounds of weight. It can be folded into the size of a carry bag 7x17 inches that makes it simple to transport.
Unlike many other cots that require you to extend it from the middle and then spread it out, the ALPS ReadyLite Cot has legs that extend to the bottom of each side, which means all you have to do is spread out the cot, then tighten its straps. It was easy to install. However its bigger size might not fit in certain tents.
While the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite isn't as versatile as other cots listed on this list, it's the most affordable choice if you need a backpacking bed. The wide feet at the bottom of each leg can be adjusted to uneven terrain, and you can sleep in the rain.