The Ultimate Guide To Affordable Cots
Affordable Cots For Backpackers
These cots offer the most comfortable sleep for backpackers without sacrificing their pack space or back muscles.
Our mum tester loved this deluxe cot that is beautiful enough to fit Scandi design nursery designs. It it is also very practical with three mattress base heights that will keep it in use until your child reaches four years old.
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is our top budget choice is a great option for campers looking for an easy solution to sleep. It's simple to set up and pack and is comfortable to sleep on. The cot's wide, large base can accommodate those who are who are up to 6 feet tall, and 300 pounds. Our testers reported that it was sturdy on most kinds of terrain. It has a pocket on the side for holding items like sleeping pads, water bottles, and phones. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is heavier than other back-packing cots, is surprisingly portable. It can be easily incorporated into most car camping tents.
If you're looking for something that's more luxurious, we suggest the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. The cot is able to sleep two people and is extremely comfortable even without an inflatable mattress. The cot has a soft quilted surface that's comfy to lay on, as well as baffles on the sides to keep you from falling off. The cot is also robust, with a thick aluminum and steel bars that connect to oversized swinging legs, which make it stable on most terrain. Our test participants found it easy to set up, but the last knob that connects to the main bar requires additional strength from another person.
Another great option is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot, which is very similar to our top choice in terms of setup and packing. It folds in a similar way similar to the folding camping chair. Baby Cot snap together easily. It's slightly larger and heavier than the Osage River model but it packs down into a smaller carry case that's about the same size as the bag that comes with a camp chair. It also comes with a larger sleeping area, as well as a side pocket for storage making it a great choice for anyone who needs a comfortable camping cot that can also double as a spare guest bed at home. You can even find the cot with an attached headrest for additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
If you're looking for a durable lightweight camping cot to meet your outdoor needs then take a look at the Onwak Cots. The cot features a unique folding design and is constructed of top-quality materials. It's easy to store and move. It is also very comfortable and sturdy and can be used either as a lounge chair or bed.
The Onwak Cots are not just ideal for camping but also for hiking and backpacking. Its lightweight aluminum or iron construction permits it to effortlessly support heavy loads while remaining portable and affordable. The product has also been thoroughly tested for its superior quality and performance. Onwak makes use of only the highest quality materials to create its products, and offers reliable service even when shipping bulk quantities.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal bed for couples who enjoy camping together. The cot can be assembled in just a few minutes and is ready to go to sleep. It also comes with a range of features that are convenient, including the ability to wash the base of the cot and a padded head section and mesh storage hammock. In addition, it can be used as a lounger and comes with a variety of reclining positions for a customizable experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for those who do not require a cot as comfy as a bed. This cot can be set up in less than two minutes. It also has a large foot at the base of each leg that swivels to adapt to uneven ground. In addition, it's very affordable and is available with or without a mattress.
While the Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for car campers, 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 into their camping sites. The legs are a bit difficult to unroll and feed back into the body of the cot to store.
Helinox Light Cot
The Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineering with non-stretch fabric to create a light camp bed that is comfortable and durable. Its patent-pending tensioners eliminate the need for bulky cross bars and braces, and provide great tension to the bed surface without adding extra weight. The tensioners also prevent the cot's surface from flattening when it is set up on uneven terrain. The only downside to this model is its higher price.
If you're a backpacker on limited funds there are some other low-cost Cot options available. The OEX Ultralite Folding Cot, for instance, is less than half the cost of the Helinox Lite Cot while being significantly heavier. The main disadvantage of the OEX is its difficulty in assembly. It can be a challenge for people with small frames to bend five aluminum leg assemblies.
Helinox Lite Cots come with an exclusive tensioning system that includes the lever lock that makes them simpler to assemble and disassemble. This lever is located at the side of each leg. It has a pivoting arm which is able to engage the top frame bar. The lever is equipped with an uncompressed tab at the other end which you can press to release it. This system makes use of mechanical leverage to provide great tension on the bed's surface 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 especially useful when camping in an alpine area where you may require an elevated position due to snow or uneven terrain. However, the low-profile of this cot can be a disadvantage if you're moving a lot in your sleep, or if you have to share a tent with someone.
Like other cots the Lite Cot requires some practice to set up and take down. After a few uses it becomes a breeze to set up and then pack. It's also incredibly light and compact for a cot. It will fit into the majority of cars, SUVs and vans even when they're packed with equipment. This makes it a great choice for bike and car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
If you're looking for a cot to travel with that's easy to pack and set up, the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is a great choice. The cot is light and durable due to its 7000 series aluminum frame and 420D honeycomb polyester rip-stop fabric. In actuality, it weighs less than 5 pounds and it has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. It also folds down into the size of a 7x17 inch carry bag, which makes it easy to transport in your backpack.
Contrary to other cots which require you to expand it from its middle it is the ALPS ReadyLite Cot has legs that extend at the bottom of each side, which means that all you have to do is spread out the cot and then tighten its straps. We found that it was one of the most simple cotes to set up, although its bulkier size could cause it to be too big to fit into some tents.
While the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite isn't as mobile as the other cots on this list, it's still the most affordable choice if you need a backpacking coffin. Plus, its large feet at the base of each leg can swivel to adapt to uneven terrain and even allow you to sleep in the rain.