Affordable Cots For Backpackers
For backpackers who wish to enhance their sleeping experience without sacrificing space in their pack or back muscles, these cots with a more cushy design are a great option.
Our mum tester loved this luxury cot which looks beautiful enough to suit Scandi design nurseries but is also super practical with three mattress base sizes that will make it usable 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 option for campers seeking an easy way to sleep. It is easy to set up and impressive packing capacity and is comfortable to sleep on. This cot’s large, wide base can hold those who are up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds. Our testers reported that it was sturdy on all terrains. It also has a convenient side pocket, which is great for storing items like water bottles, phone, and sleeping pads. The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot, while bulkier than some back-packing cots, is surprisingly transportable. It can be easily incorporated into most camping tents for cars.
If you want something a little more luxurious, we suggest the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. The cot is designed to sleep two people and features an extremely comfortable sleeping area that’s comfortable even without an air mattress. The cot features a plush quilted surface that’s comfy to lay on, and baffles on the sides to keep you from falling off. This cot is also extremely sturdy, with thick steel and aluminum bars that join to huge, swiveling legs, making it able to stand on any terrain. It was easy to set up for our testers, however the last knob connecting to the main bar required additional strength.
The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is an excellent choice. It’s a lot like to the top pick in terms of setting up and packing. It folds similarly as a folding camping chair. The middle joints snap together quickly. It’s heavier and bigger than the Osage river model, however, it folds down into a smaller carrying case that’s roughly the same size as a camping chair’s carry bag. It also has a bigger sleeping area as well as a side pocket for storage, which makes it a great option for those who require a comfortable camping cot that can double as a spare guest bed at home. There is even the cot with an attached headrest for additional comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are the perfect camping cot if you need an affordable, lightweight cot. This cot is unique in its folding design and is made of high-quality materials. It’s easy to store and move. It’s also extremely comfortable and durable and can be used as a bed or lounge chair.
The Onwak cots offers are not just ideal for camping, but also for hiking and backpacking. Its light iron or aluminum construction allows it to easily support heavy loads while remaining compact and affordable. The product has also been thoroughly tested for its superior quality and performance. The Onwak team makes use of the finest materials to craft its products and provides the best service, even when it’s shipping in large quantities.
The Kamprite Double Kwik Cot makes the perfect cot for couples that like camping together. This cot is simple to install and is ready to sleep in a matter of minutes. It also comes with a variety of convenient features, including a washable denier cot base and a padded head section and mesh storage hammock. It can also be used as a lounger and offers a variety of recline positions to provide a customized experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great alternative for those who don’t need a cot that is as comfortable as a bed. The cot is simple to set up and will be ready to lay down in less than two minutes. It has a wide base at each leg that can be rotated to allow to uneven ground. Additionally, it’s affordable and can be purchased with or without a mattress.
While the Coleman ComfortSmart is a great choice for car campers, it’s not the best option for backcountry hikers or backpackers. It’s too heavy to carry long distances. This is why it’s best for those who drive into their camping sites. Additionally legs can be difficult to fold correctly and require some strength to return them to the body of the cot for storage.
Helinox Light Cot
Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineered fabric with non-stretch technologies to create an ultra-lightweight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. Its patented tensioners deliver great tension to the bed without adding extra weight. The tensioners also prevent the cot’s surface from flattening out when it is placed on uneven terrain. The only downside to this model is its premium price.
There are a variety of affordable options for backpackers on a tight budget. For example the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half the price than the Helinox Lite cheap cot beds but is considerably heavier. The biggest drawback of OEX is its difficulty in assembly. It can be a challenge for people with small frames to bend five leg assemblies.
In contrast to OEX and the OEX, the Helinox Lite Cot has a unique lever lock tensioning system that makes it easier to erect and disassemble. The lever is located on the bottom of each leg. It has a pivoting arm that is able to engage the top frame bar. The lever has an open tab at the other end that you press to release it. This system uses mechanical leverage to provide an excellent tension to the bed, without adding bulk or strain 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 especially beneficial when camping in an alpine area where you might require an elevated position due to snow or uneven terrain. The low profile of the cot is an issue for those who move a lot in their sleep or share a bed with a partner.
Like other nursery cots, the Lite Cot requires a bit of practice to put it together and take it down. After a few times, it’s easy to set up and then pack. It’s also extremely light and compact for a cot and will fit into the majority of SUVs, cars and vans, even if they’re packed with equipment. This makes it an excellent option for bike or car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite cot is the perfect option if you are looking for an easy-to-pack, lightweight and easy to set-up backpacking cot. Its 7000 series aluminum frame tots and cots 420D polyester honeycomb rip stop fabric make this cot very lightweight and sturdy. It weighs less than five pounds, yet it can hold 300 pounds of weight. It folds into the size of a 7×17 inch carry bag, which makes it easy to store in your backpack.
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 and tighten the straps. It was simple to set up. However its size could not be suitable for some tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as lightweight as other cots on this list, is still the best choice for backpacking cots. Plus, its wide feet at the bottom of each leg swivel in order to adjust to uneven ground and even let you sleep in the rain.