Affordable Cots For Backpackers
For backpackers looking to enhance their sleeping experience without sacrificing space for their pack or back muscles, these softer cots are a good option.
Our mum test-taker loved this luxurious cot that is beautiful enough to fit Scandi style 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 is our best budget pick and is a great choice for campers who are seeking a simple sleeping solution. It's simple to set up and take down, and is comfortable to sleep on. The cot has a, wide base that can support someone up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, and our test subjects found it to be solid on any terrain. It has a side pocket to store items such as sleeping pads, water bottles and phones. While it's more bulky than some backpacking cots, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is still easily portable and fits well into the majority of car camping tents.

If you're looking to buy something a little more lavish then the REI Cooperative Kingdom Cot 3 is a excellent choice. This cot is built for two people and has an area for sleeping that is incredibly comfortable, even without an air mattress. The cot has a quilted surface that is a comfortable surface to lie on. It also has baffles along the sides, which prevent you from falling. This cot is also extremely robust, with a thick aluminum and steel bars that join to huge swinging legs, making it able to stand on any terrain. It was simple to set up for our test subjects, but the last knob that connected the main bar required extra strength.
Another option that is a great choice is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot, which is very similar to our top pick in terms of setup and packing. It folds down in a similar way as a folding camp chair and the middle joints snap together quickly and easily. It's slightly larger and heavier than the Osage River model but it can be folded into a smaller carrying case that's roughly the same size as the bag that comes with the camp chair. It offers a more spacious sleeping space and an additional storage compartment on the side making it a good option for those looking for an easy camping bed that can be used as a spare bed at home. This cot is available in a version with a headrest for added comfort.
Onwak Cots
Onwak Cots are the ideal camping cot if you require an affordable, lightweight cot. This cot is made with high-quality materials and has an innovative 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 great for camping, but also great for hiking and backpacking. Its lightweight iron and aluminum construction makes it easy to support heavy loads, while still remaining portable. In addition the cot has been rigorously tested to ensure the highest quality and performance. The Onwak team utilizes the best materials for its products and provides an efficient service, even if it's shipping in huge quantities.
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 to sleep in a matter of minutes. It is equipped with many useful features like a washable base, padded section and mesh storage hammock. It can also be utilized as a lounger and offers a variety of recline positions to provide a customized experience.
If you're not seeking a cot that is as comfortable as a mattress and isn't too expensive, the Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent choice. It's easy to set up and can be ready for you to lay down in less than two minutes. It has a broad base on each leg that can be swiveled to adjust for uneven ground. It's also affordable and is available with or without a mattress.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is an excellent choice for car campers. However, it's not the best choice for hikers who backpack or backcountry trek. It's too heavy to carry long distances. This is why it's better for those who drive into their camping sites. In addition legs can be tricky to unfold properly and require a bit of strength to bring them back into the body of the cot in order to store them.
Helinox Light Cot
The Helinox Cot One Convertible combines the highest quality engineering with non-stretch fabrics to produce an ultralight camp bed that is both comfortable and durable. The patented tensioners eliminate the need for bulky cross bars and braces and provide excellent tension to the bed's surface without adding additional weight. The tensioners also keep the cot's surface from flattening when it is placed on uneven terrain. The only drawback to this model is the cost.
There are many affordable options for backpackers with a budget. For example the OEX Ultralite Folding Cot costs less than half as much as the Helinox Lite Cot but is substantially heavier. The main drawback to the OEX is that it's not as simple to put together and it can be difficult for small-framed people to bend its five aluminium leg assemblies into position.
Helinox Lite Cots feature unique tensioning systems that include an adjustable lever lock that makes them easier to assemble and disassemble. The lever is located on the side of each leg. It has a pivoting arm which engages the top frame bar. The lever is equipped with a compressed tab on the other end that you press to release it. The mechanical leverage of this mechanism provides an excellent tension to the bed without putting extra weight or strain on the legs.
The Lite Cot can also be adjusted to a different height using the leg extensions that come with it. This is a huge benefit for camping in an alpine area where you'll need to be off the ground due to snow or uneven terrain. However, the slim profile of this cot may be a problem if you're a big mover during the night or if you have to share your tent with another.
The Lite Cot is no different. It takes a bit of practice to install it and then disassemble it. After a few uses it becomes a breeze to use and pack. 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. This makes it an excellent option for bike or car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite cot is an excellent choice if you want an easy-to-pack, lightweight and easy to set-up backpacking cot. Its 7000 series aluminum frame and 420D honeycomb ripstop fabric made of polyester makes this cot extremely lightweight and robust. It weighs less than 5 pounds yet has a 300-pound capacity for weight. It can be folded into the size of a carry bag 7x17 inches that makes it easy to carry.
The ALPS ReadyLite Cot is unlike other cots, which require you to spread it out from the middle. Instead best cots uk extend at the bottom of each side. nursery cots means that all you need to do is spread the cot out and tighten the straps. It was simple to install. However its size could not fit in certain tents.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as mobile as the other cots listed here, is still the best option for backpacking cots. Additionally, its wide feet at the base of each leg swivel to adapt to uneven terrain and allow you to sleep in the rain.