Affordable Cots For Backpackers
For backpackers who wish to elevate their sleeping experience without sacrificing space in their pack or back muscles, these softer cots are a great option.
Our mom tester loved this luxury cot which is beautiful enough to fit Scandi design nursery designs. It it is also very practical with three mattress heights that will keep it functional 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 choice for campers seeking an easy solution to sleep. It's simple to set up and pack and comfortable to sleep on. The cot has a and wide base that can support someone who is 6 feet tall and 300 pounds. Our testers found it to be stable on most terrain. tots and cots comes with a handy side pocket that is ideal for holding gear like phones, water bottles, and sleeping pads. While it's more bulky than some backpacking cots, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is still very portable and fits nicely into most camping tents for cars.
If you're looking for something that's 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 comes with a soft quilted surface that's comfy to lie on, as well as baffles on the sides that stop you from falling off. This cot is also extremely robust, with a thick aluminum and steel bars that connect to oversized swinging legs, which make it stable on all terrains. Our test participants found it easy to set up, however the last knob that connects to the main bar requires more strength from a third party.
Another excellent choice is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot, which is very similar to our top pick in terms of setup and packability. It folds down in a similar way to a folding camp chair, and the middle joints snap together quickly and easily. It's heavier and more spacious than the Osage river model but it folds into a smaller carry bag that's roughly the same size as a camp chair's carry bag. It comes with a bigger sleeping area as well as an additional storage compartment on the side making it a good option for anyone who is seeking a comfortable camping bed that can be used as a spare guestbed at home. This cot is available that has a headrest to provide added comfort.
Onwak Cots
If you're looking for a sturdy lightweight camping cot that is light to meet your outdoor needs then look no further than Onwak Cots. This cot is made of top-quality materials and features an unique foldable design that makes it easy to move and store. It's also extremely comfortable and sturdy and can be used as a bed or lounge chair.
The Onwak Cots are not just ideal for camping, but also for hiking and backpacking. Its lightweight iron or aluminum construction allows it to effortlessly support heavy loads, while remaining lightweight and affordable. The cot has also been rigorously tested to ensure superior quality and performance. The Onwak team uses the highest-quality materials for its products, and also provides the best service, even when it's shipping in huge quantities.
The Kamp-rite Double Kwik Cot is the ideal cot for couples who enjoy camping together. It can be assembled in just a few minutes and is ready to go to sleep. It also has a number of useful features, such as a washable denier base for the cot and a padded head section and mesh storage hammock. It can also be used a chair or lounger and has multiple reclining positions to customize your experience.
The Coleman ComfortSmart is a great option for those who don't want a cot as comfortable as a bed. It can be put together in less than two minutes. It also has a wide foot at the bottom of each leg that swivels to adjust to uneven ground. It is also very affordable and comes 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 hikers in the backcountry. It's heavy and bulky to transport over long distances, so it's best for those who are driving into their campsites. The legs are difficult to fold and feed back into the body of the cot to store.
Helinox Lite Cot
The Helinox Cot One Convertible combines precision engineering with non-stretch fabric to create an ultralight camp bed that is comfortable and durable. Its patented tensioners deliver great tension on the bed's surface without adding weight. They also prevent the cot from becoming flat when it's positioned on uneven ground. The only downside to this model is its cost.
If you're a backpacker with a tight budget 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 substantially heavier. The main disadvantage of the OEX is its difficulty in assembly. It can be difficult for those with smaller frames to bend five aluminium leg assemblies.
Helinox Lite Cots feature an exclusive tensioning system that includes a lever lock, which makes them much easier to put together and disassemble. The lever is situated on 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 open tab at the other end which you can press to release it. The mechanical leverage of this system gives an excellent tension to the bed surface without adding extra bulk or stress to the legs.
Another advantage of the Lite Cot is that it can be adjusted to different heights with the included leg extensions. This is extremely useful for camping in an alpine area where you may need to stand away from the ground due to snow or uneven terrain. The low profile of the cot is a disadvantage for those who move around a lot during their sleep or share a space with a person else.
The Lite Cot is not any different. It takes a bit of practice to install it and then remove it from its place. After a few times it's a breeze to pack and use. It's also incredibly compact and lightweight for a cot. It will fit in most cars, SUVs and vans, even if they're packed with gear. This makes it a great option for bike and car camping.
ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot
The ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite cot is an excellent option if you are looking for lightweight, easy to pack and set-up backpacking cot. Its aluminum 7000 series frame and 420D polyester honeycomb rip stop fabric make this cot very lightweight and durable. It weighs less than 5 pounds, but can support 300 pounds of weight. It also folds down into a 7 x 17 inch carry bag, which makes it easy to carry in your backpack.
The ALPS ReadyLite Cot is unlike other cots, which require you to spread it out from the middle. Instead the legs extend at the bottom of each side. This means that all you have to do is spread the cot out and tighten the straps. It was simple to install. However, its larger size may not fit in certain tents.

ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite, while not as portable as other cots listed here, is still the best choice for backpacking cots. Additionally, its wide feet at the bottom of each leg can swivel to adapt to uneven terrain and even allow you to sleep in the rain.