So you’re off on an adventure, perhaps one that’s going to take you off grid for a while, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take some home comforts with you.
With a camping cot, at least you’ll have the luxury of a comfortable night’s sleep, even if you’re camping in the middle of nowhere in who knows what country.
But there are hundreds of camp cots on the market right now, and you want to make sure you find the best camping cot for backpacking adventures.
Here’s a buyers guide for backpacking cots, and a list of some of the best camp beds for travel.
What is a camping cot?
Camp cots, or camp beds as they’re also known, are collapsible beds that are lightweight and portable. Originally these types of beds were used by militaries all over the world.
They consist of a lightweight frame that pops apart or collapses, and then for the ‘mattress’ there’s material like canvas, linen or nylon.
You don’t need to use a mattress or sleep pad with them, you just sleep on top of them in a sleeping bag.
Why take a cot backpacking?
Packing your backpack for a long haul trip can be a difficult process. You want to have everything you need but you don’t want to make your pack too heavy to carry. And there’s no denying it, a camping cot is going to add weight to your bag. But trust me, it’s worth carrying the extra grams.
Here are some of the reasons you should consider taking a camp bed on your next backpacking tour:
Comfort
A camping cot offers you so much more comfort than the cold, hard ground. It might not be as comfortable as an actual bed, but it’s still 100 times better than sleeping on the floor.
Warmth
Regardless of where you’re backpacking, the nights can be cold. And if you’re sleeping on a cold floor, you’re going to lose even more warmth. In fact, you lose more warmth to a cold floor than to cold air. So by taking a camping cot with you, you’ll stay warmer, and you won’t need to pack such a heavy sleeping bag.
Health
Camping and backpacking can be mentally and physically draining, especially if you’re not sleeping well. By having a camping bed, at least you know that wherever you are, you can always can get a relatively comfortable night’s sleep. You’ll get the rest you need to stay healthy on your travels. It’s also more supportive for your back.
What to look for in a backpacking cot?
Camp beds vary in size, style and weight, so before buying one, it’s important to think about what you need from a camp cot. You should consider factors like your size and weight, as well as your sleeping position. Different cots will be better suited to different people.
Here are some things to look for when buying a camping cot.
Size
Some cots will be wider or longer than others. If you’re particularly tall, or you have a big build, you’ll be more comfortable in a larger camp bed.
Another thing to consider when deciding what size camp bed you need is you sleeping position. If you sleep on your back, a narrow cot should be okay for you, but if you like to sleep on your side in a foetal position, or you just generally spread out in your sleep, you’ll need a wider bed.
Weight
Ideally, you need your camp cot to be as lightweight as possible. Otherwise it’s just going to weigh you down too much.
Bear in mind that not all camping beds are designed for backpacking, so they won’t all be the same weight.
Collapsed size
As well as thinking about how big the bed is when it’s set up, you should think about how much space it’s going to take up in your backpack when it’s collapsed/folded.
Accessories
Some cots will come with included accessories like a pillow, a blanket or slip proof material for the cot legs.
10 Best backpacking cots
1: KingCamp Ultralight Compact Camping Cot
This is one of the best backpacking cots in terms of portability. It only weighs 2kg, and it folds up super small, making it easy to slip into a backpack. In fact, this camp bed folds up to be the smallest on the list. It’s also pretty comfortable, and it’s suitable for taller people with a length of 190cm.
Size: L190cm x W64cm x H12cm
Folded Size: L36 x W13cm xH13cm
Weight: 4.4lbs / 2kg
Pros
- It supports up to 120 kg
- It has two elastic straps to keep it from slipping
- It’s very lightweight, so it won’t be a burden if you’re hiking or moving on to your next destination
- Its packed up size is as small as you can hope for, and it will fit easily in a bag
- It’s easy to set up
- It has a pillow included
- It comes in different colours so you can choose your style
Cons
- It’s very low to the ground, which can make getting up from the bed a little more tricky
2: Helinox Cot Lite
The Helinox Cot Lite is the most lightweight backpacking cot, weighing only 1.2kg. It’s so light that it’s won awards for its design and functionality.
It’s also specifically designed with backpacking in mind, so they’ve thought of everything – it’s lightweight, relatively small when folded up, and big enough to be comfortable.
However, it’s not the best choice for anyone who’s taller than 6ft, as it’s only 6 ft (185cm) long.
Size: L185cm x W60cm x H13cm
Folded Size: L53cm x W13cm x H13cm
Weight: 2.65 lbs / 1.2 kg
Pros
- This is quite literally an award winning camping cot
- Specifically designed for backpacking
- It’s the lightest backpacking cot money can buy
- Includes a storage bag with grab handles
Cons
- It’s a little on the pricey side
- It’s only 185cm long, so it’s not suited for those over 6ft tall
3: Grand Canyon Camping Bed
If you’re looking for a budget backpacking cot, this might be the one. It’s one of the top camping cots under $100, and it’s full length and can support a lot of weight, so it’s suitable for almost all backpackers.
However, whilst you save money with this camp bed, you sacrifice some portability. It’s heavier, and bulkier than more expensive alternatives.
Size: L190cm x W65cm x H40cm OR L210cm x W80cm x H42cm
Folded Size: L94cm x W20cm OR L103CM x W20cm
Weight: 4.5 kg OR 5kg
Pros
- It comes in two different sizes, so you can order the size that’s right for you
- It’s affordable
- It has a load bearing capacity of up to 150kg, which makes it suitable for a wider range of backpackers
- It has anti slip caps for greater stability
- It’s higher off the ground which makes getting up and laying down easier – no need to worry about getting stuck on the floor
Cons
- It’s quite a lot heavier than other options, as it weighs up to 5kg
- The packed up size isn’t particularly small, in fact it’s almost double the size of most other backpacking cots
4: YAHILL Ultralight Camping Bed
The YAHILL Ultralight Camping Bed does what it says on the tin. It’s lightweight, it’s portable, and it can support most people up to 6ft2 tall. And there’s no need to worry about being too heavy for it, as it can support an impressive 180kg.
Size: L190cm x W65cm xH19cm
Folded Size: L53cm x W11cm x H16cm
Weight: 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg
Pros
- It supports up to 180kg, so there’s no chance of it buckling or breaking
- It’s long enough for anyone under 6ft2
- It has a simple collapsible design
- You can purchase additional feet to add height to this camp bed
- It comes with a 1 year warranty
Cons
- It’s not the most portable backpacking cot
5: ALPIDEX Ultralight Camping Cot
The ALPIDEX camping cot is one of the best budget backpacking cots on the market. And you’ll be pleased to hear that this cot doesn’t sacrifice comfort like many other budget beds.
It’s 190cm long, which is just as long as most high-end cots, and it has an above average width. This means it’s perfect for anyone who likes to sleep on their side, curled up or spread out.
Size: L190cm x W67cm x H16cm
Folded Size: L56cm x W15cm
Weight: 1.8 kg
Pros
- It has anti slip feet
- It’s built with backpackers in mind
- It’s affordable
- It’s a full length cot suitable for most people
- Above average width makes it perfect for side-sleepers
Cons
- It only three legs, so it doesn’t offer as much stability as cots with four or five legs
6: THERMAREST LuxuryLite Mesh Cot (Extra Large)
If you want a backpacking cot that offers the most comfort, the Thermarest LuxuryLite Mesh Cot is your best bet. It’s one of the largest camping cots on the list, but it’s also one of the lightest.
With a length of 196cm, it’s comfortable for anyone up to 6ft4 tall. And with a width of 76cm, it’s perfect for any side sleepers, or starfish sleepers.
Size: L196cm x W76cm x H11cm
Folded size: L46cm x W15cm
Weight: 4.7 lbs / 2.1kg
Pros
- Patented BowFrame technology means you don’t have to worry about any crossbars causing you discomfort
- It’s super portable thanks to it’s small packed size
- The canvas is breathable, giving you extra ventilation in warm weather
- Non-stretching material gives you long-lasting comfort
- It only takes three minutes to set up
Cons
- It’s a little on the pricey side
- Breathable canvas means you’ll need padding on the top for insulation in colder weather
7: Alps Mountaineering Mens Ready Lite Cot
The name of this camping cot might suggest it’s for men and men alone, but this is a camp bed that’s suitable for any backpackers, male or female.
The generous length of 198cm makes it perfect for taller travellers, but that’s not to say it can’t be used by smaller people – it will just be extra roomy. It also has an above average width, so it’s suitable for side sleeping.
Despite the large size of this cot, it’s still pretty lightweight, weighing only 2.2kg.
Size: L198cm x W71cm x H19cm
Folded Size: L43cm x H18cm
Weight: 4.8 lbs / 2.2 kg
Pros
- Extra long length makes it a great choice for taller backpackers
- Super portable, packs up to be one of the smallest camp beds on the market
- Includes a lifetime warranty
Cons
- It’s only available in one size, so there’s no smaller option
8: Helinox Big Agnes Cot One Convertible
And here we have it, the largest cot on the list. This cot is suitable for EVERYONE (unless you’re 7ft tall). It’s long, it’s wide, and it can hold up to 145kg.
The only thing that’s not large about this cot is the height, but even that can be adjusted with accessory legs.
Don’t worry though, this cot might be large, but it packs up relatively small, and it’s still really lightweight.
Size: L210cm x W75cm x H16cm
Folded Size: L53cm x W13cm x H13cm
Weight: 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg
Pros
- You can purchase separate accessory legs to add more height to this backpacking cot
- Above average length makes it suitable for taller backpackers
- Above average width makes side sleeping positions more comfortable – you’ll have more room to spread out
- It can hold up to 145 kg
- Good ventilation for warm weather
Cons
- During cold weather you need padding on top of this backpacking cot for insulation
- It’s quite pricey
- It’s not the most portable when packed up
I live in the UK, in the country’s most uneventful city, where the most interesting story in the local paper is about banning dressing gowns in supermarkets.
I travel and I write, because surely there are more interesting stories than that to write about and share.