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Mike, I find that the fear of getting a down sleeping bag wet is exaggerated. I've been backpacking, bike touring, kayak camping, and car camping for more than 40 years. I've been in plenty of long, hard rains, going back to the days of canvas tents when you couldn't touch the side of a wet...

Mike, the difference between how you and I assemble the Roll-a-Cot is that I tighten and loosen the wing nuts every time. I find that necessary because I want good tension on the fabric. As you say, you can't get the legs into the holes when the wing nuts are too tight, nor can you get them out...

Hello Mike, thanks for the feedback. I agree with just about everything you say. A couple of comments on the Roll-a-Cot. I too have assembled it many times, but I still find it hard. The design of the wing nuts is really very poor. I had a friend make me a small tool made of oak to tighten them...

The most comfortable mattress I know of is the Exped Megamat. As close as you can get to your bed at home. The Exped Synmat 12 is a close second. Best comfort in a ground tent is the Camptime Roll-a-Cot wide used with the REI Campbed 3.5 or the Synmat 12. Sadly, the Exped Megamat is too wide...

That may be true about the Helinox Cot One, but I wouldn't pay $400 for the High Cot when you can get a Camptime Roll-a-Cot for $130. The Roll-a-Cot is supremely comfortable . . . but a pain to set up. I think the Helinox is only competitive and the price slightly justified in the ultra-light...

I honestly didn't pay that much for the mattress on my bed at home. Or for the bed.

Update on Helinox Cot One In my original review I said that I wouldn't use the Helinox Cot One for kayak camping. Since writing that I got a new kayak that has more volume in the hatches (140 liters). The Cot One fits in it easily. I've used the Cot One for car and kayak camping several times...

I used the Sunset chair for the first time today for a kayak day trip. It fit easily in the hatch and assembled in one minute. I was impressed with the comfort. It made my lunch stop much more pleasant. I do have to say I find the back too narrow. It's a suspended chair so it has hammock effect...

Good information, thanks.

Today I sat in the Helinox Camp Chair. The store didn't have the Sunset to compare them side by side, but the Camp Chair felt like the seat was the same height as the Sunset. Is that correct? In that case, the only reason to buy the Sunset would be to use a pillow with it, because if you don't...

I found the Sunset Chair for $115 at a kayak show yesterday. I bought it, knowing I would never see that price again. So now the Big Three for kayak camping have become the Big Five: tent, mattress, sleeping bag, Helinox Cot One, and Helinox Sunset Chair. Had to get a new kayak to hold it all. I...

Yes, I agree about the head support, Honu. It makes a big difference. It makes sense that you want to save space in your vehicle with four people. I'm a solo traveler with a very small car so space is a consideration. That could be the reason I was looking for to buy this chair! It looks like...

I tried the Sunset Chair today and was impressed with how easy it was to get out of it with bad hips. You can push back against the legs to help you get up; the legs are strong enough for that. I found the head rest odd, angled too far back. It would be useful if you put something like a rolled...

Kelty Trail Ridge 3 or 4 If you really want a 3P, the Kelty Trail Ridge is the best one I know. But for car camping I recommend that Trail Ridge 4. Although the TR3 is larger than most, the TR4 is on the small side, which makes it perfect for 2 people. A 4P is so much better for days when...

I've done some winter camping in a full mesh tent, including the Kelty Trail Ridge 2 and others. I think that solid fabric all around might make a difference of a few degrees, but I've never found that to be significant. First, the fly provides some protection from wind and cold. Second, I rely...

As Bluedog said, the tent is finished. Do not despair, though: today's tents are quite a bit nicer (in my opinion). Most have two doors (= two vestibules also), better head room, and better ventilation than yours. My best suggestion: the Kelty Trail Ridge 2 or 3...

Thirty-Nine, it looks like you don't have much visibility out your rear window. I hadn't considered using the roof rack. I usually have a kayak up there. It's 24" wide so it only takes up one half of the roof. I suppose the kayak already cuts down the gas mileage. Should I get some kind of...

Yes, that's what I'm thinking of, thank you plus some clever storage boxes with drawers or something like that. Just looking for people's creative ideas that I might not have thought of. I have a tiny Scion. I do like the two-layer feature of your design.

Okay, here's what you need for Grandpa: VERSION 1: 15" high cot; large tent; luxurious mattress. Maximum possible comfort in a tent. Set-up time 30 minutes. TENT: Kelty Trail Ridge 4 COT: Camp Time Roll-a-Cot Wide MATTRESS: Exped Synmat 12 (NOT self-inflating, but very comfortable) Total cost...

Wondering if anyone travels in a sub-compact hatchback and has any special outfitting for the car. I considered removing the back seat but decided I didn't want to lose the sound insulation of the seat. The seats are folded down, of course. I and it seems like others really enjoying creating...