Backpacking(ish) Cot? (NOT Thermarest)

C

Caoboy

Adventurer
Hi All.

I am looking into purchasing a cot, mostly for camping, but I have a potential backpacking trip coming up (Skyline to the Sea Trail http://www.everytrail.com/guide/skyline-to-the-sea-trail ) and would like to take a cot with me. I have seen the Thermarest http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/cots/luxurylite-ultralite-cot/product and have decided that there has to be a cheaper option in a cot, that is backpack-able.

I think this one would be too bulky : http://www.amazon.com/Byer-Maine-Al...id=1420999079&sr=8-10&keywords=thermarest+cot

This one looks better as far as size, but the reviews are sketchy : http://www.amazon.com/Kamp-Rite-Eco..._sim_sg_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=15MTJEM8VECGB57C7XYE

I like this: http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Featuring-Polyester-Resistant-Flashlight/dp/B004C6CFT2 but that is way too big.

I'm looking for a canvas cot, sturdy enough to sleep on, and light enough to backpack with.

Hammocks are out, I'm not really down with them.

Options that you've found? Experience with any of the above? Reviews you have seen? Any info would be appreciated, thanks!
 
Christophe Noel

Christophe Noel

Expedition Leader
The only option that is truly backpack worthy is that Thermarest cot. It was really the only such option a few years ago, so Cascade Designs, the parent company of Thermarest, did the smart thing and bought that cot company. There have been some other attempts to make a backpack worthy cot, but this...is pretty much it, and not terribly popular as good as it is. I've used it. I do think it's cool, but not as comfortable as the many amazing sleeping pads now available.
 
Honu

Honu

lost on the mainland
another besides thermarest that is just a touch larger/heavier as in 6 oz but worth looking at is the helinox especially in the setup and take down when I looked at super light cots the helinox seemed like a way better option
they do have a light version coming out at some point ? no idea what it is noticed it when I was looking at the new chairs they have coming out
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Helinox/helinoxcotone


and ditto hammocks :)
 
P

PlacidWaters

Adventurer
Helinox Cot One

In my opinion the best lightweight cot on the market is the Helinox Cot One. Very smart and easy setup (2 minutes), strong, stable, and very comfortable WITH A MATTRESS. At around 4.5 lbs most backpackers would not use this cot because you now have the “big four”––tent, sleeping, bag, mattress, and cot––instead of the “big three.” The cot is the same size as a packed 2-person tent. But if you’re strong and the rest of your gear is super light, this cot might be a possibility. It would work great for canoe camping or motorcycle camping.

Used with a good mattress like the Exped Synmat 7, the combination of Cot One + mattress is literally twice as comfortable as the mattress on the ground.

I got the Helinox cot specifically for kayak camping and love it. I also use it for car camping for the times when I just don’t feel like wrassling with bigger gear like the Camp Time Roll-a-Cot. I got my camp setup time down to 15 minutes with the Cot One, Kelty Trail Ridge 3 tent, and REI Campbed 3.5––ultimate comfort in a small package.

I got the Cot One over the Thermarest Luxury Lite because the Thermarest is much harder to assemble (it has something like 34 parts), is clearly less comfortable (manufacturer says you can’t break it because you bottom out––that’s a hint about how well it supports your weight), and reviews complain about it breaking. It’s lighter than the Helinox, but the Helinox beats the Thermarest in all other respects.

The price of the Cot One is ridiculous ($300) and sales are very rare. I paid $240 on sale after watching the internet for months. No regrets––I love this cot. Beautiful piece of engineering design.

Watch this video and you’ll be convinced––especially the part where the guy walks right across the cot with no harm done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3tQids996Q
 
C

cdthiker

Meandering Idaho
What it also comes down to is sure you might be able to carry it and dont mind the weight but the space it takes up?
That is not something I am willing to give up.
I can carry my 4 season bivy and a sleeping pad for the weight of one of those cots.
As chris mentioned there just is not a lot out there, and sadly cheap and backpacking cot dont really go together. For that matter I have found that cheap and back country sleeping systems dont really go together. I am sure there is some one out there that will counter my argument. For me its worth it. Then again I made my living int he outdoors often spending 150+days in the field a year so I could justify sinking over a grand into my sleep set up.
That leads me to my last point.

I think another thing you might want to consider is how often are you really going to use this thing? Getting ready to go hike the PCT? this thing woudnt make the like. Few times a year where you are only out for a few days ? perhaps. Just think about all that extra money you could spend on gas getting there and then having money left over for beer and steak ?
Just my 2 cents
 
P

PlacidWaters

Adventurer
IdaSHO said:
After looking closer...

Big Agnes is the EXCLUSIVE distributor of Helinox here in the US
Click to expand...

Oh no, definitely not. I got my Cot One at Backcountry Edge and there are quite a few other distributors in the U.S. LL Dean, Campmor, Amazon, and a bunch of others.
 
IdaSHO

IdaSHO

IDACAMPER
PlacidWaters said:
Oh no, definitely not. I got my Cot One at Backcountry Edge and there are quite a few other distributors in the U.S. LL Dean, Campmor, Amazon, and a bunch of others.
Click to expand...

You are confusing distributor and retailer.

All of those guys are retailers. With Big Agnes being the exclusive distributor of Helinox, that means that all of those guys are buying from Big Agnes.
 
P

PlacidWaters

Adventurer
IdaSHO said:
You are confusing distributor and retailer.

All of those guys are retailers. With Big Agnes being the exclusive distributor of Helinox, that means that all of those guys are buying from Big Agnes.
Click to expand...

Aha. I stand corrected and I apologize. Now, why is this? Is this one reason why the price remains so high and sales almost never happen? Because the retailers must be paying a markup to Big Agnes as middleman, right? I suppose the fact that DAC (the manufacturer of Helinox) is in Australia means they need foreign distributors?

Big Agnes says, "DAC has chosen Big Agnes as the exclusive distributor of the Helinox brand in the Americas because of our commitment to innovative design and sustainability." Personally that doesn't mean much to me as a consumer. I would not buy a Helinox product because it's associated with Big Agnes. (Actually not a fan of Big Agnes designs, especially their sleeping bags with no insulation on the bottom.)

The only sales on Helinox are of the type "take 20% off anything on our website." The price of the cot really is shameful.
Cot $300
Sleeping bag $200
Mattress $150
TOTAL $650 just for your bed!

You would think Helinox would be embarrassed by all the negative mentions of their prices.
 
IdaSHO

IdaSHO

IDACAMPER
PlacidWaters said:
Aha. I stand corrected and I apologize. Now, why is this? Is this one reason why the price remains so high and sales almost never happen? Because the retailers must be paying a markup to Big Agnes as middleman, right?.
Click to expand...

Knowing what I know about MFG, wholesale and retail dealings, I imagine the high prices and lack of sales has less to do with Big Agnes and more to do with Helinox and what is called MAP pricing.



PlacidWaters said:
You would think Helinox would be embarrassed by all the negative mentions of their prices.
Click to expand...


Every retail product line follows a fairly standard.... "good" "better" "best" scheme. And pricing reflects that.
Big Agnes has proven itself over the years as premium gear. I would most certainly place their products in the "best" category. This means you pay a premium.
 
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