Light weight cots

Rchance83

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Jun 8, 2020
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Spokane
I’m heading to Alaska next year on a DIY caribou drop camp hunt. Weight is an issue and wondering what people use for light weight cots. Been looking at the helinox cots. Didn’t know if there was something else. Thanks.
 

Dvidos

Lil-Rokslider
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Aug 22, 2019
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There are a few companies making them along with a bunch of Chinese knockoffs
+1
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Joined
Dec 26, 2013
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Edmond, OK
I use the Thermarest LuxuryLite cot and have been pleased with it. Couple of buddies have the Helinox and Chinese knock off cots and like them as well.


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CAVEBEAR

FNG
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May 26, 2020
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I use the Helinox Lite Cot, it's nice and fairly easy to set up. If your going on a caribou hunt and plan to be on tundra. You might want a higher set up then.
 
OP
Rchance83

Rchance83

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Spokane
I use the Helinox Lite Cot, it's nice and fairly easy to set up. If your going on a caribou hunt and plan to be on tundra. You might want a higher set up then.

yeah I was thinking about getting the legs that go with it.
 

mlgc20

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Oct 29, 2018
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DFW, TX
I had a Helinox cot for one backpacking trip and got rid of it. For the weight and pain to put together, I couldn’t really figure out what problem they solved. They aren’t any more comfortable than just being on a high quality sleeping pad on the ground. They don’t get you off the ground enough that you can sit on the cot or make it any easier to get out of bed. If you’re in a floorless shelter it keeps your pad off the ground. But, I’d rather carry a piece of Tyvek for that purpose. If weight restrictions won’t let you take a cot that gets you 17-18 inches off the ground, I would just take a nice and warm sleeping pad (Exped Downmat 9) and call it good.
 

slatty

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Mar 21, 2018
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British Columbia
I have the "desert walker" chinese knockoff. It's proved very reasonable and comfortable. It's too big to backpack for me but for a drop camp or carcamp it's ok. I think it's about 2lbs.
The problem it solves for me is not sliding around in a tent with a stove. I've slid over and burned a hole in my sleeping bag which wasn't cool. This at least keeps me somewhat confined and lessens the chance of that happening.
 
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Rchance83

Rchance83

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Spokane
I have the "desert walker" chinese knockoff. It's proved very reasonable and comfortable. It's too big to backpack for me but for a drop camp or carcamp it's ok. I think it's about 2lbs.
The problem it solves for me is not sliding around in a tent with a stove. I've slid over and burned a hole in my sleeping bag which wasn't cool. This at least keeps me somewhat confined and lessens the chance of that happening.
I’ll have to take a look at that one. Thanks!
 

slatty

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Mar 21, 2018
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British Columbia
I should clarify I think they have a newer model that is much taller, in case you look at that one. I have the older one that i've been happy with, I see it's still for sale. I tried out various ones at the store and I would like a helinox but just couldn't stomach the cost. If I was backpacking in a long ways i'd get something I could trust more but I don't bring a cot for those trips. Having said that this thing is super solid.
 

keller

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Oct 30, 2017
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wi
i looked at a lot of the lightweight versions. i didnt like the price of helinox but bucked up and ordered helinox cot one .helinox lite and the thermarest. too many pieces on the thermarest no on that one.the helinox both set up easily with less pieces.the cot one is a better sturdier cot with availible legs but is heavier.the light is lighter weight.i ended up keeping the light due to weight and moosejaw run them at 25% off at times or they have a 20% off full price purchase quite frequently.
good luck john
 
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Rchance83

Rchance83

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i looked at a lot of the lightweight versions. i didnt like the price of helinox but bucked up and ordered helinox cot one .helinox lite and the thermarest. too many pieces on the thermarest no on that one.the helinox both set up easily with less pieces.the cot one is a better sturdier cot with availible legs but is heavier.the light is lighter weight.i ended up keeping the light due to weight and moosejaw run them at 25% off at times or they have a 20% off full price purchase quite frequently.
good luck john
Appreciate the info!
 
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Rchance83

Rchance83

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Joined
Jun 8, 2020
Messages
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Spokane
I should clarify I think they have a newer model that is much taller, in case you look at that one. I have the older one that i've been happy with, I see it's still for sale. I tried out various ones at the store and I would like a helinox but just couldn't stomach the cost. If I was backpacking in a long ways i'd get something I could trust more but I don't bring a cot for those trips. Having said that this thing is super solid.
Thanks!
 
Joined
Aug 12, 2015
Messages
51
Location
NC
I have the Thermarest cot, and although it's very comfortable, it is a bit annoying to put together, plus I always get onto or off of it very gingerly because it always feels like it's one wrong move away from breaking. It's also the lowest cot of the three I own (around 4 inches off the ground I believe).

I also have the Helinox cot, which is less annoying to put together, but it's so taut that I find it significantly less comfortable. It is the only one I own which can be converted into a high cot, moving it from 5 inches off the ground to 15 inches.

I just recently got the Go-Kot, which is much heavier than the other two, but is the easiest to put together, sits 8 inches off the ground, and is very comfortable. It's also bombproof, totally American-made, and the customer service is excellent (they got me the cot in time for a trip). The Go-Kot is my favorite of the three.

If you don't mind 9 lbs, I'd recommend the Go-Kot, but if you are backpacking, you might need to compromise ease of setup and durability and get the Helinox or the Thermarest.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
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Depends on how much of an issue weight is, but if you can afford an extra couple of pounds, Roll-a-cots are great. They weigh less than 10lbs I believe, and they’re very affordable, like $130. They get you way off the ground too, which is a total game changer if there’s snow. Plus, you can sit on them comfortably. In my experience (mostly winter camping) they’re vastly superior to the other lightweight cots that use those w-shaped crossbars for support, those style cots don’t leave you with much freeboard above the ground.


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