Lightweight cots for gravel bar use...

[Tod osier]

I'm looking at lightweight cots for river trips and trying to figure out the best option for gravel and sand. I've read up on the options, but I'm not seeing anything about using them on a loose substrate. The Helinox options and the Therm-a-rest ultralight seem like the straight legs would push right in to the sand. Looking at the Therm-a-rest mesh, it seems that in the lighter cots that it would be best suited for gravel or sand.

The cot doesn't necessarily need to be ultralight, since we wouldn't be carrying them, but the pounds do add up, so light is best.

Thoughts????

 

[GunsAreFun]

I think you have a good though about the legs and not digging into sand or gravel and putting holes in your tent.

Have you considered an inflatable? Something bigger and more comfortable than what we use backpacking but still compact. Klymit just came out with one that looks very comfy but many have these. I use an old thermarest foam/air hybrid and sleep like a baby on gravel bars.

 

[Tod osier]

I think you have a good though about the legs and not digging into sand or gravel and putting holes in your tent.

Have you considered an inflatable? Something bigger and more comfortable than what we use backpacking but still compact. Klymit just came out with one that looks very comfy but many have these. I use an old thermarest foam/air hybrid and sleep like a baby on gravel bars.

Thanks, we have thought about a few options, including an extra cushy pad like you are suggesting (backpack with neoair X-lite shortys). A cushy pad is a good option if we don't think a cot will work. Probably a little cheaper too.

This would be for a floorless shelter, but either way if the legs are sinking it would be bad.

 

[GunsAreFun]

Thanks, we have thought about a few options, including an extra cushy pad like you are suggesting (backpack with neoair X-lite shortys). A cushy pad is a good option if we don't think a cot will work. Probably a little cheaper too.

This would be for a floorless shelter, but either way if the legs are sinking it would be bad.

FYI on sinning feet. I discovered something just 10 hours ago on a backpacking trip when my Helinox chair kept sinking into the soft dirt...

I cut a piece of tyvek off of my ground tarp that was big enough for all four legs to sit on plus a couple inches. It stopped it from sinking.

 

[Rafttohunt]

Not lightweight, but roll-a-cot is what you see a lot of rafters using. I have one and love it, but also am not counting lbs on my river trips.

 

[AKDoc]

For the last six years I have used a Thermarest model cot like the one pictured in your initial post. It has been excellent in application for remote seven-day pack-raft floats (camping on gravel bars) and remote two-week drop hunts (camping on tundra). I chose the Thermarest model for exactly the same logic that you shared, i.e., the ringed "legs" will not push through the floor of my tent. Definitely a very comfortable night sleep, but it is important that you also use a good sleeping pad...especially with an R value if you are in colder temps with a down bag. One of my ringed "legs" broke a couple years ago, and the customer service was excellent...even sent me an extra to go with the replacement.

All that said, setting it up and taking it down every day on hundred mile float trips gets a little old. This year I'll be trying out the Helinox Lite cot. It sure is a comparatively quicker set-up. I'm planning to use an empty dry bag or two as a base for the cot legs. We will see.

 

[AKDoc]

FYI on sinning feet. I discovered something just 10 hours ago on a backpacking trip when my Helinox chair kept sinking into the soft dirt...

I know what you mean...those skinny legs sink straight down into the tundra the second you sit in the chair.

I picked-up some plastic "caps" at the hardware store that are used to put on the ends of exposed rebar at construction sites. They easily slide onto the leg footer and keep it from sinking, and four of those are pretty much weightless and take-up little space.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/25-Pack-3-to-8-Plastic-Rebar-Safety-Caps/4067486

 

[Crowmangler]

I go the Alps Mountaineering Ready Lite cot & love it. It has five full width "legs" that distribute the load better than the small round "feet". Packs up really small & weighs less than 5 lbs.

 

[rayporter]

here is a little tip on gravel bars with really small pea sized gravel. just wriggle you butt in the gravel and it will take your body shape and with a light wt pad you wont need a cot!

 

[Kevin Dill]

Do a search at Therm-a-Rest and see if they still have the special cot feet accessories which reduce or prevent sinking. I have a full set and they work great.

 

[VernAK]

Ted,

I gave up on cots for our long canoe trips as we frequently camp on gravel bars to escape flys etc.
We went to the largest Big Agnes inflatable mattress and we put down a piece of floor underlayment to prevent punctures.

 

[Tod osier]

Not lightweight, but roll-a-cot is what you see a lot of rafters using. I have one and love it, but also am not counting lbs on my river trips.

I'm height limited in the Redcliff, so I think a pad or low cot would be best.

 

[Tod osier]

Ted,

I gave up on cots for our long canoe trips as we frequently camp on gravel bars to escape flys etc.
We went to the largest Big Agnes inflatable mattress and we put down a piece of floor underlayment to prevent punctures.

Thanks Vern, I'm thinking that given the multiple suggestions for a thick pad, that is the way to go. There are some good deals on base camp style pads.

 

[Tod osier]

Do a search at Therm-a-Rest and see if they still have the special cot feet accessories which reduce or prevent sinking. I have a full set and they work great.

Kevin, I did see the feet. It is our experience with our Helinox chairs that taught me to have an eye out for issues like that. . We have Chair Ones that we use on river trips and use their ground sheet add on to avoid sinking out of sight.

One other thing and it is probably minor, but on a river trip and moving, I'm leaning towards a self inflating pad just because tearing down the cot and putting it together might get a little old (vs a base camp situation).

 

[Kevin Dill]

One other thing and it is probably minor, but on a river trip and moving, I'm leaning towards a self inflating pad just because tearing down the cot and putting it together might get a little old (vs a base camp situation).

No argument with that. Cots are great but the up/down assembly thing every day or so would irritate me....not to mention pad inflation. Another thing you might consider from Therm-A-Rest is their new NeoAir Micro Pump. Uses 2 x AAA batteries. In conjunction with their pads it looks like a fast way to get the job done.

 

[Wrench]

If I was sold on a cot, I'd would some 6" square feet from ply wood, kydex or similar and use a zip tie to keep it secure.

 

[Tod osier]

Tell my wife to wiggle her butt a little more would ya!

No argument with that. Cots are great but the up/down assembly thing every day or so would irritate me....not to mention pad inflation. Another thing you might consider from Therm-A-Rest is their new NeoAir Micro Pump. Uses 2 x AAA batteries. In conjunction with their pads it looks like a fast way to get the job done.

I've thought about the pumps, but we usually bring along a pre-teen (teen this year!?!?! wtf?!?!) who has plenty of hot air. I also have a little piece of 1/2" (tygon) in the bag for river that will go from our raft pump to the valve, but no one ever uses it.

Just putting up and taking down helinox chairs can be a burden at times, so going with a really thick self inflating mattress would be nice.

 

[Tod osier]

If I was sold on a cot, I'd would some 6" square feet from ply wood, kydex or similar and use a zip tie to keep it secure.

Agreed, easy mod to improve the legs.

We are doing a long trip this August (18 days?) and I was hoping for an improvement in comfort, I think just a cushy pad will do it at this point.

 

[danarnold]

I have a lightly used t-rest cot I'd sell reasonable

 

[Tod osier]

I have a lightly used t-rest cot I'd sell reasonable

Thanks, but I think I'm going with pads for us. With the Thermarest valve changeover, there are some good deals to be had.