A look at the Helinox Cot Lite: a real lightweight backpacking cot weighing only 2lbs, 10oz. Should you add it to your gear closet? Hike Logistics helps you decide.
I think you did not mention the most important thing about this cot and any other cot, they do not puncture. Its very annoying when sleeping on a air mattress and you wake up in the middle of the night on the cold rocky ground because it has deflated.
Dereck: A good observation, to be sure! I've spent my share of uncomfortable nights on the ground after an inflatable mat failed. Thanks for the comment!
100% agree. I went out twice on two separate occasions with new synmat UL W and both times a tiny pinhole practically impossible to find in the field, left me on the ground. That is why i'm looking into cots now.
Fabric is polyester which, unlike nylon, eventually stretches, fatigues and rips. Buy the Go-kot made of nylon - better quality for around the same price if you are not too concerned about weight.
I believe the new version is now made from nylon old version: www.rei.com/product/889599/helinox-cot-lite#product-reviews new: www.rei.com/product/158009/helinox-lite-cot#product-reviews The weight and dimensions are slightly different. I have a Go-Kot and its a great cot. I'm looking to buy this Helinox one for backpacking. Also if using the Helinox, you must protect the tent floor from the legs as there has been reports of it damaging tent floors.
Very nice review. I see that Helinox now sells a “Reversible cot warmer”. It is a fitted piece of fleece material for this cot. My question to everyone is, would this fleece piece take the place of a regular sleeping bag pad between myself in a sleeping bag and this cot? Or is a pad of any type needed on when using a sleeping bag on this cot? Thank you for your replies.
Hello I’m a wildland firefighter and we stay in tents for weeks at time and wondering if a cot like this would be better sleeping verses an air mattress? Also in your opinion how stable is it on uneven ground?
Zachary: I'm very sorry! I never got a notification of your question, so I overlooked it. I think the cot would be an extremely welcome sleeping platform. As for uneven ground, the cot really only contacts the ground at the feet (8 places), so unevenness is not much of an issue. You DO want relatively firm footing at those feet however, so for example, sand is certainly not ideal. Remember that the feet will place significant pressure in those eight spots on the floor of the tent, so especially rocky soil will likely result in tears and damage to the tent floor. But average forest floor? I think you'll be happy, even when the ground is lumpy.
What are the velcro strips for on the underside? Is there an after product that puts a "heat barrier" attachment on the underside like that the one available for the Thermo-rest cot?
Paul: After reaching out directly to Helinox, I've been informed that no such Helinox product exists. Whether another company's product exists that would serve this purpose, I don't know. Hope that helps. Thanks for the great question!
Full disclosure: I'm no bikepacker, so my opinion on this matter is somewhat suspect. With that said, I think this thing would be fantastic. It is compact enough that it will fit reasonably in your pack, is light enough that it will not add substantial weight for those long uphill climbs, and will serve you well to get a good night's rest for the next day of pedaling. For me, I can't really think of a downside to using this cot for bikepacking. Solid piece of gear.
I have a cot similar to this one and I love it for backpacking. The one I have is a bit heavier than this one but it is well worth packing it along. I work with the Boy Scouts and we camp every month of the year. While everyone else is scouting out a flat area for their tent with no lumps or bumps, I just throw my tent out anywhere because I will be happily suspended above any of these obstacles on my awesome cot.
For real bike touring it's fine, fits on the rear rack with the tent perfectly. It would be a bit more of a pain for bikepack bags slung over a mountainbike though you could handlebar mount under a hydration bladder where a sleep pad would normally go.
If I’m out in -30 weather and I’ve got a properly rated sleeping bag for these temps I’ll still be cold with the air circulating underneath the cot? I’m looking for warmth over comfort thanks in advance
Rather risky. Remember that when you are laying in your sleeping bag, the part of your bag underneath you is smashed, no matter how thick the insulation is. That drastically reduces its insulating properties. An insulated mat provides an insulating barrier that makes up for this loss of insulation. Even a thick down bag will be smashed very thin underneath you, and if it's the only thing under you other than the thin fabric of a cot, I think you are going to be disappointed. An insulated mat is the better choice for cold weather. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching, and we hope you'll consider subscribing!
Naw.. if you have a down bag it will not be a minus 30 degree under you. You need a mat of some kind. When I use a cot in the winter I put a folded wool blanket as a pad on the cot. I also use a Mylar tarp (not blanket) to draped over the cot to lay on the floor to slow the air infiltration under the cot. So.. you gain R value from the wool blanket. You are not in contact with the floor and you have a dead air space between you and the floor. I will be warmer with your properly rated bag on the cot than you will be with the same bag on a pad. I will also have a consistent level of comfort day to day..
I used a closed cell foam mat on top of the cot and foam pad. The was the key to staying warm. On the third night of the trip i added a Mylar blanket between the cot and foam. It was even warmer.
Harder to insulate. An insulated air mattress gives you a temperature barrier between you and the ground. With a cot, you have cold air between you and the ground. You could of course put some type of insulating layer underneath you and on top of the cot, but that would sort of be redundant and in my opinion defeat some of the purpose of the cot. I certainly wouldn't say you can't do it, but it is not something that I would necessarily advise. Thanks for watching!
@@hakeemshabazz3207 Not saying you can't, but if it gets very cold, things could get chilly! I recommend the Thermarest Xtherm mattresses if you're curious.
I'm bike packer and I weigh 225 lbs or about 100 kg. I have this very same cot and am laying on it now whilst I type this. It says its rated for 260 lbs but I just now broke one of the poles when I shifted position. I only got about 90 nights worth of use from this expensive piece of garbage. Unless you weigh less than 180lbs or only plan on using it less than 90 nights, save your money and avoid this expensive piece of crap. I just now switched ends on this cot so I can sleep while my feet are on the ground. I don't think this cot is going to last much longer and will be once again sleeping on the ground.
Sorry to hear you've had a bad experience. I'll say this though: I weigh about the same as you, and I've always felt the cot was strong and as - advertised, though getting a solid place for the feet is important to keep the feet from torquing unnaturally. I'll also say this: Big Agnes has always offered the highest level of customer service in my experience. Reach out to them. I predict they fix or replace what's broke and get you back in business quickly. One last observation: $250/90 = $2.78 a night for a comfortable bed. While I'm not suggesting that you should consider this disposable gear, I'm just observing that $2.78 a night is a price I'd happily pay for a comfortable bed. Every time.
Hike Logistics My tent I bought from target for $35 has lasted 4 months, I spent $100 on a grand trunk hammock it lasted two years. So no I consider this a horrible value.
A proud boy reveals his difficult task. Have a cookie.
4 года назад+1
Spend 3 months using the cot daily ... you will end up with your back on the ground. I am not a very heavy person (74 kilos) but the fabric ends up stretching and the poles end up losing their tension ... great shit and great price. Not recommended.
I was thinking you could stuff a light weight quilt between the legs and under surface of the cot like hammocks have for winter camping. I have not tested this though.
Weird logic. The only reason you can say that is because of the airflow ground clearance allows ( he even said it was for warmer months). You're complaining about a feature. You can stop the airflow but you cant " add" airflow to a sleeping pad. Versatility is a good thing.
This is NOT the cot for you if you are a woman. I am a fisheries biologist of 30 years and fairly darn strong and tough. I COULD NOT SET THIS UP in the field. If it were NOT for my hefty male graduate students, I would have been sleeping on the ground that evening! Check out the You Tube video from the woman who hurt herself setting up the Cot Lite. This is absolutely BS that she hurt herself and I now I can see how it happened. How can the company have developed a product that is too hard to set up. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS!
I read reviews that the legs are a bit difficult to insert. Some got their fingers pinched in the process of setting them up. Do you have the link to the video of the woman?
Now I read this after purchasing last week, just tried to set it up also I’m 110 lbs. I bought for my outdoor energy healing sessions on clients! Dang!
@@qanononabong8491 like the ones in the majority of the military that can't even put the last pole in THAT cot lmao. Quit the sexism. Sometimes something is just difficult and tedious and that's it.
I think you did not mention the most important thing about this cot and any other cot, they do not
puncture. Its very annoying when sleeping on a air mattress and you wake up in the middle of the
night on the cold rocky ground because it has deflated.
Dereck: A good observation, to be sure! I've spent my share of uncomfortable nights on the ground after an inflatable mat failed. Thanks for the comment!
Been there,
100% agree. I went out twice on two separate occasions with new synmat UL W and both times a tiny pinhole practically impossible to find in the field, left me on the ground. That is why i'm looking into cots now.
Plus you can sleep on your side. I’m not gonna sleep on my back. It just won’t happen.
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems obvious from its construction.
Any chance of doing a comparison between the Cot One and the Lite Cot?
¡ EXELENTE VIDEO! ¡ ME ENCANTÓ LA CAMA PORTÁTIL !
❤️🇦🇷❤️💯
Nice review! We are considering to buy this
Fabric is polyester which, unlike nylon, eventually stretches, fatigues and rips. Buy the Go-kot made of nylon - better quality for around the same price if you are not too concerned about weight.
I believe the new version is now made from nylon
old version:
www.rei.com/product/889599/helinox-cot-lite#product-reviews
new:
www.rei.com/product/158009/helinox-lite-cot#product-reviews
The weight and dimensions are slightly different. I have a Go-Kot and its a great cot. I'm looking to buy this Helinox one for backpacking. Also if using the Helinox, you must protect the tent floor from the legs as there has been reports of it damaging tent floors.
Nice review. Thanks for your input
Glad you liked it; thanks for watching!
nicely done, thanks
Very nice review. I see that Helinox now sells a “Reversible cot warmer”. It is a fitted piece of fleece material for this cot. My question to everyone is, would this fleece piece take the place of a regular sleeping bag pad between myself in a sleeping bag and this cot? Or is a pad of any type needed on when using a sleeping bag on this cot? Thank you for your replies.
The instructions actually say to place a middle leg first though.
3:56
Thank you
good review
Thanks, and thanks for watching!
Hmm, good review
Thanks for watching!
Hello I’m a wildland firefighter and we stay in tents for weeks at time and wondering if a cot like this would be better sleeping verses an air mattress? Also in your opinion how stable is it on uneven ground?
Zachary: I'm very sorry! I never got a notification of your question, so I overlooked it.
I think the cot would be an extremely welcome sleeping platform. As for uneven ground, the cot really only contacts the ground at the feet (8 places), so unevenness is not much of an issue. You DO want relatively firm footing at those feet however, so for example, sand is certainly not ideal. Remember that the feet will place significant pressure in those eight spots on the floor of the tent, so especially rocky soil will likely result in tears and damage to the tent floor.
But average forest floor? I think you'll be happy, even when the ground is lumpy.
What are the velcro strips for on the underside? Is there an after product that puts a "heat barrier" attachment on the underside like that the one available for the Thermo-rest cot?
Sorry, been out on the Appalachian Trail for the past few days.
Great question, and I don't know the answer off hand. I'll see what I can find out.
Paul: After reaching out directly to Helinox, I've been informed that no such Helinox product exists. Whether another company's product exists that would serve this purpose, I don't know. Hope that helps. Thanks for the great question!
Thanks
Great review! What do you think for this thing for bikepacking?I'm planning a long-distance bike tour and am looking at cot options. Thanks!
Full disclosure: I'm no bikepacker, so my opinion on this matter is somewhat suspect. With that said, I think this thing would be fantastic. It is compact enough that it will fit reasonably in your pack, is light enough that it will not add substantial weight for those long uphill climbs, and will serve you well to get a good night's rest for the next day of pedaling. For me, I can't really think of a downside to using this cot for bikepacking. Solid piece of gear.
I have a cot similar to this one and I love it for backpacking. The one I have is a bit heavier than this one but it is well worth packing it along. I work with the Boy Scouts and we camp every month of the year. While everyone else is scouting out a flat area for their tent with no lumps or bumps, I just throw my tent out anywhere because I will be happily suspended above any of these obstacles on my awesome cot.
For real bike touring it's fine, fits on the rear rack with the tent perfectly. It would be a bit more of a pain for bikepack bags slung over a mountainbike though you could handlebar mount under a hydration bladder where a sleep pad would normally go.
If I’m out in -30 weather and I’ve got a properly rated sleeping bag for these temps I’ll still be cold with the air circulating underneath the cot? I’m looking for warmth over comfort thanks in advance
Rather risky. Remember that when you are laying in your sleeping bag, the part of your bag underneath you is smashed, no matter how thick the insulation is. That drastically reduces its insulating properties. An insulated mat provides an insulating barrier that makes up for this loss of insulation. Even a thick down bag will be smashed very thin underneath you, and if it's the only thing under you other than the thin fabric of a cot, I think you are going to be disappointed. An insulated mat is the better choice for cold weather.
Hope that helps. Thanks for watching, and we hope you'll consider subscribing!
Naw.. if you have a down bag it will not be a minus 30 degree under you. You need a mat of some kind.
When I use a cot in the winter I put a folded wool blanket as a pad on the cot. I also use a Mylar tarp (not blanket) to draped over the cot to lay on the floor to slow the air infiltration under the cot.
So.. you gain R value from the wool blanket. You are not in contact with the floor and you have a dead air space between you and the floor.
I will be warmer with your properly rated bag on the cot than you will be with the same bag on a pad.
I will also have a consistent level of comfort day to day..
BigBilo, try an under quilt like winter hammocks use for 4 season camping.
I used a closed cell foam mat on top of the cot and foam pad. The was the key to staying warm. On the third night of the trip i added a Mylar blanket between the cot and foam. It was even warmer.
Closed cell foam works the best, whether you are sleeping directly on the snow or a cot. All guides use them for good reason.
Cots not good for winter???🤔🤔🤔...
I thought being off the ground doing winter backpack camping would be awesome with this, no?
Harder to insulate. An insulated air mattress gives you a temperature barrier between you and the ground. With a cot, you have cold air between you and the ground. You could of course put some type of insulating layer underneath you and on top of the cot, but that would sort of be redundant and in my opinion defeat some of the purpose of the cot. I certainly wouldn't say you can't do it, but it is not something that I would necessarily advise. Thanks for watching!
Hike Logistics Damn😭😭 Ok, cots out, thanx!👍👍
@@hakeemshabazz3207 Not saying you can't, but if it gets very cold, things could get chilly! I recommend the Thermarest Xtherm mattresses if you're curious.
I'm bike packer and I weigh 225 lbs or about 100 kg. I have this very same cot and am laying on it now whilst I type this. It says its rated for 260 lbs but I just now broke one of the poles when I shifted position. I only got about 90 nights worth of use from this expensive piece of garbage. Unless you weigh less than 180lbs or only plan on using it less than 90 nights, save your money and avoid this expensive piece of crap. I just now switched ends on this cot so I can sleep while my feet are on the ground. I don't think this cot is going to last much longer and will be once again sleeping on the ground.
Sorry to hear you've had a bad experience. I'll say this though: I weigh about the same as you, and I've always felt the cot was strong and as - advertised, though getting a solid place for the feet is important to keep the feet from torquing unnaturally. I'll also say this: Big Agnes has always offered the highest level of customer service in my experience. Reach out to them. I predict they fix or replace what's broke and get you back in business quickly.
One last observation: $250/90 = $2.78 a night for a comfortable bed. While I'm not suggesting that you should consider this disposable gear, I'm just observing that $2.78 a night is a price I'd happily pay for a comfortable bed. Every time.
Hike Logistics My tent I bought from target for $35 has lasted 4 months, I spent $100 on a grand trunk hammock it lasted two years. So no I consider this a horrible value.
@Sam Starr: I understand. Hit Big Agnes up for warranty. I think they'll take care of you.
It can not handle heavy people. I weigh 110 and I just barely cleared the ground.
This is the reason why Helinox are expensive then others. Helinox is name for most strong and light pole.
Watched all of i
A proud boy reveals his difficult task. Have a cookie.
Spend 3 months using the cot daily ... you will end up with your back on the ground. I am not a very heavy person (74 kilos) but the fabric ends up stretching and the poles end up losing their tension ... great shit and great price. Not recommended.
The helinox isnt going to keep you warm
I was thinking you could stuff a light weight quilt between the legs and under surface of the cot like hammocks have for winter camping. I have not tested this though.
Weird logic. The only reason you can say that is because of the airflow ground clearance allows ( he even said it was for warmer months). You're complaining about a feature.
You can stop the airflow but you cant " add" airflow to a sleeping pad.
Versatility is a good thing.
Storage space.
This is NOT the cot for you if you are a woman. I am a fisheries biologist of 30 years and fairly darn strong and tough. I COULD NOT SET THIS UP in the field. If it were NOT for my hefty male graduate students, I would have been sleeping on the ground that evening! Check out the You Tube video from the woman who hurt herself setting up the Cot Lite. This is absolutely BS that she hurt herself and I now I can see how it happened. How can the company have developed a product that is too hard to set up. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS!
I read reviews that the legs are a bit difficult to insert. Some got their fingers pinched in the process of setting them up. Do you have the link to the video of the woman?
Now I read this after purchasing last week, just tried to set it up also I’m 110 lbs. I bought for my outdoor energy healing sessions on clients! Dang!
Marry a man.
@@qanononabong8491 like the ones in the majority of the military that can't even put the last pole in THAT cot lmao.
Quit the sexism. Sometimes something is just difficult and tedious and that's it.
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