Helinox Cot One Convertible Stretcher - Black / Blue

Really quick and easy to erect, so much better than sleeping on a mat, very comfortable and sturdy. Could even sit on it rather than scrabbling about the ground, however when it's cold you get a lot of cold air coming up from the ground making sleeping impossible even with a really good down bag. We were motorcycle touring in June so had no room to pack mats as well, tbh didn't expect such cold weather. We ended up having to buy insulated picnic blankets while away and squeeze those in instead. I've dropped a star because every accessory is sooo expensive to buy, There should be an option to buy the insulated top instead of the original when purchasing as it's another £200 to buy the insulated top as well!

Amazing cot

Originally intended for just camping but started using it almost everyday for the past 8 months. The firmness helps with my lower back. I'm impressed by its lightweight and portability I even bring it with me as a carry on for flights.I've wondered if the sheet would still feel the same with so much use. Got a new one recently to build up the family gear and happy to say I didn't notice any difference to a brand new one.

Amazing sleep, no risk of leaks

My camping style is somewhere between base/car camping and backpacking. More towards base camping but with a minimalist angle. I don't need luxury, but I want quality equipment that will last and be fun to use.Sleeping solutions have always been my biggest issue when camping. Whether it's a self-inflating sleeping pad or consumer air mattress, I've always had issues with them deflating. I tried a foam pad, with alleviated my deflation fears, but as a side sleeper, they weren't the most comfortable--passable, but not ideal.I stumbled across this cot, and dismissed it immediately because of the price. But then I came back and researched it. People talked about how comfortable they were, so I figured I'd give it a try. The theory made sense... you're off the ground ... MoreMy camping style is somewhere between base/car camping and backpacking. More towards base camping but with a minimalist angle. I don't need luxury, but I want quality equipment that will last and be fun to use.Sleeping solutions have always been my biggest issue when camping. Whether it's a self-inflating sleeping pad or consumer air mattress, I've always had issues with them deflating. I tried a foam pad, with alleviated my deflation fears, but as a side sleeper, they weren't the most comfortable--passable, but not ideal.I stumbled across this cot, and dismissed it immediately because of the price. But then I came back and researched it. People talked about how comfortable they were, so I figured I'd give it a try. The theory made sense... you're off the ground and nothing to puncture or deflate.After a 4-night camping trip, I can say these provide the most comfortable camping sleep I've ever had. They work great for any sleeping position (again, I sleep mostly on my side). I'm 6-feet tall and the regular length is more than sufficient.They setup quite easily and store more compact than a foam pad.On a warm summer night, they also make for a cooler sleeping temperature. I haven't tried them on colder nights yet, but I can imagine (as other reviewers mentioned) that you might need to double-up on insulation to keep warm, but I'm happy to do that!And best of all, they can double as loungers during the day. Bring them outside the tent for some tanning or an afternoon nap in the shade.They do take up more room than other sleeping pad solutions, so just check the dimensions to ensure you have room in your tent. If you have the room and the budget, I promise you'll love them!

Good for sleeping / back problems and home, not just camping.

It would have saved me lots of $$$ if I discovered these earlier. I have back pain and bought many different expensive beds and toppers almost bought an Italian gel bed. These are the best! Compact profile and space saving and most importantly, back saving. We first bought one for our 5 yr old son who would toss and turn in all his beds and not sleep well. We gave this a try after reading someone's review about these being like sleeping in a hammock + we needed something compact. Now this bed is our son's every night bed and then I got one for myself to try out and my leg/back pain while sleeping is history, then we got one for my husband. I wish they made one bed for two people! We bought another as a guest bed. Sold all our mattress beds. These will be our only ... MoreIt would have saved me lots of $$$ if I discovered these earlier. I have back pain and bought many different expensive beds and toppers almost bought an Italian gel bed. These are the best! Compact profile and space saving and most importantly, back saving. We first bought one for our 5 yr old son who would toss and turn in all his beds and not sleep well. We gave this a try after reading someone's review about these being like sleeping in a hammock + we needed something compact. Now this bed is our son's every night bed and then I got one for myself to try out and my leg/back pain while sleeping is history, then we got one for my husband. I wish they made one bed for two people! We bought another as a guest bed. Sold all our mattress beds. These will be our only beds and guest beds. No longer will we go back to the heavy mattresses!!!

It is an ok cot.

It is an ok cot.I have found myself on a deployment where a cot is almost required due to scorpions and rocks at the places we are staying.We have the mil. cots but they are a hassle to put together every night.This cot assembles much easer than the mil. cots but for the price, I was hoping for, I don’t know, an even easier set up, a smaller overall package, and maybe lighter?Don’t get me wrong, if you want/need a cot, this is the one. But, for me, the price wasn’t worth it, and a less expensive option would do the trick.All that being said, helinox still makes the best chairs on the market. Maybe that is why I had such high (too high?) hopes for their cot.

Lightweight cot, quick set up

I took this on it's inaugural trip earlier in the year in the National Forest outside of Steamboat, CO. The poles assemble easily and then slide into the fabric sides of the cot. The "w' shaped legs assemble super easily, they're corded just like a tent pole, the only thing to do is keep in mind which way is up when you're distracted trying to set up camp surrounded by mosquitos.I've read reviews that it's hard to get the clamps to lock... I wouldn't say it's hard, but it does require either some hand strength or the ability to use your body-weight to add some leverage to... well, the lever. It's really a clever solution to making the cot taut, which, once locked into place, it is, but also has enough give to be comfortable.It doesn't weigh much and packs up ... MoreI took this on it's inaugural trip earlier in the year in the National Forest outside of Steamboat, CO. The poles assemble easily and then slide into the fabric sides of the cot. The "w' shaped legs assemble super easily, they're corded just like a tent pole, the only thing to do is keep in mind which way is up when you're distracted trying to set up camp surrounded by mosquitos.I've read reviews that it's hard to get the clamps to lock... I wouldn't say it's hard, but it does require either some hand strength or the ability to use your body-weight to add some leverage to... well, the lever. It's really a clever solution to making the cot taut, which, once locked into place, it is, but also has enough give to be comfortable.It doesn't weigh much and packs up smaller than my 3 person tent does (it fit into a 2010 Marmot Limelight 3P... you'd be hard pressed to comfortably fit two cots into it with gear and a dog, but for "spacious solo camping with the dog" it's not bad). I'm 5'11" and I definitely fit well, there's a few inches of room on either end which means my head is not along the edge of the fabric, which might be annoying.It beats camping on the ground, and also beats camping on an inflatable camp pad. I could see the combo of the pad plus the cot being nice for more insulation against the cold when it's cold out.

Pricey, but awesome!

Just wrapped up 20 days on the Grand Canyon using this cot. It was a summer trip and I was worried about being too hot sleeping on a regular sleeping pad, and this cot was perfect. I've also used it a few times in cooler weather, and enjoyed putting an inflatable mattress or Paco pad on top for some insulation. I did not purchase the leg extensions, and was initially worried about breaking the cot, as it is very light weight. After almost a month of constant use, it is showing no signs of wear. I'm really impressed. I'd read some complaints about the tension bars being difficult to click together to create tension, but this has not been my experience. For sleeping in hot and dry climates, it was great to dip the whole cot in the river, let it drip onto the ground, ... MoreJust wrapped up 20 days on the Grand Canyon using this cot. It was a summer trip and I was worried about being too hot sleeping on a regular sleeping pad, and this cot was perfect. I've also used it a few times in cooler weather, and enjoyed putting an inflatable mattress or Paco pad on top for some insulation. I did not purchase the leg extensions, and was initially worried about breaking the cot, as it is very light weight. After almost a month of constant use, it is showing no signs of wear. I'm really impressed. I'd read some complaints about the tension bars being difficult to click together to create tension, but this has not been my experience. For sleeping in hot and dry climates, it was great to dip the whole cot in the river, let it drip onto the ground, and then enjoy the evaporative cooling for hours. In sand the short legs sink down and sometimes I ended up contacting the ground, but I could use an empty soda can or a rock as a snowshoe to avoid sinking. Definitely not the cheapest sleeping solution, but I'm quite pleased with the product and the durability.

Sturdy and compact yet comfortable

Stretches tight with its excellent design and the help of a final clamp-down. I needed someone stronger to do this, but It just depends on the shape you're in. Well, that final effort, as with a well-constructed tent, is necessary to give the cot its strength. Otherwise, the cut is easy to assemble. Watching YouTube videos helps. Once it is set up, it is comfortable to lie on, firm but not "hard." With the legs, it even makes a usable bench for seating one or two people. Like all Helinox products, the construction is light yet strong and they fold up nicely for travel and storage. People comment on the high price of Helinox, but I believe it's worth it for the comfort, convenience, durability, and even good looks.

Surprisingly comfortable, excellent construction.

My husband and I got these for car camping along with the fleece liners. It sets up so easily and was surprisingly comfortable when we opened it up at home to test it out. Was concerned that it would be hard for side sleeping but it was absolutely spacious enough for that! Our cats now want to call it their bed too 😅We are really excited to use these, so nice to be even just a bit elevated in the summer to get a breeze or get off the wet ground (ever been rained out and the tarps just aren’t enough? This makes it all better). Our friends tried it out too and are now looking to invest in ones for themselves.

Worth the investment

Recently added another cot to our camping arsenal. Great quality that you expect from Helinox. Working on purchasing another for our family of four. The fact they are so light weight and compact when packed up make them a first choice when camping. Definitely purchase the leg extensions. Elevates the experience literally and figuratively. Allows additional storage underneath.