Helinox Cot Lite-Black/Blue

Colorado River trip outfitter didn't supply cots, and I prefer one rather than a sleeping mat, so I did some research and chose this Helinox Lite. Reading/watching reviews, I saw many tips (assemble on its side), as well as some bad reviews discussing that it wasn't good for women/those without brute arm strength.Once the cot came in I put it together and took it apart a few times and now it takes me, 5'4 128 lb woman with average arm strength, about 60 seconds to set up, 90 seconds to pack away. YMMV, just what worked best for me:1. Keep the white rubber bands on the legs--just let them dangle on the center support. This will help keep the legs from going willy-nilly when trying to roll-up/repack.2. Assemble both rods and slide into sides of cot, guiding tip ... MoreColorado River trip outfitter didn't supply cots, and I prefer one rather than a sleeping mat, so I did some research and chose this Helinox Lite. Reading/watching reviews, I saw many tips (assemble on its side), as well as some bad reviews discussing that it wasn't good for women/those without brute arm strength.Once the cot came in I put it together and took it apart a few times and now it takes me, 5'4 128 lb woman with average arm strength, about 60 seconds to set up, 90 seconds to pack away. YMMV, just what worked best for me:1. Keep the white rubber bands on the legs--just let them dangle on the center support. This will help keep the legs from going willy-nilly when trying to roll-up/repack.2. Assemble both rods and slide into sides of cot, guiding tip toward the inside of the cot to avoid rod poking through leg holes.3. Do NOT try to assemble on its side. Instead, lay the cots w/rods installed flat on the ground, bottom of cot up (doesn't really matter--I like a routine so I consistently used the trademarked side as the side I'd lay on, so that side would go down against the ground).4. Assemble all 4 legs. The center support rods are not round. The ends assemble easily if you remember that.5. Attach 2 center supports first, 2 ends last.6. Now the hard-to-explain part:* Kneel on the cot with your knees just behind the leg openings you're assembling* Slide/press your knees out, against the rods, which stabilizes the entire cot* Place (if right-handed) the right side of the leg against the rod, with the rod's black ring (only found on the 2 center openings) seated into the leg notch* While holding the leg with your right hand, place your left hand flat ABOVE the leg opening, holding the left rod against the ground with your palm, and use it to stabilize the left side* Grasp the right leg by placing your forearm over on the other side of the support rod (away from you), grabbing the bottom of the leg just above the release hook* Keeping your knees taut against the cot sides/rods below the opening, and your left hand bracing the cot rod above the opening, pull your right hand to the right, as if you're elbowing the guy standing over you telling you how to do it better in the ribs, and press the leg down onto the rod. POP! Should go right on.7. Move on to the next center support before moving on to the ends, using the same technique8. Use the same technique to disassemble, but pulling up on one side rather than pushing down. Once you understand the pressure that you need to exert on the leg to pull it to the side of the rod, you do NOT need to yank the leg up, potentially smacking yourself in the face.9. Disassemble the legs and use the white rubber bands to loosely hold the legs against the support rods. You don't need to double them up or anything.10. Slide out and disassemble the side rods.11. Fold cot in half, place rods/legs at edge of folded end, roll up, stuff in bag, and you're ready to roll!I hope this helps someone. Honestly, after doing it a couple of times, it goes very quickly and easily. We (women) often figure out how to manage difficult tasks by using leverage rather than brute strength, and this is no different.

I’ll admit it: I’m not as young as I once was. But oddly, I find myself camping more now, and I’m less comfortable in the great outdoors at night. I camp with Scouts at least monthly and often more with family or friends. I bought a nice, big cot for car camping, and sleep got a whole lot better. I even figured out how to put two compact cots together to use under the REI Kingdom double bed for me and my wife. So, based on these experiences, and a $200 gift card from my scout unit, I bought this cot on sale for nothing out-of-pocket, knowing the return policy of REI. I’m glad I did. I used it for 4 nights in the 100-mile Wilderness on the Great Circle Trail, where the campsites are pretty rugged. While my tent mates were put out by roots and rocks, I was not. I used ... MoreI’ll admit it: I’m not as young as I once was. But oddly, I find myself camping more now, and I’m less comfortable in the great outdoors at night. I camp with Scouts at least monthly and often more with family or friends. I bought a nice, big cot for car camping, and sleep got a whole lot better. I even figured out how to put two compact cots together to use under the REI Kingdom double bed for me and my wife. So, based on these experiences, and a $200 gift card from my scout unit, I bought this cot on sale for nothing out-of-pocket, knowing the return policy of REI. I’m glad I did. I used it for 4 nights in the 100-mile Wilderness on the Great Circle Trail, where the campsites are pretty rugged. While my tent mates were put out by roots and rocks, I was not. I used a pad on top slid into a Big Agnes bag’s sleeve. I did quite well with it.Pros: crazy light for a cot. It doesn’t weigh much different than a luxury pad and requires only minimal padding for insulation and some softness. It’s pretty compact too, again, for a cot.Cons: it’s minimally sized. It’s narrow and not particularly long. You may find yourself in contact with the side rails. It’s low to the ground making it harder to get yourself on and off. It’s very stiff to assemble as there are no special leverage clamps to use.Overall, for the use I intend, it will be a welcome addition to my pack. While not an ultralight accessory, it is an ultralight luxury worth the extra few ounces for me. I’ve got strong hands and can press my weight against the legs to assemble it and sleep in a way to avoid the rails. The pros outweigh the cons.

I purchased this item several years ago to mainly use as a substitute to a mattress pad on a bunk at Scout summer camp (during very hot and humid NC summers!) It worked as intended: it kept me "cooler" than sleeping on the old damp mattress pad. However, the real benefit is that I've used it so much more. I've taken it car camping (with a "tarp bottom" style tent only). Again, only for "warmer" weather use. But, I've even found on "cooler" days, putting an insulite pad on it works great at keeping my underside warm on those cold nights. It is a bit narrow (I'm 5'6" and 160) since my arms/elbows do rest on the frame side bar while sleeping on my back. It holds my weight well. It's easy to assemble. One point t to note is that when using it on the ground while car ... MoreI purchased this item several years ago to mainly use as a substitute to a mattress pad on a bunk at Scout summer camp (during very hot and humid NC summers!) It worked as intended: it kept me "cooler" than sleeping on the old damp mattress pad. However, the real benefit is that I've used it so much more. I've taken it car camping (with a "tarp bottom" style tent only). Again, only for "warmer" weather use. But, I've even found on "cooler" days, putting an insulite pad on it works great at keeping my underside warm on those cold nights. It is a bit narrow (I'm 5'6" and 160) since my arms/elbows do rest on the frame side bar while sleeping on my back. It holds my weight well. It's easy to assemble. One point t to note is that when using it on the ground while car camping (not a bunk like at summer camp), it IS somewhat difficult to get up and out of your bag. The leg extensions offered by Helinox might be a good addition for you if getting in and out of the low profile is a problem for you.