The ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot is a great cot for anyone looking for a full-size cot experience but in a smaller, lower-to-the-ground package.
Because the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot packs down into a relatively tidy 34″ x 9″ x 2″ carry bag, it’s a travel-friendly option for car campers. More traditional cot designs are usually heavier and bulkier, so you can pack four of these cots in about the same space as a typical full-size classic cot.
Once setup, however, you get a generous 30″ x 74″ sleeping area, which is one reason the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot is in our guide to the 25 best camping cots.
But is the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot right for you? Let’s take a closer look:
ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot Review
The ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot is a sturdy, low-profile cot with a comfortable full-size sleeping space.There are really two key reasons for choosing a lightweight cot:
- You want a more packable, travel-friendly size
- You want a low-height cot
The first reason is self-explanatory, but the second has a bit more nuance. Why would you want to sacrifice the comfy height of a traditional cot?
Answer: You can sleep in smaller tents or camper shells with more comfort. For instance, if you want to sleep out of the back of your pickup truck underneath a camper shell or canopy, a low-height lightweight cot is the way to go.
Check out an inflatable pickup camper shell — the FLATED Air-Topper — at REI!
Similarly, if you want a cot that will work in large and roomy tents — like the sweet canvas White Duck Regatta Bell Tent — as well as smaller camping tents, a lightweight cot with a short legs is the way to go.
Key Design Features
Key benefits of the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot include the stout 600D polyester fabric and steel frame.One benefit of the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot is the solid build quality. You get a stout 600D polyester fabric that stretches taught between durable steel frame rails and four sets of steel legs.
ALPS Mountaineering rates the weight capacity at 250 pounds. While we’ve tested this cot with gear testers of multiple sizes, the largest person — that’s me — weighs about 220 pounds. At 220 pounds, there is a bit of sag but the cot remains stable and quite comfortable.
Note: If you weigh more than 250 pounds, I’d point you toward the excellent Helionox Cot Max Convertible, which is rated up to 320 pounds and is also in our guide to the best camping cots.
ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot Set Up
Despite the relatively small packed size, the components combine to create a stable, comfortable sleeping surface.Most lightweight-style cots have similar designs: long side rails that are pressed outward by the legs to the make the cot taught. One benefit of the steel frame and leg system on the Lightweight Cot is that it’s unlikely to wear out or break any time soon. Sometimes plastic leg or bracket components can wear out and crack over repeated stress — which can be a problem with inexpensive cots. The Lightweight Cot is relatively inexpensive, but it avoids the issue by the steel design.
The legs insert into the body of the steel rails, giving you a stable, sturdy place to sleep.
Setup process: First you assemble the side rails (similar to tent poles) then insert the side rails into sleeves built into the sides of the fabric.
The legs go into pre-drilled holes in the rails.The easiest way to assemble the legs, which are under tension when assembled, is to insert one of the interior legs first with the cot upside down. I then stand and lift the cot upright on its side . . . while bending over the cot while holding onto the free end of the leg. If you have the attached leg in the rail on the floor, you can hold the other rail with one hand and the other end of the leg with your other hand. At this point you can use your upper body as weight to help you slightly bend the steel leg and insert the end into the hole in the rail.
You can see the leg construction from this upside-down view.Once you get the hang of it, set up is fast and easy. When I have a partner who can hold one end of the rail, I just start at one end.
ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot Specifications
Size: 30″ W x 74″ L x 7.5″ H
Weight: 9 lbs 5 oz
Capacity: 250 lbs
Fabric: 600D polyester fabric
Frame: Steel rails and legs
Carry Bag: 34″ x 9″ x 2″
Competitive Alternatives & Options
If you’re interested in the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot, there are several competitive lightweight cots that might also fit your needs. We cover several in the Best Ultralight Cots section of our guide to the best camping cots, including these alternatives below:
Helinox Cot Max Convertible — The Helinox Cot Max Convertible has a higher weight capacity than the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot. In addition, one cool benefit is the ability to buy Helinox Cot Lex Extensions, which you can add to the legs of the cot to bring it up to about 15″ off the ground. If you want a low, packable cot for specific camping situations, as well as a taller cot for comfort, the Helinox Cot Max Convertible is hard to beat. The only drawback is the much higher price point.
Therm-A-Rest Ultralite Cot — The Therm-A-Rest Ultralite Cot is a bit smaller, lower and significantly lighter than the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot. The key benefit is its light weight of just 2 lbs 10 oz. It comes with six aluminum crossbars, which deliver excellent stability and a very competitive 325-pound weight capacity. The biggest drawback is its 24″ width, which is narrower than the ALPS option.
Kijaro Native Ultralight Cot — The Kijaro Native Ultralight Cot comes in at a similar price point compared to the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot, but the design is a bit different. The legs and frame rails are made of aluminum — like most great tent poles — and the feet use plastic-like polymer brackets for connections. It’s a bit difficult to assemble the first few times, but it’s comfortable once it’s together. We’re big fans of the packability. Read our full Kijaro Native Ultralight Cot Review here for more detail.
The Bottom Line
All-in-all, the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot is a rugged and roomy low-height cot. It’s not as high or stout as classic cots, but it’s comfortable and takes up far less space for travel and storage. If the dimensions are what you’re looking for, the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot delivers an excellent price-to-value ratio. Very highly recommended.
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