Helinox Cot One Convertible Review

The Helinox Cot One Convertible is a high-quality lightweight, low-level camping cot that can convert to a standard-height cot with optional leg extensions.

To get us a closer look, Helinox sent Man Makes Fire a review unit. After testing the Helinox Cot One Convertible Long version during the review process, this what we learned:

Review: Helinox Cot One Convertible

One of the best ways to get a better night’s rest while camping is to sleep on a good cot. Why can cots improve your sleep quality while camping? It’s easier to level cots over uneven ground than it is to level foam sleeping pads or inflatable air mattresses. How so? A cot can span depressions or raised bumps on the ground. If you cot isn’t quite right, it’s easy to see the problem and make adjustments — like folding a stuff sack under a leg to level the cot.

 

 

There are many different styles of cots — check out my guide to the best camping cots for more detail — and nearly all cot styles have improved sleeping for me over the years.

In addition to easier leveling, the taut fabric of a cot can support sleeping pads and mattresses to near perfection. How? The fabric gives just a bit, which tends to improve the feel and customization of add-on sleeping pads.

The Helinox Cot One Convertible is ridiculously good

And all of this leads us to why this particular cot is such an excellent camping cot. In fact, the Helinox Cot One Convertible is ridiculously good.

The secret seems to be a combination of precision engineering with non-stretch fabric and easy-to-use tensioners that deliver a perfect surface every time. That sounds good, but is the Helinox Cot One Convertible worth the premium price point for you? That question is probably why you’re here right now. Let’s take a closer look!

Easy Tension System

Unlike heavy and cumbersome traditional cot designs, the Helinox Cot One Convertible goes together with a set of shock-corded collapsible poles that assemble similarly to tent poles. The legs also assemble like tent poles with hubs or even camping chairs with hubs. So far, so good. This sort of design is newer than classic cot designs, but there are other competitive cots that tension with short legs and hubs.

The real magic of the Helinox Cot One Convertible is in the built-in lever tensioning system. In fact, the lever tensioning system is the most important benefit of the Helinox Cot One Convertible. Most competing lightweight cots have legs that apply outward tension on two long crossbars, but they can be very difficult to assemble. The Helinox Cot One Convertible legs, on the other hand, are surprisingly easy to assemble.

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Excellent Comfort

I tested the Helinox Cot One Convertible over Labor Day weekend while camping and was very impressed. Not only is the tension system easy to deploy, the Helinox Cot One Convertible design delivers a cot-perfect low-sag surface. Cheaper, more poorly designed cots tend to sag, leaving you to sleep in a wide U-shape. If you’ve suffered through a saggy cot experience, this point bears repeating: The Helinox Cot One Convertible delivers comfy tension without undue sag.

What’s great about the design of the Helinox Cot One Convertible is that it only has two main beam side bars to provide this tension. Classic cot designs include a head and foot bar. These are great for providing maximum stability, but they also result in a bar near your head and feet that you can bump up against in the night. If you’re a taller, longer sleeper, these bars are often annoying unless you choose an XL-sized cot.

By not using end bars, the Cot One Convertible gives you a consistent slight flex down the center of the cot. There is no slight tapering up near the head or foot — and I very much appreciate this style. I think it’s the most comfortable option that tends to fit multiple sleeping styles equally well — back, side, or stomach sleepers. Other cot styles sometimes cater to one sleeping style. For example, the very bulky REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 design is more hammock-like and is most comfortable for back sleepers (and not at all comfortable for stomach sleepers).

For gear-testing reference purposes, I’m about 6’3″ and 220 lbs. The Long version maintained tension throughout and fit great!

 

Add an Air Mattress or Cot Pad for Extra Comfort

While you can sleep on camping cots without additional sleeping pads or air mattresses — and I tested the Helinox Cot One Convertible both with and without extra pads — I prefer to add some sort of foam cot pad, a versatile and inexpensive Therm-a-Rest Z-Rest, or a plush air mattress like the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT to add some extra cushion.

Why don’t you just sleep on an air mattress then? Remember the stability and leveling point above? That’s part of it. But the taut fabric cot surface also gives you a bit of support underneath a pad or mattress. The result is even better than either option alone. Plus, for aging campers who are sore after a hard day of playing outside, a raised cot, even a low cot, is much easier to get into and out of.

Outstanding Fit and Finish

The only drawback to the Helinox Cot One Convertible is the cost. The price point is relatively high compared to most other camping cots, but the cost is totally fair when you consider two key points:

First, the overall fit and finish of the Helinox Cot One Convertible is simply outstanding. The aluminum frame rails and legs are made with a special alloy that has a higher specification rating than aircraft-grade aluminum. The joining hubs are made from a Helinox custom-made high-strength fiber-reinforced Nylon 66 material. It’s the best hub material I’ve ever seen used in cots, tents, and camping chairs. I don’t think the hubs will break or stretch — and I’ve broken my fair share of camping chair hubs and cots in previous review and testing sessions. As for the fabric, it’s relatively thick with a tight weave — and the stitching is so good and precise it rivals the stitching I see in some down jackets and sleeping bags. It’s impressively great for a cot.

And what’s the second reason? The design is easy to pack, easy to deploy, and easy to get back into the durable carrying case. It’s small, lightweight and tidy but the stability and comfort it provides punches well above its weight class. Because the stability and quality is so good, the sleeping experience is, too. And as I get older and wiser, better sleep in the backcountry is a very big deal.

Shop all the Cot One color and size options at Helinox and get FREE Shipping!

Super Packable

It’s important to know that the Cot One Convertible is very packable. It’s not quite light enough to be a truly ultralight cot for recreational backpacking, but it’s fantastic for anyone who wants a cot experience without the weight and space requirements of a traditional cot.

Remember that older and wiser comment above? I no longer appreciate lugging around bulky, awkward and heavy outdoor gear these days — especially when I’m packing or setting up camp for multiple people at a time. Two Cot One Convertible cots weigh less and take up less space than most single classic cots.

 

Converts to a Taller Cot?

One reason to appreciate a low-style cot is the versatility. You can sleep on a low cot in smaller tents, especially if your tent has low side walls or slanted sides. In addition, sometimes on fast overnight trips, I’ll sleep on a low cot in the back my pickup underneath a topper.

Meanwhile, what if you want a taller cot?

That’s where the ‘convertible’ comes in. Helinox sells an optional leg extension kit with legs that slip into the hubs to raise the level of the Helinox Cot One Convertible to standard-cot height.

Based on my experience with the Helinox design and quality, I would bet these legs will fit precisely and deliver a stable sleeping surface. (I’ll likely order a set just to test them out in the near future.)

Meanwhile, Helinox offers a Helinox High Cot One that comes with connected legs, giving you a 15″ height right out of the bag. The benefit is that the extra height legs are shock-corded to the hubs, making setup faster and easier than the Helinox Cot One Convertible with accessory legs. The drawback is that, well, the higher legs are shock-corded and it’s not designed to be a ‘convertible’ cot with a low option.

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Helinox Cot One Convertible Key Specifications

Helinox Cot One Convertible:

Size: 75″ x 27″ x 6.5″
Height: 6.5″
Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz
Capacity: 320 lbs

Helinox Cot One Convertible Long:

Size: 82.5″ x 27″ x 6.5″
Height: 6.5″
Weight: 6 lbs 0 oz
Capacity: 320 lbs

Helinox Cot One Max Convertible:

Size: 82.5″ x 29.5″ x 6.5″
Height: 6.5″
Weight: 6 lbs 4 oz
Capacity: 320 lbs

Competitive Alternatives & Options

If you’re considering the Helinox Cot One Convertible, there are some competitive alternatives and other options that might also fit your needs.

Helinox Cot Lite — The Helinox Cot Lite is most obvious alternative option to the Helinox Cot One Convertible. At just 2 lbs 12 oz, the Cot Lite is much lighter than the Cot One Convertible. Its lightweight and small packable size is the biggest benefit of the Cot Lite. The drawbacks compared to the Cot One Convertible is that it’s a bit shorter, narrower, and lower to the ground. Instead of three leg sections, the Cot Lite uses four leg sections. Is this better? Not necessarily. To shave weight, the Cot Lite does not have the same lever-action leg system, which means it’s a bit harder to assemble. The extra leg section helps maintain tension and stability with the lighter materials though.

Therm-a-Rest Ultralite Cot — The Therm-A-Rest Ultralight Cot is very slightly lighter than the Helinox Cot Lite and it’s a bit smaller and lower than the Helinox Cot One Convertible. It’s best for backpacking or smaller car camping situations. Because it has six leg sections, you can remove two cross-bar leg sections to save weight out on the backpacking trail.

Alps Mountaineering Lightweight Cot — The Alps Mountaineering Lightweight Cot is a low-cost alternative low-cot option — and it’s one of the most affordable ultralight cots that we recommend. The benefit is the sturdy steel legs and solid material. The key drawback compared to the Helinox Cot One Convertible it that it’s a bit harder to assemble, doesn’t pack down as small, and doesn’t maintain its tension as well. If you’re on a very tight budget, it’s a great value (but not as comfy and simply great as the Cot One Convertible).

The Bottom Line

All-in-all, the Helinox Cot One Convertible is a thoroughly outstanding lightweight cot. It’s surprisingly sturdy and rugged. It maintains perfect cot tension across the entire surface. It’s easy to assemble and packs down small. The only drawback is the higher price point compared to most cots — but the stellar quality makes it a great buy. If you want the benefits of a cot for an improved sleeping experience — and who doesn’t? — the Helinox Cot One Convertible is legit. Plus, if you want the versatility of a low cot with a taller cot option, helinox has you covered with its Cot Leg Extensions. Very highly recommended.

Get the Gear:

• Helinox Cot One Convertible
• Helinox Cot One Convertible Long
• Helinox Cot One Max Convertible

Check pricing & availability:

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