The REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot is an easy to set up camping cot. It’s also surprisingly comfortable.
To get us a closer look, REI sent Man Makes Fire a review unit. I took the REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot on a multi-day camping trip to test it out. I slept on it without a sleeping pad as well as with a sleeping pad. Overall, it’s comfortable and stable, but not quite perfect.
Read on to learn more about my experience and recommendations:
Campwell Folding Cot Review
The two-rail design of the Campwell Folding Cot gives you a sleeping surface that’s a bit softer than most 4-rail classic cot designs.I’m a big fan of sleeping on cots while camping. Camping cots not only get you up off the ground, they are sometimes easier to level when you’re on rough or uneven ground. Plus, you can often stow your clothes and gear underneath a cot, giving you more space in your tent. If you want to learn about the benefits of cots and different designs, check out my in-depth guide to the best camping cots.
This cot seems relatively straightforward, but it’s actually a very well built cot with some smart features.
REI uses a stout but relatively trim steel frame. This lets it support up to 300 pounds and also keeps the folding profile a bit smaller than many competing cots.
The 300-denier top fabric is rugged enough to last and the stitching is very good. REI coats it with a nonflourinated DWR to keep it from absorbing water or getting stains.
One of my favorite Campwell cot features is its wide, swiveling feet. REI has used similar cot feet designs on other cots, and I’ve had great success with them not tearing up my tent floors. Because the cot’s feet swivel, then can adjust to to match angles over uneven ground, which also helps with stability while you sleep.
Easy Setup with This Trick
The easiest way to set up the Campwell Folding Cot is to place it upside down first.A lot of people struggle with setting up traditional camping cots. Classic cots that have four bars — one along each side of the perimeter — typically require you to stretch the cot fabric both lengthwise and widthwise.
The Campwell Folding Cot ditches the head and foot bars, which makes it much easier to extend the cot. Still, I can see where some people can struggle to get this cot extended if they try to set it up in a traditional, right-side up way. With a simple trick, you can make the process a lot easier.
Here is the easiest way to set up the Campwell Folding Cot:
- Unfold the cot in the middle and turn it upside down so the sleeping area is facing the ground. The middle legs will point straight up.
- Pull the middle legs and feet out to the sides of the cot. This action will spread the main support beams and start extending the corner legs up.
- Tighten the corner pull straps as the legs at each corner rise, then tighten more to fully extend the corner legs.
- Flip the cot right side up so the feet are on the ground. Tighten the straps if needed.
As you push down on the middle legs, the end legs will expand and rise. Tighten the strap to keep them in place.When I use the upside-down first trick, the Campwell Folding Cot is a very easy cot to set up.
Once you tighten the four corner legs straps, the cot will stay extended and locked into place, ready to be flipped right side up.How Does the Tension System Work?
A tension strap keeps the legs in place and makes it easy to move the cot around as you organize your sleeping area.To deliver tension across the sleeping surface, the corner straps, when tightened, pull the side rails out.
In addition, the pivot points on the legs work in balance so that when you lay on the cot, your weight also creates an equilibrium effect to maintain tension on the cot. The result is a relatively taught surface with just a little cushion.
Cots that are very taught provide a flat sleeping surface and often require a sleeping pad for comfort. I could sleep on the Campwell Folding Cot without a sleeping pad because the tension system is surprisingly comfortable on its own.
My Experience Sleeping on the Campwell Cot
I usually like to use a cot pad when sleeping on a cot because pads make cots more comfortable. I’ve used foam cot pads and inflatable air mattresses with cots and both work well. When you use a cot with a sleeping pad, the cot provides primary support while the pad provides cushion.
I tested the REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot without a pad as well as with a couple of different air mattresses. Both were comfortable.
Without a Pad
When I slept on the REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot without a cot pad, I was surprised by the comfort.Because I’m fairly tall at about 6’3″, I prefer longer cots. At 76″ long, the Campwell Folding Cot is long enough for me to sleep on, fully supported.
I found it comfortable for back, side and stomach sleeping; however, it does have some drawbacks.
When I slept on my side, if I bent a knee too far, I could hit the side rail, which wasn’t comfortable. (Obviously smaller adults will have more space to roam than relatively big guys.)
When sleeping on my stomach, I couldn’t drop an arm over the side because the side rail was uncomfortable.
With an Air Mattress
REI makes a perfectly sized sleeping pad that attaches to the top of the Campwell cot.However, when I added an air mattress, this elevated my sleeping position above the side rails. With a mattress, I no longer longer had any issues on my side or stomach with the rails. Of course, this is a fairly typical issue with all standard size cots.
For people who want to add a cushy air mattress to their cot system, REI makes a matching Campwell Sleeping Pad. While you don’t need to use the REI pad, REI includes four toggles and loops that let you attach the Campwell pads to the built-in loops on the Campwell Folding Cot.
It’s a handy system that is particularly good if you’re tossing and turning so you don’t move the pad out from under you in the night. If you want to use the toggles to secure the pad, choose the regular size version.
Another benefit of the Campwell Sleeping Pad is that it has a very good R-value of 7.0, which will help you stay warm on cold nights.
Key Specifications
Dimensions: 76″ x 25″ x 18″
Weight: 17 lbs 13 oz
Capacity: 300 lbs
Packed Size: 37″ x 8″
Competitive Alternatives & Options
If you’re interested in the REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot, there are several other easy setup cots that might also work for you. Here are a few fast-setup comparison options I also recommend:
Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot — The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is easy to set up and doesn’t require a lot of tension to work. The legs look a lot more like typical collapsible camp chairs than classic cot legs, giving you 8 feet on the ground. Cushion and tension is similar to the Campwell Folding Cot, and the Horizon Cot has similar dimensions: It is slightly shorter, slightly lower and slightly wider.
Byer Easy Cot — At first glance, the popular Byer Easy Cot looks like it has a similar side-rail and 6-leg construction as the Campwell option. Upon closer inspection, the legs are shaped differently so that they don’t require straps like the REI version. The biggest benefit to the Byer Easy Cot is that it provides you with a longer and wider sleeping area.
Coleman Trailhead Easy Step Cot — The biggest drawback to the Coleman Trailhead Easy Step Cot is that it’s a bit hard to find in stock. It shares a similar classic X-leg cot design but it lets you lock the legs and set the tension by stepping on a lever. It’s also a bit heavier and bulkier than the REI Campwell Folding Cot.
The Bottom Line: Comfortable
All-in-all, I’m very happy with the REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot. It’s sturdy, stable and surprisingly comfortable both with and without a cot pad. The rails are bit narrow if you’re a larger side sleeper, but a good cot pad will elevate your knees over the height of the rails and provide cushion. It’s very quick and easy to set up, plus it folds down into a relatively slim carrying case compared to typical classic cot designs. Very highly recommended.
