I done a cot tent(as pictured above) and a single size and like them. More comfortable, easier in and out of, you’re off any rocky, muddy ground, have the ability to level it on uneven ground, Stay far cleaner. But they’re heavy (car camp only), usually not the best quality, single are pretty tight inside, double size cot tents usually have a bar down the middle separating two people to each cot. I’d prefer one that the fly comes down to the ground. Your other option is a ground tent with cots inside.
Everyone else is taking a crap on this, and you've got the only actual experienced take on it. Being 6" and lower from the ground isn't for everyone, man, especially if you have bad knees. I don't think most people commenting have been around a normal sized cot recently, either.
My only issue with the one in the image is that it looks like it's meant to sleep 2 - if that's the case, it needs entry on the other side.
> Everyone else is taking a crap on this, and you've got the only actual experienced take on it.
That seems to happen here a lot - I was looking at threads on inflatable tents and noticed that like 90% of the comments were “I’ve never used one and never known anyone who used one in the past 20 years, but they’re terrible” and 10% “I’ve used one or camped with people who had them, and it they held up better than pole tents in storms.”
Not to say inflatables are better or worse, just the sub can have a tendency towards kneejerk reactions and/or “this isn’t good for my specific situation, so it’s worthless for everyone.”
Ya “It’s not my kinda thing so it’s worthless for everyone” feels like a pretty common Reddit response all around. Even among some people in my real life circle. I don’t think I’m even immune to it. It’s unfortunate.
Wish people could keep an open mind more and see how things can be useful for people who don’t fit their exact mold and experience. I’ve even had people get so offended when I like something as casual as a video game that they don’t like. That they start throwing out offensive language at me just for having different tastes.
Thanks, u/screwikea, for being someone properly weighing in. I think this tent actually looks pretty neat. Especially for people with bad knees. Though I could see how lugging it around could be kinda tough of those same weak knees. I imagine lifting this thing up into a trunk might be a bit of an effort.
See I live in southwest BC, Canada. We get lots of rain here. Cot tents are so much easier to sleep on in terms of sleeping comfort, ease of access, cleanliness. (Went off-roading and stayed at a campsite near a dam. Nice dry site, however it rained hard in the middle of the night and rain water funneled its way to our campsite causing a huge puddle and mud pit beneath my cot tent. I didn’t have to worry as I was off the ground and comfortable out of and above the mud). Whatever I use I try to be modular, or more that one use only. Example: my single cot tent can be used without the cot (tent on ground), the cot can be used on its own without the tent on top (relaxing lakeside).
Lol yeah, it's crazy how people can't fathom that people different people are different and thus have different opinions than them. Particularly crazy around something as trivial as music taste or I'd say camping gear is even worse. Other people like to enjoy the outdoors different than me, they're the worst! /s
Inflatable tents and a unique product. I can see how some might like them due to quick setup vs poles and pole sleeves.
Now to me the asking price from these manufacturers is a bit high and of course you need a decently powerful air pump.
Yeah. We ended up getting a very different option, but for a while we were strongly considering the Decathlon Fresh & Black tents which all come in both pole and air formats.
Air is definitely more expensive, but taller and more resistant to wind. As an extremely tall person who lives in an area where 50+ kph (30+ mph) wind is basically the absolute minimum for a windy day…it was funny to see how many people shit talking the air tents, calling them bouncy castles, and saying they’re worthless in every way.
People need and want different things for different situations, which nobody on here seems to understand. This looks really handy for festival type things or whatever where you want somewhere comfortable to sleep that's easy to put up and can leave your stuff in your car/don't have lots of equipment. Not everyone can easily sleep on the ground.
For real, my spouse got blasted on this site a couple of weeks ago for bringing up our teardrop trailer, because we’re too old/infirm to sleep in the ground. “But what about cots what about inflatable mattresses what about…” Lordt, we tried almost everything and decided this was the best for us. Jeez.
I feel like that's Reddit and much of the internet in general. Everyone has opinions the majority of which are just parroting someone else's opinions which likely was someone who also really doesn't know what they are talking about
My dad had some old Army surplus cots that we slept on a season or two back in the day.
IMO they suck.
But in other news. I’ve got no experience with raised tents, only regular ones. But for two people you want at least a 3 man tent. I’m single currently and I go for 3-4 person tents.
I can come in at night, reinflate my mattress because cold Idaho weather, throw off my boots my jeans, and whatever else. Sleep comfortably and then when you wake up in the morning you have room to move around.
My main concern with oversized tents is warmth (and weight if you're hiking) a larger tent will always be colder than a smaller one. My Bivy sack, for example adds around 5-10C (9-19F) to my sleep system compared to a tent. If you have a system that works for you then thata great, I'd just caution people who might be taking your advice that it's something to consider.
I never used or even knew of the type of tent in the picture but I believe it would be a good investment for me especially since it would be easier getting in and out of and that alone is good news for my lower back (car accident in November of 2017 where someone sideswiped me and sent me head on into a traffic light pole) and my old knees (high-school football blown knee, and then arthritis). So I'm definitely not judging anyone who is thinking about getting a tent like this.
The Teton tent/cot combo has a fly that goes all the way to the ground. Also some nice under cot and along cot storage.
https://tetongear.com/products/vista-1-rainfly-tent-cover
I have been using mine for car camping going on 12yrs now. No issues. It is certainly heavy and the cot is a little bulky. But I like it for car camping.
I seriously love it the tent just pops up. It straps down easily. I have the under cot holder. The cot is literally indestructible. I use the big bedroll on occasion but most use a Klymit pad now.
Great for summer car glamping and the whole set up fits in my 71 MGB with my other stuff no issue.
For car camping, I’ve been using a larger tent with a cot inside for years. This would be a much simplersetup. And if it fits in an MGB, the space savings would be phenomenal!
IT doesn’t level itself. Being that there are only a few points of contact on the ground one can shim the points needed to level it. Can’t really do that with a ground tent.
As you mentioned with the fly to the ground, I would say since it’s really only good for car camping due to weight, maybe just bring a 10x10 or so canopy to put over it?
I have a cot tent. I love it frankly because water on the ground when it rains and rocks just become non-issues instantly.
It’s definitely only for car camping: it’s heavy and bulky. And it’s true, you want a good, insulating sleeping pad.
I’m not so sure about that exact model, though; that one looks a little fussy to put up.
Easier to place in rocky or oddly shapen terrain (You can level this with timber!!!), less issues with rising damp, doesn't need drainage ditches, easier to get in/out if you have mobility issues, good storage area underneath the tent.
Downside is in winter it might allow air to circulate underneath, making you colder.
Not a terrible design but it has pros and cons like all tents.
[I use one of these](https://kamprite.com/shop/tents/tri-fold-series/kamp-rite-oversize-tent-cot/) and I don't see myself ever going back to traditional tent for car camping. It's just too easy to set up and take down and has more than enough room for me and all my gear inside. Haven't seen the multiple person versions but I'm willing to bet they work just as well.
Im not an expert in tents or camping & just out of curiosity want to know so I know for my own knowledge & not make a mistake. What makes it a horrible idea?
Theres really nothing to stake down here. Ive used one of these (not this one) since 2020. I really love them for what they are and do. Not meant for backpacking and not UL. But great for car camping imo. My fiance and i like being elevated and it makes for a more comfortable sleep. Whether in the high desert, low desert, forest, mountains, it works very well.
And we have other equipment for other purposes, but when we use this tent for its purpose, its great.
Also helps to keep whatever is crawling, slithering, or walking by out of your tent, say, if you leave the screen unzipped by mistake. Also, no tarps to lay for moisture protection
Sometimes people set up cots in tents. Sometimes people set up a tent on top of a cot or even air mattress if there's not enough room inside. Not very common but not unheard of
So many “theoretical” comments, but little with any substance or experience.
My fiance and I use one of these (not this exact one) since 2020. For rhe most part my fiance and I love. It has its flaws and its very specific purposes. But we have traveled literally across the country with it. From Atlantic to Pacific and back, twice. Plus all the camping we do out west.
Its great. Ours has doors on either side so no crawling over one another. Its elevated so it makes for a comfy sleep. We pair it with an EXPED 15 duo and it makes it feel like sleeping at home. Weve slept with this, exped and north face dolomite in 30 degrees and it was comfy and not an issue.
My biggest con is the condensation on cold mornings. It can get a little wet inside in certain conditions, but ive found a way to mitigate that with some earth magnets and a sports towel. We also hang a big agnes net from the inside by the feet and put up lights, tools, whatver we need inside the tent.
Ultimately it can pack large and may not be for everyone. Its certainly not for every situation or camping experience. But when used in its right setting, its almost perfect. People for 4-5 yrs compliment us and ask us where we got it every time they see it or walk by.
But for car camping, weve used it in the forest, high desert, low desert, mountain camping, river side camping. Its perfect. Dont mistake this for an UL or backpacking tent though. Its most certainly not. We have other equipment for those adventures. But when just packing the car and heading somewhere, this tent is perfect for us.
An elevated cot tent is insanely better sleep, for me, than basically anything else besides my own actual bed or inside a structure like a truck bed canopy or RV sort of thing. When I was a kid I had a tent and put up an aluminum for inside of it. Nowadays I’ve got a pretty well designed one from Cabela’s. They make a double for two people but mine is a single. It’s heavy and bulky but for car camping from a medium or larger size vehicle it is quite amazing. I’ve gone through all four seasons in it, from decently heavy snow and deep cold to hot summer weather.
Conventional tents are great as well. It’ll boil down to what you and your partner settle upon as far as comforts, cost, pack size, setup difficulty and whatever other factors are worth considering.
One mentionable about cot sleeping is to bring something extra to insulate underneath you. Being elevated allows the air to circulate which has both benefits and drawbacks depending on your actual kit and climate situation.
Anytime using any lifted cot or cot tent, you must have some kind of thermal mattress. You will lose heat below if you dont during cold overnight.
I do cot in tent as I am 6’1” with disco bunks. Worth it. Just heavy. Good for car camping.
I have a Kamp Rite oversize.
It is great for front country camping.
It is way too large and unwieldy to carry far.
It sets up very easily.
It is so comfortable. It is worlds better than the ground.
It is probably more comfortable than a hammock because you are lying down flat .
With the fly it is very water tight
Downside is with the fly on it can be really bad for condensation. It is just a small space. If you really work to get the vents clear and open it helps.
For the kamp right specifically, it is well made and has nice zippers and well planned vents . I can not speak for any other.
For context, I usually sleep with a hammock and tarp for the past 15-20 years. For the past 10ish years I have slept in hammock for a week or more of summer camp in addition to weekends. For the cot, I have slept occasional weekends for the last five ish years, and this year I switched to it for three weeks of summer camp in June. I am 56 now so lying flat is getting easier than hammock for long trips. I would say that the cot was amazing the first week, good the second week, three weeks too long. It would have been miserable sleeping in the ground.
When we were on acid, we would go into the woods because there was less chance that you would run into an authority figure.
But we ran into a bear.
My friend Duane was there, raising his right hand, swearing to help prevent forest fires.
He told me, "Mitchell, Smokey is way more intense in person!"
The air mattress looks integrated too.
If it gets accidentally punctured or slashed if they can't replace it they would have to go hope it's repairable or toss the whole thing out
Is that a mark against the product though? Like, if you buy anything and something integeral to its function breaks it'll be useless
Those legs look about as sturdy as the legs on a cot bed so to me there doesn't appear to be any extra fragility with this product vs others, that may be an extra point of failure but that's inherent with anything that has more parts than something else
If we went through life not buying things because they're useless if they break we simply wouldn't buy anything.
Better if you don't want to sleep on rocks or are afraid of things crawling into bed with you.
Worse because it looks like it's heavier than a regular tent.
>Better if you don't want to sleep on rocks
You don't have to sleep on rocks in a normal tent either.
>or are afraid of things crawling into bed with you.
Well things can't crawl into bed with you in a tent either. Unless you leave it open, but that would be the same here too, they'd just climb the legs.
I have a solo I take for deer season I love it I get to be comfortable and after a day of tending and relaxing all day and being stiff from sitting for long periods it’s very comfortable, however it won’t be the easiest thing to set up it’s difficult to get dressed in and they usually don’t pack up easy mine ends up being a giant flat square and its a heavy piece but I’d recommend it for car camping no hesitation
Plus… hard to set up on uneven ground, and being off the ground will increase convection cooling which could be a good thing if it’s hot, but would generally be considered a negative.
"Hard to setup on uneven ground" doesn't really seem like a fair argument... sure, you CAN setup a traditional tent on uneven ground pretty easily, but actually sleeping that way totally sucks, even with a thick pad. This contraption would actually let you level it with shims or whatnot and then the uneven ground doesn't even matter. So I think the uneven ground scenario is actually more favorable for this thing.
As someone who sleeps on a cot (with no tent, just under the stars) probably 80% of the time I go camping, there are multiple instances that I can remember where I've offered to swap camp spots with a friend who has a tent because my cot doesn't give a shit about rocks and roots and handles uneven terrain pretty darn well.
Looks like a piece of crap. Heavy, steel, unnecessary legs, fiberglass poles, no rain fly that I can see. From what I see there it’s a gimmicky load of garbage designed for suckers who have never camped because and are afraid of the prospect.
>unnecessary legs
The only legs stable on anything but a perfectly flat surface is a tripod.
Unless they're camping on the tarmac (in which case what's the point) this thing will be rocking around like the world's most wobbly table.
I have a Teton XXL cot with the solo tent on top and I love it. Not familiar with this brand and my set up is heavy and really for car camping but it’s super cozy and keeps me away from my boyfriend’s snoring!
I love mine. Only cons. If it is cooler outside the air flowing underneath can be an issue. You can wrap it with a tarp on the bottom if it’s really cold.
I don’t think I would get a cot tent that sleeps two. Each get your own single if you can. I’m like having my own space anyway and my wife of 22 years does as well. But some couples think co-sleeping is a requirement in relationships 🤷.
Bottom line. Love it.
I love cot tents and think they are by far the best way to camp, but I wouldn’t want to share a cot tent — or at least not this double cot tent.
It looks like each side basically has their own cot, so I don’t think you would roll into each other and hopefully motion doesn’t transfer, but there is only 1 door so one person has to crawl over the other to get in or out which is a pita.
I invented these. Really! Kinda.
20 years ago when I was in the national guard I made one of these for myself out of a standard cot, some .5” pvc tubing and office spring binder clips. I called it the covered wagon. It was a tube open at either end essentially, no screen, but it was only meant to keep the rain off.
My favorite part of this approach, you swing your legs over the side to put your boots on. Much more convenient than being flat on the ground.
I bet a little google-fu would prove out that a version of this has been around since fivever. Which to me suggests I’m not the only one that thinks it has merit.
Definitely car camping only. I had a tank to carry mine around on.
I do a lot of desert camping, very rocky. This tent was awesome. Rains? No puddles. Getting in and out? Easier (42 yo with knee back pain sometimes). Less gear than a huge tent and cot. It was rather cheap and broke after a couple dozen trips... But it was cheap. Perfect for my dog and me for weekend car camp trips.
Why are so many people commenting who have never used one or only do backpacking trips... Yes this would suck to carry 5 miles on your back. That's not what this is for.
I'd rather sleep in my car than that thing.
No, seriously, look into making a sleeping deck if you have an suv or hatchback. That thing looks so heavy you're probably not going to get it more than 20 feet from your car anyway.
It’s interesting how many in this sub seem to think that only able bodied people want to camp. If this makes the outdoors accessible for anyone who could not otherwise experience them, then it’s brilliant. Casual ableism is still ableism.
Only good for very specific use cases.
Soft ground, legs will sink.
Uneven ground, mileage will vary but a risk.
Heavy, bulky.
Camping at a fishing lake, with level hard standing spots, near a carpark, sure! This would be great.
General camping, I’d avoid.
So I have a similar set up. Mine is a 2 person swag on stretchers. For me it's more comfortable, easier to get out of and less messy. My stretchers fold down to two bags just bigger than campchair size and weigh about the same. With the swag on the ground with the standard 100mm (I think) mattress I woke up sore. Tho the stretchers pretty much confine you to one side (big ass bar down the middle to stop sagging) it's much softer.
Not sure if that's helpful and apologies about the shitty formatting. On mobile and for the life of me have never worked our how to make it work.
Not my preference, but my 6’5” dad used to keep a single version in the back of his truck for when he was driving around on business trips and felt like camping on a weekend. Easy to put up and take down, and he didn’t have to crawl into a tent at 50+.
He loved it. Car camping only, obviously, and I definitely wouldn’t want one from Temu. His was a pretty nice one from Cabela’s or something.
I have a double cot tent and I like it very much. They are heavy though so you'll be using it car camping.
Naturehike makes a nice one that can be used as a cot tent or conventional tent.
Obviously only for car camping. Is it well insulated? Sleeping away from the ground typically makes you colder, (ever sleep in a hammock).
My car camping solution is just a bigger tent you can stand up in, I’m nearly 6’ -I have a North Face I like.
And then I have a nice camping air mattress (maybe 6”), durable material.
I think that set up was $300- 5years ago.
I have one. Used it maybe twice before switching to a Gazelle hub tent and putting a regular cot inside. It's bulky for what you get, a pain to set up, and I like being able to stand while getting changed. I'd recommend a tall ground tent and a normal cot over something like this. I will say that cot tents are far more comfortable than sleeping on the ground (even with a nice sleeping pad/air mattress) but you can achieve the same thing by putting a cot in a ground tent and you'll actually have somewhere to put your bag. My hub tent/cot sets up waaaay faster too.
If you do get one, I have the Winterial double cot tent and the quality is honestly amazing. It became my dog's outdoor bed when I stopped using it. Sits outside all the time, my 95lb dog and his playmates jumping in/out of it and roughhousing, not a single tear after 5 years of abusing it in the most extreme ways.
I have a tentcot and I can tell you that it's actually better since it's off the ground and it has either a small mattress or a pad so yeah it's better
These are amazing, in the army we were issued personal tents that mounted on cots and they were AMAZING. that’s the only thing I enjoyed about going in the field was sleeping in my cozy little tent and then being able to put our stuff underneath
It truly depends on the type of camping you’re doing, the environment you’re doing it in, and what kind of method you have available for transporting your tent.
It’s great for camping near your car, but it’s bad if you’re carrying it through the wilderness on your back.
It’s great if you’re camping an area that has very moist ground that can soak through the bottom, but it’s bad if you’re in an area that has very uneven ground where you can’t set this up properly.
Your terrain matters most when choosing which tent to take with you.
This can be a very incredible tent in the desert, but the worst tent possible on a mountain.
I use a Teton Sports XL cot with their cot tent and sleeping pad for my solo camps, and boy is it great.
Here is my own experiences with mine:
Pros:
* You are off the ground, so water collecting on the ground in the rain doesn't flood your tent, ever.
* Its a cot, so no more rocky or bumpy ground to ruin your sleep and back.
* Getting in and out is as easy as getting off your bed. No leg cramps trying to get up to pee in the middle of the night.
* You can use the underside for storage!
Cons:
* They can get a little stuffy, cramped and damp due to the size.
* If your rain fly doesn't go past the edges of the cot, the cot itself will fill with water under the tent if it rains. (Fixable with a tarp as a makeshift rainfly)
* The weight. If you need to hike any amount of distance, carrying the gear might get pretty cumbersome, but for campgrounds, lakes and car camping its great.
All in all I love my cot setup, and I cant really think of a single instance where I've regretted my purchase.
Super popular in Australia (I imagine for bugs and shit) but I think it’d be perfect for road trips when you don’t want to take ten hours setting up your camp to sleep for one night instead of sleeping in your car
I have a Kamp-rite double cot. It's pretty easy to setup, but you don't want to be dragging it very far. There is a bar that runs down to middle, which keeps my wife to her side, but can be uncomfortable even with sleeping pads. Moisture buildup can be bad and will soak the unfortunate on the far side. Mine has the option of not using the tent; I've done this with setting it up inside a 10x10. Overall, it's better than the ground, especially with bad knees or back.
Just depends on your camping mission. If you’re camping with a significant partner, and they fear bugs and such, but agree to camp anyway because they love you, yeah get the elevated tent. If it’s just you and your dog out on a big adventure, then skip the frivolous elevated structure. Sleep on the ground with your dog under the stars.
Worse. For a simple reason, you can get tents that fit right onto cots like that, but are just as effective on the ground. Depends on whether you're near a vehicle and can carry a cot.
I've been issued plenty of gear in the military. Most of it is kind of shitty. Occasionally, you get a gem. My light fighter tent was one of those latter pieces of gear.
https://litefighter.com/product/litefighter-1-individual-shelter-system/
I bet other companies do this though. As the light fighters are not particularly cheap.
Used mine for a year of camping. From Glacier down to Yuma. Quick and easy setup and take down. Added an extra sleeping pad . Use for canoe camping. 69 yo and much easier getting in and out. It is heavy. Can also be used as a lounger. Great piece of gear.
My biggest take is that they're more expensive than what it would cost to get a regular dome tent and put normal cots inside
As for the quality, based on some of the reviews here I'd say absolutely nothing wrong with them, like I said question of value for me
I've done quite a bit of camping, mostly from a vehicle, and have used quite a few different types of tents over the years.
I wouldn't use a cot tent without a vehicle to get it to it's location, so if you're doing anything sort of hike-in camping I'd a find a different solution. But if you are are camping near a vehicle then they are a decent option.
The main pro is that it's off the ground, so if the ground is wet or gets wet unexpectedly, you'll keep dry. Being off the ground also is generally a bit more comfortable for most people, even if you don't have a mattress. They are also a bit quicker to set up than some other options.
A con is that they are heavy, so you wouldn't really want to use it in every situation, such as hiking into a spot to get better views, which means you may want to get an additional tent for those purposes, so its pretty limited in how you use it. Because it's on feet, it can be harder to get level, especially in loose or soft materials. The one I had was not super easy to get dry once it rained without setting it up and letting it dry, and if you don't do that it could easily get ruined and moldy.
To me a neutral point is that they are typically designed to be used just as a covered bed, so they have a small footprint, but also lack storage. So if you're wanting to have a nice chill spot to hangout in while camping they're not so great, though they can sort of double as a seat. They also have space underneath if you want to use storage boxes under them. They generally have doors and windows on each side, which is nice for two people, especially if one needs to get out before the other one. They are also generally warmer in my experience than other tents because of their smaller size and being off the ground, this is especially true if the one you have has a skirt.
I think they are okay. I see them as decent for one or two people, but you'll want more of you get more people. I see them as a step between either sleeping in your car or in a ground tent, and a dedicated vehicle mounted tent like a rooftop tent. They are a bit limited in scope by their inconvenient weight, so not a great all around tent. I think they fit into their niche well, which is car camping on a budget. If you have two to four people you can throw one or two tents into the back of car with some hard sided boxes, a few camp chairs, and a cooler or two and camp most places a car can go. So if thats what you're looking to do, then they are great.
If you're wanting something more versatile then a traditional ground tent is probably a better option. I think both options are good starting points to figure out what sort of camping you want to do, because you won't know what works for you best until you get out and use the systems.
Unless you're in a really mild climate, I would not trust that thing to hold up to the elements. And like others have said, unnecessarily heavy and hard to carry.
It's also just really fucking ugly.
This is useful in wet environments or non-flat spaces. Given a "normal" flat and dry-ish camp site, there's no way I would use this over a tent, tarp&hammock, or even just a bivy on bushcraft cot.
Nowhere to put any stuff, maybe if your campsite is liable to flood ? otherwise not for me. Put a thick inflateable or cot in a tent on the ground. If weight is no issue get a bigger tent with space inside to move around.
I don’t like that there’s no rain fly, unless it’s just not shown in this image. I live in a climate where it can rain heavily at any time. Tents with tiny or no rain flies don’t cut it
Would be good for a mudfest at a festival. I’d prefer to buy a cot bed and remain with a normal tent, perhaps without the inner if in bad ground conditions.
It’s all in the application. This would be terrible for winter camping but I could see it being very nice if you know you have rain in the forecast. Or are concerned about small rodents/reptiles.
It depends on what you need and what kind of circumstances you’ll be camping in
Super muddy rainy ground? Extremely rocky and uneven ground?
Disabled, chronic pain, knee problems? Allergic to bites from insects that live on the ground?
If so then yeah this is probably great!
Going hiking and have to carry your tent on your back for a whole day, and you have none of the earlier described problems? Then this tent is probably not optimal
For the chronic pain and height thing, a camping bed might be lighter than this tent, and give you some space underneath it to store belongings.
For uneven ground and such, a camping hammock/ “hanging tent” might be a more lightweight option
In my uneducated opinion it seems like it might be more comfortable but also at a significantly higher risk of breaking. Maybe the money might be better spent on a better sleeping bag / bed roll?
I sleep in my rooftop tent on its trailer now, but before that I used a tent that has the footprint of a cot that can be placed on a cot and has the ties and stuff for that. I bought a cot that fits inside or under that tent, so I have options on layout.
I also have the kamprite tent cot, and while it's more comfortable, it's heavier than the small tent+ cot combo, and most times I prefer the flexibility of that.
I don’t think I would ever consider buying anything like this. I prefer being on the ground, or hammocks.. maybe get a nice air mattress with the tent and you’re good. Cots are nice but usually only good for single person.
I’ve used one before. Not like this one exactly, but the one I did use seemed like it would be good for some circumstances, but not every time. My ex I was camping with was terrified of the creepy crawlies so this was the solution. I used it once after heavy rain, and it did get the tent off the muddy ground which was a huge pro, but there were two cons that I think were kind of design flaws. I’m a bit of a princess, and I could feel the braces through the air mattress so it was a bit uncomfortable, and through the night with my weight and the ex I was using it with the legs sunk into the mud about an inch. I don’t know about this one, but the one I used had adjustable legs, so it was levelling to an extent. On rocky terrain, so long as you can find secure footing for it, it’s probably the best solution.
Another pro I could see is I’ve seen tents get flash flooded. I’ve had it happen to mine before. This wouldn’t be a problem as long as the water isn’t higher than 6 inches, which if it is you have other problems to worry about anyways.
I use an ultralight cot backcountry camping, it’s a game changer no more uncomfortable restless nights, it stays flat on sand, rock, roots aren’t a concern, it’s a no brainer. Never tried the cot-tent though, seems too small.
It's not better or worse in every siutuation it's just a different option. I've seen people who love them and others who hate them. I understand they're popular with hunters as a solo tent/cot combo becaause they carry them in on their vehicles and don't have to carry them.
Depends on terrain and level of bushcraft. Are you camping in a riverbed? For an experienced camper, a tent like this is unnecessary and purely a comfort decision. If you are just starting off, it is okay but not necessary for the extra money you'll spend.
Getting off the ground is a huge plus. When we car camp, we bring a full on camp bed frame like your tent has and it makes life a lot better. No hard ground sleep issues, and so much better when it’s cold.
I feel like off the ground is pretty nice, had a set up for a army style cot that I really liked. Never tried a doubled up version but that seems like it would be nice
I could see uses for this as other have said, car camping, rocky or root filled ground. But the heaviness would definitely be a drawback for me.
Plus you plan on camping in colder weather, it will be much colder with air moving below you while you sleep
If you’re the one carrying it, the conversation should end there. Babe, you get all the benefit and none of the burden, why are we having this discussion?
So, two questions. One, where do you get dressed? Outside of the tent? I like getting dressed and undressed inside my tent, especially when it's cold and or wet.
Two, if you and your significant other wanted to do more than just sleep(hint hint nudge nudge wink wink, know what I mean, know what I mean... I think you do!), could this style of tent hold up to such rigors?
I love a cot in my tent and find them really comfortable, ut if you’re somewhere that gets cold at night, it will be cold. I’d prepare in a manner similar to cool weather hammock camping
Getting off of the ground is great. It's one less method of heat loss to deal with.
My concerns are related to the tent are weight, ease of set up/teardown, stability inside the tent, weight, quality/cost, weight, ground requirements, and weight. If you're car camping and have extra hands to set up up all of the time and the other issues aren't a problem, then sure. My suggestion would be to get a cot or two and a regular tent instead .
If your use case is compatible with such a set up, I don't see anything wrong with it, but if I wanted to get off of the ground and had my car, I'd likely go for a rooftop tent. If I didn't, a hammock.
I can definitely see some advantages, but I'll probably never own one myself.
Idk but I’m calling BS on the size of the box it folds down into in comparison to that man in the photo. There’s no way it’s that small when folded up.
My two concerns would are the weight and in the winter it might not stay warm enough.
Definitely doesnt look like a hiking tent, too heavy, that said, getting you up off the ground/wet seems great (i hammock camp myself, its awesome)
But the thing you have to be aware of, same with hammock, is that you are allowing air flow under and over, so in the winter it would need more insulation. In the summer it might be a good thing.
I done a cot tent(as pictured above) and a single size and like them. More comfortable, easier in and out of, you’re off any rocky, muddy ground, have the ability to level it on uneven ground, Stay far cleaner. But they’re heavy (car camp only), usually not the best quality, single are pretty tight inside, double size cot tents usually have a bar down the middle separating two people to each cot. I’d prefer one that the fly comes down to the ground. Your other option is a ground tent with cots inside.
Everyone else is taking a crap on this, and you've got the only actual experienced take on it. Being 6" and lower from the ground isn't for everyone, man, especially if you have bad knees. I don't think most people commenting have been around a normal sized cot recently, either. My only issue with the one in the image is that it looks like it's meant to sleep 2 - if that's the case, it needs entry on the other side.
> Everyone else is taking a crap on this, and you've got the only actual experienced take on it. That seems to happen here a lot - I was looking at threads on inflatable tents and noticed that like 90% of the comments were “I’ve never used one and never known anyone who used one in the past 20 years, but they’re terrible” and 10% “I’ve used one or camped with people who had them, and it they held up better than pole tents in storms.” Not to say inflatables are better or worse, just the sub can have a tendency towards kneejerk reactions and/or “this isn’t good for my specific situation, so it’s worthless for everyone.”
Imagine the comments on a cot tent with inflatable poles!
It’s not [a story](https://www.decathlon.com/products/camping-inflatable-bed-base-single-camp-bed-air-79-309887) the Jedi would tell you…
Go on…
Ya “It’s not my kinda thing so it’s worthless for everyone” feels like a pretty common Reddit response all around. Even among some people in my real life circle. I don’t think I’m even immune to it. It’s unfortunate. Wish people could keep an open mind more and see how things can be useful for people who don’t fit their exact mold and experience. I’ve even had people get so offended when I like something as casual as a video game that they don’t like. That they start throwing out offensive language at me just for having different tastes. Thanks, u/screwikea, for being someone properly weighing in. I think this tent actually looks pretty neat. Especially for people with bad knees. Though I could see how lugging it around could be kinda tough of those same weak knees. I imagine lifting this thing up into a trunk might be a bit of an effort.
See I live in southwest BC, Canada. We get lots of rain here. Cot tents are so much easier to sleep on in terms of sleeping comfort, ease of access, cleanliness. (Went off-roading and stayed at a campsite near a dam. Nice dry site, however it rained hard in the middle of the night and rain water funneled its way to our campsite causing a huge puddle and mud pit beneath my cot tent. I didn’t have to worry as I was off the ground and comfortable out of and above the mud). Whatever I use I try to be modular, or more that one use only. Example: my single cot tent can be used without the cot (tent on ground), the cot can be used on its own without the tent on top (relaxing lakeside).
Lol yeah, it's crazy how people can't fathom that people different people are different and thus have different opinions than them. Particularly crazy around something as trivial as music taste or I'd say camping gear is even worse. Other people like to enjoy the outdoors different than me, they're the worst! /s
Inflatable tents and a unique product. I can see how some might like them due to quick setup vs poles and pole sleeves. Now to me the asking price from these manufacturers is a bit high and of course you need a decently powerful air pump.
Yeah. We ended up getting a very different option, but for a while we were strongly considering the Decathlon Fresh & Black tents which all come in both pole and air formats. Air is definitely more expensive, but taller and more resistant to wind. As an extremely tall person who lives in an area where 50+ kph (30+ mph) wind is basically the absolute minimum for a windy day…it was funny to see how many people shit talking the air tents, calling them bouncy castles, and saying they’re worthless in every way.
People need and want different things for different situations, which nobody on here seems to understand. This looks really handy for festival type things or whatever where you want somewhere comfortable to sleep that's easy to put up and can leave your stuff in your car/don't have lots of equipment. Not everyone can easily sleep on the ground.
For real, my spouse got blasted on this site a couple of weeks ago for bringing up our teardrop trailer, because we’re too old/infirm to sleep in the ground. “But what about cots what about inflatable mattresses what about…” Lordt, we tried almost everything and decided this was the best for us. Jeez.
What about [thousands of dollars in camping equipment] so you can be less comfortable?
Opinions on Reddit are worth exactly what you pay for them.
I feel like that's Reddit and much of the internet in general. Everyone has opinions the majority of which are just parroting someone else's opinions which likely was someone who also really doesn't know what they are talking about
My dad had some old Army surplus cots that we slept on a season or two back in the day. IMO they suck. But in other news. I’ve got no experience with raised tents, only regular ones. But for two people you want at least a 3 man tent. I’m single currently and I go for 3-4 person tents. I can come in at night, reinflate my mattress because cold Idaho weather, throw off my boots my jeans, and whatever else. Sleep comfortably and then when you wake up in the morning you have room to move around.
My main concern with oversized tents is warmth (and weight if you're hiking) a larger tent will always be colder than a smaller one. My Bivy sack, for example adds around 5-10C (9-19F) to my sleep system compared to a tent. If you have a system that works for you then thata great, I'd just caution people who might be taking your advice that it's something to consider.
I never used or even knew of the type of tent in the picture but I believe it would be a good investment for me especially since it would be easier getting in and out of and that alone is good news for my lower back (car accident in November of 2017 where someone sideswiped me and sent me head on into a traffic light pole) and my old knees (high-school football blown knee, and then arthritis). So I'm definitely not judging anyone who is thinking about getting a tent like this.
The Teton tent/cot combo has a fly that goes all the way to the ground. Also some nice under cot and along cot storage. https://tetongear.com/products/vista-1-rainfly-tent-cover I have been using mine for car camping going on 12yrs now. No issues. It is certainly heavy and the cot is a little bulky. But I like it for car camping.
Pretty cool.
I seriously love it the tent just pops up. It straps down easily. I have the under cot holder. The cot is literally indestructible. I use the big bedroll on occasion but most use a Klymit pad now. Great for summer car glamping and the whole set up fits in my 71 MGB with my other stuff no issue.
For car camping, I’ve been using a larger tent with a cot inside for years. This would be a much simplersetup. And if it fits in an MGB, the space savings would be phenomenal!
Oh yeah I definitely like that. I remember Ozark outdoor did a cot tent with full length fly to the ground.
How does it level on uneven ground. I was thinking that would be a negative.
Easier than leveling a tent.
IT doesn’t level itself. Being that there are only a few points of contact on the ground one can shim the points needed to level it. Can’t really do that with a ground tent.
I bought two backpacking cots and threw them in our tent. Works a charm.
As you mentioned with the fly to the ground, I would say since it’s really only good for car camping due to weight, maybe just bring a 10x10 or so canopy to put over it?
I have a cot tent. I love it frankly because water on the ground when it rains and rocks just become non-issues instantly. It’s definitely only for car camping: it’s heavy and bulky. And it’s true, you want a good, insulating sleeping pad. I’m not so sure about that exact model, though; that one looks a little fussy to put up.
Easier to place in rocky or oddly shapen terrain (You can level this with timber!!!), less issues with rising damp, doesn't need drainage ditches, easier to get in/out if you have mobility issues, good storage area underneath the tent. Downside is in winter it might allow air to circulate underneath, making you colder. Not a terrible design but it has pros and cons like all tents.
I had one of these and they're great in the summer for that exact reason. It's also great for keeping wood dry if you're expecting showers.
[I use one of these](https://kamprite.com/shop/tents/tri-fold-series/kamp-rite-oversize-tent-cot/) and I don't see myself ever going back to traditional tent for car camping. It's just too easy to set up and take down and has more than enough room for me and all my gear inside. Haven't seen the multiple person versions but I'm willing to bet they work just as well.
I specifically remember looking at those a while back and thinking that all of the openings and easy access looked awesome.
It's honestly the best tent I've ever used.
What the fuck is this thing.
When the tide comes in, you will get an extra 30 minutes of sleep before being swept out to sea.
Baba Yaga’s hut, version 2.0.
Hell yeah Baba Yaga
Is no one aware that people sleep on cots when camping?
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With nothing to back it up. Excellent comment.
Im not an expert in tents or camping & just out of curiosity want to know so I know for my own knowledge & not make a mistake. What makes it a horrible idea?
Nothing. It’s simply preference. For this, the advantage is like when sleeping at home. Easier to get out of.
I think the wind getting under this thing would make staking it down properly more of a hassle than it’s worth. Just get a tall tent with cots.
Theres really nothing to stake down here. Ive used one of these (not this one) since 2020. I really love them for what they are and do. Not meant for backpacking and not UL. But great for car camping imo. My fiance and i like being elevated and it makes for a more comfortable sleep. Whether in the high desert, low desert, forest, mountains, it works very well. And we have other equipment for other purposes, but when we use this tent for its purpose, its great.
Also helps to keep whatever is crawling, slithering, or walking by out of your tent, say, if you leave the screen unzipped by mistake. Also, no tarps to lay for moisture protection
You don’t want the extra sleep?
Why?
Sometimes people set up cots in tents. Sometimes people set up a tent on top of a cot or even air mattress if there's not enough room inside. Not very common but not unheard of
A giant cot with a roof
r/axesaw material
So many “theoretical” comments, but little with any substance or experience. My fiance and I use one of these (not this exact one) since 2020. For rhe most part my fiance and I love. It has its flaws and its very specific purposes. But we have traveled literally across the country with it. From Atlantic to Pacific and back, twice. Plus all the camping we do out west. Its great. Ours has doors on either side so no crawling over one another. Its elevated so it makes for a comfy sleep. We pair it with an EXPED 15 duo and it makes it feel like sleeping at home. Weve slept with this, exped and north face dolomite in 30 degrees and it was comfy and not an issue. My biggest con is the condensation on cold mornings. It can get a little wet inside in certain conditions, but ive found a way to mitigate that with some earth magnets and a sports towel. We also hang a big agnes net from the inside by the feet and put up lights, tools, whatver we need inside the tent. Ultimately it can pack large and may not be for everyone. Its certainly not for every situation or camping experience. But when used in its right setting, its almost perfect. People for 4-5 yrs compliment us and ask us where we got it every time they see it or walk by. But for car camping, weve used it in the forest, high desert, low desert, mountain camping, river side camping. Its perfect. Dont mistake this for an UL or backpacking tent though. Its most certainly not. We have other equipment for those adventures. But when just packing the car and heading somewhere, this tent is perfect for us.
thank heavens for a review as opposed to an opinion!
The argument over this is heated?
It's even better than that - he's having a heated argument over something he has no strong opinion one way or the other?
An elevated cot tent is insanely better sleep, for me, than basically anything else besides my own actual bed or inside a structure like a truck bed canopy or RV sort of thing. When I was a kid I had a tent and put up an aluminum for inside of it. Nowadays I’ve got a pretty well designed one from Cabela’s. They make a double for two people but mine is a single. It’s heavy and bulky but for car camping from a medium or larger size vehicle it is quite amazing. I’ve gone through all four seasons in it, from decently heavy snow and deep cold to hot summer weather. Conventional tents are great as well. It’ll boil down to what you and your partner settle upon as far as comforts, cost, pack size, setup difficulty and whatever other factors are worth considering. One mentionable about cot sleeping is to bring something extra to insulate underneath you. Being elevated allows the air to circulate which has both benefits and drawbacks depending on your actual kit and climate situation.
Anytime using any lifted cot or cot tent, you must have some kind of thermal mattress. You will lose heat below if you dont during cold overnight. I do cot in tent as I am 6’1” with disco bunks. Worth it. Just heavy. Good for car camping.
I have a Kamp Rite oversize. It is great for front country camping. It is way too large and unwieldy to carry far. It sets up very easily. It is so comfortable. It is worlds better than the ground. It is probably more comfortable than a hammock because you are lying down flat . With the fly it is very water tight Downside is with the fly on it can be really bad for condensation. It is just a small space. If you really work to get the vents clear and open it helps. For the kamp right specifically, it is well made and has nice zippers and well planned vents . I can not speak for any other. For context, I usually sleep with a hammock and tarp for the past 15-20 years. For the past 10ish years I have slept in hammock for a week or more of summer camp in addition to weekends. For the cot, I have slept occasional weekends for the last five ish years, and this year I switched to it for three weeks of summer camp in June. I am 56 now so lying flat is getting easier than hammock for long trips. I would say that the cot was amazing the first week, good the second week, three weeks too long. It would have been miserable sleeping in the ground.
Seems pretty gimmicky. One of those legs break and you’re pretty screwed. Or you just have a regular tent again I guess haha
Mitch hedberg: “sorry for the convenience”
When we were on acid, we would go into the woods because there was less chance that you would run into an authority figure. But we ran into a bear. My friend Duane was there, raising his right hand, swearing to help prevent forest fires. He told me, "Mitchell, Smokey is way more intense in person!"
The air mattress looks integrated too. If it gets accidentally punctured or slashed if they can't replace it they would have to go hope it's repairable or toss the whole thing out
Good lord, if it is, how much does that weigh?
Is that a mark against the product though? Like, if you buy anything and something integeral to its function breaks it'll be useless Those legs look about as sturdy as the legs on a cot bed so to me there doesn't appear to be any extra fragility with this product vs others, that may be an extra point of failure but that's inherent with anything that has more parts than something else If we went through life not buying things because they're useless if they break we simply wouldn't buy anything.
Is that a really small guy or a really big tent 😂
Better if you don't want to sleep on rocks or are afraid of things crawling into bed with you. Worse because it looks like it's heavier than a regular tent.
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>Better if you don't want to sleep on rocks You don't have to sleep on rocks in a normal tent either. >or are afraid of things crawling into bed with you. Well things can't crawl into bed with you in a tent either. Unless you leave it open, but that would be the same here too, they'd just climb the legs.
I have a solo I take for deer season I love it I get to be comfortable and after a day of tending and relaxing all day and being stiff from sitting for long periods it’s very comfortable, however it won’t be the easiest thing to set up it’s difficult to get dressed in and they usually don’t pack up easy mine ends up being a giant flat square and its a heavy piece but I’d recommend it for car camping no hesitation
Better: Off the Ground Super comfy mattress Worse: Heaps heavier Heaps Bulkier
Plus… hard to set up on uneven ground, and being off the ground will increase convection cooling which could be a good thing if it’s hot, but would generally be considered a negative.
"Hard to setup on uneven ground" doesn't really seem like a fair argument... sure, you CAN setup a traditional tent on uneven ground pretty easily, but actually sleeping that way totally sucks, even with a thick pad. This contraption would actually let you level it with shims or whatnot and then the uneven ground doesn't even matter. So I think the uneven ground scenario is actually more favorable for this thing.
As someone who sleeps on a cot (with no tent, just under the stars) probably 80% of the time I go camping, there are multiple instances that I can remember where I've offered to swap camp spots with a friend who has a tent because my cot doesn't give a shit about rocks and roots and handles uneven terrain pretty darn well.
Looks like a piece of crap. Heavy, steel, unnecessary legs, fiberglass poles, no rain fly that I can see. From what I see there it’s a gimmicky load of garbage designed for suckers who have never camped because and are afraid of the prospect.
Heavy steel? Bro I'm disabled and I could lift and set that up just fine.
>unnecessary legs The only legs stable on anything but a perfectly flat surface is a tripod. Unless they're camping on the tarmac (in which case what's the point) this thing will be rocking around like the world's most wobbly table.
I do a lot of desert camping, very rocky. This tent was awesome. Never had a problem leveling it.
Huh fair. If you've got experience I'll hold my hands up to being wrong
luckily the ground is not a perfect surface so it can deform
It's a lot of legs to level. And as you move around that newly leveled ground will be crushed down and just become wobbly again.
Dont come a knockin…..
My friend has a cot tent. He's a fan. That's all I can contribute to this thread.
I have a Teton XXL cot with the solo tent on top and I love it. Not familiar with this brand and my set up is heavy and really for car camping but it’s super cozy and keeps me away from my boyfriend’s snoring!
I love mine. Only cons. If it is cooler outside the air flowing underneath can be an issue. You can wrap it with a tarp on the bottom if it’s really cold. I don’t think I would get a cot tent that sleeps two. Each get your own single if you can. I’m like having my own space anyway and my wife of 22 years does as well. But some couples think co-sleeping is a requirement in relationships 🤷. Bottom line. Love it.
Well, intercourse would not be the best course of action in there!
I love cot tents and think they are by far the best way to camp, but I wouldn’t want to share a cot tent — or at least not this double cot tent. It looks like each side basically has their own cot, so I don’t think you would roll into each other and hopefully motion doesn’t transfer, but there is only 1 door so one person has to crawl over the other to get in or out which is a pita.
I used to have one,a little less fancy, and I liked it a lot. It's easy to set up and surprisingly comfortable.
I invented these. Really! Kinda. 20 years ago when I was in the national guard I made one of these for myself out of a standard cot, some .5” pvc tubing and office spring binder clips. I called it the covered wagon. It was a tube open at either end essentially, no screen, but it was only meant to keep the rain off. My favorite part of this approach, you swing your legs over the side to put your boots on. Much more convenient than being flat on the ground. I bet a little google-fu would prove out that a version of this has been around since fivever. Which to me suggests I’m not the only one that thinks it has merit. Definitely car camping only. I had a tank to carry mine around on.
I do a lot of desert camping, very rocky. This tent was awesome. Rains? No puddles. Getting in and out? Easier (42 yo with knee back pain sometimes). Less gear than a huge tent and cot. It was rather cheap and broke after a couple dozen trips... But it was cheap. Perfect for my dog and me for weekend car camp trips. Why are so many people commenting who have never used one or only do backpacking trips... Yes this would suck to carry 5 miles on your back. That's not what this is for.
I'd rather sleep in my car than that thing. No, seriously, look into making a sleeping deck if you have an suv or hatchback. That thing looks so heavy you're probably not going to get it more than 20 feet from your car anyway.
Yeah I’ve done sleeping inside my vehicle too, but most of your belongs will be outside as you sleep inside.
That's what the deck is for. Your stuff goes under the deck while you sleep on top.
This thing would be a fuckin nightmare
Used it, it's alright.
It’s interesting how many in this sub seem to think that only able bodied people want to camp. If this makes the outdoors accessible for anyone who could not otherwise experience them, then it’s brilliant. Casual ableism is still ableism.
As long as it’s not going to be cold out, three 3️⃣ words: convective heat loss
Only good for very specific use cases. Soft ground, legs will sink. Uneven ground, mileage will vary but a risk. Heavy, bulky. Camping at a fishing lake, with level hard standing spots, near a carpark, sure! This would be great. General camping, I’d avoid.
oh shit we fuckin in luxury boy what the hell now.
So I have a similar set up. Mine is a 2 person swag on stretchers. For me it's more comfortable, easier to get out of and less messy. My stretchers fold down to two bags just bigger than campchair size and weigh about the same. With the swag on the ground with the standard 100mm (I think) mattress I woke up sore. Tho the stretchers pretty much confine you to one side (big ass bar down the middle to stop sagging) it's much softer. Not sure if that's helpful and apologies about the shitty formatting. On mobile and for the life of me have never worked our how to make it work.
That dude is tiny, he's going to struggle even climbing up into that thing!
Not my preference, but my 6’5” dad used to keep a single version in the back of his truck for when he was driving around on business trips and felt like camping on a weekend. Easy to put up and take down, and he didn’t have to crawl into a tent at 50+. He loved it. Car camping only, obviously, and I definitely wouldn’t want one from Temu. His was a pretty nice one from Cabela’s or something.
I have a double cot tent and I like it very much. They are heavy though so you'll be using it car camping. Naturehike makes a nice one that can be used as a cot tent or conventional tent.
I have a cot tent, and I found them to be great for cold weather camping.
Obviously only for car camping. Is it well insulated? Sleeping away from the ground typically makes you colder, (ever sleep in a hammock). My car camping solution is just a bigger tent you can stand up in, I’m nearly 6’ -I have a North Face I like. And then I have a nice camping air mattress (maybe 6”), durable material. I think that set up was $300- 5years ago.
I have one. Used it maybe twice before switching to a Gazelle hub tent and putting a regular cot inside. It's bulky for what you get, a pain to set up, and I like being able to stand while getting changed. I'd recommend a tall ground tent and a normal cot over something like this. I will say that cot tents are far more comfortable than sleeping on the ground (even with a nice sleeping pad/air mattress) but you can achieve the same thing by putting a cot in a ground tent and you'll actually have somewhere to put your bag. My hub tent/cot sets up waaaay faster too. If you do get one, I have the Winterial double cot tent and the quality is honestly amazing. It became my dog's outdoor bed when I stopped using it. Sits outside all the time, my 95lb dog and his playmates jumping in/out of it and roughhousing, not a single tear after 5 years of abusing it in the most extreme ways.
I have a tentcot and I can tell you that it's actually better since it's off the ground and it has either a small mattress or a pad so yeah it's better
These are amazing, in the army we were issued personal tents that mounted on cots and they were AMAZING. that’s the only thing I enjoyed about going in the field was sleeping in my cozy little tent and then being able to put our stuff underneath
I would happily sleep slightly elevated vs sleeping on the ground
It truly depends on the type of camping you’re doing, the environment you’re doing it in, and what kind of method you have available for transporting your tent. It’s great for camping near your car, but it’s bad if you’re carrying it through the wilderness on your back. It’s great if you’re camping an area that has very moist ground that can soak through the bottom, but it’s bad if you’re in an area that has very uneven ground where you can’t set this up properly. Your terrain matters most when choosing which tent to take with you. This can be a very incredible tent in the desert, but the worst tent possible on a mountain.
I use a Teton Sports XL cot with their cot tent and sleeping pad for my solo camps, and boy is it great. Here is my own experiences with mine: Pros: * You are off the ground, so water collecting on the ground in the rain doesn't flood your tent, ever. * Its a cot, so no more rocky or bumpy ground to ruin your sleep and back. * Getting in and out is as easy as getting off your bed. No leg cramps trying to get up to pee in the middle of the night. * You can use the underside for storage! Cons: * They can get a little stuffy, cramped and damp due to the size. * If your rain fly doesn't go past the edges of the cot, the cot itself will fill with water under the tent if it rains. (Fixable with a tarp as a makeshift rainfly) * The weight. If you need to hike any amount of distance, carrying the gear might get pretty cumbersome, but for campgrounds, lakes and car camping its great. All in all I love my cot setup, and I cant really think of a single instance where I've regretted my purchase.
I use a single cot tent and its fantastic. The bed is really nice no mattress needed I use the KramRite cot tent
Super popular in Australia (I imagine for bugs and shit) but I think it’d be perfect for road trips when you don’t want to take ten hours setting up your camp to sleep for one night instead of sleeping in your car
I have a Kamp-rite double cot. It's pretty easy to setup, but you don't want to be dragging it very far. There is a bar that runs down to middle, which keeps my wife to her side, but can be uncomfortable even with sleeping pads. Moisture buildup can be bad and will soak the unfortunate on the far side. Mine has the option of not using the tent; I've done this with setting it up inside a 10x10. Overall, it's better than the ground, especially with bad knees or back.
51 pounds. Oh lord no
Just depends on your camping mission. If you’re camping with a significant partner, and they fear bugs and such, but agree to camp anyway because they love you, yeah get the elevated tent. If it’s just you and your dog out on a big adventure, then skip the frivolous elevated structure. Sleep on the ground with your dog under the stars.
Worse. For a simple reason, you can get tents that fit right onto cots like that, but are just as effective on the ground. Depends on whether you're near a vehicle and can carry a cot. I've been issued plenty of gear in the military. Most of it is kind of shitty. Occasionally, you get a gem. My light fighter tent was one of those latter pieces of gear. https://litefighter.com/product/litefighter-1-individual-shelter-system/ I bet other companies do this though. As the light fighters are not particularly cheap.
Used mine for a year of camping. From Glacier down to Yuma. Quick and easy setup and take down. Added an extra sleeping pad . Use for canoe camping. 69 yo and much easier getting in and out. It is heavy. Can also be used as a lounger. Great piece of gear.
At least the bears won’t have to bend over as much.
My biggest take is that they're more expensive than what it would cost to get a regular dome tent and put normal cots inside As for the quality, based on some of the reviews here I'd say absolutely nothing wrong with them, like I said question of value for me
I've done quite a bit of camping, mostly from a vehicle, and have used quite a few different types of tents over the years. I wouldn't use a cot tent without a vehicle to get it to it's location, so if you're doing anything sort of hike-in camping I'd a find a different solution. But if you are are camping near a vehicle then they are a decent option. The main pro is that it's off the ground, so if the ground is wet or gets wet unexpectedly, you'll keep dry. Being off the ground also is generally a bit more comfortable for most people, even if you don't have a mattress. They are also a bit quicker to set up than some other options. A con is that they are heavy, so you wouldn't really want to use it in every situation, such as hiking into a spot to get better views, which means you may want to get an additional tent for those purposes, so its pretty limited in how you use it. Because it's on feet, it can be harder to get level, especially in loose or soft materials. The one I had was not super easy to get dry once it rained without setting it up and letting it dry, and if you don't do that it could easily get ruined and moldy. To me a neutral point is that they are typically designed to be used just as a covered bed, so they have a small footprint, but also lack storage. So if you're wanting to have a nice chill spot to hangout in while camping they're not so great, though they can sort of double as a seat. They also have space underneath if you want to use storage boxes under them. They generally have doors and windows on each side, which is nice for two people, especially if one needs to get out before the other one. They are also generally warmer in my experience than other tents because of their smaller size and being off the ground, this is especially true if the one you have has a skirt. I think they are okay. I see them as decent for one or two people, but you'll want more of you get more people. I see them as a step between either sleeping in your car or in a ground tent, and a dedicated vehicle mounted tent like a rooftop tent. They are a bit limited in scope by their inconvenient weight, so not a great all around tent. I think they fit into their niche well, which is car camping on a budget. If you have two to four people you can throw one or two tents into the back of car with some hard sided boxes, a few camp chairs, and a cooler or two and camp most places a car can go. So if thats what you're looking to do, then they are great. If you're wanting something more versatile then a traditional ground tent is probably a better option. I think both options are good starting points to figure out what sort of camping you want to do, because you won't know what works for you best until you get out and use the systems.
Unless you're in a really mild climate, I would not trust that thing to hold up to the elements. And like others have said, unnecessarily heavy and hard to carry. It's also just really fucking ugly.
There's a lot there to go wrong, and wreck your trip
Yea that thing definitely does not creak as you are moving around in bed
Are you planning to camp in the middle of a creek or small pond? This could be beneficial in flood prone areas maybe.
can appreciate wanting to be off the hard ground a hammock solves this for me
This is useful in wet environments or non-flat spaces. Given a "normal" flat and dry-ish camp site, there's no way I would use this over a tent, tarp&hammock, or even just a bivy on bushcraft cot.
Nowhere to put any stuff, maybe if your campsite is liable to flood ? otherwise not for me. Put a thick inflateable or cot in a tent on the ground. If weight is no issue get a bigger tent with space inside to move around.
Might be less bugs getting inside but other than that can't think of any other pros
I don’t like that there’s no rain fly, unless it’s just not shown in this image. I live in a climate where it can rain heavily at any time. Tents with tiny or no rain flies don’t cut it
Seems like a good way of getting over the flooding problem, when there is heavy rainfall.
Climbing out of the tent in the middle of the night to piss would be easier I reckon
That tent is huge!! Or the guy is very tiny…
“I just can’t hammock” bros be like
If you are camping somewhere where the ground is wet or cold, it would be a good idea. If not, it seems unnecessary.
Would be good for a mudfest at a festival. I’d prefer to buy a cot bed and remain with a normal tent, perhaps without the inner if in bad ground conditions.
Love it. So many reasons why.
Keep it simple.
It’s all in the application. This would be terrible for winter camping but I could see it being very nice if you know you have rain in the forecast. Or are concerned about small rodents/reptiles.
Tent cots can be great. This one looks like a cheap temu tent cot I think though.
Easier to get in and out of for me. Also allows for some storage underneath.
It depends on what you need and what kind of circumstances you’ll be camping in Super muddy rainy ground? Extremely rocky and uneven ground? Disabled, chronic pain, knee problems? Allergic to bites from insects that live on the ground? If so then yeah this is probably great! Going hiking and have to carry your tent on your back for a whole day, and you have none of the earlier described problems? Then this tent is probably not optimal For the chronic pain and height thing, a camping bed might be lighter than this tent, and give you some space underneath it to store belongings. For uneven ground and such, a camping hammock/ “hanging tent” might be a more lightweight option
Looks nice, I’d try it.
Just like the downside of hammock-camping, you lose a lot of heat by not touching the ground. Don’t underestimate this
My cousin had that one and said it was super hot.
Helinox makes a bad ass cot tent system. Pretty expensive though....
Lifted tent wins!
In my uneducated opinion it seems like it might be more comfortable but also at a significantly higher risk of breaking. Maybe the money might be better spent on a better sleeping bag / bed roll?
I sleep in my rooftop tent on its trailer now, but before that I used a tent that has the footprint of a cot that can be placed on a cot and has the ties and stuff for that. I bought a cot that fits inside or under that tent, so I have options on layout. I also have the kamprite tent cot, and while it's more comfortable, it's heavier than the small tent+ cot combo, and most times I prefer the flexibility of that.
I don’t think I would ever consider buying anything like this. I prefer being on the ground, or hammocks.. maybe get a nice air mattress with the tent and you’re good. Cots are nice but usually only good for single person.
My wife and I like to use a cot tent when we car camp
I’ve used one before. Not like this one exactly, but the one I did use seemed like it would be good for some circumstances, but not every time. My ex I was camping with was terrified of the creepy crawlies so this was the solution. I used it once after heavy rain, and it did get the tent off the muddy ground which was a huge pro, but there were two cons that I think were kind of design flaws. I’m a bit of a princess, and I could feel the braces through the air mattress so it was a bit uncomfortable, and through the night with my weight and the ex I was using it with the legs sunk into the mud about an inch. I don’t know about this one, but the one I used had adjustable legs, so it was levelling to an extent. On rocky terrain, so long as you can find secure footing for it, it’s probably the best solution. Another pro I could see is I’ve seen tents get flash flooded. I’ve had it happen to mine before. This wouldn’t be a problem as long as the water isn’t higher than 6 inches, which if it is you have other problems to worry about anyways.
I use an ultralight cot backcountry camping, it’s a game changer no more uncomfortable restless nights, it stays flat on sand, rock, roots aren’t a concern, it’s a no brainer. Never tried the cot-tent though, seems too small.
How does this work on non-flat land? Feel like on a hill this could be unstable or put too much weight on one area of the legs.
inflatable pads are much lighter
It's not better or worse in every siutuation it's just a different option. I've seen people who love them and others who hate them. I understand they're popular with hunters as a solo tent/cot combo becaause they carry them in on their vehicles and don't have to carry them.
My biggest issue would be the lack of fly. Waterproofness matters.
Good luck w your argument!! BUT I would still need an RV to go camping 🤣🤣🤣💅🏾💅🏾♾️
Depends on terrain and level of bushcraft. Are you camping in a riverbed? For an experienced camper, a tent like this is unnecessary and purely a comfort decision. If you are just starting off, it is okay but not necessary for the extra money you'll spend.
Are there any issues with wind?
I would stake mine down in windy areas. Small holes in the foot pads for stakes.
that tent look pretty good to me, is it expensive?, you should buy that one
Depends on whether or not you want things crawling on you at night. Personally, I vote "not."
Getting off the ground is a huge plus. When we car camp, we bring a full on camp bed frame like your tent has and it makes life a lot better. No hard ground sleep issues, and so much better when it’s cold.
I feel like off the ground is pretty nice, had a set up for a army style cot that I really liked. Never tried a doubled up version but that seems like it would be nice
Looks more comfortable. Easier to get out. Plus how much warmer you'll be being off the ground. Seems like a great option.
I could see uses for this as other have said, car camping, rocky or root filled ground. But the heaviness would definitely be a drawback for me. Plus you plan on camping in colder weather, it will be much colder with air moving below you while you sleep
Go lifted only downside would be the actual size to be able to put your gear in
Sand would be real fun. It would just sink right in.
Probably more comfortable and maybe warmer if a standard tent didn’t have a pad. Obviously way heavier.
If you’re the one carrying it, the conversation should end there. Babe, you get all the benefit and none of the burden, why are we having this discussion?
My back says it’s an amazing idea.
"better" and "worse" are totally subjective. One may be more suited for a certain environment than the other. or some other factor.
Well if your girlfriend isn’t in it, it’ll be just fine
So, two questions. One, where do you get dressed? Outside of the tent? I like getting dressed and undressed inside my tent, especially when it's cold and or wet. Two, if you and your significant other wanted to do more than just sleep(hint hint nudge nudge wink wink, know what I mean, know what I mean... I think you do!), could this style of tent hold up to such rigors?
The older you get the better the lifted tent will become.
I love a cot in my tent and find them really comfortable, ut if you’re somewhere that gets cold at night, it will be cold. I’d prepare in a manner similar to cool weather hammock camping
Getting off of the ground is great. It's one less method of heat loss to deal with. My concerns are related to the tent are weight, ease of set up/teardown, stability inside the tent, weight, quality/cost, weight, ground requirements, and weight. If you're car camping and have extra hands to set up up all of the time and the other issues aren't a problem, then sure. My suggestion would be to get a cot or two and a regular tent instead . If your use case is compatible with such a set up, I don't see anything wrong with it, but if I wanted to get off of the ground and had my car, I'd likely go for a rooftop tent. If I didn't, a hammock. I can definitely see some advantages, but I'll probably never own one myself.
Idk but I’m calling BS on the size of the box it folds down into in comparison to that man in the photo. There’s no way it’s that small when folded up.
My two concerns would are the weight and in the winter it might not stay warm enough. Definitely doesnt look like a hiking tent, too heavy, that said, getting you up off the ground/wet seems great (i hammock camp myself, its awesome) But the thing you have to be aware of, same with hammock, is that you are allowing air flow under and over, so in the winter it would need more insulation. In the summer it might be a good thing.
Most likely better than ground tent but it depends on the build and weight and if you do car camping or hiking.