Even Dogs Love the Big Agnes Helinox Cot | Photo Lexey Wauters Mountain Weekly News
After a summer of use in a variety of camping spots, I can tell you that I don’t plan on camping without the Helinox Lite Cot again.
Helinox Lite Cot Size
Let’s talk specs. The bed surface of the Big Agnes Helinox Lite Cot is rip-stop polyester with sleeves on either side. It’s slightly over six feet long and just about two feet wide.
The side poles are shock-corded aluminum. The legs are also shock-corded with the attached feet sturdy plastic. The shock-cords keep all your pieces and parts together as they should be. At just 2 pounds 8 ounces the Helinox Cot Lite is the lightest cot currently on the market. And it folds up to a diminutive 21” x 5” x 5”. It is small and light.
It gets better. Setting up and breaking down this cot is EASY. The sturdy shock-cords make the side poles practically self-assembling. The side sleeves are ample enough to make inserting the poles very smooth. A small pull tab secures the poles into the sleeve. The legs and their feet also open quickly into shape. Once open, snapping a foot onto the side pole, applying some bodyweight to flex the leg, and directing the second foot to the opposite side of the cot takes about 30 seconds a leg. Seriously. The first time I set this up it took a minute to sort out how to flex the legs and direct the foot to the pole at the same time. A couple of legs later, the system was set. It takes 3-4 minutes to go from packed to set up. Packing it up in the morning- reverse all that. Just as easy and quick.
Cot Comfort
Sleeping on this cot is dreamy. I have mostly used this for river camping so there have been a variety of surfaces- sand, gravel, grassy dirt, pine needles, and cones, etc. No matter what the ground surface, I am slumbering above it all happily and securely suspended.
I have slept on it with just a bag. It’s comfortable though slightly slippery between the polyester surface and the polyester bag. I have also slept on it with a standard Therm-Rest pad and bag. On a really hot night- Therm-a-Rest and cotton sheet. This combination produces the best night’s sleep I usually get in the summer. Of course, it could also be the sound of the river a few feet away.
Lightweight sleeping pads like the Sea to Summit Ultralight XR, Exped Ultra 3R, and Therm-a-Rest NEOAIR XTHERM pair exceptionally well with the Helinox Lite Cot, adding insulation and comfort while keeping weight relatively low.
While most packrafters prioritize compact sleeping pads for remote expeditions, vehicle-supported river camps often benefit from elevated sleep systems like the Helinox Lite Cot.
It will fit into many tents but it does take up more room than just a pad. I have a North Face 2 person tent that I use it in solo. I also have a 3 person Big Agnes that I use it in with my husband and dog. So far, I have not had any problems with the feet tearing the tent floor though I wouldn’t count on that!
Overall impression
Get one. I have checked out a few other models and believe that the Helinox Cot Lite is the best available right now. The Big Agnes Helinox Lite Cost is absolutely worth it.
While minimalist backpackers may prefer the compact footprint of an Outdoor Research Advanced Bivy paired with an ultralight sleeping pad, campers prioritizing comfort will appreciate sleeping elevated above rocks, roots and uneven ground.
A good night sleep is worth a LOT.
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