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We often get a lot of cot questions , especially in regard to larger tents. We have used 3 or 4 cots in tents 6 man and up a few times but we don't have many photos. I took the opportunity to take some cot photos when I had an 8 man up recently. All I have is 3 cots. These are all 25 inch wide and about a foot tall. For reference a 12 man is much larger

These are in an 8 man

what is the minimum size tent needed for three cots with lots of room?

8 person

I've used the luxury-lite mesh cot - very light - about 2lbs, very comfy and has the added advantage that its very low - only a few inches off the ground - so can be placed nearer the sides of a tipi. Not too good in sub-zero temps because of the open mesh and the airgap underneath, but I see that they now have a reflective "under-blanket" for it, which should make a difference.

Does anybody have any good suggestions for a good comfortable and perhaps lightweight cot? I'm looking to camp more in style and comfort in my tipi and get off the ground but I don't want to lug around a boat anchor.

The Luxlite / Thermarest is the lightest.

Personally, I think the cots are ok for warm weather but you still need a pad in cooler weather. I'd opt for a big thick / durable heavy pad vs a cot. Some pads are 3.5 inches think, which is as high as a small cot. IMO , an exped down or syn mat is as comfy as it gets. That is just my .02 though, I'm sure others will chime in with preferences.

I would still plan on having a pad on the cot. I use the Thermarest Dreamtime and the Exped Downmat 9 pads. Just looking for an option to get off the ground at times. Those pads are super comfy but they don't do much for roots or rocks or melting snow.

"Andy BB wrote:I've used the luxury-lite mesh cot - very light - about 2lbs, very comfy and has the added advantage that its very low - only a few inches off the ground - so can be placed nearer the sides of a tipi. Not too good in sub-zero temps because of the open mesh and the airgap underneath, but I see that they now have a reflective "under-blanket" for it, which should make a difference.


Would putting a closed cell foam pad on the cot insulate it better?"

Yes - I've used an Exped Sym Comfort 10LW on it, which to be honest was overkill, as that baby has an R of 9.5, and is 10cm (circa 4") thick! Main problem of that of course is that, despite being inflatable, its bulky to carry and not light either (75 oz). I'm guessing that the reflective "underblanket " is much lighter and less bulky, being just a reflective sheet.

Of course, when I was in the Norwegian woods in early January, I didn't have anything other than the luxurylite mesh cot and my trusty Wiggys bag. I was warm enough, but it was a stupid set-up regardless and not to be recommended without some sort of insulating layer underneath. We live and learn:)