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Helinox Cot One Vs Cot Lite
A nice cot can mean a big difference in how you sleep if you are backpacking or just out for a weekend camping trip. Hard ground and cold weather don’t combine well to make for a good sleeping experience.
With a camping cot, however, you can enjoy your hike or camping experience so much more.
You will have a place to sit and even to store some of your gear underneath the cot, although don’t expect too much room as they are usually just a few inches off of the ground.
The Helinox Cot One and the Helinox Cot Lite are two popular cots to take with you when you are away from your warm bed for a few nights.
Compare these two cots with your budget, preferences, and particular camping or backpacking context. By looking at these two products side by side, you’ll be better able to make the right choice for you.
| Product | Load Capacity | Packed Weight | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1. Cot Lite Can Hold 265lbs  Check Price | 265 lbs | 2.87 lbs. | Polyester |
| #2. Cot One Can Hold 320lbs  Check Price | 320 lbs | 5.1 lbs. | Nylon |
Helinox Cot Lite Video Review
Helinox Cot One Video Review
Dimensions and Material
The Helinox Cot One is a lightweight, nylon, folding camp cot. It is made of Helinox TH72M aluminum that is very strong. The cot and frame weight just 4.2 pounds. It can carry a load of up to 320 pounds.
It is 72 inches long and 26.5 inches wide. The height off of the ground is six inches. The tension level on the Cot One is said to be better than that of the Cot Lite.
The Cot Lite, on the other hand, also features the Helinox TH72M material to support you while you sleep. The fabric is Polyester RipStop 100D. It weighs just 2.6 pounds, so it is much lighter than the Cot One.
This cot can hold a load of up to 265 pounds. It is 24 inches wide and 73 inches long. It is 5 inches off of the ground when set up.
The Cot Lite has a packed weight of 2.87 pounds, and the Cot One has a packed weight of 5.1 pounds.
The packed length of the Cot Lite is 20.87 inches, and the packed length of the Cot One is 21.26 inches, so there is not much of a difference there.
The Cot Lite has a packed diameter of 5.12 inches, and the Cot One has a packed diameter of 6.3 inches.
Nylon is more durable and water-resistant,so its sleeping surface has the higher quality. Nylon is used more often in outdoor gear than polyester, and it is softer to the touch.
On the other hand, polyester dries faster and it’s more resistant to abrasion. In general, however, nylon is still probably the better material.
Both cots include a storage bag to help you keep all the pieces together on your hike.
Set-Up
The Helinox Cot One features a unique Helinox tension system designed to provide a simple set up.
The Cot One features a press-fit leg system, and the Cot One has a lever lock system, both of which are designed to help you assemble the bed and to tension the sleeping surface easily.
They also both have shock cords inside the frame that allows you to put the frame together quickly and easily.
There are four legs on the Cot Lite, but you can leave one off to further reduce pack weight. Some users have said that the set-up system is a bit difficult and that the instructions for the Cot One are somewhat difficult to follow.
Price
The Helinox Cot One tends to be more expensive than the Cot Lite. The more durable and preferable nylon material and the wider dimensions play important parts in the higher price.
Final Verdict – Helinox Cot One Vs Cot Lite
If you have a smaller build or are looking for a cot great for children, the Cot Lite is a great choice.
However, it is more expensive, but if you’re looking to keep down pack weight, it is probably worth the extra investment to not have to carry around the extra weight.
On the other hand, if you need the cot to hold more weight and want the extra three inches of width the Cot One is the way to go, especially if you don’t mind it weighing more.