Helinox Cot One
vs
Helinox Cot Lite
If you have done even just a few nights of camping, you realize by now that having something underneath your sleeping bag is a must. Sleeping on the cold hard ground can make for a very rough camping trip. While some like to use a sleeping pad, others prefer the much more comfortable cot option.
While sleeping pads are not the best on rough or wet areas, cots can eliminate the hassle. Also, you can save space in your tent by placing your gear underneath your cot. Having the ability to sit on a cot with your legs hanging over also beats being on even ground.
The Helinox Cot One and the Helinox Cot Lite were meant to be very lightweight and portable for backpackers. But customers tend to find it difficult to choose between these cots due to how similar they look. In fact, there are some important differences between them that you must know about before making your decision. This is why we at OffTheGridGearHub.com have created our Helinox Cot One vs Cot Lite comparison.
Related: Klymit Static V vs V2: Camping Sleeping Pad Reviews
Helinox Cot One vs Cot Lite
How They Both Work
Both of these cots are constructed in much the same way. Their side poles are shock-corded for fast assembly. Simply slide the poles into the sleeves on the outside edges of the cot. Connect the cross braces to the polls using the levers.
One of the great parts about these cots is the fact that you did not need to use all four cross braces. Although they come with four, you can leave one of them at home to eliminate the extra weight. The cots will accommodate set up with just three legs. They come with their own storage bags which you can attach to your rucksack.
Feature Differences
As the name suggests, the Cot Lite is significantly lighter than the Cot One. Although the Cot One is not that much longer than the Lite, it is actually 3 inches wider. If you are heavy set, the Cot One might be a better bet.
Cot One:
- Material: Nylon
- Size when assembled: 74.8 x 26.4 x 5.9 inches
- Size when packed: 21.2 x 6.3 x 6.3 inches
- Maximum capacity: 320 lbs
- Weight: 4.4 lbs
Cot Lite:
- Material: Polyester
- Size when assembled: 72.8 x 23.6 x 5.1 inches
- Size when packed: 20.9 x 5.1 x 5.1 inches
- Maximum Capacity: 265 lbs
- Weight: 2 lbs 9.6 oz
Another significant difference that may not be so obvious is the type of material used. While the Cot One canvas is made of nylon, the Cot Lite canvas is made of polyester. There will be more on these in the next section.
Polyester vs Nylon
While the size difference between these cots may be most important for you, the materials used for the canvas both work in different ways and cannot be overlooked.
Nylon is the most durable and water-resistant. The Cot One canvas is made of nylon, which makes it the higher quality canvas of the two. Nylon is more often used for outdoor gear than polyester. Nylon also has a softer feel.
The main advantages to polyester, such as with the Cot Lite, is the fact that it is faster drying and more abrasion resistant. Considering all of these factors, we still feel that nylon is the best material for a cot.
Price Comparison
As you might imagine, the Cot One is usually the pricier of the two. Due to the larger size and the better canvas material, the price difference is definitely warranted. If you would like to see current prices on Amazon for these cots, please see below:
Helinox Cot One vs Cot Lite: The Verdict
The choice between these cots depends on the size of cot that you need and the weight you are willing to carry around. Although the Cot Lite is significantly lighter and the Cot One, it is only wider by 3 inches. The Cot One also has better canvas materials.
And our opinion, the only reason to get the Cot Lite is to travel lighter. For both are high-quality cots that are worth every penny.