Imagine having a bed and a tent attached to it so you can put it anywhere and have a comfortable outdoor shelter. This is what you have in the text here, a collection of best camping cots with tents for one person. Keep reading.
So what this is about
Sleeping off the ground is more comfortable than on the ground, and this holds in particular when you are in the camp. The usual way to get above the cold ground is by using a camping cot in a tent. But there is yet another option, to use a cot with a tent attached to it.
There are various types of such cot-tents or tent-cots. You will find them for solo use and also for two people. Some of them are collapsible and they need some simple assembly, but some are folding and you can have them ready in seconds. Some are light enough to be carried even on the trail. You will some examples of these in the list below.
My list of best one-person tent-cots for camping
So here are the cots ordered by weight from lighter to heavier:
As usual here in the site, this selection of these tent-cots is based on versatility, so you have various options regarding the type, weight, and best use in general.
1. Therm-a-Rest Cot Tent
This Therm-a-rest Cot Tent could be described as ultra-lightweight for such a type of outdoor sleeping items and shelters. You have a cot that can be used separately inside any family camping tent or as an emergency bed at home, plus a two-layer tent that attaches to the cot. The tent can also be used on its own, so this is a true 3-in-1 system.
The complete set weighs only 5.86 lb (2.66 kg), so it may be worth the effort of carrying it on the trail. Just compare this with the usual tent plus a sleeping pad. Note that with a system like this one you do not need a pad when this is about warm weather adventures. This is why I think it is suitable even for hikers and mountaineers.
Best Seller
Pros:
- Weight.
- Packed size.
- Unique design.
Cons:
- Price.
Available from:
If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
The poles create a dome with a peak height of 55 inches (140 cm) and this itself is remarkable, solo tents are usually much lover. You have hooks and Velcro tabs to attach the tent to the cot. There are 4 stakes in the package so you can secure the structure to the ground.
They build this system in two sizes, R and L. The cot dimensions of the two models are 72 x 24 inches (183 x 61 cm), and 77 x 30 inches (198 x 76 cm). The weight of the two cots is (R) 2 lbs 12 oz (1.25 kg) and (L) 3 lbs 2 oz (1.42 kg). The packed size is (R) 16 x 5 inches (41 x 13 cm) and (L) 17 x 5 inches (43 x 13 cm). The official weight capacity is 325 lb (147 kg).
The weight of the corresponding tents is (R) 2 lbs 10 oz (1.2 kg), and (L) 2 lbs 12 oz (1.25 kg). Tent packed size is (R) 6 x 18.5 in (15 x 47 cm) and (L) 6 x 18.5 (15 x 47 cm). The fly is a durable 70-denier polyester ripstop and the mesh is nylon. You have a 1500 mm waterproof rating.
2. Night Cat Camping Off Ground Tent One Person Cot Tent
This Night Cat Camping Off Ground Tent One Person Cot Tent is portable with its 10.47 lb (4.75 kg) of weight. This is a 2-in-1 set with a cot and a tent. Note also that this all is nicely packable, it packs to 23.62 x 7.87 x 5.12 inches (60 x 20 x 13 cm) so you can easily transport it even on a bicycle.
To continue with numbers, the cot’s size is really great, it measures 82.68 x 27.5 inches (210 x 70 cm). Note that there are no bars at the feet and head sides of the cot, so this is all a useful length and the system is indeed suitable for tall people. The tent is a two-layer construction and its dimensions are (L x W x H) 98.4 x 59 x 39.4 inches (250 x 150 x 100 cm). This mentioned height is with the tent on the cot.
Best Seller
Pros:
- Portable.
- Packable.
- Great price.
Cons:
- It needs assembly.
Available from:
If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
This all needs assembly when you prepare the shelter, but this is easily done just like with any other collapsible system, without any tool, and without force. So this is an easy job and all is done in several minutes.
The tent’s poles are quality aluminum, more precisely this is a 7075 high-strength stable aluminum alloy. You realize from the pictures that you have a full coverage fly.
The tent’s poles attach to the cot, and when the sky is clear you can use the inner tent and the cot without the fly, this combination is fully freestanding and you can set it up anywhere. You have 8 aluminum staked to secure the fly when you use it.
The cot is with a moderately durable 420D waterproof Oxford polyester, and the fly is indeed a very durable 210D polyester with a 3000 mm waterproof rating.
3. Ozark Trail 1 Person Instant Tent Cot with Rainfly
Here you have a fully freestanding structure that you can have ready in less than a minute, this is behind the word instant in its name. So if you are changing your camping place frequently, this should be the shelter to consider. You can set it up anywhere, the point is that you can stake it down but you do not have to.
Best Seller
Pros:
- Ease of use.
- Packed size.
- Multiple openings.
Cons:
- Not very light.
Available from:
If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
The packed size is very good for an instant structure, it reduces to a tube that measures 40 x 8 x 8 inches (101.6 x 20.3 x 20.3 cm). The weight is also very reasonable, it weighs 26 lb (11.8 kg), but obviously, this is for places with car access and not something to carry long distances. It is convenient that you have doors on both sides, but the opening at the head side is also large enough to get in if needed. All the openings have mesh for protection against insects.
The poles that support the tent are telescopic and equipped with snap buttons. The bed size is good, you have 78 x 31 inches (198 x 79 cm), and the total height of the tent is 57 inches (145 cm). The bed’s capacity is 300 lb (136 kg), and it is 16 inches (41 cm) above the ground. The frame is steel and the fabric is polyester. There are inner pockets for storage.
4. Kamp-Rite CTC XL Compact Collapsible Tent Cot
They have two versions of this tent-cot that has been on the market for many years already. The difference is only in the size of the cot and the corresponding parameters are different (the weight, packed size, etc).
The word Compact in the name describes the fact that the cot folds in a narrow but elongated tube, and the tent is collapsible so you pack it to a small size. This is also a 3-in-1 product, and this means that you can use the cot and the tent separately and together. Here are some numbers you will want to have.
Best Seller
Pros:
- Comfort.
- Size.
- Full protection.
Cons:
- Small windows.
- Not so great in hot weather and in direct sunlight.
Available from:
If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
The whole set weighs 28 lb (12.7 kg). The cot measures (W x L x H) 84 x 33 x 21 inches (213 x 84 x 53 cm). So you realize it is really large by any standards. The tent’s dimensions correspond to the cot so you have (W x L x H) 33 x 84 x 40 inches (84 x 213 x 102 cm). The folded size of the whole system is 42 x 9 x 8 inches (107 x 30 x 23 cm), and the capacity of the cot is 350 lb (159 kg).
This all is very easy to use, you will have the full shelter ready in a few minutes. The tent is a double layer type with inner taffeta plus heavy-duty fly with taped seams. There is no-see-um mesh on windows and doors. The tent poles are fiberglass. You have straps on the ceiling to hang stuff, then several storage pouches, plus a mesh storage shelf underneath the cot.
The structure is ventilated, you have mesh on the openings, plus vents on the fly that match mesh on the inner taffeta. I see it suitable for all seasons, but it is better suited for a cooler climate.
5. Tangkula 1-Person Tent Cot
Here you have a complete outdoor sleeping system and by this I mean a cot, a foldable camping tent, an air mattress, a sleeping bag, a pillow, and the covers for the bag and pillow. You also have the roof poles, awning poles shown in the picture above, a hub element, and a pump for its inflatable pad. It could be described at least as a 4-in-1 system, and the reason is that you can use these elements separately and together.
The cot serves as a base to which you attach the tent. This is a military-type folding cot that needs a simple assembly, meaning just adding the two end-poles at the head and at the feet. The cot measures 76 x 34 inches (193 x 86 cm) so it is very wide but not very long. The bed is 16.5 inches (42 cm) above the ground. As mentioned, you can use this cot separately anywhere.
Best Seller
Pros:
- So many elements in the package.
- Versatile system.
- Great price.
- Views around.
Cons:
- Short cot.
- No mesh on the door.
- No guylines.
Available from:
If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
The tent is freestanding in the sense that it attaches to the cot through grommets. You have 4 windows with mesh and panels for protection and privacy, so you have views on all sides. There are 4 poles that support the tent and they are connected to a hub element on the top. There is a flap at the tent’s base equipped with Velcro tabs and with loops in the corners. This all is used to fix the tent to the cot. The tent itself is with a floor so you are fully protected from insects.
There is a small opening on the tent through which you can pass an E-cable port or use it to inflate the pad inside. The door is with dual zippers so you can have the awning shown in the picture. Two steel poles for this are included in the package.
Here are some numbers. The tent on its own is 47.5 inches (121 cm) tall, and the whole structure is 64 inches (163 cm tall). The cot’s capacity is 300 lb (136 kg), and the whole package weighs 30 lb (13.6 kg).
The frame is a combination of steel and aluminum, and the roof poles are fiberglass. The fabric is polyester, they write it is waterproof but there is no information about the official rating.
6. Kamp Rite Oversize Tent Cot
This Kamp Rite Oversize Tent Cot is one of the best-known shelters of this type on the market. Almost everything folds as one single piece, only the two roof poles have to be added after you unfold the cot and its pre-attached tent.
The bed is large, you have 90 x 32 inches (229 x 81 cm), so this is long enough even for very tall people. The legs are such that you can set it up on any surface and it will not sink. From the pictures above you realize that there are openings on all four sides, and there you have mesh and panels. This means you can get in from any side.
Best Seller
Pros:
- Comfort.
- Ease of use.
- Protection.
- Views around.
Cons:
- Bulky when packed.
- Heavy
Available from:
If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
The frame is a heavy-duty steel/aluminum combination, and the roof poles are fiberglass. The bed is 11 inches (28 cm) off the ground, so you can store some stuff underneath and it will be at least partly protected from the rain.
The weight is substantial here, this all weighs 34 lbs (15.4 kg) so you would use it close to your car. The official capacity is 350 lb (159 kg). There is a carry bag included so you can keep it safe from dust when stored for a long period of time. There are several interior storage pouches.
Final thoughts
So this was my selection of one-person best camping cots with tents, with plenty of great features, versatile and multifunctional outdoor sleeping systems. If you are still not sure how to choose, here are a few tips that may help.
The cot length & width
This is an important parameter if you are a tall person, and if so, you have several really great options here. For short users, any of the tent-cots here will do the job.
There are also differences in the width, note that you always have bars on the side that take a few centimeters. But if you use a pad on the cot this is not so important because you will be separated and there will be no pressure spots.
The weight
This is mainly of importance if you plan to carry such a sleeping set in the pack. Otherwise, for car camping, all of them will be fine.
Legs design
Some of the cots here have relatively small feet and this may not be the best option if you use it on a soft ground. If so, go for those models that have bars instead of feet, these will perform well anywhere because the weight is distributed over a large area.
Ventilation
Some of the tents attached to the cot are quite enclosed and if you use them in a direct sunlight it may be warm inside. So make sure you choose something appropriate for the climate.
Related Articles
If you would rather have a standard tent as a shelter, check these instant camp tents, and for sleeping, you can use a standard camping cot. Thank you for reading. Let me know if you have questions or comments, there is a comment box below.
Fun Outdoors Team
The FunOutdoors team is comprised of seasoned writers and editors with a passion for outdoor living.
Happy trails!
