In about 3-5 minutes you can assemble a lightweight camping cot that packs down to the size of a water bottle but supports up to 320 lbs.
Setup Time
3-5 minutes
Weight
4 lbs 13.5 oz
Capacity
320 lbs
Sleeping Area
75" x 27"
Two side poles, three leg assemblies, one cot sheet. That's the whole system.
Orientation
Clear the pad, lay out your parts, and spot the color coding so setup flows smoothly.
Assemble the cot inside your tent where you plan to sleep. You need about 7 feet of length and 3 feet of width. The cot can be assembled on any flat surface.
Lay everything out before you start so nothing is missing mid-setup.
Shock-corded poles
The side poles are shock-corded (connected by internal elastic), so the sections snap together easily. Just unfold them and they self-align.
cot assembly
Thread the side poles through the cot sheet, then snap the leg assemblies into place.
Remove the two side poles from the carry bag. Unfold each pole and let the shock cord pull the sections together. Each pole is made of 4 sections that snap into alignment automatically.
Lay the cot sheet flat. Slide one assembled side pole through the fabric sleeve on one side of the cot sheet. Repeat with the second pole on the other side. The poles should extend slightly past each end of the fabric.
Photo of side pole being threaded through cot sheet fabric sleeve
Take one of the two end leg assemblies (the ones with the wider feet). Snap the blue hub connectors onto the pole ends on one side of the cot. Press firmly until you hear a click. Repeat for the other pole end on the same side.
Firm press needed
The hub connectors require a firm push to click into place. If the cot feels wobbly, check that all connectors are fully seated.
Close-up of blue hub connector snapping onto side pole end
Snap the center leg assembly onto the middle of both side poles. The center leg provides crucial support and prevents the cot from sagging.
Snap the remaining end leg assembly onto the other end of both side poles. Once all three legs are attached, the cot is ready to use.
Photo of fully assembled Helinox Cot One showing all three leg assemblies
cot pack up
Disassemble in reverse order and pack everything back into the carry bag.
Press the release buttons on each blue hub connector and pull the leg assemblies free from the side poles. Remove all three legs (both ends and center).
Close-up of release button being pressed on blue hub connector
Slide both side poles out of the fabric sleeves. Then fold each pole by separating the shock-corded sections.
Photo of side pole being slid out of cot sheet sleeve
Fold the cot sheet flat. Place the folded cot sheet, collapsed side poles, and three leg assemblies into the carry bag.
Photo of all Helinox Cot One components packed into carry bag
Walk the perimeter once and confirm these items before moving in.
Your Helinox Cot One is assembled. At under 5 lbs, you're sleeping off the ground on a cot that packs smaller than most camp chairs. Enjoy the comfort.
The same aerospace-grade aluminum alloy used in premium tent poles. The entire cot weighs under 5 lbs but holds 320 lbs.
The Cot One Convertible can accept optional taller legs (sold separately) to raise it from the standard 6.5-inch height to a traditional camping cot height.
At 21" x 6.5" x 6.5" packed, it fits easily alongside your sleeping bag in a duffel. Smaller than most camp chairs when packed.
Assembled Size
75" x 27" x 6.5" (L x W x H)
Packed Size
21" x 6.5" x 6.5"
Weight
4 lbs 13.5 oz
Capacity
320 lbs
Frame
DAC aluminum alloy with nylon resin hubs
Fabric
Recycled polyester ripstop (bluesign certified)
Components
2 side poles, 3 leg assemblies, 1 cot sheet
MSRP
$299.95
Warranty
5 years
Manufacturer
Helinox (helinox.com)
The cot wobbles or feels unstable
Check that all six hub connectors (two per leg assembly) are fully clicked into place. Press each connector firmly until you hear and feel a click. If wobbling persists, make sure the cot is on flat ground.
The cot sheet sags in the middle
Make sure the center leg assembly is properly attached. Without the center leg, the cot will sag. Also verify both side poles are fully threaded through the fabric sleeves without bunching.
The hub connectors are hard to snap on
New cots can be stiff. Apply firm, even pressure directly in line with the pole end. A slight rocking motion can help. They loosen up after a few uses.
Can I use this cot without the carry bag?
Yes. The carry bag is just for transport and storage. Some people leave the carry bag in their car and carry the components loose.
The shock-corded pole sections came apart
The internal elastic cord pulls the sections together. If a section separates, simply push it back toward the adjacent section until it clicks into the ferrule. The elastic does most of the work.
Is this cot long enough for tall people?
The regular size is 75 inches (6'3"). If you're taller, Helinox makes a Long version at 82.5 inches. For the Outdoorithm Collective, we use the regular size.