At the moment of writing this text, there are five collapsible and portable Alps Mountaineering Cots available on the market. All are presented in this text.
Alps Mountaineering Cots side by side
Here are the three of them given in no particular order, with some basic feature:
| Bed size, inches (cm) |
Capacity, lb (kg) |
Weight lb (kg) |
|
| 1. Alps Mountaineering Camp Cot XL | 86 x 40 (218 x 102) |
325 (147) | 19 (8.6) |
| 2. Alps Mountaineering Camp Cot L | 82 x 32 (208 x 81) |
325 (147) | 17.5 (7.9) |
| 3. Alps Mountaineering Escalade Cot XL | 90 x 35 (229 x 89) |
325 (147) | 17.5 (7.9) |
| 4. Alps Mountaineering Escalade Cot L | 80 x 31 (203 x 79) |
325 (147) | 16 (7.3) |
| 5. Alps Mountaineering Ready Lite | 78 x 28 (198 x 71) |
300 (136) | 5.25 (2.38) |
| 6. Alps Mountaineering Lightweight Cot | 74 x 30 (188 x 76) |
250 (113) | 9.3 (4.2) |
Obviously, all of them are collapsible and portable. But the weight of some of the cots is such that you would not carry them long distances, so they can be used at camping places with a car access.
1. Alps Mountaineering Cot XL
The Alps Mountaineering Camp Cot XL is one of the largest single camping cot available on the market and I have included it in the list of the camping cots for heavy people.
Weight: 19 lb (8.62 kg).
- Capacity: 325 lb (147 kg).
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 86 x 40 x 22 in (218 x 102 x 56 cm).
- Packed size (carry bag size): 49 x 9 x 5 in (124 x 23 x 13 cm).
- Product number: 8203114.
You have a very durable Khaki 600D polyester fabric, and the frame is aluminum with sturdy steel connectors. A useful feature is its “Floor Saver” foot design, see the picture, it prevents the feet from sinking on a soft terrain and from damaging the tent floor.
You also have a very handy storage pocket hanging beneath the frame; here you can store glasses, electronics, keys, and anything of that size.
The Amazon price at the moment of writing this text is a true bargain, only $75.
See here how to set it up:
2. Alps Mountaineering Camp Cot L
Completely the same materials are used as in the XL model above. The only differences are dimensions and surprisingly it is more expensive. The Amazon price at the moment of writing the text is $100.
- Weight: 17.5 lb (7.9 kg).
- Capacity: 325 lb (147 kg).
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 82 x 32 x 18 in (208 x 81 x 46 cm).
- Packed size (carry bag size): 41 x 8 x 4 in (104 x 20 x 10 cm).
3. Alps Mountaineering Escalade Cot XL
With the length of 90 inches (229 cm), the Escalade Cot XL is the longest cot on the market. The setup is incredibly simple, literally in seconds as you will see in the video below, and you do not need any tool.
The bed fabric and the frame are permanently connected, so this is one single object which spreads like an umbrella. The fabric is Khaki 600D polyester fabric, very durable and strong, and the frame is powder-coated aluminum with steel connectors. 
At the moment of writing this text, the Amazon price is $90.
- Weight: 17.5 lb (7.94 kg).
- Capacity: 325 lb (147 kg).
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 90 x 35 x 22.5 in (229 x 89 x 57 cm).
- Packed size: 48 x 9 x 5 in (122 x 23 x 13 cm).
- Product item: 8223014.
See this video to realize how great this tool is, note the same is with the cot number 4 below, they are completely the same, just the size is different:
4. Alps Mountaineering Escalade Cot L
Obviously, this is just the smaller version of the cot presented above. At the moment of writing this text, the Amazon price is $90, the same as for the XL model above.
- Weight: 16 lb (7.26 kg).
- Capacity: 325 lb (147 kg).
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 80 x 31 x 20 in (203 x 79 x 51 cm).
- Packed size: 41 x 8 x 5 in (104 x 20 x 13 cm).
- Product item: 8223014.
5. ALPS Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot
ALPS Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot is a backpack portable sleep solution for outdoor use. It is a very large yet lightweight portable and collapsible camping cot. So indeed, the weight of this cot is only 5.25 lb (2.38 kg), and its packed size is very small, 28 x 7 inches (71 x 18 cm).
Note also that the size is impressive, you have 78 x 28 inches (198 x 71 cm), and there are no end bars here. So all this length is a true length and the cot is suitable for tall people. Please follow the link for more.
6. ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot
This ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot is a very durable collapsible steel construction. So the side beams consist of three tubes nested in each other, and you also have 4 bars that are legs.
This is one of those cots that you can carry shorter distances away from the car. It weighs 9.3 lb (4.2 kg), and its packed size is 34 x 9 x 2 inches (86 x 23 x 5 cm). This makes it rather versatile. Note that the bed is not particularly long, but it is wide, the dimensions are 74 x 30 inches (188 x 76 cm).
Where can you use these cots – who are they for
- Although so collapsible, almost all the models have one relatively large dimension in the packed state, in the range 43 – 124 cm. So you can easily transport them in a car but not on a motorbike (except the number 5 above).
- These are great tools to be used at places with a car access, like trailhead hotels, ordinary camps, summer camps, festivals, music concerts in open space, at beaches, etc.
- They can easily be stored in the closet at home, so being inexpensive, buy one and put it somewhere for a sudden overnight guest, or for an emergency situation of any kind.
- Note also that the widest cot here, the Alps Mountaineering Camp Cot XL is included in my list of extra wide cots and as such it can serve as a great platform for so-called tent-cots. Many of them are presented in this site, but if you are not familiar, there are tents designed to be used on the cot, and you can see one example here.
- The number 5 is completely collapsible, and it can be carried in the backpack.
Conclusion & How to choose
All Alps Mountaineering Cots presented here are exceptionally long, and this is a great feature. In fact, one of them is the longest cot on the market. They are also very wide, all in the range 71 – 102 cm (28 – 40 in).
Now, the differences in the weight and in the packed state are really not substantial for most of them, so I would always go for the option with the biggest bed space, more specifically, the wider the better. This in particular if you are not a back-sleeper.
This means my first choice would be the cot under the number 1 above, the Alps Mountaineering Cot XL. You have seen that this is the least expensive option as well.
But if you are a particularly tall person, you might consider the number 3, the Alps Mountaineering Escalade XL cot.
If you need something for backpacking, please check my text with the list of great lightweight backpacking cots where the number 5 cot above is also included. See also these ultra lightweight cots below 1.3 pounds of weight.
Thank you for reading. In the case of questions and comments, please use the comment box below. I wish you a nice day.
Hi. Thanks for your helpful reviews of camping products. I have a specific question about the Alps Mountaineering Camp Cot XL. When you list a width of 40″, does that refer to the length of the end bars at the head and foot that appear to extend a couple of inches beyond the actual sleeping platform? If so, do you know the width of the actual sleeping surface? Thanks again for your help.
Hi Todd, manufacturers always give the total width and length in the specifications. So in the case of such military-style cots indeed the end bars take a few centimeters each. I usually point this out clearly when I write individual reviews.
Note that the other cots from this brand are without end bars, see those from the Escalade series as an example. So this is a different concept, and the length is the true useful length.