This Therm-a-rest Cot Tent review is about an ultra-lightweight outdoor sleeping tool for one person, suitable for any outdoor activity. It comes in two separate parts containing the tent and the cot.
Main benefits
- Extraordinary lightweight system: 2.66 kg both tent and cot.
- Both tent and cot are collapsible to very small packed sizes.
- This is a tool with 3-in-1 features. Both tent and cot can be used separately.
- The system is completely portable in a backpack.
Description
As mentioned above, this is an ultra-lightweight set that is without a match in this industry. The system which you have here is difficult to compare with any other model described in this site. This is mainly because what you have here is completely portable, unlike any other available on the market.
Typically what you have with tent cots are relatively heavy structures that are great when used in a camp with car access, but in general, they are not portable. However, with 5 lb 14 oz (2.66 kg) this Thermarest cot tent can be carried, so it can indeed be used by hikers and mountaineers.
Because the tent and the cot are separately packed, you have a true 3-in-1 system. So you can use the tent completely separately if you are on a long tour and want to save weight.
The cot alone can be used in any environment, outdoor and at home, or as a bed in emergency situations.
Tent specifications & features
The tent comes with the top fabric which provides a complete shelter from insects, and you also have a rain fly included to protect you from elements.
The package includes a pole that gives you an unusually high dome, with a peak at 140 cm. This is rarely seen in any tent of this type. The attachment of the tent to the pole is through hooks and velcro tabs. To attach it to the cot you will use straps that are available. You will see the details in the video below.
The package includes 4 stakes which you will use in the usual way to fix the tent to the ground.
Here are all the specifications regarding the tent:
- Two sizes, R and L/XL.
- One person tent cot.
- Freestanding.
- Tent weight:
– R: 2 lbs 10 oz (1.2 kg).
– L/XL: 2 lbs 12 oz (1.25 kg). - Color: gray.
- Width:
– R: 24 in (61 cm).
– L/XL: 30 in (76 cm). - Length:
– R: 72 in (183 cm).
– L/XL: 77 in (196 cm). - Tent packed size:
– R: 6 x 18.5 in (15 x 47 cm).
– L/XL: 6 x 18.5 (15 x 47 cm). - Top fabric: 70 D polyester ripstop.
- Rainfly fabric: 70 D polyester ripstop.
- Mesh: nylon.
- Floor fabric: nylon mesh.
- Peak height (both sizes): 55 in (140 cm).
- Rain fly with 1500 mm waterproof rating.
- Doors: 1.
- Poles: 1.
- Stakes: 4.
How to set up the tent
In this video you can see the procedure of setting the tent up, have a look:
The cot: Therm-a-rest LuxuryLite UltraLite Cot
There are several types of Thermarest cots available on the market. Here I give data for one of them, the Thermarest LuxuryLite UltraLite Cot.
This is Thermarest’s BowFrame technology, their patented BowFrame design, and presently this is the lightest cot available on the market. This makes it suitable even for backpackers.
From the video below you will realize that it is incredibly packable. You can attach it to any backpack or carry it inside of it. Note, the cot can be ordered separately, check here.
In the same time, this is a very durable construction with strong polyester feet and with anodized aluminum poles. The top cover is waterproof stretch-free polyester.
The setup may look complicated (see the video below) but in fact, this is a three-minute process without any additional tools, a truly unique design. In any case, I feel it is indeed worth the efforts.
Therm-a-Rest has launched a new version of this incredible cot, so you can see my full review here.
Here is the summary of specifications for the cot:
- Two sizes: R, L.
- Packed weight:
– R: 3 lbs (1.36 kg).
– L: 3 lbs 6 oz (1.53). - Color: gray.
- Weight:
– R: 2 lbs 12 oz (1.25 kg).
– L: 3 lbs 2 oz (1.42 kg). - Width:
– R: 24 in (61 cm).
– L: 26 in (66 cm). - Length:
– R: 72 in (183 cm).
– L: 77 in (196 cm). - Packed size:
– R: 16 x 5 in (41 x 13 cm).
– L: 17 x 5 in (43 x 13 cm). - Capacity: 325 lbs.
- Top fabric: ultralight polyester ripstop.
- Country of origin: USA.
How to set up the cot
In this video, you can see how to set up the cot:
My rating, price, pros & cons
This tent cot is made quite short, hard to understand why they made it that way. So for most people, the only option is to choose the L model.
I wish to stress that this cot has been subject to real testing in the field. There are several reports available here, so please have a look. Do not be confused with the name Cascade Designs which you see in these reports; this is the name of the company which actually owns Therm-a-Rest (or Thermarest).
The daily updated Amazon-US price for this tent-cot is given in the link. So you realize this is an Amazon Prime product and you can have it shipped for free.
My rating and summary of the possible cons and pros for this Therm-a-Rest tent cot is as follows:
My rating of the Therm-a-Rest cot tent:
-
Weight - 9.4/10
9.4/10
-
Size - 8/10
8/10
-
Capacity - 7/10
7/10
-
Packed size - 9/10
9/10
-
Ease of use & features - 8/10
8/10
Summary
My overall rating of this tent-cot is Very Good:
Pros
- Complete protection from elements.
- Comfortable sleeping.
- Everything collapsible.
- Extraordinary lightweight.
Cons
- Quite short bed & tent.
- Not so simple procedure of setting up the cot.
User Review
( votes)Conclusion
So to conclude this Thermarest cot tent review, what you have here is a completely innovative and unique system, a 3-in-1 tool, packable and portable. I can fully recommend this tool.
If this tent cot concept is completely new to you, you can read here a bit about the advantages of this system.
Therm-a-Rest is a renown outdoor equipment company that has been in this industry for almost half a century. This is the company that became world-famous for the invention of self-inflating mattresses.
I hope this text has been useful to you, perhaps it could be useful for others as well, so please share it.
Thank you for reading. It will be great to have some comment from you, there is a comment box below. Have a nice day and pleasant camping.
I like the design of the Thermarest cot with the 6 supports, but I don’t care for their tent design, as there seems to be no vestibules for sheltering gear. I prefer the tent design of the DesertWalker, with its 2 wide vestibules, but I don’t like the cot design as well, with just 4 supports. Is it possible to buy just the tent from DesertWalker and use it with the Thermarest cot?
Hi Mike, I do not think this would work. Though I do not have them at hand to check.
Is it possible to buy this “3 in 1” setup all together or do you have to buy all the pieces separately? This system while nice (esp the 30 inch cot version) seems to be WAYYYY more expensive from what my google search are telling me.
This what you see here is one set, and the links given in the text are all to the sellers that sell it as a set. I am not sure what Google search is showing to you, but what you have in the list of sellers are the best-known names, just have a look and you will realize this. But if you can find it at some other place, surely you should try to save the money. Make sure to check shipping also, this can be costly with small sellers.
As for the components, yes, you can buy them separately as well. So for example you can have this Bug Shelter, then you can have the Therm-A-Rest LuxuryLite Mesh Cot. But you have the separate link for the cot here in the text as well.
A very thorough review. I like that you even included a video on how to setup a tent. I’m quite confident that someone that’s never pitched a tent before will be able to do it with ease after your informative instructions. I also like your honesty in listing not only the pros but the cons as well. Like this people will know exactly what they’re buying. Well done!
Thank you George, very kind words, this means a lot to me. I really like these tools and it is great to hear that others like them as well. All the best to you.
DUDE this product also is AWESOME! I have just visited yet another post in your site. These tools are completely new to me.
Thanks again!
Hi again Marc, yes I noticed your comment in the post about Winterial Oversize Outdoor Tent Cot. As you see Thermarest is something completely different but it offers essentially the same: off the ground sleeping. And most importantly this tent cot is completely portable. Very unique design.
The Thermarest Cot Tent seems like a good product to go hiking or camping. I enjoy that it can be carried in a backpack and that it is lightweight so if I were to go hiking with it it would not be to much to carry around. I love that the tent and cot can be separated. Do you have a personal favorite when it comes to tents? And do you think this tent is made for more casual use like backyard camping, or for maybe staying in the wilderness for a few days?
Hi Kevin, thank you for the comment. This Thermarest model is in fact my favorite because of the reasons you mentioned. Thermarest is a famous brand, they have invented self-inflating pads, and they produce a lot of top class items. So this is indeed a reliable tool, not just for casual use.