ALPS Mountaineering Escalade Cot Review (L & XL)

Need a large and reliable cot for comfortable off-ground sleeping in the camp? If so, this ALPS Mountaineering Escalade Cot review is for you. Keep reading.

Key features & benefits

What type of cot is this

The manufacturer describes this cot as unique “because it sets up so quickly and easily”. But the reality is that there are many cots with the same design on the market. You will see some in the comparison table below.

Nevertheless, this is a nicely designed camping bed and it is unique for some other reasons, more below. This is a folding and collapsible type. This means that all the elements are permanently interconnected and there is no particular assembly. You simply unfold it and it is ready in seconds. When it is packed, it is large in one dimension only as typical for collapsible cots and for folding cots of this type.

The cot comes in its nicely designed carry bag with straps, so you can keep it protected from dust when stored for a longer period. You can also carry it short distances, but see the weight below. The carry bag dimensions for the L size are 41 x 8 x 5 inches (104 x 20 x 13 cm).

The cot comes with a storage pouch on the side, see the picture below. This is useful to keep your small items at hand and off the ground.

Yet another important detail which you can see in the picture above is the locking bar on the left. So when you unfold the legs, you put the bar in the position and it gives some extra support and keeps the leg in place.

The frame here is a powder-coated aluminum and the fabric is a strong 600D polyester.

Who is it for

Size-wise, this is an impressive construction and this is where the cot is truly unique, at least its XL version. The dimensions of the ALPS Mountaineering Escalade Cot XL are (L x W x H) 90 x 35 x 22.5 inches (229 x 89 x 57 cm).

So, as of the moment of writing this text, this is the largest cot on the market. Even if you are a very tall person, you will have plenty of space on this cot. I have included it in my list of extra-long cots and also in the list of extra-wide cots.

Note also that there are no end bars here, see the picture. So the length which you have is all usable length.

Capacity-wise, the declared capacity is 325 lb (147 kg) and this should be good enough for most of the users. The structure looks very strong and stable and I am surprised that the capacity is not even higher.

As you realize from the pictures, the cot is with angled end-legs and this is here to prevent rocking. There are 6 legs in total and each pair is with two diagonal support bars and steel connectors, plus the mentioned locking bars. So there is nothing one could object to this design.

Weight-wise, with its 19 lb 8 oz (8.84 kg) for the L version, this is not a lightweight cot; the XL Cot is even heavier. You have already seen its packed size, so clearly this is a cot for places with car access.

Using Escalade Cot in a tent

You have seen its dimensions, but note also that the cot is rather high, 20 inches (51 cm) for the L version. So you will need a large and tall tent for such a cot. The space underneath the cot is huge and it can be used to store the gear.

The feet are with plastic caps, but they are small and this is not safe for the tent’s floor, see the picture. So put something underneath the feet to avoid trouble.

But for home use for sudden guests, these feet will work fine and you do not need any extra protection.

How about a sleeping pad?

Being off the ground, you will not need a pad for 2-season camping, unless you want some more comfort.

In a cooler environment, you will need a pad because the insulation of a sleeping bag doesn’t insulate when pressed with your body. But you always need far less insulation when you sleep on a cot as compared with sleeping on the ground.

Please see a bit more in this video which is several years old and the cot is without locking bars:

The price & rating

The daily updated price is shown in the link, and you realize this is more than a fair price for such a quality item and from such a renown brand.

In the table below I give my rating of this Escalade Cot XL. I use my set of criteria which I apply to all the cots in the site, so you can always make an easy comparison. Please have a look:

Specifications – for the Large Cot

• Weight: 19 lb 8 oz (8.84 kg) – note these numbers are from the manufacturer’s site.
• 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).

Specifications – for the Extra Large Cot

• Weight: 24 lb (10.9 kg) – note these numbers are from the manufacturer’s site.
• 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).

ALPS Mountaineering Escalade Cot XL vs Browning Camping Titan vs Kamp-Rite Oversize Kwik Cot

I have decided to show you the XL version side by side with two well-known cots that are among the largest on the market. As you realize, they are much shorter than the Escalade Cot.

The Browning Camping Titan Cot XP is much wider and this is a collapsible cot. The Kamp-Rite Oversize Kwik Cot is the same type as the Escalade Cot, folding and without assembly. It is huge but still not a match for the Escalade Cot. Please follow the links for more details.

Final thoughts

You might want to see also this PORTAL Adult Folding Camping Cot built in the same style.

Note that this is not a sponsored text, and I am not paid by the brand. Please use the comment box below in the case of comments or questions. Have a nice day.