The Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Mesh, Fabric, and Fly is a versatile and high quality outdoor sleeping set that offers full protection and it can be used in any weather and climate conditions.
Key features & benefits
- Collapsible design, needs assembly.
- Two doors.
- Two large vestibules.
- Lots of storage space underneath the bed.
- Inner storage pouches.
- Ventilated.
- Full rain and insects protection.
What this is about
Helinox as a brand is well known for its camping cots. But it belongs to DAC company that is a world leader in the tent poles industry.
Not so long ago, they decided to add a frame and a tent to their cots. So what you have here is a tent that is elevated from the ground and it sits atop a Helinox cot.
This structure is known also as a cot-tent or tent-cot, and they make it as a part of their Tactical Collection.
Now, they make two separate versions of this tent. This is why in the title above you see Tactical Cot Tent Mesh and Tactical Cot Tent Fabric.
This is about the material they use for these two different options. The first includes an inner tent that is mostly a mesh, and you can see it in the picture:
The second, Cot Tent Fabric, includes the inner tent that is all taffeta, see how it looks:
Both tent-cots include a separate set of poles plus the canopy. This implies a very compact size when packed, you have a collapsible set. But it needs assembly which is easy, and one person can do this in a few minutes.
The picture below shows the two large doors, the same on both options. They can be almost completely unzipped and stored in the pockets that are located inside of the tent. You can see this in picture:
Other details inside include:
- Four interior mesh pockets, two on the ceiling, and two mentioned are on the sides.
- The zippers are double-sided and two-way to open both from inside and from outside, and in any direction; one is shown below.
- There are four interior loops for hanging gear.
Materials and construction
The poles
You have the best possible stuff here. Namely, they have their own in-house technology. In fact, Helinox is the only outdoor furniture brand to exclusively use DAC poles. They belong to the same owner.
Here you have their proprietary ultralight aluminum alloy designed to maximize strength and minimize weight.
The shock-corded poles attach to the tent’s corners as shown in the picture below. Observe that the tent itself is reinforced at these points of increased stress.
On the other hand, the canopy attaches to the loops through clips, one is shown in the picture.
There are also proprietary nylon resin hubs pre-attached to the canopy, and here the poles connect, see the picture:
The fabric
Here you have the two mentioned options with different materials.
The Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Fabric includes a strong and durable 70D nylon ripstop.
Note that the doors are with integrated double-layer (mesh plus panel) windows in the upper part.
On the other hand, the Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Mesh comes with a 40D polyester hexagon mesh, which is breathable and strong, and the lower areas are the previously mentioned nylon.
The floor in both options is made of a water-repellent PU-coated 70D nylon taffeta.
Note also that there are four J-stakes to anchor the tent to the ground.
The tent as a whole is attached to the cot with small pockets in the corners, see the picture below on the right which shows the cot from the underside. There are also straps which you use to fix the tent to the cot’s frame.
The carry bag
The carry bag is made of a 75D polyester ripstop, and here you can see how it looks:
Please see more in this video:
How about the cot?
Note that the cot must be ordered separately. But if you already have a cot from this brand, it will work. Compatible Helinox cots include:
- Cot One Convertible,
- Cot One Convertible Insulated,
- Tactical Cot Convertible,
- High Cot HDB, and
- High Cot One.
As you realize, with this you have a sleeping space raised from the ground, designed for solo treks and camping. You can use it practically everywhere, you are safe above the ground.
Rain protection – Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Solo Fly
If you plan to use any of these two cot-tents for outdoor sleeping on their own, you will need a fly. They have it, and you can order it separately, the picture below shows how it looks when completely closed.
As you realize, the fly goes all the way to the ground, and it creates two large vestibules in front of the inner tents’ doors.
But it also creates lots of storage space on the sides, you can realize this from the picture below. It shows the front with a partially open vestibule.
With this you still can have it all the way to the ground on the rear side, so you have the storage space there and under the cot.
Note that you can roll it up completely as in the picture below which shows the inner tent used on a lower Helinox cot.
Below you can see how this looks on a higher cot, now you have far more storage for gear under the cot:
With the Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Solo Fly you have full rain protection, and it also provides extra privacy which you can regulate by configuring the vestibules’ flaps in a variety of ways.
The same way you also regulate ventilation and air flow to reduce condensation inside tent. Note that there is a vent in the fly as well, see how it looks:
There are Velcro tabs inside fly to attach it to the frame of cot tent. In addition, four J-stakes anchor the fly to the ground, plus reflective guy lines to keep the fly taut and stable in windy situations.
The vestibule flap can be used as an extended awning when attached to trekking poles or tall stakes, you will see this in one of the pictures below.
The fly fabric is a PU-coated 75D polyester ripstop, and all seams are taped. They do not provide information about its waterproof rating.
Who is the Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Mesh and Fabric for
Regarding best use, this cot-tent is designed to be used on the cot, but I do not see any problem of using it on the ground as well.
You can put it inside of any larger tent, or under a tarp. In particular, you can use it inside of their floorless Helinox Tactical Field Tunnel Tent. Several of them can be placed under this huge shell.
There are loops in the corners, see the picture, and you have stakes included, so it can be used also on its own to sleep under the stars.
But if you use it with the fly, you can use it for off-ground sleeping anywhere and in any season.
This holds in particular for the Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Fabric which is fully closable so you have a true double-layer tent for cold weather camping.
Regarding the dimensions, this is determined by the cot, and it is not so impressive. Namely the length is only 75 inches. So if you are a tall person, it is best to check some other option here in the site.
Regarding the weight capacity, this is also determined by the cot. For example, the capacity of the Helinox Tactical Cot Convertible is 320 lb (145 kg). No doubt this will work for most of potential users.
Regarding the weight, you will see the numbers below for the two variants. Clearly they are both backpack-portable.
But there is also the fly and the cot, so all together is well over 11 pounds (5 kg), so this is not to be carried anywhere. However, this is still far lighter than the Kakadu BlockOut Cot Tent 1-Person or the Naturehike Cot Tent for Camping for 1 Person.
You will see the packed sizes in the specifications. Think also about the cot, so here too I must say that this is not a backpack-portable set.
Regarding the price, Helinox as a brand is known for steep prices. But their products come with a 5-year warranty for peace of your mind. Nevertheless, if you are on a budget, better check elsewhere.
Specifications
Helinox Tent-Cot
- Weight:
– Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Mesh: 3.5 lb (1.6 kg).
– Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Fabric: 4 lb (1.8 kg). - Capacity: depends on the cot.
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 75 x 27.5 x 41 in (190 x 70 x 104 cm).
- Tent packed dimensions (L x D): 22.5 x 8 in (57 x 20 cm).
Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Solo Fly
- Weight: 3.3 lb (1.5 kg).
- Packed size (L x D): 22.5 x 8 in (57 x 20 cm).
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 114 x 110 x 55 in (290 x 110 x 140 cm).
Rating, pros & cons
Below you can see how I rate this set. It is far from easy to rate it properly because they sell the elements separately. You can rate it yourself as well.
Incredibly Well-Built Off-Ground Sleeping System
Product Name: Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Mesh, Fabric, and Fly
Product Description: The Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Mesh, Fabric, and Fly Is a Versatile High-Quality Outdoor Sleeping Set for a Full Protection in Any Weather and Climate.
Brand: Helinox
SKU: NA
-
Weight - 8.4/10
8.4/10
-
Size - 8.3/10
8.3/10
-
Capacity - 8/10
8/10
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Packed size - 7.4/10
7.4/10
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Ease of use & features - 9/10
9/10
Summary
This set stands great against all rating criteria, therefore the overall rating is also very good.
Pros
- High quality product.
- Full protection.
- Compact.
- Versatile.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- Elements must be ordered separately.
User Review
( votes)Final thoughts
In summary, the Helinox Tactical Cot Tent Mesh, Fabric, and Fly is a robust and versatile solution for outdoor sleeping, offering comprehensive protection against various weather conditions.
The dual material options cater to different needs, with the Mesh variant providing excellent ventilation and the Fabric variant offering better insulation.
Its design ensures ease of use, with an uncomplicated assembly process that can be managed by one person.
The incorporation of high-quality DAC poles and durable fabrics underscores its premium construction and reliability in diverse environments.
Despite its advantages, the Helinox Tactical Cot Tent system has certain limitations, notably its high price point and the necessity to purchase the components separately.
Additionally, while the overall weight is manageable, the combined bulk of the tent, cot, and fly might not be ideal for backpacking.
Nonetheless, for campers seeking a dependable and elevated sleeping arrangement, the Helinox Tactical Cot Tent is a commendable choice.
It stands out for its thoughtful design, sturdy build, and the practical benefits of off-ground camping, making it a worthwhile investment for serious outdoor enthusiasts. I have included it in my list of best single cot-tents.
Best places to buy:
For more options, please check under the category Tent Cots for One Person, you will find them many here in the site, and in all sizes and shapes.
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