should i buy ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot reviews

My husband and I purchased these to upgrade from our thin sleeping pads for car camping. I was a little worried about set-up after reading the reviews, so rather than waiting for my husband to try to assemble, I decided to give it a shot myself. For background -- I'm a 30-something woman and am more of a reader than an exerciser; my upper body strength is nothing to brag about. I decided to give it a go to see how much I'd be able to help out when we set up at camp next week.

It took me about 10 minutes to set up, and that was with a lot of instructions-reading and pondering. It is true -- there is strength required to get the poles in to the canvas, and also to get the legs into their holes. I noticed that by kneeling on the canvas and leveraging my full body weight into bending the leg into position, I was able to get the legs in fairly easily. I'm pleasantly surprised since, like I said above, I'm not particularly strong and I was able to do it myself quickly.

In terms of the comfort level, the cot was very comfortable and will definitely be a game-changer on our future camping trips. I'll be sure to come back here and update my review after we sleep on them.

UPDATE 2/4/12: We used these on a camping trip to Big Sur, California back in October, and they were indeed a game-changer! Extremely comfortable, like crawling into a warm cocoon at the end of a fantastic day in the great outdoors. I highly recommend. To begin with, sleeping on this cot is comfortable, very comfortable. The rounded feet of the cot provide a steady platform and are tent floor friendly. This cot is heavy and is obviously intended for car camping but the rails are strong and the canvass is well-stitched and also strong.
Now for the downside: Erecting this cot is ridiculously difficult (as many others have reported). It is a real wrestling match between you and the spring loaded legs as you try to simultaneously bend the leg and insert its end into the rail. After some practice you get better at this task but it's far from easy. The legs are supposed to fit into the rails but I had to chase a few of the drilled rail holes with a bit in order to allow them to receive the leg end. Then while setting it up during a recent camping trip, I found that the aluminum sleeve of one of the rails had slipped on the rail's aluminum core just enough so that the leg end wouldn't fit. Fortunately I fixed it by levering the sleeve into alignment using a tent peg. After a five-day use, dissembling the cot required a hammer and considerable physical force.
I purchased two of these cots so I really had lots of experience with the product in just a short time. The only reason I'm giving it two stars is because of its great comfort and stability. If you intend to erect the darn thing and leave it permanently that way then it's a good cot. If you want it for camping and intend to assemble/disassemble it frequently, think twice. great cot, quickly puts up, I carry this on my motorcycle and its no wider than my soft saddlebags, this and my thermasrest is comfortable, fits in my small two man tent and I can still sit up cause the cot is so low, you can see its is sturdy and doesn't ruin the floor because feet of the cot are continuous instead of poles, a little heavy for backpacking but my bike didn't complain of the weight once, no more sleeping on the ground for me, I think shopping thru Amazon is great I don't have a bed in my new apartment. I slept (sleep) on this cot with a sleeping bag every night for 10 months. This cot is very comfortable - even for everyday sleeping. (I am comfortable sleeping on my side, as well as on my back. I am a small person, so the fabric remains taut, even as I lie on it. Not much sagging.)

The cot was very easy to assemble, even for a small (not strong) person. It took about 10 minutes to assemble. The fabric is fairly nice quality - it has survived everyday use for 8 months. Heavy canvas material, sturdy metal rods and legs. I can see why other reviewers appreciated the quality of material.
First night getting these, I let my kids sleep in them at home. My 2 yr old who finds weird ways to sleep in his bed, slept vertical all night. It is low to ground and very comfy. I might be getting two more for future use. Very easy to store with the included canvas bag.

The hype of difficulty in putting together is not warranted. Do not be afraid of others lack of assembly capabilities... If you can put a simple tent together, this is identical. Assemble poles (3 pieces), thread it thru a sleeve, put one leg into place on one side, apply a little pressure to the leg and slide it into the other hole on the opposite pole... simple. Cannot believe the amount of neg comments to this "task"... I bought both the ALPS and the Byer of Maine Allagash AL Cot. In my opinion the Byer of Maine cot is better. First of all, the ALPS canvas was not square. One side was a good 1.5 inches long than the other.

Similarities to the Byer of Maine - both are similar in dimensions and comfort, the legs are nearly identical, and the legs fit into the rails the same way (you put one end of the leg in one rail and bend the leg until it fits into the other rail.

The Byer of Maine gets my vote in two areas: quality and easier to assemble. The ALPS rails are in three parts, which you fit together and then feed into channels on either side of the cot. It's a tight squeeze. It's not overly difficult, but the BoM cot already has the rails attached to the cot. You simply unfold them and insert the legs.Many reviews on this cot indicate problems setting it up. It's no harder than any folding cot. It's actually more difficult to tear down than to set up. To assemble the legs, hold it upright on its side, then push down on one side of the leg using your weight to compress it. One person can do it fairly easily but having someone hold the other end up makes it a snap.
It's quite comfortable as cots go. In cool weather, some kind of insulating pad is a must. I can say from experience that a 3/8 to 1/2" ensolite pad will make a cot comfortable well below freezing. The 30" width is a luxury compared to some cots I've slept on.
We pack with llamas and I would have liked cots a bit lighter in weight, but to get the extra width, we sacrificed weight. Our biggest concern was to find some that folded short enough to fit on a llama's back.

We bought 2 of these used from an Amazon vendor. They appeared to be returns. One had never been opened but the box was ratty. The other doesn't appear to have ever been used but it had been assembled. I sure can't complain for 1/2 the price. So, I received this in the mail today. I was very hesitant on purchasing this because of some of the reviews, need a hammer for disassembling, tough to install support legs, need other things to align to insert supprt legs. So, I purchased this one and a different brand. The intention was to keep the one I liked best. Well, needless to say, this is a keeper. It took me less than seven minutes to assemble and four minutes to disassemble. Yes, there is a little strength required to install the support legs, but I just stepped on the canvass while it was upside down and had no problems. I'll fill in prospective purchasers after I spend some time camping with this later. My husband and I purchased these to upgrade from our thin sleeping pads for car camping. I was a little worried about set-up after reading the reviews, so rather than waiting for my husband to try to assemble, I decided to give it a shot myself. For background -- I'm a 30-something woman and am more of a reader than an exerciser; my upper body strength is nothing to brag about. I decided to give it a go to see how much I'd be able to help out when we set up at camp next week.

It took me about 10 minutes to set up, and that was with a lot of instructions-reading and pondering. It is true -- there is strength required to get the poles in to the canvas, and also to get the legs into their holes. I noticed that by kneeling on the canvas and leveraging my full body weight into bending the leg into position, I was able to get the legs in fairly easily. I'm pleasantly surprised since, like I said above, I'm not particularly strong and I was able to do it myself quickly.

In terms of the comfort level, the cot was very comfortable and will definitely be a game-changer on our future camping trips. I'll be sure to come back here and update my review after we sleep on them.

UPDATE 2/4/12: We used these on a camping trip to Big Sur, California back in October, and they were indeed a game-changer! Extremely comfortable, like crawling into a warm cocoon at the end of a fantastic day in the great outdoors. I highly recommend.

should i buy Byer of Maine Easy Cot reviews

I ended up choosing this cot after watching a video on how easy it is to set up. My intent useage
is for a extra bed in my RV when overnight guests come. I needed something easy to set up and take
down and wide enough for comfort for my guest as well as fold up and store away in a small area.
Some cots that I had looked at, appeared to be very hard to set up and needed alot of manual
strength to stretch the fabric and legs out. So after watching a video on this one,
I decided to give the Easy Cot a try.

I received the cot and the fabric,frame and carring bag all are of good quality and construction.
The width was important as I felt the 24-26 inch wide cots would not be comfortable for guests and
with this one being 32 inches wide, it appears to be be the perfect width for comfort as well as to
what would fit in the space allocated for it in my RV.

The set up was exactly as stated...EASY!

I was a little worried at first as their is no locking mechanism for the legs, but I laid on the cot
and turned over several times and sat on the side of it.
It did not show any signs of trying to unfold as I feared it might. The way the frame is built, it
gives great support in all areas that are needed. I am putting eggcrate foam on it for additional
comfort for my guests, so I cannot comment on the overall comfyness of it without the foam. I did
lay on it for a few hours watching TV, just to see how the comfort level was and it appears that it
will do well in that area. The length is great as well. I am 5.9 and there was plenty of room.

After my comfort test I just laid the cot on its side and it quickly and easily folded up, it less than
60 seconds. The storage bag is well made and the cot slipped into it easily.

So I believe that I did recieve the product that will work well for me and my situation.
I would have given it 5 stars, but I still believe that it should have some type of locking
system for the legs. Again, I had no problems, but just feel that would give added mental
comfort that it would not fold up in the middle of the night.

Great product and would recommende it for ease of use and quality construction.
Great for seniors with ease of use as well. We ordered 2 Byers of Maine Easy Cots. They came in their original boxes. We did not open them right away figuring they should be fine. When we went camping one of them had a large tear in the fabric. We could sleep on it, but it was pretty disappointing to know we would have to go through the hassle of having to return it.They are much lighter than our previous Cabela's cots and open up super easily, even my 8 yr old daughter can physically manage it. It will make our campsite set up MUCH quicker. They seem very sturdy too. We tried them out in the house. So far we are satisfied.I find the easy to set up cot a little difficult, maybe it is just me. It is heavy but very comfortable, doesn't fall down so maybe heavy is good. It is great to be up off the ground when camping. I'm really enjoying the cot. I have always used blow up mattresses camping. The air within the mattress seemed to get colder as the years went by. I finally bought this cot. My son purchased it a few months ago and loved it. It afforded me the best three night sleep I've ever had camping. It is wide and long. I'm 5'8" and my son is 6'2". Plenty of room to roll over too. I just think this cot is superb in comfort and structure. Thank you Since we will use this cot on our boat for extra sleeping space, the weight was of no concern. Ease of set-up as well as its compactness when disassembled is what we were looking for. And oh my, this fit the bill. With a little extra padding, even my old creaky bones were comfortable. Grandkids should have no problem. In my line of work, every once in a while I need to pull an all-nighter and stay at the office. I bought this cot to keep at work and have used it to get a few hours sleep on those nights; it works great and is very comfortable.

The cot folds up into a fairly small size, convenient enough to keep under my desk; it also comes with a nylon bag which is good.

Opening up this cot is foolproof simple, and you can have it opened and setup in 30 seconds once you take it out of the bag. It's pretty much just as quick to fold it back up and put it back in the bag.

It's also comfortable - more so than I thought it would be. I had never slept on a cot before, so I don't know how it compares with other cots, but I slept just fine (and with my finicky back, that's saying something). We bought this for my 6'2" 300+lb husband and he's used it for 2 camping trips so far without any complaints! It's a really nice, large, sturdy cot - I will upgrade mine to this one next time we're shopping for them! It's pretty heavy, but I would expect that from a heavy duty cot. The frame and fabric are very sturdy when set up, even on uneven ground. I recommend this cot to anyone, especially if you're a "bigger-than-average" person! :) I purchased this foldable cot for my son's Boy Scout summer camp. It is well made , folds out and back very easily, and can handle something like a 250 lb adult. It comes in a nice zippered carrying case with a shoulder strap.

The price for all of this stability and comfort is this: Weight. I have not weighed this cot yet, but seriously, this cot has to weigh over 40 lbs.

Conclusion: If you are a big guy, this a good foldable cot. If you weigh 112 lbs, you may be best served with a lighter folding version, as this cot, while having a nice carrying bag with a shoulder strap, can get heavy pretty quickly on a long walk from the car to the campsite.

If you are just using it at home, you are good to go

should i buy Coleman Bunkhouse Deluxe II Folding reviews

Convenient, portable, and generously-sized, the Coleman Bunkhouse Deluxe II Folding Cot comfortably sleeps one person up to 6-Inch8-Inch tall, and supports up to 275 pounds. Measuring 30-Inch wide by 80-Inch long and 15-Inch high when unfolded, the Bunkhouse Deluxe II features spring construction and a foam mattress for a comfortable night-Inchs sleep. The lightweight bi-fold frame is easy to pack, transport and store, constructed of rust-resistant steel. When unfolded, the bed has plenty of room underneath for storing gear. We purchased this more expensive cot to accomodate my wife for camping trips, because she really hates sleeping on an air mattress, and she found our other camp cot too hard. This cot is indeed much more comfortable than a standard camp cot. The mattress has plenty of cushion, and most importantly, is not attached to the cot frame, so you can lie down on it as you would a normal bed. Our other standard camp cot's "mattress" is simply fabric stretched over the cot frame, so you really just end up with a piece of fabric stretched between and over the cot frame. This stretching makes the fabric very rigid, which translates into being a pretty hard surface when you sleep on it. In addition, the stretching of the fabric between the cot frames also creates a curve that "cocoons" you in between the frames, which can make you feel a bit restricted and smothered while sleeping. None of these factors are present in the Bunkhouse Deluxe since the mattress is completely separate and detachable from the cot frame. The frame folds in half, and the Bunkhouse mattress is stored under the frame, between the cot leg. This leads to the one drawback of the Bunkhouse deluxe. When folded for storage or travel, the cot still takes up quite a bit of space. A standard camp cot will typically break down, fold up, and turn into a cylinder that fits into a bag, similar to a tent bag. The Bunkhouse only folds in half - so when you look at the product picture, mentally picture the entire cot folded in half, with the metal legs folded flush against the bottom underside of the cot. If you have the room to easily store it for your trip, great, but if you have limited storage space, keep this increased bulk in mind.

Other than the storage concern, however, this cot is worth the price for a comfortable night's sleep. It will easily also serve as temporary sleeping arrangements for sleep-overs or relatives staying for a few days.Bed sets up simply in under 30 seconds. It is sturdy enough, squeak-free, attractive enough, and very comfortable. It seems to be the only cot that has springs all along the edge where the fabric bed attaches to the metal frame. This seems to allow more "give" compared to all the others where the fabric attaches directly to frame (and you have to allow for stretch in fabric itself to allow "give", which in my mind would lead to more sagging over time). I think the springs are the key to the comfort of this bed. It still leans more towards the "firm" side, but I expect that would soften over a few more uses through inevitable stretching of fabric.

I am 6'2" 185 lbs. I fit beautifully lengthwise, and width is adequate. Both my elbows are on the metal rails when I lay on my back, but it is not uncomfortable. Sleeping on my side it is a dream bed, better than my real bed in bedroom so far.

It folds up in 30 seconds too, and packs very flat (could fit two of them in a closet easily) unlike some of the other heavy, bulkier models. This one is clearly a lightweight model, but it seems like it would last for at least 50 uses. Salesman in a store told me the springs broke for one customer, but they look adequate to me.

I do not really trust the "Coleman" name anymore, but this product seems pretty foolproof with no obvious design deficiencies. After using it a few times, I am going to buy a second one right now.

Very nice cot and more comfortable than air mattress. The cheaper cots are more stiff since they are attached directly to the frame. This has springs holding the canvas to the frame. It's more comfortable than it looks.

Make sure you keep the bag it came wrapped in so you can store it without it getting dusty. I taped it back up. It's very light and stores easily. It also fit in the trunk of my Honda Accord Coupe.

Very nice cot and more comfortable than air mattress. The cheaper cots are more stiff since they are attached directly to the frame. This has springs holding the canvas to the frame. It's more comfortable than it looks.

Make sure you keep the bag it came wrapped in so you can store it without it getting dusty. I taped it back up. It's very light and stores easily. It also fit in the trunk of my Honda Accord Coupe.

The cot arrived in a torn up box and it looks cheap. It did the job as an extra sleeping space, but did not last too long. The cot folds from the outside, so there is nowhere to put the matress. If you put the mattress in the middle, the cot doesn't tie closed. The springs are very flimsy. Not good for adult use, maybe will do for a young child. I will definately go to a sports/outdoor to shop for one next time I need oneWe bought this because we camp a lot and this summer I was in my final trimester of our second child and was not feeling sleeping on a air mattress - also my husband has a bad back so we knew it would get good use over the next couple years.
Not only did it sleep me well over the summer but came in handy when my mom came to stay for a week when we had our baby.
Its still a cot but of all the cots and air mattresses I have slept on in the last 15 years it does a great job. Its long enough for someone over 6' 3" and wide enough for a bigger girl (me).
It was defiantly worth the price and we will be getting another. I purchased 2 cots for a camping. We have been camping for 35 years. I have used air matresses, foam pads, and every type of camping bed available in the past, and have fianlly foudn a camp bed that is as comfortable as my own bed. We stayed in them for 4 consecutive nights in the Catskills, and my back did not hurt at all (I have herniated discs and arthritis!) They are not really compact, but we have ample storage space for them and travel in a Chevy truck, so that is not an issue. I would highly recomment these cots for anyone looking for a good nights sleep in temporary bedding. This cot is so comfortable. I have been sleeping on a blow-up mattress on the floor of the tent when camping. It was so miserable trying to get up that I had no desire to camp any more. Now with the cot (went camping last weekend) I had room to put my belongs under the cot and getting up is so easy. Also, it is going to double as a bed for one of the grand children when I need an additional bed. I highly recommend this cot. My granddaughter who was sleeping in another tent came in my tent, lay down on my cot and said "I'm jealous", I want this bed, it is so comfortable."Bought this cot for camping, but it is very sturdy and works very well for surprise guests pf an extra bed when camping. It supported my 6'2" son at 200 pounds with no problems. Pretty darn comfortable for a cot; very little noise with motion and no support bars prodding your back. Great Coleman product.I had bought the slightly smaller (cheaper) version of this Coleman cot from my local walmart but the length was to short. It was only under by a few inches for me (6ft tall) but to me, it was uncomfortable, so I returned it. I looked all around the stores here in town and couldnt find the Coleman Bunkhouse Deluxe 2 version of the cot, but found it on Amazon. I got the cot on time and it was double wrapped with plastic wrap and arrived in perfect shape. The use of a plastic mesh like material with small springs attached all around the edges is a perfect match. When you sit on it and then lay on it, it gives just a bit and is bouncy, like a bedspring mattress. The foam topper is in a waterproof cover and gives just enough cushion. it folds up quickly and can be stored away easily. The leg legs that flip out when you have it open are sturdy and you never feel like its going to suddenly close up and make you fall flat on the ground. Perfect for a camping trip or just when you need a quick bed for guests.

should i buy TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Cot (85"x 40") reviews

Do away with self-inflating mats and other uncomfortable camping beds, and enjoy a good night's sleep time and again with the Outfitter XXL cot. Every bit as rugged as it is large, the 85-by-40-inch Outfitter offers a patented steel leg frame that supports up to 600 pounds, making it an ideal accessory for larger campers. Even better, setup and breakdown is quick and hassle-free so you needn't spend several minutes fussing with the cot each evening (Teton included detailed setup instructions with photos, however, just in case). And to enjoy an even better evening on the lakeside, consider purchasing an Outfitter XXL foam pad (sold separately), which is designed to custom fit the Outfitter cot. Comfortable enough to function as a guest bed for visitors, the Outfitter XXL folds down to a 42-by-12-by-7-inch footprint and comes with a handy carrying bag.A huge 85"x40" camping cot built just as rugged as it is oversized, touting a 600 pound weight capacity with patented steel leg construction. Hassle free set-up is quick and easy, but we include detailed setup instructions with photos just to be thorough. A carry bag is included for convenient storage - folding down to 42"x12"x7". Use the Outfitter XXL for camping, hunting, indoor use and more. Don't forget the Outfitter XXL foam pad designed to custom fit this Outfitter XXL cot and be prepared to sleep even more sound than you do at home, unless, of course, you sleep on this at home too. You can stop worrying about what kind of sleep you'll get while camping. This cot is so comfortable that you can use it as a guest bed when you have visitors over. This cot rocks. I'm a big guy, 6'2" and weigh 265lbs., and I needed something very durable and portable. This was just what I needed. There is plenty of room on the bed for getting comfortable and stretching out. The frame is rock solid and there is barely any rocking to the frame when getting in and out of it. You can easily have two people sleep in this bed if you don't mind sleeping close together, this cot definitely holds up to the challenge. I purchased a bed roll and put it on top of this and it is very comfortable to sleep on. The frame is completely assembled all you have to do is pull it out of the bag, unfold it and snap the two end rails in place. The only drawback I see, and the reason for the four stars, is that the end rails can unhook if someone is pulling up on them. It seems like there should be a locking mechanism or something, but it doesn't seem to be a huge concern for regular use. I will say this bed is much too big and heavy to carry around for hiking, you can use it for camping if you can park close to the site. Works great for an extra bed around the house if your tired of repairing inflatable mattresses. The higher price might turn a few people off but I think for the quality it's worth it. I don't like things that break easily or feel cheap and this cot has a solid feel to it. We purchased two of these for camping and are very pleased. This cot is awesome! First of all it's HUGE! Larger than a twin mattress (in fact a twin fitted sheet is too small). Secondly it's very sturdy; I have three young boys and they couldn't wait to bounce/jump/crawl all over it. It appears as though it will take years of abuse (this is good) and won't buckle under pressure. Thirdly, it sets up in no time. Just be sure to secure alternate corners and the rest snaps into place. We are extremely satisfied and can't wait to use it camping..if New Hampshire ever thaws out! We love these cots! We have always used regular sized cots but they never allowed for much movement or comfort. When I discovered this cot I read the reviews and got 2. They were build very strong, and sturdy.
They are very wide and so roomy! It's a very comfortable fit. I have a back injury and was still able to be comfortable on this cot.
A+++ cot. Be sure to check out your tent's size though, these are BIG cots. But what they take up in space makes up for comfort! You can store a lot of gear below them too!This product is very sturdy and lightweight. I actually purchased it as a guest bed, rather than for camping. The only trouble I have with it is that it takes someone REALLY strong to get the foot end piece to snap on, but it snaps off REALLY easily. It's very firm, so you'll need a cushion for comfort. The cot smelled really bad first couple days. Must have been the paint/chemicals, but eventually it aired out. Setup was less than 4mins. The fabric stretched nicely around the frame almost like a drum(even sounded like one.) The cot sleeps somewhere inbetween a hammock and a regular bed. Might need to weld on a crossbar to sturdy the legs, especially if the ground is not levelJust took this camping last weekend, i also bought the cot matress that goes with it, & I must say its really worth it.
I am heavy & tall 5'10". I also have a lot of arthritis (back, knee, hands). It was so comfortable.
Things I like:
1. Its wide, sturdy & long. I especially like the wideness, as many camping cots are only 33" wide, your sleeping bag would be hanging over on those. I don't like the feeling of possibly rolling off a cot in the middle of the night.

2. High off the ground. What this means is that those of you with bad knees won't have to get up from a near squat position to get off this cot. Also means your sleeping bag/ blanket wont be hanging off the sides for insects to climb up it.

3. Since its tall, you can store your backback(s) & other items under this cot. Easily. This made our tent a LOT more spacious! :)

4. I didnt wake up with a wolf spider hidden on my sleeping bag (like I did the last camping trip).

For some a con may be: getting the end frame pieces into the canvas cloth. Apparently some have had trouble with this. As I have arthritis in my thumbs, I had my average size 5'10" husband do it without a problem. He said on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the hardest), it was a 5 to get the pieces on.

Sleeping on the canvas alone (without the mattress), was hard on my arthritic back, but WITH the mattress it was a great nights sleep.
I bought a foldable hand dolly (on Amazon - Magna cart Personal Hand Truck)) to carry the cot, rolled up mattress, & my backpack from the truck to where we were placing the tent.

My husbands always been kind of minimalistic because he didnt want to carry so much weight around to set things up, & he used a inflatable twin mattress. But with the hand dolly, carrying things is now much easier. So now he wants one of these cots too! Had a little trouble getting it together without a 'helper'. I simply used a stick from the woods where we were camping to get a little leverage to get the last corner in place.
Slept beautifully. It didn't even wiggle a bit. Recommend for big guys and smaller couples who wouldn't mind being close... ;)
It's heavy, so not something you'd want to backpack in with. But for tent camping on rocky terrain where you can park fairly close, it's a sure fire winner. At first glance, I thought the cot looked wonderful--large and sturdy. I read the instructions and even viewed the setup video several times, so I knew exactly how to set up the cot. First off, let me say that I am no stranger to assembling and/or fixing a wide range of products. And, I would consider myself to be of higher than average strength. Try as I might, I could not get the end bars on this cot to attach. I struggled for over an hour, sweated profusely and cursed even more so, but I could barely get the third corner on the cot, and once I tried for the fourth corner, the third corner would pop off. Perhaps there was a defect in the size of my cot canvas--that I don't know. Perhaps had I found one or two strong men to assist me I might have gotten it assembled as well. I do know that this is NOT the cot to pull out for a quick overnight guest. I'm disappointed that this cot didn't work out for me. I have returned it and ordered the Byer of Maine easy cot instead. but I just don't. The cot is perfectly sturdy for me - have had two adults & a dog sitting on it with no issues whatsoever. And that is without having one of the end bars fully secured.

Set-up:
I first used this at a friend's house, where I was visiting. Between the two of us, we couldn't get enough leverage on this sucker to get that final lock in place on one of the end bars. Every other part of the set up is extremely simple - although you need quite a lot of room to do it. But the effort that is needed to put in that last end bar is pretty remarkable. One tip is to have the fabric perfectly centered on the frame. The other tip is to have a tool - like a hammer or wood-handled mallet - on hand. You aren't going to pound it into place, but use the handle as a lever against the end legs to force that last lock into place.

I just used this for two nights in my 4 person Kelty tent - this tent really isn't big enough for this cot. I really loved sleeping up, having the stow space underneath, but getting this sucker up and in the tent was quite a challenge. I didn't have enough room to do the lever-bit to get the last bar in place. It's truly still sturdy enough to use, even without one end bar.

Comfort:
This is where this cot really fails me. The only thing I can figure is that none of the 4+ star reviewers have any sort of booty. I am a bigger woman, with curves, and I can't get to a place where my back isn't straining on this cot. It creates an unnatural arch, putting a lot of pressure on the space between my shoulder blades & making my lower back really sad. Basically, it creates pressure points no matter how I lay. I even bought this foam mattress topper - http://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Innovations-2-Inch-Memory-Mattress/dp/B002NEG15E/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1343009232&sr=8-4&keywords=memory+foam+mattress+topper - and it fits perfectly. It helped, but I still just couldn't make this cot comfortable. I'm pretty bummed about this.

Size:
This cot is a fantastic size (if you aren't stuffing it into a 4 person tent). It really feels like sleeping on a slightly sagged twin bed, as far as size goes.

So, I'll keep this and use it when company comes... or loan it out... but I'll not sleep on it again. I'd rather sleep on a going-flat air mattressThis cot sagged on the middle leg the first time I used it. It should not carry a 600lb rating.. The box I received had been opened before and taped back together as well. I am guessing allot of people have returned this cot.. I am requesting a refund. It did not last as it was supposed to..

should i buy TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Camp reviews

This huge 84"x38" camping pad was designed and built with two things in mind, first as a great compliment to any 85"x40" cot and second as the most comfortable ground pad you've ever slept on. No more tossing and turning and sliding off your pad because this is designed large enough that even your oversized sleeping bag won't hang over the sides. A secret pocket allows you to store your wallet, keys, flashlight or similar item within easy reach at any time of the night. When it comes time to roll this up, we've included an ingenious built-in roll-assister so that you can easily roll it up tight and cinch it tight with the 3 webbing straps inclusive of compression buckles. If that's not enough, we've also built in a carry handle for easy transportSomewhat large when rolled up but what would you expect, I purchased it because it was extra large. Very comfortable. Used twice now while camping. Works great with a cot, even one that is more narrow than the pad. Planning on buying a second one now. You will not be disappointed.I bought this with the Teton Sports XXL Cot, they work perfect together. Tons of room to stretch out, and very comfortable. It secures to the cot in 6 places, no sliding around at all. There is also a convenient pouch near your head that hangs down and provides a great spot for things that you want to keep within reach. Highly recommend! great size, great comfort. love the outer covering. can be wiped down with a damp cloth if necessaryAfter searching through many available cots I decided to purchase the TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Cot. I was not disappointed when the package arrived and you will not be either. The thing is, like many great dishes in this world it is the Sauce that when added to that dish creates something more special than a dish without it. TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot Pad is the special topping on this cot that without it would still be great, but with this pad the cot becomes spectacular. I own the Teton XXL cot and purchased this for a dual purpose - to add luxury to the cot, and use as a sleeping pad on the ground. The pad works well for it's designed purpose on the cot, with the exception that it absorbs moisture (it IS foam, after all). I recently took it with me on a camping trip and left the cot home due to space issues. The pad was just OK as a ground pad. It tended to flatten out in certain areas and ended up creating pressure points that became uncomfortable. When combined with the cot, it makes a pretty comfortable temporary bed . . .I wouldn't want to sleep on it every night. Also after a couple of nights, it needs to be dried out - it absorbs significant moisture
With all the glowing reviews (including mine) I thought I'd chime in here lest people think this mattress does something other than just lay there. :)

The mattress "interior" is nothing special. It's just a 3" slab of foam with a nice cover and "stick" to help you roll it up. The cover has a sleeve to put your pillow in which is no big deal to me. (I guess this is important if your pillow gets in the car and drives off in the night but I've never had this problem).

My only gripe is the outside fabric is not completely waterproof. So why the heck am I sleeping on it in the rain? Because it's made to go on the Teton XXL Cot. So why am I sleeping on a cot in the rain? Because the makers of this mattress and cot also make the companion one-person tent which goes on top of both items. (The mattress is too long to fit inside the tent). Using all 3 of these components together means the mattress edges are exposed to the elements. If it rains, the foam will get soaked and once the foam is removed to dry it's not easy slipping back in the cover.

I won't penalize my review of this mattress though since it stands on its own and does everything it says. No surprises. I'm assuming most everyone will not be using this in the rain. If that's the case, it's a great mattress and while bulky it certainly won't deflate in the middle of the night (been there a few times). Most importantly for tall people like me it's very long. This item is on the bulky side, I would not recommend it for backpacking. However, for a base camp or camping where you do not have to carry in your supplies on your back,this is an excellent addition to your outfit. It makes for very comfortable sleeping, and also adds insulation to your cot which is also a help. I use this on my cot and sleep on it every night. This pad is extremely comfortable and prevents any back pains by leveling the cot's dipping arc into a flatter bed. Very convenient and makes the cot as comparable to a real frame bed with a firm mattress. This camping pad was well worth the money when you're out in the wilderness sleeping comfortably. Has cool feature others dont have the pillow pocket, zippered pocket where you can put your pillow. The roll assist is kinda cheap, should put a button there to keep wood from falling out. Like others have said look around, at the other camping outfitters. I've use these pads multiple times. In my review of the teton cots themselves I mentioned that for bad sleepers these pads turn the cots from a miserable nights sleep into a bed away from bed. They are easy to roll up, attach easily to the cot, and are comfortable. My only wish is that teton would ship these in a storage bag similar to what the cots come in. This way you don't have to worry about throwing them out of the truck into the dirt or dropping them if it's wet out or whatever. This thing is HUGE, it is designed for an XLong twin bed or xxl cot. It comes with straps that you can roll up and secure the pad with. I bought it before I bought the cot and tried it out. Not bad, not bad at all, a good emergency bed. More comfortable than the cotton filled thingies. A blanket and a sleeping bag liner are you need in the house, or an adjustable warmth sleeping system, and you too can wake up at 5 am, and say, "WHY! WHY? Did I ever agree to this fiasco? This bed roll is comfortable and well made. I bought it with the Teton XL cot and it is a great combination. Kids have used it on the floor for sleep overs too. It is large, and takes up a good bit of space when rolled. The bungee cords do a nice job of keeping it in place on the cot. It is nice to not have to deal with the hassles and relative discomfort of an inflatable mattress. I'm glad I bought it as it makes the nights in the tent a lot more enjoyable.

should i buy Brand New Brown Shikibuton Trifold Foam Beds reviews

This trifold foam bed is also known as a shikibuton, it is perfectly used as a sleeper foam bed on the floor in your room, living room, studio, guestroom, patio, dorms, RV trailers, mobile homes, apartments ... This tri fold foam bed is an ideal to make room for a narrow spaceI was very unsure when I purchased this product if it was what I wanted. I am so glad that I gave it a try. I don't usually write reviews, but I really could have used some good reviews when I was considering this.

Why I bought this:

1. I live in NYC and anything space-saving and multi-purpose is great.
2. I wanted an organic mattress, but could't really afford it, so I think going for something smaller is generally better for the environment than bigger (mattress, boxspring, bed frame)
3. My husband and I co-sleep with our baby and we wanted a King size (approximately) bed without taking up so much space. Also, this is low to the ground, so no need to worry about baby falling off of it.

Why this is so great:

1. It is VERY comfortable. I was concerned that it would be like sleeping on the floor, but it is not at all. It is like sleeping on a comfortable and firm mattress. I love it and so does my husband. We are on the skinny side, so I'm not sure how it would be for heavier people.

2. Perfect for co-sleeping. We bought three and I'm pretty sure that ends up being larger than King-sized. Baby tosses and turns and it does not bother me (light sleeper) at all.

3. During the day we fold them up and it makes a nice futon to sit on and increases baby's play-space on the floor. I also like the way they look folded up. It looks simple and nice. I usually think futons are ugly.

4. When baby moves to his own room, we can send him along with one of the futons and the two we have in our room will be perfect for my husband and I.

One thing I do not know is how long they will last. We have been using them for about 1 month. I hope they last many years. This futon is perfect. Big enough for an adult to sleep on, thick enough to be comfortable, folds easily and fabric is durable. Great for extra guests or grandchildren. We ordered this futon for our son's room, because he occasionally has nightmares and instead of having him in bed with us, we thought it might be nice if we could go into his room to lie down to help soothe him.

When this futon arrived, I thought it was interesting because it came in such a TINY box - I thought I had ordered the wrong item. Actually, it turns out that it was just vacuum-packed with all the air sucked out. As soon as you open the plastic bag, the futon "inflates" to full-size. It was kind of cool to watch.

Colorwise, the futon was perfect. Size-wise, it is pretty thin, and I wouldn't use it on a hard floor, but it would probably be fine on a carpeted floor. I was very pleased with the way it folded up.

Unfortunately, however, it STUNK. The futon had an extremely strong chemical smell. I do not know what smelled, whether it was the foam, the cover, or the vacuum-sealing process (and the bag it was sealed in) but within moments, the entire room I was in smelled very strongly. My husband even commented on it when he came home hours later.

So we moved the futon to a very open and airy room, opened it entirely, and aired it out for a week. I would have liked to try airing it outdoors, but it rained the whole week and I didn't want the moisture to ruin the foam - I have no idea if airing it outside would have done the trick, but airing it inside did not. At the end of a week, the futon itself smelled as strongly as ever. Both my husband and I gagged when we smelled it, so we were absolutely never going to put it in our child's room.

As an extra complication, the "inflated" futon was now 4 times its original shipping size. This wouldn't have been a problem, except that the company refused to cover any of the return shipping costs. Since there was no way to return it in the box it had come in, it ended up costing more than half of the cost of the futon itself to ship it back.

I am shocked everyone else has rated this futon so highly. Perhaps I had a dud, or mine was chemically-compromised somehow. Certainly this sort of thing happens, but the company did not stand behind it and offer to replace it at their cost, so we'll never know.

.should i buy Adult TriFold Hide 'A Mat Poly Cotton reviews

It s portable comfort with style. Our Tri-Fold Hide A Mats are easy to transport, and easy to use. Just open it up and it turns into a comfortably soft mattress. With so many uses, you will quickly discover just how convenient it really is! Ideal space saving furniture. Use as an exercise mat. Good for camping overnight. Lightweight for easy transport. Stores away easily. Assembled in the U.S.A. Seating Dimensions: 31*l x 25*w x 11*h Sleeping Dimensions: 75*l x 31*w x 3**h Color: Navy Having now ordered three of these mats, I see why the reviews are vastly different: the mats are vastly different.

I ordered my first TriFold mat here on Amazon in January 2011. I was pleasantly surprised: the foam was semi-firm yet comfortable; the outer covering, although lacking a zipper, was a heavy canvas material, the stitching was nice, and the three segments both folded and unfolded together nicely (a nice, tight fit).

Six months later, I decided I'd like two or three more of these for my loft, my office, camping. Having been burnt on Amazon before by companies who, for whatever reason, change their materials and entire design but do not update their Amazon ads, I proceeded with caution and ordered only one additional mat.

This second mat arrived June 7, 2011. The first thing I thought when I touched the mat was "they sent the wrong item." I looked though, and this mat was marked as being the same product. Yet, this second mat had an outer covering that was a thin, stretchy cotton (vs the original thicker canvas material). The actual padding inside was stiff--as stiff as that foam they pack around LCD monitors. Yes, we're talking crazy stiff. However, this TriFold mat had a zipper: three zippers, in fact; one for each of the three pads. Okay, I had to admit zippers were nice, and perhaps the outer covering had to be "stretchy" so the foam pieces could be removed (in order to wash the covering). But this TriFold was significantly different from the one I ordered in January. Did zippers really cost so much that the manufacturer had to reduce a nice mat to something I wouldn't pay $20 for?

I called Amazon about a return. The fellow I talked to was very pleasant. He suggested the company might have several different TriFold mats, and perhaps the packer inadvertently slipped the wrong mat into the package. The Amazon rep suggested I allow them to send a replacement mat to try. I agreed.

The replacement mat arrived June 9, 2011. To my disappointment, it still had the horrible thin, stretchy outer covering. To my surprise, the foam material inside was vastly different from the material in the mat I received only two days earlier. The foam in the mat from June 7 was so firm I could barely compress it between my index and thumb (with the outer covering off); the foam in this mat from June 9 was so squishy I could totally collapse it between index and thumb. Not only did the foam feel different, it looked different, and it was a slightly different thickness. I also noticed that the tags on each mat were labeled "prototype" and contained a code for that prototype. Prototype? Really?

Then I realized what this company was doing: they were using scrap filler material. What genius! Yes, make an outer covering with zippers and then stuff that material with whatever foam scraps were left over from other manufacturers (or their own manufacturing processes). That should make for a winning product! Ummm . . . no.

This stroke of manufacturing genius reminded me of another company (or perhaps the same company?) who took waste foam--yes, actual waste with debris from the floor--and stuffed it into their bean bags. These bean bags came to fondly be known by those who bought them as "trash bags." And so, I'd spent over $80 on a "trash mat" to compliment my hideously expensive "trash bag."

In short, I'd suggest saying "no" to American Furniture Alliance and its furniture debris. Both mats from June are going back.

So why did I even bother giving this product two stars? Well, the first mat was at least a four star product. It was a mat I would recommend to a friend. The second two mats, however, deserved one star each. If I average the four, the one, and the one, I get a two. This product is a two star product.

I took some photos of the two mats from June, and I will post the images when I have time. Unfortunately, I did not have the first mat in my house to photograph side-by-side with these two inferior mats. I will, however, take photos of it individually and post it for reference.

What would I recommend? Are you feeling lucky? Are you really? Do you know what a pain it is to haul two TriFold mats to UPS for return? Okay, so you're not feeling lucky? Then drop by your Costco and buy an equally inferior mat for half the price. Or find a nice furniture store and buy a quality mat, even if you must drop a Benjamin or two on it.

If someone could assure me I'd receive the same mat I ordered in January, I'd honestly buy several more. Having just gone through two duds though (and the hassle of two returns), I think I'll cut my losses and drive to a local furniture store for my next mat. Simply the best purchase I have ever made! For anyone who wants a quick and comfortable sleeping mat, this is for you. It is a firm mat so if you like air mattresses the tri-fold may take some getting use to. It is more like a futon used by the Japanese. It is well made and light to carry. It is great for anyone who needs support for back problems or someone who is limited in space. It doesn't show up on the Costco website (item number 354567) but you can get a 77"x36" Hide-A-Bed for $42. They've carried this item in many colors for years. Look in the camping section by the tents. Initially this product seemed to be fine, but than while I was pushing my elbow against the mat, I noticed holes in it. I checked them later, but they were still there, didn't "inflate" back.
I don't know what this mat is made of that pressure leaves holes in it. I used this mat for a bed for visiting adult grandchildren and it was big enough & firm enough to comfortably sleep on for an adult. Very good price. I was very pleased with this purchase. Please believe the others when they say it is too hard. It's too hard!! Why spend any money on a pad when sleeping on a carpeted floor is equally comfortable (i.e. NOT). I saw similar items on the shelf at Costco last week; they are not always in the store but seem to be available seasonally with the camping equipment. I slept on a mat a friend of mine purchased at Costco some years ago and found it comfortable--firm but with some give. I was hoping that's what I was getting from Amazon. Nope. Amazon should change suppliers! We ordered this mat as a replacement for something similar we had used for years that was starting to sag in the middle. This mat was extremely firm/hard/dense and was not at all comfortable to sleep on. It reminded me of the coconut husk mat I slept on in India years ago - or didn't sleep on, as sleep is nearly impossible on something this uncomfortable! Decided to buy a made-to-order tri-fold futon from The Futon Shop instead. It costs 3x as much, but we're very pleased with it. The mattress is convenient because it's easy to store but as far as comfort it's not so great. Really hard to lay on. We put 2 foam things on top of it and it's tolerable. Overall it's an ok product. I ordered this to be a mat to lounge around on the floor in front of the TV and as an overnight mat for my niece. It was so hard I returned it the same day.
I bought the one in the link below and love it. It is so comfortable I just ordered a second one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004107WB0/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00 i ordered this product rather than a full futon because it was portable and folds up with a handle and i live in a small place. it is very long, long enough for a tall person and wide enough for two. i put a sheet on it and it fits perfectly. i got it so my younger son can sleep over, since i only have two bedrooms and one son living it home.
it is a little hard but i know i will get used to it. i thought i would sleep on it from time to time, just for a change from sleeping in my room.
it came really fast. the burgundy color is gorgeous and really good quality canvas. i did not think it would arrive before christmas but it came today two days before christmas ups.
i do reiki massage and this will also serve as a massage table. plus you can take it with you. it is not that heavy. i look forward to sleeping on it.