Helinox Cot One Convertible review: a premium camping cot for well-heeled adventurers

There’s a wide variety of sleeping products out there for campers seeking a better night’s sleep, including the best camping beds and, for lighter-weight backpacking, the best camping mats. But for my money, the best option for a really good night’s kip with no tossing and turning is either of the above when used in conjunction with a camping cot – a modern, much lighter version of those old sleeping and medical stretchers they used during both world wars.

In April 2024, I wrote a three-way camping cot comparison article between Helinox, OEX, and Vango. The Helinox came out on top, so it’s about time we gave it our due and devoted an entire review to it.

Now I should start out by saying that the Helinox Cot One Convertible is most certainly not cheap, and you may wonder why anyone would want to spend so much money on a springy nylon mat when a simple foam-filled inflatable mattress will do just as good a job.

Well, the whole point of a camping cot like this premium model is lightness, compactness for backpacking and car travel and, perhaps above all, off-the-ground sleeping for a warmer, more comfortable slumber, whether used with or without an inflatable camping mat or mattress.

So without, er, further ado let’s look at the Helinox Cot One Convertible in more detail and find out why this is currently one of the very best camping cots money can buy.

Helinox Cot One Convertible review

Price and availability

In the UK, the Cot One Convertible is available direct from Helinox, priced £329.95. However, if you shop around, you’ll find some great deals. For instance, Absolute Snow is selling this very same cot for a keenly reduced £296.95. If you live in the USA, try Helinox direct, where you can purchase this cot in three colour ways, including Cobalt, for $349.95.

Design and build quality

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The basic package with standard legs

The shockcords make assembly quick and easy

Everything fits easily into the supplied bag, including the optional leg extensions

A close up of Helinox's exceedingly tough 300D polyester Ripstop fabric

The Cot One Convertible with standard legs

The Cot One Convertible with optional extension legs

The Cot One Convertible's extension legs simply push in with a click

Available in Coyote Tan or Black, the Cot One Convertible comprises a proprietary lightweight DAC aluminium alloy frame with silicone shock cords for easy assembly, a stretchy and incredibly strong Bluesign-certified 300D polyester Ripstop fabric sleeping mat and three cobalt blue-coloured leg assemblies. It has a weight capacity of 145 kgs (319lbs), which is excellent for a bed that weighs just 2.3 kilos when packed into its extremely robust polyester carrying bag.

In terms of size, the Cot One Convertible measures 191cm in length, 67cm in width and just 16cm in height. However, if you prefer sleeping in a more elevated position or have trouble getting out of a low-slung bed, you can increase the height of this cot from 16cm to a lofty 43cm if used with the optional 12 Cot Leg Extensions, which come in a natty little zipped bag. These leg extensions simply click into the two holes at the base of each of the cot’s six legs. Rather usefully, all 12 extension legs will also fit into the main cot bag for easy transport.

The Cot One Convertible’s frame comes in the form of two long and extremely robust brushed aluminium poles that slide into a sleeve on each side of the fabric sleeping surface. Three cleverly designed cobalt-blue aluminium leg assemblies, meanwhile, click into three positions on either side of the fabric, one on each end and one in the centre. The combined weight of the frame and legs is just 1.64 kg.

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Helinox's ingenious leg locking system makes assembly a breeze

However, where this model differs most from the vast majority of camping cots is the way the Helinox’s legs are attached to the two parallel side poles. With cheaper cots, the act of attaching the second half of the leg requires a massive amount of strength in the hands, wrists and forearms in order to snap in the second attachment, and I can’t tell you how difficult this is because the legs themselves are often up two inches wider than the bed.

Hence, the only way to attach the second catch is to turn the bed on its side and use your weight – and all your might – to carefully bend the firm but springy aluminium leg strut and align the catch so it snaps into position. And with some models – like the five-legged OEX Ultralite Folding Cot – you will have to do this five times! Don’t worry if you’ve caught the skin on your hand under the catch or sprained a wrist in the process, because you’ll be too exhausted to notice.

By stark contrast, the Helinox Cot One Convertible uses an innovative lever lock system that makes putting this cot up and taking it down an absolute breeze. Simply unfurl the fabric mat, lock the four sections of each side pole together and slide each one through either side of the fabric.

Now, grab one of the three leg assemblies (make sure that the top of the bowed section is facing towards the fabric) and hold the side without the lever against the side pole where there’s a gap in the fabric. Next, make sure the leg lever is open (there are two latches on either side to do this) and attach this side of the leg to the other pole. Carefully but firmly push the lever against the leg strut until you hear it click into position.

Yes, you will need strong-ish fingers to close the leg levers using the palm of your hand, but this system is a zillion times easier than the norm. And since there are only three leg supports for the cot, you’ll carry out the entire task in a matter of minutes as opposed to most of the other models that require several breathers during the arduous process.

Taking it down is even easier because you just press the two latches, the lever springs open, and the leg pops off. Believe me, this simple assembly process alone is worth at least half the cost of the product.

I should finish with a shout-out to the bag this cot comes in. Constructed using the same tough material as the sleeping mat, the bag is equipped with a D-ring and a daisy chain with six attachments. And because it isn’t too small, you’ll never have trouble packing the bed away in a hurry.

Comfort and performance

The Helinox Cot One Convertible is the classiest outdoor sleeping solution I’ve yet come across and it’s just as useful as a quick put-you-up when unexpected guests arrive. Its 300D polyester ripstop fabric sleeping mat provides just the right amount of give while providing excellent body support.

It doesn’t feel too firm for a lightweight camper, nor does it sag too much, even when used by someone near the bed’s maximum 145 kilos weight limit. At 67cm in width, it’s just about wide enough for a side sleeper, though I would have preferred another three-to-five centimetres to accommodate some wider-than-average single-person self-inflatable mattresses.

In fact, that’s how I’ve been using this cot – with either Quechua's Ultim Comfort or Coleman’s Supercomfort. Both of these mattresses passed much muster in my self-inflating camping mattress comparison feature and either of them will elevate the Helinox’s comfort levels by a huge degree. I should add that I’m a car camper and not a backpacker so taking a thick inflatable mattress with me isn’t an issue.

One of the things I love about this camping cot is that I’m not sleeping directly on the floor and that means a little more warmth at night when the ground’s cold temperature starts to permeate anything touching it. If you’re a backpacker or bike camper and you use this cot in conjunction with a lightweight inflatable camping mat, you’ll find it’s the perfect combination for a restful night’s sleep.

However, I would definitely first measure the interior dimensions of your best backpacking tent to make sure the cot fits. Also, you may need to complete the assembly of this cot inside the tent if the doorway is at an awkward angle.

Incidentally, if you’re looking for more comfort and warmth without having to carry a self-inflating mattress, you’ll be pleased to learn that this model is also available with an insulated sleeping pad called Cot One Convertible Insulated.

Verdict

While the Cot One Convertible is priced higher than many traditional camping cots, its superior build quality, excellent choice of materials, ease of assembly, lightweight portability and overall comfort justify the investment for campers seeking a reliable and long-lasting sleep solution. With its innovative lever-lock tensioning system for quick, fuss-free assembly, this extremely robust cot offers a taut but supple sleeping surface with excellent support and no excessive sagging. Top dollar in every way.