On the box it says that this camping cot has a water resistant and tough canvas and a tough frame that will support up to 300 pounds.

It’s not the easiest of cots to set up and you’d have to be strong to do it. The instructions don’t help very much though especially they don’t have a pictures.

If you are big then you would at least appreciate the size. Luckily this one is tough too and works well on uneven ground.

Too bad again that comfort is not its forte. You could use a air mattress on top if you want comfort bad enough but I really don’t see the point of the cot at all.

Unless there’s no choice I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone.

Below are other reviews:

When I moved into my current apartment, I slept on one of these for a month until I finally found a new bed. It’s a good size — I’m 6 foot 2 inches and I could stretch out comfortably. It’s also very sturdy and sets up quickly. You will probably want to add a thin foam pad for some extra cushion.

I think anybody giving this cot a five star rating is far more generous than I. The canvas is decent quality, but the build doesn’t look like it could handle anything but the slightest inadvertent abuse. Within about 14 seconds, the paint was already rubbing/flaking/chipping off the aluminum frame. The picture-free directions are POOR, so let me clue you in, if you’re a tall person who wants a cot they can fit on — this one being capable of fitting that bill. If your cot DOESN’T match the pictures on the box, or the picture in this listing, put the end rod with the hole farthest from the end on –last– so you have some leverage. Hard to explain without the capability of pictures in the review, but this will make more sense with the item in front of you.

The other review says something about “maybe some thin foam padding” might help. It’ll take a lot more than that to make this sucker comfortable due to the current taughtness of the canvas which might relax over time to make it more livable.

Is it more comfortable (as is) than ground outside? Sure. Why not. Is it much more comfortable -inside- than sleeping on the carpet? Not particularly.

If you’re a tall pup and don’t want your feet hanging off the end of a cot, and this is the only game in town due to pets wanting to use infinitely-more-comfortable inflatables as claw toys, then DON’T pay over $50, buy some serious padding, give it a go, and put on the “overly long” end connector on -last-.

If you have any other options for a snooze, use them instead.

And don’t put a guest on this thing, unless you hate your guest.

Backpacking light has become one of the fastest growing trend. It seems that the less you carry without sacrificing the essentials, the more you enjoy backpacking. You feel free, unburdened, and close to nature. Your tent or shelter is the best place to start if you want to reduce your pack weight.

There have been some good lightweight shelter options for many years, especially if you backpack with a partner. The weight of the tent can be split between the two of you. One carry some some parts and the other carry the rest.. But the options have increased in recent years and a two-person tent that weighs four pounds isn’t even considered ultralight.

Tents that are too heavy are still produced even today. Cheap and heavy material are still used today to make these tents. If you take care of your tent well it can last you for many years of use. Mainstream tent makers are still outperformed by specialty tent makers in the ultralight field.

With the introduction of ultralight silicone-imbed nylon, 2 person tents are now weighing less than 3 pounds. One person tents are even lighter, obviously. Fabrics aren’t the only thing that’s gotten lighter. Poles went from aluminum to ultralight carbon fiber. A 45″ tent pole can now weigh less than two ounces. Many new tents are designed to use a hiking pole as the tent pole. This means that you don’t need to even carry tent poles anymore. The use of titanium rather than aluminum reduce the weight of the tent even further.

If you want to really go ultralight why not take a tarp instead and save a lot more weight. It protects you from light rain if you set it up correctly but it’s also a good way to feel closer to nature. Poncho tarps double as rain gear if you want to go a bit further. Using gear that serves multiple purposes is one of the core principles of ultralight backpacking. If you like sleeping under a tarp, but want some extra rain protection, a lightweight bivy sack or sleeping bag cover can be as light as six to seven ounces. Use a ground cloth to protect yourself from getting wet as a result of rain water on the ground.

For protection against insects use an insect repellent or mosquito net. If you want something less confining, use just enough no-see-um netting so that the netting stays away from your face.

If insects are just about the only concern you have, use a bug bivy. It’s a really doesn’t weigh very much.

Most lightweight tents are not freestanding like your old cabin dome tent. But they’re fast and easy to set with parts not included like a fly sheet. Instead the tents rely on well-designed ventilation on all sides.

If you sometimes hike solo, consider the advantages of having a separate ultralight one-person shelter for those times you go alone. Your tent should be as light as possible becaue there won’t be anyone to share the burden with. A two-person shelter is flexible because you can also use it for solo hiking for extra space and comfort.

Look closely at all the new options for ultralight shelters. See which ones have the features to fit your needs.

The tent is usually of the heavier and bulkier things you have with you on a camping trip so if you take the lightweight option it will really save your back and the need to use bigger backpacks.

The best time of year, Summer, is finally here! A lot of kids and adults think about camping trips and hiking trips when they think of Summer time. To get the most out of a get away doing some planning before hand is important. A very important part of planning is choosing the best camping gear. The gear is not the only important thing to consider. Another big thing is choosing where to go.

The first thing to consider is the shelter where you will be sleeping. This can be as simple as a tent or as advanced as staying in a cabin or taking a motor home. Price is a big factor here. Tent sizes and selection vary depending on your group size and budget. Make sure not to buy too small a tent or you may regret it.

Something to sleep on such as a mattress helps a lot. Remember sleeping bags are made for different temperatures. If you are going somewhere cold make sure to check what temperatures the sleeping bag is made to keep you warm in otherwise your nights may be colder then you wished.

You will also need to take equipment for cooking in the outdoors. Using stuff from your home kitchen helps save money but more equipment will likely be needed. Make sure to plan ahead based on what meals you will be preparing.

To help you prepare research will be needed. One of the best and easiest ways to research and learn more about what types of products you will need and if they will meet your needs is to read some reviews online. Using online information can be a huge help.

So go and get ready for a great summer spent in the wild or not so wild out doors. Spending time out in nature if fun for the whole family and can be a really rewording experience that your children will always remember. Just make sure to take the correct type of gear and equipment to avoid a nightmare and make sure to plan ahead based upon where you will be going.

Do not forget to take a pad of paper so you can keep track of what you should have brought on your trip. This will help you for the next time so you can better plan. Each camping trip is a learning experience so the more you go camping the more you learn what you will need next time.

Who knows what can happen in the violent world today? Disasters can strike at a blink on an eye.

You need to have your rucksack ready in case you need to evacuate fast. A survival pack should sustain you both in the short term and long term.

A good survival pack should be lightweight and include items like knives, tools, water, seeds, clothes, fire, shelter, light. These items should be able to help you survive in the harshest of conditions.

To carry less, you need to know the likely conditions. A hiking backpack that’s prepared for all the possible conditions are probably the best but they’re also bulky and heavy. If it was to be carried in a car you wouldn’t to worry about size and weight.

But a disaster doesn’t only happen when the car is around. Different experts will have different choices of survival equipment in their backpack. These guys are always trying to be prepared for sudden manmade or natural disaster in a variety of ways for the unexpected. A good survival equipment should take up little space and an indefinite shelf life.

Want to know what military operators and hunters carry?

They carry a fixed-blade knife in a sheath strapped to the outside of the pack, and a Leatherman Wave multi-tool inside the pack, along with two very compact Mylar blankets that have a variety of uses like signaling for help, collecting water or as a waterproof lean-to.

These professionals also carry waterproof matches, a disposable lighter, a magnesium bar with striker, a credit-card-sized plastic Fresnel lens, a zip-lock bag filled with mugwort and a two-quart Platypus bladder system or a hydration pack for drinking water.

For clothes are two pairs of underwear and socks, a hat, a fleece skullcap and a pair of lightweight gloves, plus two pairs of sunglasses, two pens, a notepad and a pair of pruning shears. Other useful items include garbage bags, zip-lock bags, freeze-dried meals and some utensils.

Don’t forget the first-aid kit, water purifier, ground tarp, compact binoculars, synthetic and leather cord, roll of electrical tape, wind and weather meter and roll of toilet paper. You may also consider carrying firearms and a lightweight bivouac sack.

The typical cost of a survival pack is around $2,000 but there are economical ways to pack an effective survival pack. A topic we hope to cover soon.

Many have never been camping before. The main reason is the fear of not having sufficient gear. If you don’t know what you’re doing you might spend a fortune on camping gear.

Just about every camping equipment is expensive. Hiking boots, stoves, sleeping bags, tents, backpacks and trekking poles cost a lot of money. Depending on the terrain, you might need crampons, gaiters, balaclavas and other special equipment. If you are hiking with children you might want to have a child carrier.

This is a lot of money for a lot of people. Yet there are still a lot of people who don’t have that much money to spare that enjoy hiking and camping with little problems. Manufacturers like to make you think that you need all this stuff and all the expensive features.

The truth is camping is about going back to basics. You don’t need the state-of-the-art equipment. Use whatever you have at home if you must.

Check out the gear tips below that can really cut your costs:

- Down Raincoats are very expensive and they make you sweat when you hike. Multiple layers will keep you warm and offers you can adjust if it gets too hot by removing the layers. Avoid using cotton for layers as they absorb water and makes you wet. Use synthetics and wool instead. Synthetics dries easily and keeps you dry. Wool keeps you warm even when it’s wet.

- A windbreaker can be good option for a cheap waterproof outer shell. You only need expensive parkas when you’re going for an expedition under harsh conditions.

- You can almost always get away with a cheap camping tent by applying a seam sealer to it. This should be done before every trip and should be reapplied when necessary. Cheap tents can be found at your local Walmart. Remember to check for tears. Unless you’re on an expedition or just backpacking, you don’t really need an expensive tent.

- A lightweight sleeping bag can cost you a lot of money. A zero degree sleeping bag should be good enough for the mountains in most cases. Use a chemical warmer and some layers of clothing to keep warm inside your sleeping bag. If you’re not backpacking and weight is not an issue, you can even be without the sleeping bag. Just use whatever suitable bedding you can find that doesn’t have to cost the mortgage but make sure you insulate yourself from the ground.

- Blisters are your worst enemy when you’re hiking so I don’t recommend cheap hiking boots. However if you’re just camping, you can wear just about any footwear as long as you’re comfortable.

- There are still quite a few places where you’re allowed to build campfires. This eliminates the need for camping stoves. If not, there are a lot of cheap and practical stoves out there. You can either buy it new or used or you even just borrow them.

- Instead of trekking poles you can just use a strong enough stick. I’ve used it for a few years without any problems. Some people may argue that cutting out sticks from the forest is bad for the environment and I recommend that you avoid cutting out walking sticks on the trail but the process of making those expensive trekking poles takes an even bigger toll on the environment.

This list is pretty basic but covers the most common concerns people have told me about. Camping gear doesn’t have to be overly expensive.

Of course the tips here may not apply to every situation. Sometimes you need specialty equipment e.g. gaiter but whenever possible you can use what you already have.