So I purchased a Helinox cot for the boss to take on our trips after she decided that we were paddling out from Peterson Bay on Iron a few years ago because she was tired of sleeping on the ground. It was not a fun or short paddle to get back to Nina Moose the next day.

Last year she used a Nemo pad on top of it for one night because I couldn't listen to the potato chip bag noise another night. Luckily I always take an extra pad with us so everything worked out. She was comfortable and I could sleep without the noise.

Somehow I received a Thermorest mesh cot. I believe it was in a bunch of stuff I purchased. I haven't slept on it yet but it was not easy to assemble, in my opinion. It's heavier by a pound and a half or so compared to the Helinox cot.

Has anyone used both? Which one did you like better? I'm leaning towards the Helinox, but would need to sell the Thermorest and I have no idea what it would be worth. I just don't need more gear that is just going to sit in the basement.

Save the cost of the cots and get a couple of hammocks.

I don't own both cots so I did not comment, but seeing as no one else has both I will share my experience. I was deciding between the two for about two years. I mostly hang, but on some trips there are not adequate trees where I want to camp like along rivers, burn area, etc. The Thermarest lite cot weighed less, but was just too much of a hassle to set up and take down. I have slept on the Helinox lite 3 times and paired with my Exped 9 partially inflated, very comfortable and quiet. I can set up and take down in less than two minutes. As I age the biggest factor in the BW is the Canadian Shield rock. With a cot it is so nice to be able to be off the rocky, root strewn tent pads. There are lots of haters, but I have found it is best to ignore them and use what works best for me.

Haven’t used either brand but picked up an Alps Ready Lite model for my wife and it seems to be a great value for size/weight. Partially inflated Exped on top with a down quilt as top cover.