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Sleeping on the ground gets old fast on a long camping trip. A sturdy cot is a big upgrade for base camp.
I bought the Coleman Trailhead II cot on Amazon, unboxed it and set it up. Here’s how it goes together, how it feels to lie on, and who it’s really for.
- Very easy to unfold
- Drum-tight, supportive surface
- Plenty of room for me at 5’8″
- Feels durable
- Plastic feet protect floors
- Pretty heavy, so not for backpacking
- Last end bar takes some muscle to lever on
- Box is way bigger than it needs to be
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
Who it’s for
Most of the time when I’ve gone camping, I’ve slept on the ground. But if you’re camping for a long time, like working at a summer camp, a cot is a total improvement.
It’s not for backpacking. It’s for making base camp in one place for an extended period.
What’s in the box
The box was about as tall as me, but the cot itself in its bag is about 4 feet. The bag is a tent-fly-like nylon with a drawstring and a handle so you can sling it over your shoulder.
Inside are the folded cot and two end bars. The cot is pretty heavy, which gives me confidence it’s durable, but it’s a little bit of a pain to tote around.
How to set up the Coleman Trailhead II
- Unfold the cot. The legs flip around (they look upside down at first) and scissor open, locking in place with a lightning-bolt-shaped bracket.
- Do the same on the other end. There are six legs in three sections, all with plastic feet.
- Slide an end bar into the sleeve at one end of the fabric and fit its two holes over the two bumps.
- Do the other end. The fabric gets tight, so use the 4-5 inches of bar overhang to lever it over the last bump.
Build quality
The fabric seems like pretty high-quality nylon. It’s not as thick as a messenger bag, but it’s rated for 300 pounds and is drum tight, which gives good support.
The black metal frame and brown fabric blend together nicely, with a Coleman logo at the head.
How comfortable is it?
At about 5’8″, I had plenty of room and extra headroom; my feet just touched the bottom bar. There’s a little springy action, but it feels really supportive.
It’s nice and stiff, unlike a hammock where you end up in the fetal position. I’m pretty impressed.
FAQ
How much weight does the Coleman Trailhead II hold?
300 pounds.
How big is it?
75 inches long and 30 inches wide, good for people up to about 6’2″.
Is it good for backpacking?
No, it’s pretty heavy. It’s for base camp.
Is it hard to set up?
No. The only tricky part is levering the last end bar on.
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