The manufacturer of the Go-Kot line of camping cots has always been focused on delivering the best cot for campers and adventure enthusiasts. Since 1978, these camping cots have continually surpassed these expectations as many of their clients would agree.
In fact, some camping enthusiasts still have their forty-year-plus old camping cots, still as functional and as comfortable as ever before.
The cots are made 100% in the USA and are available in two sizes and up to eight color variations. The Go-Kot camping cots mainly feature a tried-and-tested practical design that is devoid of unnecessary flashiness.
Recently, the company has introduced a third variant, the K-9 cot, meant for camping with dogs. This article’s scope will however dwell heavily on the first two variants of cots for adults.
With its weight being less than ten pounds on either of the two sizes, it is very clear that the Go-Kot cots fall under lightweight, collapsible types of camping cots. The cots do require some assembly, but it will take you less than a minute to have its working condition.
What’s more, the side poles are already pre-inserted into cot’s fabric so all you have to do is insert the legs and you’ll be good to go. Broadly speaking, the Go-Kot camping cots will come in handy for anyone looking for a lightweight, easy-to-assemble and off-the-ground sleeping system.
“Often imitated, never duplicated” seems like a befitting expression when it comes to talking about the design of this cot. While it may not be as unique today, history shows that it’s one of the pioneers of this low-profile, collapsible form factors.
Basically, the cot has pre-inserted foldable side poles, a fabric top and six steel legs. The frame of the cot is made of high-quality, durable yet lightweight materials. For instance, the side poles are made of aircraft-grade aluminum.
Also, the cot top features a 1000-denier nylon fabric that is commonly known as Cordura. The fabric is well-trusted for its water-repellent and mildew/mold-resistant qualities. However, the biggest downside of the Cordura fabric is that it can be very uncomfortable to lie on.
So be sure to place a sheet or a thin sleeping pad on top for extra coziness.
Lastly, the cot is held firmly in place by its galvanized spring steel legs. The legs have a distinctive W shape that is meant to prevent the legs from digging into or damaging your tent base. They are also to be set in pairs in the middle section to enhance stability.
Regarding sizes, you can get the Long model which measures 84 inches long by 26 inches wide or the Regular model that measures 74 inches long by 26 inches wide. Keep in mind that both these cots will provide up to eight inches of elevation from the ground.
Overall, this high-quality build plus the integration of strong durable materials enable the Go-Kot camping cot to support hefty weights of up to 350 pounds.
Everything about the Go-Kot camping cot screams portability, be it its feathery weight, the included carrying bag or even its compact packed size.
The Go-Kot Regular weighs only nine pounds while the Go-Kot Long weighs only ten pounds, which is very lightweight for a camping cot.
When you are done using the cot, simply remove the legs, fold down the sleeping deck and roll it into a compact size that is easy to carry.
The included storage pouch has a buckled opening to keep everything intact and a shoulder sling to make the whole package easy to move around.
Even though the pouch contracts the cot into a more portable bundle, it feels a bit too tight to fit in all the components. This is true at least for the one we purchased but the manufacturer reached out with a clarification that they fixed this issue in the newer models.
In some cases, the legs end up protruding outwards from the bag making it very cumbersome to carry. That said, an extra load of 9-10 pounds will still be a little heavy for backpackers and hikers so you might want to reserve this cot for car camping or for easily accessible campgrounds.
Having gotten the parts of the cot out of the bag, setting up the Go-Kot camping cot follows three simple steps:
Mastering how to insert the last leg of the cot will mostly determine the speed at which you will assemble the cot. Add-on accessories like a rubber grip can help make the process much easier, but you will get the hang of it after a few tries.
The teardowns are just as straightforward. Simply remove the legs, fold and scroll the sleeping deck and lastly place all the components in the accompanying bag.
These camping cots are built to accommodate most people’s heights and body shapes as they provide generous sleeping surfaces. For instance, the Long model measures 84 inches long by 26 inches wide while the Regular model measures 74 inches long by 26 inches wide.
Other good news for tall people is that there are no end bars on either of the cots, which means you can use the cot’s length in its entirety.
The Go-Kot camping cots will be more than ideal for hunting, camping or just about any other recreational activity. They can as well be used as temporary beds for overnight guests at home or at the office.
If you are bringing along your dog with you, then the K9-Kot will be a worthy multi-purpose camping bed for them. The elevation from the ground will help in relieving the pressure off their joints but will still be low enough for them to climb on.
| Cot Name | Frame Material | Fabric Material | Dimensions (L*W*H) | Weight | Load Capacity | More Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GO-KOT Backpacking Folding Cot [This Cot] | Aircraft-Grade Aluminum frame, Steel legs | Cordura Nylon (1000D) | 74" x 26" x 8" [Standard] | 9 lbs. [Standard] | 350 lbs. [Standard] | Check Price |
| BYER OF MAINE Allagash Plus Cot | Aluminum frame, Steel legs | Polyester (600D) | 75" x 30" x 8" | 8.5 lbs. | 250 lbs. | Read Review |
| ALPS Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot | Aluminum | Ripstop Polyester (420D) | 78" x 28" x 7.5" | 4.8 lbs. | 300 lbs. | Read Review |
| REDCAMP Folding Camping Cot for Adults | Steel | Oxford Polyester (600D) | 75" x 28" x 15" | 14.7 lbs. | 250 lbs. | Read Review |
| Byer of Maine's TriLite Cot | Aluminum frame, Steel legs | Ripstop Polyester (600D) | 74" x 25" x 8" | 7.5 lbs. | 250 lbs. | Read Review |
It is obvious that the Go-Kot camping cots are not your ordinary lightweight backpacking cots. These are premium, high-end cots for those who would like something that will serve them for eons.
The two sizes are suitable for ordinary and very tall people respectively, while the K-9 goes for your pup.
Given that this company has been churning out these great cots for many years, their experience easily goes unchallenged. Adding this to the fact that they are based in Alabama in the USA, their quality is one you can be confident about.
We would only like to see an innovation that will reduce the discomfort that comes with the Cordura canvas top, as well as a variation that will include cots with higher heights off the ground.
ABOUT DANIEL MSANII
When he's not camping or adventuring the outdoors, you'll find him grinding hard on his keyboard to put up some super-awesome content on campingmaniacs.com. Starting off on camping escapades back in 2011, he has grown fond of the activity over the years. His exposure to a myriad of different camping terrains, gear and the outdoor atmosphere has hitherto changed his perception of the entire outdoor life. He enjoys sharing the experiences of his adventures and gear reviews with the awesome camping community on this platform. Read more about us.
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