If you tell an avid outdoors person that you enjoy camping, they’re likely to ask you (among a barrage of other questions), “What’s your sleep system?” Us campers are deeply familiar with the value of a good sleep setup, because no matter what type of camping you’re doingcar camping, backpacking, or tent campinggood sleep is vital to enjoying the next day’s adventures.
There’s no shortage of camping cots, camping sleeping pads, sleeping bags and other products to stock your setup. I had the opportunity to try the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, which is a popular option for drive-in campsites. After thorough testing, I’m ready to share my experience with this cot and explain why it’s not the right sleep system for me specifically, but it very well might be for you.
What is the REI Kingdom Cot?
The REI Kingdom Cot is a sleeping cot for camping, and it certainly lives up to its name. This cot is fit for a king or queen, as it’s plush and curved with (for me, a 5-foot-6-inch woman) plenty of room to twist and turn and even let my pup sleep alongside me.
The aluminum and steel frame folds and is topped with a foam mattress upholstered in a water-resistant, durable polyester material. It’s hefty and, for a camping sleep setup, enormous and luxurious.
All of the above is precisely why REI Kingdom Cot is so popular among car campers and simultaneously disregarded completely by backpackers and solo tent campers. So let’s dig into its features to see if it’s the right buy for you.
REI Kingdom Cot Features
Here’s an in-depth look at the most notable features of the REI Kingdom Cot.
Three Sets of Legs and Swiveling Feet
Unless you are a wizard who scores a perfectly flat campground every trip, you know how uncomfortable it can be to sleep on uneven ground. One of the best features of the Kingdom Cot is the adjustability of the legs and swiveling feet. There are three pairs of legs, and each leg is independently adjustable, so you can set up a stable sleeping platform in almost any situation. Plus, the unit’s six feet swivel, meaning you can work with tough terrain, accommodating rocks, roots and other bumps.
Unfortunately, the legs don’t lock out, which makes for a frustrating setup process, especially if you’re on uneven ground. When I was setting up the cot, one pair of legs would collapse while I tried to unfold the other pair of legs, and vice versa. I ended up flipping the entire cot over, popping out all of the legs, and then flipping the cot right side up.
The legs also don’t lock in the folded position, so they might extend while you’re transporting it, which can be annoying. This is the one major design flaw I found with the Kingdom Cot, and I really hope REI fixes this with the next iteration because it’s such a nice cot, but this flaw is definitely problematic.
Foldable Metal Frame
The REI Kingdom Cot features a frame made of aluminum and steel tubing. It folds, which is completely necessary due to the size of the cot (it measures 82 inches long by 31.5 inches wide by 14 inches tall). Folded, it’s still pretty big, measuring 33 inches long by 32 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall.
Thanks to the thick metal tubing, the frame of the cot should stand the test of time, but it does contribute to the weight of the product. It weighs 20 pounds, which isn’t much in theory, but it’s certainly heavier than many best camping cots.
Plush Padding and Extra-Large Sleeping Platform
Now for the good stuff. This thing is comfortableand that’s a vast understatement. The Kingdom Cot 3 is easily the most comfortable camping cot I’ve used, due equally in part to the plushness of the foam pad and the large platform. I’m a fairly average-sized human with an athletic build, and I couldn’t believe how roomy this cot felt. My 60-pound dog can easily snuggle up next to me and there’s still room for me to adjust.
At my size, I’m able to fully extend my arms above my head and still be fully on the platform. Taller and larger people won’t have the same experience, but customer reviews indicate that individuals up to 6 feet 4 inches can sleep comfortably on the Kingdom Cot.
This cot can support a maximum weight of 300 pounds, which is quite high when comparing it to other camping cots. For a cot this size, it would be nice to see that number inch up a bit, but it’s understandable because cots in general aren’t known to support a lot of weight.
Thick, Durable Fabric
Another noteworthy feature of the REI Kingdom Cot is its upholstery. It’s a tough, water-resistant polyester, and it couldn’t be easier to brush off. It’s also durable, which I would know, because my dog would not stop pawing at it with her razor talons.
While durable is what you need for camping, it does mean that the fabric isn’t soft. It’s a little scratchy against bare skin, so I definitely recommend placing a sheet, quilt or down blanket on it. Or you can sleep in your sleeping bag on top of the cot.
How We Tested It
I received the REI Kingdom Cot at my home. It comes completely assembled, so you just have to unfold it to set it up, which I was able to do on my own in just a few minutes. As mentioned, the legs don’t lock out, so it was a little tricky.
I decided to set up the cot in my backyard for a test run. I quickly realized that I wouldn’t be able to lug it from my foyer to my yard in the assembled position, so I folded it back up and toted it outside. It was awkward to carry, due to its size and weight (20 pounds), but doable for one person for a short distance.
Once outside, I set up my two-person tent, which is my go-to whether I’m with my partner or just my dog. As soon as the tent was up, I immediately knew the cot wouldn’t fit, but I tried anyway. It most definitely does not fit into a two-person tent. I was disappointed but, honestly, not surprised.
So, I went to the garage and pulled out an old, not-often-used six-person tent to see how the cot would fit there. Man, you could set up three of these cots in a six-person tent and it would be a grand old time. I think it would be such a fun experience for a group camping trip.
That day, I lounged around on the cot for several hours, fiddling with the various adjustments. I read a book, enjoyed a glass of wine and took a short snooze with my dog, Finley. At nightfall, I broke down my setup, not wanting to sleep outdoors in the hot, humid Southern night. However, the following night, I decided to sleep on the cot inside to get the full experiencefor the story, right?
Pros
- Large sleeping platform
- Comfortable on its own with no need for a sleeping pad
- Extra padding at the top for your head
- Adjustable to achieve a lounging position
- Frame made mostly of aluminum and steel tubing
- Hammock curve is ultra comfy
- Fabric is easy to brush off and clean
- Water-resistant material
- Durable fabric holds up against abrasion (including dog paws)
- Swiveling feet and extendable legs make leveling easy
- 300-pound weight capacity
Cons
- Legs don’t lock
- Doesn’t fit in a two-person tent
- Heavy and a little awkward to move around
- Some plastic components of joints and frame
- Pricey
FAQ
Are camping cots comfortable to sleep on?
Like all sleep systems, some camp cots are comfortable and some are not. Generally, though, they’re more comfortable than a sleeping pad or just a sleeping bag, since you’re elevated off the ground.
How do you open the REI Kingdom Cot 3?
The REI Kingdom Cot 3 features a tri-fold design. You simply unfold the two flaps, extend the legs and voil, you have a cot fit for a king or queen.
Are cots good for side sleepers?
I personally think cots are the best camping sleep system for side sleepers, since they elevate you. This means your hips and shoulders won’t dig into the ground, which can happen to side sleepers even when they use a sleeping pad.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
Real-life people are reviewing the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, and the results are mixed. However, the most recent reviews are mostly positive.
One five-star reviewer, Cat S., says it’s “so comfy I feel guilty.” She continues, “It’s big and it’s a bear to pack, but it’s the comfiest cot I’ve slept on. The adjusting headrest is great for lounging and the whole cot is easy to set up/adjust.”
“Just received the Kingdom Cot 3 and have one regret. I regret not ordering sooner,” shares another five-star reviewer. “This is the most comfortable and stable cot I’ve used. I am prior service and remember the narrow standard-issue cot. This is not that cot! This cot feels more like glamping. It is made with a heavy-duty, insulated fabric that seems to work well in a variety of climates. I especially like the option of elevating the head and torso portion. The head of the cot contains additional padding that acts like a pillow. I love everything about this cot!”
Most of the negative callouts are in line with what I mentioned in this review: The cot is heavy, large and awkward to carry, and it’s frustrating that the legs don’t lock out. Older reviews from several years ago are largely negative, but based on my experience with the cot and more recent customer reviews, it seems like REI addressed most of the previous customer concerns.
Product Comparison
Let’s look at how the REI Kingdom Cot compares to another popular, plush option: the Coleman ComfortSmart Cot, which is a top pick on our guide to the best camping cots.
The ComfortSmart cot also supports up to 300 pounds and individuals up to 6 feet 6 inches. It features a steel frame with pop-out legs driven by springs. Like the Kingdom Cot, it’s ideal for people who drive into their campsites, because it’s rather bulky even when folded.
This Coleman cot comes with a foam pad upholstered in water-resistant nylon, which you place onto the trampoline-like nylon platform. It’s substantially cheaper than the REI cot, at about $140, which makes it a smart option for value shoppers. The REI Kingdom cot is on the expensive side, but I believe the price is right for individuals who prioritize comfort over space and weight.
Final Verdict
The REI Kingdom Cot is ideal for drive-in campsites. It’s a luxurious, comfortable sleep system that’ll work great for individuals who pack their gear in the car and tent camp at an easily accessible site.
You’ll need a minimum of a three-person tent to fit this cot. The Kingdom Cot isn’t the right fit for people concerned with weight and space, so backpackers and solo tent campers should skip this one. That said, if you’re not short on space and you can accept the heavier weight, you won’t regret buying the REI Kingdom Cot 3.
Where to Buy the REI Kingdom Cot
The REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 is available for $199 on the brand’s website and in its stores. While it may not have been the right fit for me personally, that’s the cool thing about productsthere’s something for everyone, and this cot just might be meant for you.
