This Budget-Friendly Costco Gear Is Great For Campers Who Hate Sleeping On The Ground

Camping is a marvelous way to unplug and connect with the natural world. There's nothing quite like spending a summer night gathered around the campfire having long talks with your loved ones and gazing up at the starlit sky. You don't have to be particularly outdoorsy to enjoy the experience of camping, but if you aren't used to roughing it outside you'll certainly have a better time if you invest in a few key pieces of camping gear. A camping cot should definitely be on your list if you're new to camping.

Even experienced campers will tell you that sleeping on the ground is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to camping. You may be able to tough it out for a night or two in your sleeping bag, but it will likely grow old rather quickly. There's no need to suffer. Camping is supposed to be fun! Instead of tossing and turning on the cold hard ground, do yourself a favor and opt for a camping cot.

Some camping gear can be wildly expensive, but you don't need to break the bank to have a nice trip. Costco, a popular membership-based warehouse store, sells some epic gear that can make your basic camping set-up better. You may have already heard of Costco's viral CORE tent — it's a total game changer worthy of the social media hype. Make your tent even more cozy with Costco's lightweight packable cot that will ensure you have a comfortable place to crash at the end of an adventurous day outdoors.

A camping cot is a great investment to enjoy year round, but they're especially wonderful if you plan on doing any camping in the spring, fall, or winter. When you sleep on the ground on a cool night, you can become extremely cold, even when the weather is relatively mild. The earth has the ability to suck the heat right out of your body, and falling asleep when you're cold is super challenging. An elevated cot keeps you up off the ground and can help you retain your body heat throughout the night.

Another reason you might want to consider a camping cot is that they can help keep you dry throughout the night. Most tents are water resistant, but they can still become wet inside during inclement weather. Even if it isn't raining, the bottom of your tent can become moist due to condensation. Sleeping on a cot will ensure that your bedding stays nice and dry, and that you can sleep soundly without waking up to a damp pillow. It may seem like overkill, but hypothermia can be extremely dangerous when camping. If you get wet, temperatures between 30 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit pose a risk.

Even if the weather is warm, camping cots are a great addition because they're softer than the ground and you won't have to worry about lumps caused by rocks or tree roots. You can use a sleeping pad on top of your cot for a much sounder sleep in nature.

An extended backpacking expedition is about the only situation in which a camping cot might not make sense. When you're carrying all of your gear in a backpack day after day, every bit of added weight makes a difference. For casual car camping getaways, backyard sleepovers with kids, music festivals, and even shorter wild camping excursions, the Cascade Mountain Tech Ultralight Collapsible Cot is an excellent choice.

The Cascade Mountain Tech cot has an aluminum frame which means it is durable enough to last for years, but still lightweight. It weighs just over 5 pounds, so it's easy for most people to carry. It comes packed in a convenient carrying bag with a strap for easy transport. When packed, the cot is 5.2 inches wide and 22.6 inches long. According to customer reviews, it can even fit in a standard carry-on suitcase. Setting it up is easy as there are just three steps. When it's all set up, the cot measures about 2 feet wide and just over 6 feet tall. It stands about 6.5 inches off the ground and can hold up to 320 pounds.

At the time of writing, the Cascade Mountain Tech Ultralight Collapsible Cot was available for purchase online and in store at Costco for $72.49. Similar products on REI's website go for anywhere from $150 to $500. If you're in search of some high quality gear for your thrilling summer vacation, the Cascade Cot is a budget-friendly choice.