Field Cots

The army field bed is a very versatile gadget. Cheap, packs in small space, and works like a charm both on the road and at home. Field Marshall Mannerheim, the commander-in-chief of the Finnish forces during WWII, appreciated the charm of the field cot even at his old age. His home in Helsinki has a very simplistic bedroom with a plain military field bed. He supposedly said that with such a beautiful view of the sea, you don’t need other luxuries in your bedroom. We go one better: You don’t even need the view to enjoy a good camp cot.

Camp cot on the road

We cannot recommend the camp cot for backpacking though. It is such a heavy and unwieldy tube that no sane person wants to haul it in the wilderness. However, it is perfect for camping with a car. It fits nicely even in the smallest piece of crap. And it is great in an army tent or other taller shelter when you don’t want to stay away from potentially hostile nature. When you visit your peculiar uncle living in the Deadlands, it might be good to bring your own field cot with you, because you never know what else might lurk among the dust mites.

Camp cot at home

The camp bunk is an ideal guest bed. It is comfortable but not that comfortable that your in-laws would want to stay at your place for too long. And when your guests leave, you can fold the camp bed and toss it in the closet.

If you have been tricked into buying the apartment that the real estate agent calls “a cozy space-saving wonder”, the camp cot works perfectly as your own bed. You can easily clear it away when you need the few square feet for something else. And at nights, you can dream of the seaside view and replan the defenses of the eastern front.