There was a period a while back when my favorite summer sleeping accommodations were relegated to camping's dark ages by the emergence of ultra-engineered gear. But for those of us who still prefer canvas, the good old cot is back. And it's more stylish (and, yes, a bit more high tech) than ever.
Above: Designed by the director of a Danish technical college to be "as comfortable as a real bed," Manufactum's Beechwood Folding Bed is also one of the most stylish cots we've seen. It has a solid wood frame with a linen flax bed and carry bag; €380.
Above: A reproduction of the classic British army cot in sophisticated, leather-trimmed black canvas, Peter Hofer Jagdwaffen's Camp Cot is a made of solid rosewood with brass brackets and hinges; €833.
Above: Teak with a Batyline cloth cover, Tectona's Tobago Folding Bed represents the height of cot luxury; $1,910.
Above: The Small Camp Bed measures 44 inches long and costs €190 at Serendipity, in Paris.
Above: A more economical yet still stylish take on a classic, Byer's Maine Heritage Cot features a hardwood frame and durable polyester cover; $129.
Above: Reminiscent of vintage steel-framed army beds, the Alps Lightweight Camp Cot weighs in at only 11.5 pounds. Available at Sportsman's Warehouse; $49.99.
Above: Slumberjack's Tough Cot has a 350-pound capacity; $69.99 on Amazon.
Of course, there are always vintage options—I bought my own wood-framed cot with sun-bleached white canvas on Etsy.
Want more essentials for life under the stars? Browse all our favorite Camping Classics. And have a look at Gardenista's recent roundups of Canvas Tepees and Nap-Worthy Summer Bunkhouses.
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on July 11, 2013, as part of our issue The Summer Bedroom.
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