Are your knees not quite how they used to be? Does the ground just not do it for you?
Not only do camp stretchers lift you off the cold tent floor, they give you some height, which is handy when lowering yourself all the way to the ground (or hauling yourself back up) is far too much effort! For those wanting to maximise room, they’re also popular for the valuable storage space they free up underneath. And some campers simply get the heebie-jeebies over creepy crawlies exploring their bedding at ground level!
All reasons are valid, and your choice in a stretcher boils down to durability, stability, ease of use, a packed size that suits your transport, and – most importantly – finding one that’s the right size for your tent!
Before we dive into the best stretcher for each activity, let’s run through a few points worth knowing first.
Jump straight to
Choosing A Camp Stretcher – Before You Buy
If you’d prefer an in-depth discussion Ben and Lauren talk camp stretchers in this episode of the Snowys Camping Show >>
You May Also Need A Mattress
Most camp stretchers have a single skin of roughly 600D fabric making up the sling you lie on. Some models add a little padding, but the reality is this: use a sleeping bag directly on a stretcher in cold conditions and you’re going to feel it.
If that’s your plan, add a mat to your setup. One roughly the same dimensions as your stretcher is fine; it doesn’t need to match perfectly. This insulates you from the cold air beneath the stretcher and adds comfort. Worried about it sliding around? A couple of straps will hold it in place, though that’s rarely necessary.
Some Frames Are More Stable Than Others
There’s always a trade-off between packed size, weight, and stability. Cross-leg stretchers, like the models from Oztent, take up less space in your vehicle and offer good sideways stability, but will rock a little lengthways. They usually have an end bar, which suits people who like to sit on the end, but isn’t ideal if you’re taller than the stretcher.
Fast-fold frames, like the OZtrail Easy Fold and Roody Rapid, offer more stability, but the extra framing means they weigh a little more. These are often preferred by taller campers, as there’s generally no end bar, leaving the space clear for feet and heads.
Putting A Swag On Top? – Make Sure It’s Big Enough
As long as the dimensions are roughly the same, you can generally put any swag on any stretcher. Some swags won’t set up quite as well, since you can’t use the same pegging points, and they’ll sag a little in the middle following the shape of the stretcher, but it’s a common and workable combination.
Some stretchers are made specifically for swags. These are usually 100cm+ wide with straps on the corners to secure your swag, but are otherwise the same as any other stretcher. There’s a slight benefit to a stretcher that’s marginally narrower than your swag, so water runoff doesn’t pool on top, but it’s not worth overthinking.
Quest Outdoors have taken this further with their Swag and Mattress Platform – a bulkier option, but one that gives single and double stretchers a stable, flat base without the usual sag.
Some Double Stretchers Have A Centre Bar
For a double stretcher that’s stable and won’t sag in the middle, you’ll want a model with a centre bar – though that bar does get in the way of snuggling up to your loved one. Any double without one will sag towards the centre to some degree; there’s no two ways about it. That said, we’ve got plenty of happy customers on double stretchers like the 23Zero Husky 1400 Super Lite and Darche XL 1400.
You can use a single double mattress on either version, but on a centre-bar model we recommend two single mattresses instead – they tend to sit flatter that way.
For more on the centre bar debate tune in to listen to Ben and Lauren talk about it on the Snowys Camping Show here >>
Think About Protecting Your Tent Floor
This one’s optional, and a bit of common sense will tell you whether it’s worth it. On a grassy site, the stretcher feet are unlikely to cause any trouble. But on a rough gravel site, your tent floor ends up sandwiched between the ground and the stretcher feet, so an extra layer is worth considering. A simple tarp, some cardboard, or a blanket will do the job.
Confirm It Will Fit In Your Tent
This one’s caught a few people out over the years. Your tent floor measurements might suggest the stretcher will fit, but you also need to check the width 30-40cm up the wall, because that’s the height the stretcher sits at, and sloped tent walls eat into that usable space. We’ve got more on fitting a stretcher in your tent here >>.
Make sure you measure the available space in your tent before buying a stretcher, tune in here for more on that topic >>.
Best All-Round Camping Stretcher
Roody might be the new kid on the block, but the Rapid stretcher already feels like a seasoned campaigner. It’s the affordable all-rounder that’s tough to beat – and with single, king single, and double on offer, there’s a fit for every camper.
The powder-coated steel frame folds out fast and packs down small, while the durable 600D polyester surface shrugs off the rough and tumble of camp life. A 150kg per user rating keeps things solid through the night, and with no head or foot cross bars, even taller campers can stretch right out. The side pocket keeps your phone close, and the mesh shelf below clears the clutter off the ground.
Roomy, dependable, and built to last – the Rapid is the do-it-all stretcher for families and first-timers kitting out camp.
Available in 800, 900 and 1400 sizes
Best affordable all-round (and good looking) stretcher that we know of!
Best Double Camping Stretcher
If you’re shopping for two, the Darche XL 1400 is the double stretcher to beat. Its no-centre-bar design means there’s nothing down the middle to break up the bed – just one wide, uninterrupted surface built to take the big 1400mm swags, for couples who like to spread out (or snuggle in).
It’s made to carry the heavy stuff, swallowing double swags whole and handling up to 250kg between two sleepers. The 600D laminated polyester deck with PVC support panels stays taut and comfortable, while a cross-over steel and alloy frame keeps things stable on uneven ground. Setup runs to a quick three steps, and it folds down compact for the drive home. Worth noting: with no centre bar, some sleepers notice a little give towards the middle.
For couples chasing room to move and a night off the cold ground, the XL 1400 is the standout double.
Available in King Single (100) and Double (1400) sizes.
Best for couples, double swags, or anyone who moves around in their sleep.
Best Camping Stretcher For A Swag
If your swag’s looking for a bed of its own, the Oztent RS-1S is the stretcher built for the job. Sized for the RS-1 (and most other king single swags), with four corner straps to lash your swag down tight, it’s made to lift your setup clean off the cold, damp ground.
At over a metre wide and more than two metres long, there’s room to spare beneath a king single swag, while a 200kg rating handles the heaviest sleepers. Anti-sway stabiliser bars keep things rock-steady through the night, and a tough 25mm steel frame with ripstop polyester sides shrugs off the extra load a loaded swag brings. The X-leg design snaps up fast and packs down tight for the next trip.
For swag owners who want to sleep up off the ground without the guesswork, the RS-1S is the purpose-built pick.
Best stretcher to go underneath king-single swags.
Best Camping Bunk Stretcher
Kids love a bunk, and the OZtrail Deluxe Double Bunk turns bedtime into the best part of camp. Two sleepers stack into a single footprint, so a crowded tent suddenly has room to spare – and a built-in safety rail on the top bunk keeps the little ones secure through the night.
A powder-coated steel frame with leg and anti-roll corner supports keeps it steady, even with restless sleepers up top (the top bunk takes 100kg, the bottom 120kg). A handy side organiser keeps a phone, tablet, or torch within reach, and when the bunk’s not needed, it splits into two single stretchers, so it grows with the family. Pack-down folds neatly into its own carry bag.
For family campers chasing more floor space and fewer bedtime battles, the Deluxe Double Bunk is the standout pick for the kids.
Best stretcher option for sleeping kids on family trips
Best Large Camping Stretcher
The 23Zero Husky 1400 is the newer name in big double stretchers, and it’s fast winning a following. It strikes the balance most campers are chasing – a lighter, lower-fuss alternative to the proven Darche XL 1400, with the same full-size sleeping space but a fair bit less to lug around.
At just 16kg, the aerospace-grade aluminium frame is easy for one person to carry and set up, yet still handles a hefty 250kg across two sleepers. The zero centre bar gives you an uninterrupted surface, while integrated tensioning straps and anti-sway stabilisers keep it taut and rock-steady on uneven ground. It packs down slim for the boot or roof, and there’s a magnetic sunglasses holder and two under-stretcher storage nets thrown in.
For couples chasing the best all-round mix of weight, stability, pack size, and space, the Husky 1400 is the standout large stretcher.
Available in King Single (100) and Double (1400) sizes.
Best balance of strength, size and weight for large stretchers.
Best Lightweight Camping Stretcher
If weight and pack size are everything, the Helinox High Cot One is in a class of its own. At just 2.6kg and folding down to a slim 59cm bundle that slips into a pack, it’s the stretcher you’ll actually want to carry – whether you’re motorbike touring, kayak camping, or simply tight on boot space.
The secret is Helinox’s DAC alloy frame and fibre-reinforced hub system, the same featherweight engineering behind their famous packable chairs. It tensions the surface taut to fight sag, sits high enough to double as a bench by day, and snaps together in seconds. Reinforced fabric and a 5-year warranty mean this featherweight is built to go the distance.
It’s the priciest stretcher here and tops out at 145kg, but for hikers, tourers, and minimalists who count every gram, the High Cot One is the best lightweight pick going.
Best for compact and lightweight camp setups.
Best Camping Stretcher For Hiking
A sleeping mat will always be lighter, but for hikers who want more support – or simply prefer being up off the ground – the Helinox Lite Cot is the lightest way to get it. At just 1.2kg and packing down to a slim 53cm bundle, it slips into a hiking pack where most stretchers wouldn’t get a look in.
The DAC alloy frame and fibre-reinforced hubs, Helinox’s signature ultralight system, deliver real support for the weight, holding up to 120kg. Raised off the ground, it lifts you clear of cold, damp, and crawling nasties, with a firmer, more even surface than a mat laid on bare dirt. Reinforced polyester and a 5-year warranty back it for the long haul.
It asks a little more pack weight than a mat alone, but for hikers and bikepackers who want proper support without the bulk of a full stretcher, the Lite Cot is the standout pick.
Best stretcher for hikers.
Most Stable Camping Stretcher
If you want a stretcher that just works, the OZtrail Easy Fold Single Jumbo is the all-rounder that’s hard to fault. Its standout is stability – the Easy Fold frame is about as sturdy as they come, and it’s offered in four sizes across the range, so there’s a rock-steady fit whatever your space or sleeper.
Setup takes about 10 seconds, and the jumbo-width surface gives you room to spread out. With no head or foot crossbars, even tall campers can stretch out flat, and the 150kg-rated powder-coated steel frame holds firm night after night. A side organiser and detachable gear loft keep your phone, book, and torch sorted, and it folds into a zippered carry bag when you’re done.
Easy, sturdy, and roomy, the Easy Fold Single Jumbo is the dependable all-rounder for campers who want a no-fuss bed that won’t budge.
Available in Low Rise, Single, Jumbo and Double sizes.
Best for stability across a range of sizes.
Most Comfortable Camping Stretcher
The good old trusty Big Sky Beds from Coleman have been accommodating campers comfortably for a very long time. Their entry-level price point always sees strong sales and they are no stranger to this list!
These stretchers have a different design from other stretchers and use a coil-sprung trampoline-style configuration. The foam mat is included and creates a super comfortable and insulated surface to rest upon. The Big Sky Beds are easy to set up and have hooped legs that are friendly on tent floors – but their larger packed dimensions can put some people off.
Available in Compact, Regular, and Deluxe sizes, these are an ideal budget-friendly choice for long term stays, or as a spare bed at home.
Available in Compact, Regular, and Deluxe sizes.
Best if you want comfort straight out of the box.
Best Kids Camping Stretcher
For the kids, the Zempire W Leg V2 is the stretcher that ticks the boxes parents care about. It sits low to the ground at just 19cm, so there’s not far to roll for little ones, and at 5.5kg it packs down small enough to throw a few in the boot without filling the car.
The easy-build tension-leg design goes together fast, and once the leg locks click in, it’s secure and stable for restless sleepers. A rust-resistant powder-coated steel frame and tough 600D poly oxford top handle up to 100kg, while a handy storage area underneath keeps toys, torches, and clothes off the tent floor. It all zips back into its own compact carry bag.
Low, light, and easy to pack in multiples, the W Leg V2 is the standout stretcher for families kitting out the kids.
Best simple low-rise stretcher for kids
Camping Stretcher FAQs
That depends largely on your setup. The bare fabric sling on its own is firm and won’t feel like much, but add a mat or mattress on top and it’s a comfortable, supportive sleep. The big win is getting up off the ground, so no rocks, roots, or cold seeping up through the floor, and you have a nigher ledge to sit on in your shelter.
In cold conditions, yes. Most stretchers are just a single skin of fabric, so cold air underneath will get to you. Adding a mat roughly the same size as your stretcher insulates you from below and bumps up the comfort. It doesn’t need to match the dimensions perfectly.
Generally, yes, as long as the dimensions are roughly the same. It may not set up as cleanly since you can’t use the usual pegging points, and it’ll sag a little in the middle to the shape of the stretcher, but it’s a common and workable combination. Some stretchers are made specifically for swags, with extra width and corner straps to hold things in place.
All stretchers sag a little over time, but it’s more noticeable on doubles. Any double without a centre bar will sag towards the centre to some degree, so if you want a stable, flat sleep surface, choose a model with a centre bar, keeping in mind it sits between you and your partner. On a centre-bar model, two single mattresses tend to sit flatter than one double.
Only sometimes. On grass, the stretcher feet are unlikely to be a problem. On rough gravel, your tent floor gets sandwiched between the ground and the feet, so a tarp, some cardboard, or a blanket underneath is worth the effort.
Most fold down to a manageable size for the boot, though it varies by design. The sturdier fast-fold frames tend to weigh a bit more rather than pack much bigger, so weight is usually the trade-off, not bulk. If packed size is your main concern, lightweight options like those from Helinox fold down especially small and are easy to stow.
Yes, pushing two single stretchers side by side is a popular way to set up for couples. Cross leg stretchers with an end bar won’t sit as closely together as those without, and you’ll have a small gap where they meet. Strapping the two frames together also stops them drifting apart through the night.
Trekker, surfer, climber, mountain biker, runner, camper. Participator in most things… master of none.
Greetings.. what height is the stretcher once erected? I need one to be at least 500mm..
I have a bad hip (having had a cancer now in remission) and need a base and sleeping matress which gives ie not hard and not soft. Price not so much of an issue. What do you recommend? I sleep on a medium Sleeping Duck mattress at home. Thx
Hi there Peter, apologies for the late response (and to hear about your busted hip!) – We have a blog that details the best camping mattresses for 2022 – check it out, and see what you think?
Hi again Peter – another suggestion would be to try a mattress/stretcher combination, or some of the 10cm-15cm thick self-inflating mats on our website. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that this is the ultimate comfort solution for you – but it seems to have worked very well for others. Best of luck!
A question that I cannot seem to find a answer for
Can you buy a replacement matti g for the oztrail camping stretchers at all????
Thanks inadvance
G’day Michelle, unfortunately, OZtrail do not list them in their spare parts so not at this stage. Cheers
What we found when getting a stretcher for our double swag to sit on is that they never actually fit properly, the swag edges always hang over and it makes the swag floppy.
Is there any stretcher that actually fits and works with the poles ?
Hi Amelia, it really depends on the swag you have, each swag being a little different means that there isn’t a one size fits all stretcher solution for swags. Oztent has made a large format stretcher with anchor straps on the corners, we created a video on it here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IdKmBhnIn8.
It works well with their RS1 swag, but it still isn’t perfect for other brands as you can see in the video.
I hope this helps a little.
I am an ageing camper have a single spinifex deluxe padded stretcher nothing padded about it but I cannot however hard I try cannot get head and foot “rails” hooked on have you an alternative stretcher I am looking at a double or queen size but concerned about weight to carry.
Cheers
Those can be tricky to set up, Jilly.
We actually only have one queen size stretcher in our range at the moment, but the set up is very simple – all you have to do is unfold it. It’s called the Easy Fold Queen Stretcher from OZtrail, and it weighs 15kg for reference. You can check it online here, I hope this helped Jilly.
The Disc-O-Bed is missing, be right at the top imho…
Any idea of how the stretcher feet wear tent floors? I’ve always used inflatable mattresses and the thought of weight being transferred through 6 small feet has me wondering on any extra wear to a tent floor.
That’s a good question Funny Old Fellow, and the answer comes down to common sense really.
Hooped legs are going to be the most friendly on tent floors, however, all the stretchers we stock have plastic caps over the feet to protect tent floors. If you are camping on rough ground without a groundsheet under your tent, then you are increasing the chance of damage. The same can be said if your kids are using the stretcher like a trampoline or your tent has a lightweight floor. We always recommend using a ground sheet under your tent to reduce the potential for damage here. If you are still concerned, then you could always use another layer inside the tent under your stretcher, or wrap some foam or fabric over the feet of your stretcher, items like storage bags from your stretcher or camp chairs are useful for this.
Long story short, there is a higher chance of a stretcher bed causing damage than that of an inflatable mattress, but with a little thought, you won’t have any problems.
Hi Funny Old Fellow,
grab a few PVC pipe end caps & put under the feet, lightweight and take up bugger all room. good for poles too