The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When you're out hunting or hiking getting a good night's rest is essential. Cots are an excellent option to keep you cozy and off the ground. However, cots can be heavy and hard to transport on the road.
We tested and evaluated 10 of the best cots for durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.
Comfort
A good night's sleep on the trail is crucial to enjoy your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the cold and uneven terrain, while giving you a comfortable bed to sleep on. Look for a cot that is light, but also provides a solid level of support. This will ensure an excellent night's rest. Cots that have a mattress-like top are the most desirable. They are often designed to be used with an air mattress, sleeping pad or other forms of insulation.
If you're backpacking, or car camping, finding the best cot to meet your needs is essential. Look at lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be carried in your backpack. If you plan to combine a mix of backpacking and car camping you should consider a heavier option such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a luxurious option, all of the cots featured on this list are designed to be as similar as they can to a traditional mattress. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts they're still relatively simple to carry and put up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the cot's materials and construction when selecting one. Flimsy fabrics are prone to rips and tears, so choose an cot that is made of top-quality materials that are made to stand up to regular use. Look for features like a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for years to be.
A cot should also provide a decent amount of cushioning to shield you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Certain models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are padded and quilted, while others, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3, come with baffles to stop your feet from sinking. A cot should be wide and long enough to be able to accommodate your height. You should choose a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity, especially if traveling with a friend or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are lightweight and can be placed in a smaller space in your pack. This allows you to pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. They are also lighter than many other camp bedding options and can add up quickly when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry excursions. Considering how much time you spend packing and unpacking your equipment, the mobility of a cot is a major factor in its overall rating.
Depending on the model that you choose, it could take minutes to unfold and set up the bed. Some models are more complicated and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots are equipped with storage pockets, or other features that help to reduce the amount of time spent building your bed.
Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most versatile that allow you to adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some include an anchor to keep them stable during storms or turbulent weather. They're especially useful for backpacking, when the security of your shelter may be weakened by unstable or uneven ground.
When you're choosing a cot think about how often you'll use it and where you plan to camp. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are perfect for backpacking, whereas those with a robust construction and larger sleeping area are more suitable for basecamps or camping in cars. If you plan to keep your cot at your home, it's worthwhile to invest in bedding specifically designed to fit the type of bed you have. This usually consists of flat and fitted sheets and a pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a fantastic choice if you are seeking an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most camping styles. It packs down into a carry case that's similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and comes with a strap to make it easy to transport. It doesn't come with the biggest sleeping platform of all our top picks however its robust materials and durable frame make it a solid choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity for camping, but they are also more difficult to set up than other sleeping equipment. This is because they require you to place them on an even surface, which is difficult to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars across their foot and head areas that you could need to be careful not to hit during your sleep.
Fortunately, the top cots we tried are simple to set up. Some are self-standing and are a massive relief as they don't require you to figure out how to secure them while others have a simple foldout design and a couple of clicks to set them in the right position. Traditional cots aren't the same. They require you to put together the frame yourself and tension the fabric, which takes lots of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is one of easiest to set-up, so it can be used both for camping in a car or tent camping. It is also suitable for backpacking trips. It's heavier than the average camping cot, however it can be packed down to the same size as a foldable camping chair's carry case. It's also incredibly durable, made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't have any flimsy plastic parts.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It has a unibody design that eliminates bars on the feet and head. This makes it ideal for back and side sleepers. The cot can also be folded down to a small size that's roughly the same as the bag you carry in your favorite backpack. It's a bit heavier than other cots we've tested, but it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's simple to set up. It takes just the time of a few minutes to unfold, snap into place, and then a few nudges to break it down. best crib are secured by a lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides an excellent base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are made to stand up to lots of use and abuse. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven so that it will not break when strained by the weight of a person sleeping. A high-quality cot will be made of 600D polyester that is strong and able to stand up to wear and tear. The best cots use double stitching and reinforced seams in high stress areas like pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfortable and secure from bugs and other creatures that might be roaming around your campsite at night. They are also an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. There aren't all cots that provide the same level of comfort, and some require an additional sleeping pad to use with them. This can be a major hassle, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots have an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to get a good night's sleep without bringing a sleeping mat. However the cot is large and bulky, so it isn't easy to fit it into a tent even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another excellent option that doesn't need an additional sleeping pad to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminum frame offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test subjects to use on hikes than an air or foam cushion.
Cots are a great option for camping, but they can also be used in other scenarios, such as when you have guests stay over and don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also a great addition to an RV, camper or any vehicle that comes with a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more sturdy than an inflatable mattress or tent and you don't have to be concerned when they explode or shift during the middle of the night.