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 bulky and can be difficult to pack when you're traveling.
We tested 10 of the best cots and rated them on comfort, the ability to move, ease of set-up and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep is essential to fully enjoy your camping trip. Instead of sleeping on cots and tots is possible to sleep comfortably in a bed. Look for a cot that is lightweight and also offers a solid level of support. This will ensure you a restful night's sleep. Cots with an appearance of a mattress are popular and are usually designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
Finding the right cot is crucial for car camping or backpacking. Think about lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely mobile sleeping solutions that can be carried in your backpack. If you do a mixture 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 more luxurious option, all of the cots that made this list are designed to feel as close as they can to a traditional mattress. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts they're still relatively simple to transport and put up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the cot's materials and construction when selecting one. Choose cots that are constructed from high-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years to come, look for specifics such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also have a decent amount of cushioning to protect you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Some models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are padded and quilted, while others, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3, come with baffles to stop you from sinking in. A cot should be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lie down in. You should select a cot with an adequate weight capacity, especially if traveling with a friend or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are small and take up less space in your backpack. This lets you fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. They weigh less than many other camp bedding options and can quickly add up when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry treks. The portability of the cot is important when you consider how much time it takes to unpack and pack your equipment.
It could take only several minutes to fold and put together a cot depending on the model. Some models are more complicated and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage, or other features to help you cut down on the time it takes to put together your bed.
Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most flexible, letting you adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some come with a tether to help keep them in place during storms or stormy weather. These are especially helpful when backpacking since uneven or unstable terrain can affect the stability of your shelter.
Consider how often you'll use the cot and the location you plan to camp when selecting a cot. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are great for backpacking, while those with a robust construction and larger sleeping area are more suitable for basecamps or car camping. If you plan to use your cot for your home, it's important to purchase bedding specifically designed for the kind of bed you have. This includes flat and fitted sheets, as well as the pillowcase that matches.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice if you are seeking an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for all camping types. It folds down into a case that resembles a camping chair and is equipped with straps for easy transportation. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform of all our top picks however its robust frames and sturdy materials make it a great choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity when camping but they also are more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping equipment. online cots is because they require you to put them up on a level surface, which can be difficult to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars over their foot and head areas which you might prefer not to hit during your sleep.
The top cots we tested were relatively simple to set-up. Some are self-standing which is a major relief as they don't require you to figure out how to secure them, and others feature an easy fold-out design and a couple of clicks to put them in the proper position. Traditional cots are a different story. They require you to put together the frame yourself and tension the fabric, which takes a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set-up, so it can be used both for camping in a car or tent camping. It can also be used for backpacking trips. It's a bit heavier than the standard cot but it packs down to a size that's about similar to the carry case for the folding camping chair. It's also extremely robust, made of a tough and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that doesn't have any flimsy plastic parts.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is another cinch to set up. It also has a unique design that eliminates bars across your feet and head, making it perfect for sleepers who are back or side. The cot also packs down to a small size that's roughly the same as the bag that you use to store your backpack of choice. It's a little heavier than other cots we tested but it's very robust and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225lbs.
We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a very light cot that is very easy to install. It takes just a few seconds to unfold and snap into place. It only requires a few tugs to disassemble to store it. The legs lock in place using a unique lever-lock mechanism that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The best camping cots are able to be able to stand up to the rigors of use. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and robust fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it doesn't tear under the weight of a sleeping individual. A good quality cot will use the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best cots are made with double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress areas like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping, as they keep you away from the ground, comfortable and secure from bugs and other creatures that might be roaming in your campsite at night. They also offer a great alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're backpacking or hiking. Some cots don't offer the same comfort, and some require an additional sleeping pad to be used together. This can be a major problem, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots come with an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to get a good night's sleep without having to bring the mattress. The cot is huge and bulky, which means it will be difficult to fit into a tent even if it is spacious enough.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides excellent support and is very comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use for hiking trips than an air or foam cushion.
tots and cots are ideal for camping, but they can also be used in other circumstances, such as when you've got guests staying over and you don't want them to sleep on the floor. They're also an excellent addition to a RV or camper since they're much more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. Plus, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, which means you don't have to worry about them shifting or blowing up during the night.