The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is critical while hunting or hiking and cots are a great option for keeping you off the ground and comfortable. However, they are heavy and hard to transport for travel.
We tested and rated 10 of the top cots for comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
A good night's rest is vital to fully enjoy your camping excursion. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable place to sleep in. When selecting a cot, ensure that it is lightweight and provides solid support to ensure an excellent night's sleep. Cots that feature mattresses are especially desirable and are often designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is essential, whether you're car camping or backpacking. For those who are primarily backpackers, consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which provide a very portable sleeping solution that is easily carried in your backpack. If you combine car camping and backpacking look into something heavier and larger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option, all of the cots on this list are designed to feel as close as possible to a traditional mattress. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, but they're still easy to carry and setup on the trail.
When choosing a cot, it's also important to consider the materials and construction. Choose cots that are constructed from high-quality fabrics that are durable enough to withstand daily use. Look for details like a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for years to come.
A cot should also provide a decent amount of cushioning to shield you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot must also be long and wide enough to be able to accommodate your height. Look for a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity to ensure it's able to help your body, especially in the case of traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are lightweight and require less space in your pack. This allows you to put more sleeping gear in your backpack. They also weigh less than many other camp bedding options which can quickly add up on long hikes or multi-day backcountry trips. The mobility of the cot is essential when considering how long it takes to unpack and pack your gear.
Depending on the model that you choose, it could take minutes to unfold and set up the bed. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots have built-in storage, or other features to help reduce the time to put together your bed.
The most versatile cots have adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them to different ground conditions. online cots come with a tether to keep them steady in conditions of stormy or windy weather. They're particularly useful for backpacking, when the stability of your shelter could be compromised by unstable or uneven ground.
When choosing a cot, take into consideration how often you'll be using it and the location you'd like to camp. Cots that are light and fold compactly are perfect for backpacking. However, cots with a lot of weight and have a larger sleeping space are ideal for camping in car parks or basecamps. If you intend to use your cot at your home, it's important to purchase bedding specifically designed for the kind of bed you've got. It usually includes flat and fitted sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice when you're seeking an easy and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for all camping styles. It packs down into a carrying case that's similar in size to a standard camping chair and has a strap attached to make it easy to transport. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping area of our top choices. However, its sturdy materials and durable frames make it a good choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are usually a necessity when camping, but they are often more difficult to put up than other kinds of sleeping equipment. This is because they require you to place them on a level surface, which can be hard to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars across their feet and head that you could prefer not to hit while you sleep.
The cots we tested were fairly easy to set-up. Some are self-standing which is a great relief because you don't need to worry about how to fix them. Others feature a simple folding design and only require the click of a button. Traditional cots aren't the same. They require you to put together the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which requires a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the simplest to set-up, so it can be used for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used for trips to backpack. It's heavier than the average cot but it packs down to a size that's about similar to the carry case of a fold-down camping chair. It is also extremely durable, being made of tough and comfortable 600D polyester with strong aluminum frame.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It's a unibody design that eliminates bars on the feet and head. This makes it ideal for back and side sleepers. The cot folds down to a size similar to the storage bag of your favorite backpack. It's a little heavier than some of the other cots we've tested, however it's extremely solid and suitable for adults up to 225lbs.
We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a cot that is light that's extremely easy to install. It only takes the time of a few minutes to unfold, snap into place, and then a few pulls to break it down. The legs lock in place with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The best camping cots will stand up to a lot of abuse. These cots are constructed of durable materials like aluminum frames and strong fabrics. Fabric should be tightly woven so that it does not break when an individual 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 are made with double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress zones such as pole sleeves.
They're great for camping because they keep you comfortable and free of any bugs or other creatures that might be lurking in the night. Cots are an excellent alternative for sleeping mats and foam mattresses for hiking or backpacking. Some cots don't offer the same comfort, and some require a sleeping pad to be used with them. This can be a major hassle, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable which means you can enjoy a good night's sleep and not need to bring a sleeping pad along with you. The cot is big and heavy, so it could be difficult to fit in the tent, even though it's spacious.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another fantastic option, and doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminum frame provides a good level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use on hikes than an air or foam cushion.
They're also ideal for guests staying with you, and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. They're also a great addition to a camper, RV or any other vehicle with a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. Plus, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, so you don't have to fret about them blowing up or shifting up during the night.
