The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
If you're hiking or hunting sleeping well is crucial. Cots are an excellent option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However, cots are bulky and difficult to pack for travel.
We compared and evaluated 10 of the best cots in terms of durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.
Comfort
A good night's rest is essential for a successful camping trip. As opposed to sleeping on the ground you can rest comfortably in a sleeping cot. When choosing a cot, ensure that it is lightweight and offers an adequate amount of support to ensure you get a great night's rest. Cots with a mattress-like surface are particularly popular and are usually designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
If you're backpacking or camping, choosing the right cot for your needs is crucial. Consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be easily carried in your backpack. For those who are combining backpacking and car camping, consider something larger and heavier, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option The cots that made this list are designed to be as similar as they can to a traditional mattress. Although they're more heavy 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 materials and construction of the cot when selecting one. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to tears and rips, so look for a cot with high-quality materials that are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. You should look for specifics like a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for a long time to come.
A cot should also have a good amount of cushioning, to protect you against the hard rough surface. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3, feature baffles to keep your feet from sinking. A cot should be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough to comfortably lay down in. You should choose a cot with an adequate weight capacity, especially if you are traveling with a partner or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold up compactly and take up a small amount of space in a pack, allowing you to fit more sleeping gear into your backpack. The cots are less heavy than other alternatives for camping bedding, which can be an advantage during long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. The mobility of the cot is essential when considering how much time it takes to pack and unpack your equipment.
It can take just several minutes to fold and put together a cot depending on the model. More complicated models require greater assembly, and some come with parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage or other features to help reduce the time it takes to set up your bed.
The most flexible cots have legs that can be adjusted, allowing the user to adjust them for different ground conditions. Some include a tether to keep them in place during storms and turbulent weather. These are especially helpful when backpacking since uneven or unstable terrain can affect the stability of your shelter.
When you're choosing a cot consider how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to camp. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are perfect for backpacking, whereas cots with a heavy-duty construction and a larger sleeping space are ideal for basecamps or camping in cars. If you intend to use your cot at home primarily, it is important to purchase bedding specifically designed for the kind of bed you've got. This includes fitted and flat sheets and the pillowcase that matches.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice if you are looking for an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for all camping styles. It folds down into a case resembling an outdoor chair, and is equipped with a strap for easy transport. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform of the top choices however its robust materials and sturdy frame make it a great choice for any camping trip.
Easy Setup
Cots can be a necessity for camping but they can be more difficult to set up than other sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that you need to set them up in an even surface that can be difficult to find when camping. Some of them also come with bars for the head and foot area that you might not want to strike when sleeping.
The top cots we tested were relatively easy to set-up. Some of them are self-standing which is a major relief as it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them while others have a simple foldout design and a few clicks to put them in the proper position. Traditional cots are a different story. They require you to put together the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which requires an enormous amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set up, which means it can be used for camping in a car or tent camping. It is also suitable for backpacking trips. It's a little heavier than the standard cot but it packs down to a size that's about the same size as the carry case for a fold-down camping chair. It's also incredibly sturdy, constructed from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that isn't made of any plastic parts that are flimsy.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is easy to set up. It also has a unibody construction that eliminates any bars that run across your head and feet which makes it ideal for back and side sleepers. The cot folds down to a size that's about the same as the bag that you use to store your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than other cots that we tested, but it feels very solid and is suitable for adults of up to 225 lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is extremely easy to set up. It takes just two seconds to unfold and snap into place and just a few twirls to break down to make it easier to store. The legs are secured using a lever lock system that is very secure and provides a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are made to stand up to lots of use and abuse. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure that it will not tear under the weight and tension of a sleeper. best crib newborn will use the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas such as pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping, as they keep you away from the ground, comfortable and protected from bugs and other animals that might be roaming around your campsite at night. They also provide an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're hiking or backpacking. However, not all cots are made to be the same and some require you to pair them with an additional sleeping pad to ensure optimal comfort. This can be a huge issue, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots have an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to have a restful night's sleep without bringing an extra sleeping mat. The cot is big and bulky so it may be difficult to fit in a tent even if it has plenty of room.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another great option that doesn't require an additional mattress to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides excellent support and is comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who took it on hiking backpacking trips said they felt more comfortable than when using a foam or air pad.
Cots are ideal for camping but they can be used in other circumstances like when you're having guests stay over and you don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also a great option to an RV, camper or any vehicle that has a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more sturdy than an air mattress or tent which means you don't need to fret if they blow up or shift in the middle night.