The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
If you're hiking or hunting getting a good night's rest is essential. Cots are an excellent option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However, cots are bulky and can be difficult to carry on the road.
We evaluated 10 of the most comfortable co-teaching cots and scored them on comfort and the ability to move, ease of set-up and durability.
Comfort
Getting a good night's rest on the trail is essential to enjoying your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground it is possible to sleep comfortably in a bed. When choosing a cot, ensure that it is light and offers a sturdy level of support to ensure a great night's rest. Cots that have a mattress-like top are the most desirable. They are usually designed to be used with an air mattress, sleeping pad or other forms of insulation.
If you're backpacking, or car camping, choosing the right cot to meet your needs is essential. For those who are primarily backpackers, look at lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that can be easily carried in your backpack. For those who are combining car camping and backpacking look into something larger and heavier, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option All of the cots that made this list are designed to be as similar as they can to the traditional mattress. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts but they're still simple to carry and set up on the trail.
When selecting a cot it's important to take into account its materials and construction. Find cots constructed from high-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot will last for many years, look for details like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide a decent amount of cushioning to protect you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, whereas others include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be long enough to fit your height and wide enough to comfortably lay down in. It is recommended to choose a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, particularly if you are traveling with a friend or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are small and require less space in your pack. This lets you fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. They also weigh less than other camping bedding options, which can quickly add up on long hikes or multi-day backcountry treks. When you consider how much time you're spending packing and unpacking your equipment, the portability of a cot is a major factor in the overall rating.
It may only take several minutes to fold and put together a cot depending on the model. Certain models are more difficult and require more assembly. Some have components that are difficult to locate or connect. Best cot for newborn come with built-in storage, or other features to help cut down on the time it takes to set up your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most flexible that allow you to adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some cots come with a tether that keeps them steady in windy or stormy weather. These are especially helpful when backpacking because uneven or unstable terrain can compromise the stability of your shelter.
When choosing a cot, take into consideration how often you'll be using it, as well as the place you'd like to set up camp. Cots that are light and compact are ideal for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and have a bigger sleeping space are ideal for camping in car parks or basecamps. If you intend to use your cot for home primarily, it is worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the kind of bed you have. This usually consists of fitted and flat sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice when you're looking for an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's ideal for all camping styles. It packs down into a case similar in dimensions to a standard camping chair and has an attached strap for simple haulage. The cot doesn't have the largest sleeping surface of our top selections. However, its strong materials and durable frames make it a great choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity for camping, but they are also more difficult to set up as compared to other sleeping gear. It is because you have to place them on an even area, which is difficult to find when camping. Some of them also have bars on the foot and head that you might not want to strike when sleeping.
The best cots that we tested were relatively easy to set-up. They are also self-standing, which is a huge relief since you don't have to worry about how to secure them. Others feature a simple folding design and require only an easy few clicks. Traditional cots are a different story. They require you to put together the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which requires an enormous amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the most simple to set up that's why it can be used for tent or car camping, as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, however it can be packed down to the same size as a foldable campchair's carry case. It's also extremely sturdy, constructed from an extremely durable and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that doesn't have any plastic parts that are fragile.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It's a unibody design that eliminates bars on the head and feet. This makes it perfect for back and side sleepers. The cot also packs down to a compact size that's roughly the same size as the bag you carry in your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than other cots that we've tested but it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225lbs.
We were also impressed by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a cot that is light that is extremely simple to set up. It takes just the time of a few minutes to unfold and snap into place and then a few tugs for it to be broken down. The legs lock into place with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can withstand a lot of abuse. These cots are made with strong materials like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure it does not break in the rigors and strain of a sleeping person. A cot that is of good quality will make use of heavy-duty 600D polyester, which will withstand lots of wear and tear. The top cots also feature reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas like pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping, as they keep you away from the ground, comfortable, and safe from insects and other creatures that might be roaming around your campsite at night. Cots are an excellent alternative for sleeping mats and foam bags when backpacking or hiking. Some cots don't provide the same comfort and some require a sleeping pad to use with them. This can be a huge issue, particularly for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots, for instance the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them more comfortable, so you can get a great night's rest and not need to carry a sleeping pad with you. However the cot is big and bulky, so it's not easy to fit it into a tent even if your tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who used it on hiking backpacking trips said they felt more comfortable than when using an air or foam pad.
They are ideal for guests who are staying over, and you don't want to have them sleep on the floor. They're also a great addition for a camper, RV 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, so you won't have to fret whether they explode or shift during the middle of the night.