The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When hiking or hunting getting a good night's rest is crucial. Cots are a great option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However, they are heavy and difficult to pack for travel.
We tested and rated 10 of the top cots for comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
Sleeping well on the trail is crucial to enjoying your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable place to sleep in. Look for a cot that is lightweight but also offers an adequate amount of support. This will guarantee an excellent night's rest. Cots with mattresses are especially attractive and are typically 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 essential for car camping or backpacking. For those who are mostly backpackers, think about lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which provide a very portable sleeping solution that is easily transported in your bag. If you plan to combine a mix of backpacking and car camping you should consider a heavier option, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you want a more luxurious option, all of the cots that made this list are designed to be as similar as possible to a traditional mattress. Although they're more heavy than their ultra-light counterparts they're still relatively simple to transport and put up on the trail.
When choosing a cot, it is also important to think about its materials and construction. Find cots made of top-quality fabrics that are durable enough to withstand daily use. You should look for specifics such as 600D polyester fabrics and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for a long time to come.
A cot should also have a decent amount of cushioning to shield you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Certain models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, feature baffles to keep you from sinking in. A cot should be long and wide enough to be able to accommodate your height. Choose a cot which has a sufficient weight capacity to ensure it's able to support your body, particularly in the case of traveling with a spouse or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are small and take up less space in your pack. This lets you put more sleeping gear in your backpack. They weigh less than many other camp bedding options and can quickly add up during long hikes or multi-day backcountry treks. The flexibility of the cot's design is crucial when you think about how long it takes to unpack and pack your gear.
It may only take several minutes to fold and put together a cot dependent on the model. More complicated models require more assembly, and some come with parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage, or other features to help reduce the time to set up your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most versatile they can be adjusted to fit various ground conditions. Some cots come with a tether that keeps them in place during windy or stormy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking as uneven or unstable ground could compromise the stability of your shelter.
Consider how often you'll use the cot as well as the place you intend to camp when selecting a cot. Cots with a light design and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, while cots with a heavy-duty construction and larger sleeping area are better suited to basecamps or camping in cars. If you intend to use your cot for the home, it's worthwhile to invest in bedding specifically designed for the kind of bed you have. It usually includes flat and fitted sheets as well as a pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfortable and easy-to-set-up cot suitable for a variety of camping The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It packs down into a carry case that's similar in size to a standard camping chair and comes with a strap for easy transport. This cot doesn't have the largest sleeping surface of our top choices. However, its strong frame and durable materials make it a great option for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are a must for camping however they are more difficult to set-up than other sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that they require you to put them up on an even surface, which is difficult to find in the wilderness. Additionally, some of them have bars on their head and foot areas that you may prefer not to hit during your sleep.
Fortunately, the top cots that we tested are easy to install. They are also self-standing, which is a relief as you don't have to worry about how to put them in place. Others feature a simple folding design and require just an easy few clicks. Traditional cots are different. You must assemble the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which takes lots of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double-Kwik-Cot is one of the simplest to build that's why it can be utilized for tent or car camping, as in backpacking trips as. tots and cots than the average cot, but it can be folded to a size about similar to the carry case for the folding camping chair. online cots is also extremely durable, made of tough and comfortable 600D polyester, with an aluminum frame that is sturdy.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is easy to set up. It also has a unique construction that eliminates any bars across your head and feet which makes it ideal for sleepers who are back or side. The cot can also be folded down to a small size that's roughly the same size as the bag you carry in your favorite backpack. It's heavier than some of the other cots we've tested, but it feels very sturdy and is suitable for adults up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's easy to set up. It takes just the time of a few minutes to unfold and snap into place and then a few pulls for it to be broken down. The legs are locked with a lever-lock system which is extremely secure and provides an excellent base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are able to stand up to a lot of abuse. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven so that it does not break under the weight and tension of a sleeper. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester that is heavy duty and can endure wear and tear. The most durable cots have double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress areas like pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfy, and safe from bugs and other creatures that may be roaming in your campsite at night. They also provide an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're hiking or backpacking. Not all cots provide the same level of comfort, and some require a separate sleeping pad to use alongside them. This can be a big 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 and allow you to get an excellent night's sleep and don't need to carry a mattress to sleep on. The cot is huge and heavy, so it could be difficult to fit into a tent even if it is spacious enough.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. online cots is lightweight and provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who took it on backpacking hiking trips say they felt more comfortable than using an air or foam pad.
Cots are great for camping but they can also be used in other situations like when you've got guests staying over and don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also an excellent option to an RV, camper or any vehicle that has mattresses. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more sturdy than an inflatable mattress or tent which means you don't need to be concerned whether they explode or shift during the middle of the night.