The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
If you're hiking or hunting sleeping well is vital. Cots are a great option to keep you cozy and off the ground. However, they are heavy and difficult to pack on the road.
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 on the trail is crucial for enjoying your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable place to rest in. Find a cot that is light and also offers an adequate amount of support. This will ensure a good night's sleep. Cots with mattresses are especially desirable and are often designed to be used with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
If you're backpacking, or car camping, choosing the right cot to meet your needs is essential. Consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely mobile sleeping solutions that can be easily carried in your backpack. For those who do a mix of backpacking and car camping, consider something larger and heavier like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you want a more luxurious option, all of the cots that made this list are designed to feel as close as possible to the traditional mattress. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts but they're still easy to carry and setup on the trail.
It is important to consider the materials and construction of the cot when choosing one. Look for cots made of top-quality fabrics that can withstand the rigors of use. You should look for specifics like 600D polyester fabrics and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for a long time to be.
A cot should also have a decent amount of cushioning to shield you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Certain models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are padded and quilted, while others, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3, have baffles to prevent you from sinking in. A cot should also be wide enough and long enough to accommodate your height. cheap cot beds should choose the cot that has the right capacity for weight, particularly if you are traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots are compact and can be placed in a smaller space in your pack. This lets you put more sleeping gear in your backpack. They are less heavy than other alternatives for camp bedding, which can be a big advantage on long hikes and longer backcountry trips. The mobility of the cot is important when you consider how long it takes to pack and unpack your gear.
It can take just a few minutes to unfold and put together a cot depending on the model. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Some have components that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage pockets or other features that can help you reduce the amount of time you spend making your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most flexible they can be adjusted to suit different ground conditions. Some come with an anchor to keep them in place during storms or turbulent weather. They are particularly ideal for backpacking, where the stability of your shelter can be weakened due to uneven or unstable ground.
Consider how often you will use the cot and the location you plan to stay when you select a cot. Cots that are light and compact in size are great for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and with a larger sleeping area are better suited for car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot at home primarily, it is worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the kind of bed you've got. This includes flat and fitted sheets and the pillowcase that matches.
If you're looking for a comfortable and easy-to-set-up cot suitable for most types of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It packs down into a carrying case that's similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and comes with a strap to make it easy to transport. It doesn't come with the biggest sleeping platform of all our top picks but its strong materials and sturdy frame make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots are a must 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 put them up on an even area, that can be difficult to locate while camping. Some come with bars for the head and foot area that you may not want to touch when you sleep.
Thankfully, the best cots we tried are easy to install. They are also self-standing, which is a huge relief since you don't have to worry about how to secure them. Some have an easy folding design and only require an easy few clicks. Traditional cots, however, are not always the best choice because they require you to construct the frame and tie the fabric by yourself and can take quite a bit of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the simplest to set up that's why it can be used for car or tent camping as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than the average camping cot, but it can be packed down to the same size as a foldable camping chair's carry case. It's also extremely sturdy, constructed from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that isn't made of any plastic parts that are fragile.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It also has a unique construction that eliminates the need for bars between your feet and head which makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot folds down to a size that is similar to the size of your favorite backpack. It's heavier than other cots we've tested, but it's very solid and suitable for adults up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's easy to set up. It takes only a few seconds to fold and snap into place and only requires a few tugs to take it apart to make it easier to store. The legs lock into place using a unique lever-lock mechanism that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy platform for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are designed to withstand the rigors of use and abuse. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric should be tightly woven so that it does not tear under the weight of an individual sleeping. A good cot will make use of heavy-duty 600D polyester, which will withstand lots of wear and tear. The most durable cots have double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress zones such as pole sleeves.
They're great for camping as they keep you comfortable and free of bugs and other creatures that could be lurking around at night. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping mats and foam bags for hiking or backpacking. But, not all cots are made in the same way and some require you to pair them with an additional sleeping pad to provide maximum comfort. This can be a big issue, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy bag.
Some cots, for instance the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable which means you can enjoy an excellent night's sleep and don't have to carry a sleeping pad to sleep on. The cot is huge and bulky, which means it will be difficult to fit into a tent, even if it has plenty of room.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another great option that doesn't require an additional pad to be comfortable. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides great support and is comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who used it on backpacking hiking trips say they felt more comfortable than using an air or foam pad.
They're also great for guests staying over, and you don't want to have them sleep on the floor. They are also a great addition to an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than an inflatable mattress or tent and you don't have to fret when they explode or shift in the middle night.