The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful night's sleep is vital while hunting or hiking, and cots are an excellent option for keeping you off the ground and comfortable. However, cots can be bulky and difficult to carry when you're on the move.
We evaluated 10 of the most comfortable co-teaching cots and scored them on comfort mobility, the ability to move, ease of set-up and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep on the trail is crucial to enjoy your camping experience. Instead of sleeping on the ground, you can sleep comfortably in a cot. When selecting a cot look for one that is lightweight and offers solid support to ensure you get an enjoyable 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 provide an additional layer of insulation.
Whether you're backpacking or car camping, choosing the right cot for your needs is crucial. Look at lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. They are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be easily carried in your backpack. If you 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're looking for a more luxurious option All of the cots on this list are designed to feel as close as possible to the traditional mattress. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still relatively simple to transport and set up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the cot's materials and construction when choosing one. cheap cots that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, so choose an cot that is made of top-quality materials that are made to withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years, look for features like a 600D poly material and reinforced seams.
best rated cribs should also provide enough cushioning to keep you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Some models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, have baffles to prevent you from sinking in. A cot should be long enough to meet your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lay down in. Choose a cot which has a sufficient weight capacity to ensure it can support your body, particularly in the case of traveling with a spouse or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots fold flat and take up little space in a pack which allows you to pack more sleeping gear in your backpack. They weigh less than many other camp bedding options which can add up quickly on long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. The flexibility of the cot's design is essential when considering the amount of time it takes to pack and unpack your equipment.
It could take only several minutes to fold and put together a cot depending on the model. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage pockets, or other features that help to reduce the amount of time you spend setting up your bed.
Cots with legs that can be adjusted are the most versatile, letting you adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some cots come with a tether that keeps them steady in conditions of stormy or windy weather. These are especially useful when backpacking since uneven or unstable ground can compromise the stability of your shelter.
Consider how often you'll use the cot and where you intend to stay when you select a cot. Cots with a lightweight 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 plan to keep your cot at the home, it's worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the type of bed you've got. It usually includes flat and fitted sheets and a 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 most camping styles. It folds down into a carrying case that's similar in dimensions to a standard camping chair and comes with a strap for easy transport. It doesn't come with the biggest sleeping platform of all our top picks, but its sturdy materials and durable frame make it a good choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots can be a necessity for camping but they can be more difficult to set up than other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that you need to place them on an even area, which is difficult to locate while camping. Some come with bars for the foot and head which you don't want to hit when sleeping.
The top cots we tested were fairly easy to set up. They are also self-standing, which is a great relief because you don't have to worry about how to secure them. Others have an easy folding design and only require an easy few clicks. Traditional cots, however, are often a different story since they require you to construct the frame and then tie the fabric yourself and it will require a significant amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the simplest to set up, meaning it can be used for car camping and tent camping. It can also be used for backpacking trips. It's a bit heavier than the average cot, but it folds down to a size about similar to the carry case for the folding camping chair. It's also extremely durable, made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that is sturdy.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It also features a unibody construction that eliminates the need for bars across your head and feet which makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size similar to the bag that you carry in your preferred backpack. It's a bit heavier than other cots we've tested, however it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 pounds.
We were also impressed with the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is extremely simple to set up. It only takes a few moments to unfold and snap into place and then a few tugs to break it down. The legs are locked using a lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are made to withstand a lot of use and abuse. They feature durable components like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it will not break under the weight of the sleeping person. A cot that is of good quality is made of high-end 600D polyester that can withstand a lot of 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 protected from insects and other creatures that may be roaming around your campsite during the night. Cots are an excellent alternative for sleeping mats and foam mattresses for hiking or backpacking. There aren't all cots that provide the same comfort and some require an additional sleeping pad to be used with them. This can be a major hassle, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them extra comfortable which means you can enjoy a great night's rest and not 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 has plenty of room.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional sleeping pad to be comfortable. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test subjects to use for hiking trips than a foam or air cushion.
Cots are great for camping but they can also be used in other circumstances like when you have guests stay over and don't want them sleeping on the floor. They are also an excellent addition to a camper or RV because they are more comfortable than inflatable mattress. They're also more sturdy than the tent or air mattress and you don't have to be concerned if they blow up or shift in the middle night.