The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When hiking or hunting, a good night's sleep is vital. Cots are a great option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However they can be heavy and difficult to carry when you're on the move.
We tested and evaluated 10 of the best cots for comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
Getting a good night's rest 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 bed to sleep on. When selecting a cot look for one that is lightweight and provides a sturdy level of support to ensure a great night's rest. Cots with a mattress-like cover are the most sought-after. They are often designed to work with an air mattress or sleeping pad as well as other forms of insulation.
Finding the right cot is essential regardless of whether you're camping in the car or backpacking. For those who are mostly backpackers, look at lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that is easily carried in your pack. If you plan to combine backpacking and car camping look into something heavier and larger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option The cots on this list are designed to be as similar as possible to a traditional mattress. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts however, they're easy to carry and setup on the trail.
When choosing a cot, it's also important to consider its materials and construction. The fabric's fragility can lead to rips and tears, so look for an cot that is made of top-quality materials that are designed to stand up to regular use. You should look for specifics such as a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for a long time to be.
A cot must also offer adequate cushioning, to protect you against the hard rough surface. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. Lastly, a cot should be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough to comfortably lie down in. It is recommended to choose a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, especially if traveling with a friend or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold up compactly and take up little space inside a backpack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. The cots are lighter than other alternatives for camp bedding, which can be a big advantage on long hikes or multi-day backcountry trips. The mobility of the cot is essential when considering how long it takes to unpack and pack your equipment.
Based on the model you choose, it could take a few minutes to unroll and set up the bed. More complex models require more assembly, and some have parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage or other features that can help you reduce the time to put together your bed.
The most versatile cots come with legs that can be adjusted, allowing you to adjust them to different terrain conditions. Some come with an anchor to keep them in place during storms or turbulent weather. They're particularly suitable for backpacking trips, as the stability of your shelter could be weakened by uneven or unstable ground.
When selecting a cot, take into consideration how often you'll be using it and where you plan to camp. Cots with a light design and compact fold are perfect for backpacking, whereas cots with a heavy-duty construction and larger sleeping area are ideal for basecamps or car camping. If you intend to keep your cot at your home, it's worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed to fit the type of bed you've got. This includes fitted and flat sheets and the pillowcase that matches.
If you're looking for a comfy easy-to-set up cot that is suitable for a variety of camping and camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great option. It folds down into a carry case that's similar in size to the standard camping chair, and comes with a strap for easy transport. This cot does not have the biggest sleeping area of our top choices. However, its strong frames and sturdy materials make it an excellent option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots are a must for camping however they are more difficult to set-up than other sleeping equipment. This is because they require you to set them up on a level surface, which can be hard to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars across their head and foot areas which you might need to be careful not to hit when you sleep.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots that we tested are simple to install. Some of them are self-standing and are a massive relief since it doesn't require you to figure out how to secure them, while others come with simple foldout designs and a few clicks to get them into place. Traditional cots are often a different story as they require you to construct the frame and tension the fabric by yourself and will require a significant amount of strength and time.
best rated cribs is among the simplest to set up, which means it can be used both for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used on backpacking trips. It's a little heavier than the typical cot, but it folds down to a size about the same as the carry case of a folding camp chair. It's also extremely durable, made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't have any plastic parts that are fragile.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is a breeze to set up. It's a single-body design that removes bars across the feet and head. This makes it perfect for back and side sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size comparable to the size of your favorite backpack. It's heavier than other cots we've tested, but it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
We were also impressed by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that's extremely easy to set up. It only takes the time of a few minutes to unfold and snap it into place and then a few tugs to break it down. The legs are locked by a lever lock system that is extremely secure and offers an excellent base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are able to be able to stand up to the rigors of use. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it does not fall apart under the weight of the sleeping person. A high-quality cot will be constructed of 600D polyester, which is strong and able to endure wear and tear. The best cots are made with double stitching and reinforced seams in high stress zones such as pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping because they keep you away from the ground, comfortable, and safe from insects and other creatures that might be roaming around your campsite during the night. They also provide a great alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. However, not all cots are created to be the same, and some require you to use an additional sleeping pad to ensure optimal comfort. This can be a huge issue, particularly for backpackers carrying a large backpack.
Some cots come with an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to have a restful night's sleep without bringing the mattress. However, this cot is quite heavy and bulky, which means it can be hard to fit it into a tent, even if the tent is plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides excellent support and is comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who used it on backpacking hiking trips say they were more comfortable than using an air or foam pad.
They are ideal for guests who are staying with you, and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. They're also an excellent option to an RV, camper or any other vehicle with mattresses. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more sturdy than an air mattress or tent, so you won't have to worry when they explode or shift during the middle of the night.