The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful and peaceful night is critical when you're hiking or hunting, and cots are a great option for keeping you off the ground and comfortable. However, cots can be bulky and challenging to pack when you're traveling.
We tested and evaluated 10 of the best cots on the quality of their comfort, portability, 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 rest comfortably in a bed. When selecting a cot, ensure that it is light and offers solid support to ensure you get an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots with an appearance of a mattress are desirable and are often designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
The right cot for you is crucial, whether you're car camping or backpacking. Think about lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. They are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be carried in your backpack. If you are doing a combination of car camping and backpacking and camping, you might want to consider something heavier such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If tots and cots looking for a more luxurious option All of the cots that made this list are designed to be as similar as possible to the traditional mattress. While they're more bulky than their ultra-light counterparts they're still fairly easy to transport and set up on the trail.
When selecting a cot it is also important to think about the materials used and the construction. Flimsy fabrics are prone to rips and tears, so choose a cot made of high-quality materials that are designed to stand up to regular use. Look for details such as a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for a long time to come.
A cot should also provide a good amount of cushioning to guard against the hard rough surface. 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 also be wide enough and long enough to fit your height. Look for a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity to be able to help your body, especially when traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots are lightweight and can be placed in a smaller space in your backpack. This allows you to put more sleeping gear in your backpack. They are also lighter than many other camp bedding options which can quickly add up when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry trips. Considering how much time you're spending packing and unpacking your gear, the mobility of a cot is a significant aspect in its overall score.
Depending on the model that you select, it may take a few minutes to unroll and set up the coffin. Certain models are more difficult and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage, or other features to help reduce the time to put together your bed.
Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most versatile, letting you adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some come with a tether to help keep them in place during storms or windy weather. They're particularly suitable for backpacking trips, as the stability of your shelter can be weakened by uneven or unstable ground.
When choosing cots 4 tots , take into consideration how often you'll be using it, as well as the place you'd like to camp. Cots with a light design and compact fold are great 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 your home, it's worthwhile to invest in bedding specifically designed to fit the type of bed you've got. It usually includes flat and fitted sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
If you're in search of a comfortable easy-to-set up cot that is suitable for all types of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a fantastic choice. It packs down into a carry case that's similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and has a strap attached for easy transport. It doesn't come with the biggest sleeping platform of all our top picks but its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a solid choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are often required when camping but they also tend to be more difficult to install than other types of sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that they require you to put them up on an even surface, which can be difficult to find in the wilderness. Additionally, some of them have bars over their feet and head that you could prefer not to hit while you sleep.
Fortunately, the top cots we tried are easy to install. Some are self-standing, which is a huge relief since they don't require you to figure out how to secure them and others feature simple foldout designs and a couple of clicks to set them in place. Traditional cots aren't the same. You must assemble the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which takes an enormous amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is one of easiest to set up, meaning it can be used both for camping in a car or tent camping. It can also be used for trips to backpack. It's heavier than the typical cot but it packs down to a size that's the same size as the carry case of a folding camp chair. It's also incredibly durable, made from a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that isn't made of any flimsy plastic parts.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is another cinch to set up. It also has a unique design that eliminates bars that run across your feet and head which makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot is foldable down to a size that is similar to the bag that you carry in your favorite backpack. It's heavier than other cots that we've tested but it feels very solid and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's easy to set-up. It takes just a few moments to unfold and snap it into place and then a few nudges to break it down. The legs lock into place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The best camping cots are able to stand up to a lot of abuse. These cots are made with sturdy materials such as aluminum frames and tough fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it doesn't break when a sleeping individual. A good quality cot will make use of heavy-duty 600D polyester, which will withstand lots of wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in high stress areas like pole sleeves.
They are perfect for camping, as they are comfortable and keep you free of bugs and other creatures that may be lurking around at night. They also provide a great alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're backpacking or hiking. Not all cots offer the same comfort, and some require an additional sleeping pad to be used together. This can be a major issue, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots have an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you get a good night's sleep without having to bring an extra sleeping mat. However this cot is 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 doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides excellent support and is very comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who took it on hiking backpacking trips said they were more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.
Cots are ideal for camping, but they can also be used in other situations like when you're having guests stay over and you don't want them to sleep on the floor. They're also a great addition to an RV or camper because they're more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. Additionally, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, so you don't have to worry about them bouncing around or blowing up in the middle of the night.