The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When hiking or hunting getting a good night's rest is essential. Cots are an excellent option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However, cots can be heavy and hard to transport for travel.
We tested and evaluated 10 of the best cots in terms of durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.
Comfort
A good night's sleep on the trail is crucial to enjoying your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable bed to sleep on. Choose a cot that is light and also offers a solid foundation. This will ensure a good night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like surface are particularly attractive and are typically designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad for an extra layer of insulation.
Whether best cot newborn or car camping, choosing the right cot for your needs is key. Look at lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. cots to tots are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be carried in your backpack. If you plan to combine backpacking and car camping look into something heavier and larger, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a plush option, the top-rated cots on this list are all made to look as similar to a traditional bed as is possible. While they're more bulky than their ultra-light counterparts they're still fairly easy to carry and put up on the trail.
It is crucial to take into consideration the materials and construction of the cot when choosing one. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears so look for a cot with high-quality materials that are designed to stand up to regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years, look for features like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer an adequate amount of cushioning to guard against the hard and uncomfortable surface. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. Also, a cot must be long enough to fit your height and wide enough to comfortably lie down in. Look for a cot that is able to support your weight to ensure it's able to support your body, particularly in the case of traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots fold up compactly and take up very little space in a pack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear into your backpack. They are less heavy than other alternatives for camping bedding, which is an advantage during long hikes and multi-day backcountry trips. The mobility of the cot is essential when considering how long it takes to unpack and pack your equipment.
It could take only some time to fold and put together a cot depending on the model. Some models are more complicated and require more assembly. Some have components that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots have built-in storage, or other features that can help you reduce the time to set up your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most versatile, letting you adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some also include a tether to help keep them stable during storms or stormy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking as uneven or unstable ground can compromise the stability of your shelter.
When choosing a cot, think about how often you'll use it, as well as the place you'd like to stay. Cots that are lightweight and fold compactly are perfect for backpacking. However cots that are built to last and have a bigger sleeping area are better suited for car camping or basecamps. If you intend to use your cot exclusively at home, it's worth investing in a set of bedding that is specifically made for the type of cot you're using. This typically includes sheets that are flat and fitted and an appropriate pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfy easy-to-set up cot that is suitable for all types of camping The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a fantastic choice. It folds into a case resembling a camping chair and is equipped with a strap for easy transport. It doesn't come with the largest sleeping platform of the top choices but its strong materials and sturdy frame make it a good 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 gear. This is due to the fact that you need to place them on an even area, which can be difficult to find when camping. Some of them also have bars on the foot and head that you might not want to touch when you sleep.
The best cots that we tested were relatively simple to set-up. Some of them are self-standing which is a major relief since it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them and others feature a simple foldout design and just a few clicks to put them in the proper position. Traditional cots aren't the same. You must assemble the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which takes a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double-Kwik-Cot is one of the easiest to build that's why it can be used for tent or car camping, as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than the average cot, but it can be folded to a size about the same size as the carry case for the folding camping chair. It's also extremely durable, being made of tough and comfortable 600D polyester, with an aluminum frame that is sturdy.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It's a single-body design that eliminates bars across the feet and head. This makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot folds down to a size, which is about similar to the size of the bag that you use to store your backpack of choice. It's heavier than other cots we've tested but it feels very solid and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's simple to set up. It takes just a few moments to unfold and snap it into place and then a few tugs to break it down. The legs are secured by a lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides the perfect base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can stand up to a lot of abuse. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and robust fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure it doesn't tear when strained by the weight of a sleeping person. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester that is extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear. The top cots also feature reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas like pole sleeves.
They are perfect for camping as they are comfortable and keep you free of bugs or other creatures that might be lurking in the night. Cots are an excellent alternative for sleeping mats and foam mattresses for hiking or backpacking. But not all cots are created equal, and some require you to use an additional sleeping pad to provide optimal comfort. This can be a huge issue, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable and allow you to get a great night's rest and not need to bring a sleeping pad along with you. However the cot is large and bulky, so it isn't easy to fit it into a tent even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another great option that doesn't require an additional pad to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminum frame offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test subjects to use on hiking trips than a foam or air cushion.
They're ideal for guests who are staying over, and you don't want them sleep on the floor. They are also ideal for an RV or camper because they're more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more sturdy than an air mattress or tent which means you don't need to fret when they explode or shift in the middle night.