The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful and peaceful night is critical when you're hiking or hunting, and cots are an excellent option to keep you off the ground and comfy. However, cots are bulky and can be difficult to carry for travel.
We evaluated 10 of the most comfortable co-teaching cots and scored them on comfort and the ability to move, ease of set-up, and durability.
Comfort
A good night's rest is vital to enjoy your camping excursion. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the cold and uneven terrain, while providing a comfortable bed to rest in. When choosing a cot, ensure that it is lightweight and offers an adequate amount of support to ensure an excellent night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like surface are particularly popular and are usually designed to be used with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is crucial for car camping or backpacking. For those who are primarily backpackers, consider lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which provide a very portable sleeping solution that is easily carried in your backpack. If you plan to do a mix of car camping and backpacking look into something larger and heavier, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you want a more luxurious option, all of the cots featured on this list are designed to feel as close as possible to a traditional mattress. While they're more bulky than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still relatively simple to carry and set up on the trail.
It is crucial to take into consideration the cot's materials and construction when selecting one. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, therefore, you should choose a cot with high-quality materials that are made to withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years to come, look for specifics like a 600D poly material and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer a decent amount of cushioning to keep you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Certain models, such as 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. A cot should be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lay down in. You should select a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, particularly if you are you are traveling with a partner or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots fold up compactly and take up little space inside a backpack which allows you to pack more sleeping gear in your backpack. The cots are lighter than other options for camp bedding, which is an advantage when you are taking long hikes and multi-day backcountry excursions. The mobility of the cot is crucial when you think about how much time it takes to unpack and pack your gear.
Depending on the model you choose, it could take a couple of minutes to unfold and set up a coffin. More complicated models require more assembly, and some include parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots are equipped with built-in storage or other features to help you cut down on the time it takes to put together your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most flexible, letting you adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some cots come with a tether that keeps them stable in windy or stormy weather. They're especially useful for backpacking, when the stability of your shelter can be weakened by uneven or unstable ground.
Consider how often you will use the cot and the location you plan to camp when choosing a cot. Cots with a light design and compact fold are great for backpacking, whereas those with a robust construction and larger sleeping area are better suited to basecamps or car camping. If you intend to use your cot exclusively at home, it's worth investing in a set bedding designed specifically for the cot you own. This includes flat and fitted sheets and an appropriate pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfortable, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for all types of camping The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It folds down into a case similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and comes with a strap to make it easy to transport. This cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform of all our top picks but its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a great choice for most camping trips.
Installation is simple
Cots are often a necessity when camping, but they are often more difficult to put up than other kinds of sleeping gear. It is because you have to set them up in an even area, that can be difficult to locate while camping. Some have bars on the foot and head that you may not want to strike while sleeping.
The top cots we tested were fairly easy to set-up. Some are self-standing, which is a huge relief since you don't need to worry about how to put them in place. Some have an easy folding design and require only the click of a button. Traditional cots aren't the same. You have to assemble the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which takes a lot of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is one of easiest to set up, which means it can be used for car camping and tent camping. It can also be used on trips to backpack. It's heavier than your typical camping cot, however it can be packed down to the same size as a foldable campchair's carry case. It's also extremely durable, being made of tough and comfortable 600D polyester, with a sturdy aluminum frame.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is a breeze to set up. It has a unibody design that eliminates bars across the feet and head. This makes it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size that is similar to the storage bag of your backpack of choice. It's a little heavier than other cots we tested but it feels very solid and suitable for adults up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's simple to set up. It takes just a few seconds to fold and snap back into place. It only requires a few tugs to take it apart to store it. The legs are locked with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are made to withstand a lot of abuse and use. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and robust fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure that it will not tear in the rigors and strain of a sleeping person. A good quality cot will make use of heavy-duty 600D polyester, which is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas such as pole sleeves.
Continuing are great for camping, as they keep you away from the ground, comfortable and protected from insects and other creatures who might be swarming around your campsite during the night. They are also an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're backpacking or hiking. There aren't all cots that offer the same comfort, and some require an additional sleeping pad to be used with them. cot sales can be a big hassle, especially for backpackers who carry a large bag.
Some cots, for instance the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them more comfortable, so you can get an excellent night's sleep and not need to carry a mattress along with you. However this cot is heavy and bulky, which means it isn't easy to fit it into a tent even if your tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides excellent support and is comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who slept on it during hikes in the mountains say they were more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.
Cots are great for camping but they can also be used in other scenarios for instance, when you've got guests staying over and don't want them to sleep on the floor. They are also an excellent addition to an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than inflatable mattress. Plus, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, so you don't have to fret about them blowing up or shifting up during the night.