The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is vital when hiking or hunting and cots are a great option for keeping you off the ground and comfy. However, cots are bulky and hard to transport for travel.
We tested and rated 10 of the top cots for durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.
Comfort
Sleeping well on the trail is crucial to enjoy your camping experience. Instead of sleeping on the ground, you can sleep comfortably in a sleeping cot. When selecting a cot ensure that it is lightweight and offers solid support to ensure you get an excellent night's sleep. Cots with an appearance of a mattress are popular and are usually designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad for an extra layer of insulation.
The right cot for you is important, whether you're car camping or backpacking. Think about lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be easily carried in your backpack. For those who are combining backpacking and car camping think about something larger and heavier like 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 designed to be as similar to a traditional bed as possible. Although they're more heavy than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still relatively easy to transport and set up on the trail.
When selecting a cot it's important to take into account its materials and construction. Flimsy fabrics are prone to tears and rips, so choose a cot made of high-quality materials that are made to withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years, look for features like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer a good amount of cushioning, to protect you against the hard, uncomfortable surface. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, whereas others include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be wide and long enough to fit your height. Choose a cot which has a sufficient weight capacity to ensure it's able to support your body, especially when traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold down compactly and take up little space in a pack which allows you to pack more sleeping gear in your backpack. The cots are less heavy than other alternatives for camping bedding, which is an advantage during long hikes or multi-day backcountry trips. Considering how much time you'll spend packing and unpacking your gear, the mobility of a cot is a significant aspect in the overall rating.
Depending on the model you choose, it can take a couple of minutes to unfold and set up the coffin. More complex models require more assembly, and some include parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage pockets or other features that help to reduce the amount of time spent building your bed.
The most flexible cots are those with legs that can be adjusted, allowing you to adjust them for 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 because uneven or unstable terrain can affect the stability of your shelter.
Consider how often you'll use the cot and where you intend to camp when choosing a cot. Cots that are lightweight and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, whereas the ones with a strong construction and larger sleeping area are more suitable for basecamps or car camping. If you intend to use your cot exclusively at home, it's worth investing in a set bedding specifically designed for the cot you own. This typically includes sheets that are flat and fitted and a pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfy and easy-to-set-up cot suitable for most types of camping and camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great option. It folds down into a case similar to an outdoor chair, and comes with straps for easy transportation. The cot doesn't have the largest sleeping surface of our top selections. However, its strong frame and durable materials make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.
Ease of Setup
Cots are a must for camping, but they are also more difficult to set up than other sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that you need to set them up in an even area, which is difficult to find when camping. Some come with bars for the head and foot area that you may not want to touch when sleeping.
Fortunately, the top cots we tried are easy to set up. They are also self-standing, which is a huge relief since you don't have to worry about how to fix them. Others have an easy folding design and require just the click of a button. Traditional cots are different. They require you to put together the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which requires a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set up, which means it can be used for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used for backpacking trips. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, however it can be packed down to the same dimensions as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also extremely durable, made of a rugged and comfy 600D polyester, with a sturdy aluminum frame.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It also has a unibody design that eliminates bars that run across your feet and head which makes it ideal for sleepers who are back or side. best crib newborn is foldable down to a size that is similar to the size of your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than some of the other cots we tested but it feels very sturdy and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's simple to set up. It takes just the time of a few minutes to unfold, snap into place, and then a few pulls for it to be broken down. The legs lock into place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can withstand a lot of abuse. These cots are constructed of sturdy materials such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure it does not break when strained by the weight of a sleeping person. A high-quality cot will be made of 600D polyester that is extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear. The top cots also feature reinforced seams and double stitching in high-stress places like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfy, and safe from bugs and other animals that may be roaming in your campsite at night. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping mats and foam mattresses for hiking or backpacking. There aren't all cots that provide the same level of comfort, and some require a separate sleeping pad to use together. This can be a huge issue, particularly for backpackers carrying a heavy backpack.
Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable, so you can get a great night's rest and not need to bring a sleeping pad with you. The cot is big and heavy, so it could be difficult to fit in a tent, even if it has plenty of room.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another fantastic option, and does not require an extra sleeping pad. 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 testers to use on hikes than a foam or air cushion.
Cots are great for camping however they can be used in other circumstances like when you've got guests staying over and don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also an excellent addition to a RV or camper since they are more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than an air mattress or tent and you don't have to fret if they blow up or shift in the middle night.