The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is vital while hunting or hiking and cots are a great option for keeping you off the ground and comfortable. However, cots can be bulky and can be difficult to pack when you're traveling.
We compared and evaluated 10 of the best cots in terms of comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep on the trail is essential for enjoying your camping experience. Instead of sleeping on the ground it is possible to sleep comfortably in a cot. Find an cot that is not heavy and also offers an adequate amount of support. This will ensure an excellent night's rest. Cots that feature an appearance of a mattress are desirable and are often designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is essential regardless of whether you're camping in the car or backpacking. Look at lightweight options like 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. If you are doing a combination of car camping and backpacking and camping, you might want to consider something heavier like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option All of the cots featured on this list are designed to be as similar as they can to a traditional mattress. Although they're more heavy than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still fairly easy to carry and put up on the trail.
It is important to consider the materials and construction of the cot when selecting one. Flimsy fabrics are prone to rips and tears so choose a cot with high-quality materials that are made to withstand the rigors of daily use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years to come, look for specifics like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer enough cushioning to keep you from the hard rough ground. Certain models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, feature baffles to keep your feet from sinking. A cot should be long and wide enough to fit your height. Look for a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity to be able to support your body, particularly if you're traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots are small and can be placed in a smaller space in your backpack. This allows you to fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. They weigh less than other camping bedding options, which can quickly add up during long hikes or multi-day backcountry trips. Considering how much time you spend packing and unpacking your gear the portability of a cot is a significant factor in its overall rating.
Depending on the model that you select, it may take a couple of minutes to unfold and set up the coffin. Certain models are more difficult and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots are equipped with storage pockets, or other features that help you reduce the amount of time spent building your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most flexible, letting you adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some include an anchor to keep them stable during storms or windy weather. They're particularly ideal for backpacking, where the security of your shelter may be compromised by uneven or unstable ground.
When selecting a cot, think about how often you'll use it, as well as the place you'd like to set up camp. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, while those with a robust construction and a bigger sleeping area are ideal for car camping or basecamps. If you intend to use your cot primarily at home, you should consider investing in a set of bedding specifically designed for the cot you have. This usually consists of sheets that are flat and fitted as well as a pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfy and easy-to-set-up cot suitable for a variety of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It folds 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 largest sleeping platform of the top choices, but its sturdy materials and durable frame make it a great choice for most camping trips.
Installation is simple
Cots are often a necessity when camping but they also are more difficult to install than other types of sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that you need to set them up in an even space, that can be difficult to locate while camping. Some have bars on the head and foot area that you might not want to hit when sleeping.
The best cots that we tested were relatively easy to set up. Some are self-standing and are a massive relief since it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them, while others come with an easy fold-out design and a couple of clicks to set them in the right position. Traditional cots are a different story. You have to assemble the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which requires a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot one of the simplest to install and can be utilized for tent or car camping as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than your typical camping cot, however it can be folded down to the same size as a folding camping chair's carry case. It's extremely durable, constructed of tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that is sturdy.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It also has a unibody design that eliminates bars that run across your feet and head, making it perfect for sleepers who are back or side. The cot is foldable down to a size that is similar to the storage bag of your preferred backpack. It's a bit heavier than other cots we've tested, but it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults of up to 225 lbs.
We were also impressed with the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that's extremely easy to install. It takes just a few seconds to fold and snap into place. It just a few twirls to take it apart for storage. The legs lock in place using a unique lever-lock mechanism that is extremely secure and provides a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are made to stand up to lots of abuse and use. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it does not break under the weight of the sleeping person. A high-quality cot will be made of 600D polyester that is extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in high-stress places like pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfy, and safe from bugs and other creatures that might be roaming in your campsite at night. Cots can be a great substitute for sleeping mats and foam bags when backpacking or hiking. However not all cots are created equal, and some require you to use an additional sleeping pad to ensure maximum comfort. This can be a big problem, especially for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots, like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable which means you can enjoy a good night's sleep and don't need to carry a sleeping pad along with you. However best cot bed is large and bulky, so it can be hard to fit it into a tent, even if your tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another excellent option that doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminum frame provides good 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.
They're also ideal for guests who are staying in your home and you don't want to have them sleep on the floor. They're also an excellent addition to an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than a tent or air mattress, which means you don't have to fret about them bouncing around or blowing up in the middle of the night.