The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When you're out hunting or hiking, a good night's sleep is essential. Cots are an excellent option to ensure you're comfortable and off the ground. However, cots are bulky and can be difficult to carry for travel.
We evaluated 10 of the most comfortable Cots and gave them a score based on comfort, accessibility, ease of setting up and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep is crucial to enjoy your camping excursion. Instead of sleeping on the ground, you can sleep comfortably in a cot. Find a cot that is light but also offers a solid foundation. This will ensure a good night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like cover are the most popular. They are typically designed to be used with an air mattress, sleeping pad or other insulation.
Finding the right cot is important, whether you're car camping 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 do a mix of car camping and backpacking look into something heavier and bigger, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a luxurious option, all of the cots on this list are designed to be as similar as they can to the traditional mattress. Although they're more heavy than their ultra-light counterparts they're still relatively easy to carry and put up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the cot's materials and construction when choosing one. The fabric's fragility can lead to tears and rips, 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 to come, look for specifics like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer a good amount of cushioning to shield you from the hard, uncomfortable surface. Some models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3, feature baffles to keep you from sinking in. A cot should be wide and long enough to accommodate your height. Look for a cot that is able to support your weight to be able to help your body, especially if you're traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are small and can be placed in a smaller space in your pack. This lets you pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. They also weigh less than many other camp bedding options which can add up quickly when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry excursions. Considering the amount of time you spend packing and unpacking your equipment, the ability to move a cot around is a significant aspect in the overall rating.
Based on the model you select, it may take minutes to unfold and put up a cot. Some models are more complicated and require more assembly. Some have components that are difficult to locate or connect. navigate here have built-in storage, or other features to help cut down on the time it takes to set up your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most versatile, letting you adjust them to suit different ground conditions. Some cots have a tether to keep them stable in windy or stormy weather. They are particularly suitable for backpacking trips, as the stability of your shelter can be weakened by uneven or unstable ground.
Consider how often you'll use the cot as well as the place you intend to stay when you select a cot. Cots with a light design and compact fold are perfect for backpacking, whereas those with a robust construction and a larger sleeping space are more suitable for basecamps or car camping. If you plan to use your cot for home primarily, it is important to purchase bedding specifically designed for the type of bed you have. This includes flat and fitted sheets and the pillowcase that matches.
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 option. It folds into a carry case that's similar in size to a standard camping chair and comes with a strap for simple haulage. It doesn't come with the biggest sleeping platform among all our top picks but its strong materials and sturdy frame make it a good option for camping trips of all kinds.
Installation is simple
Cots are often required for camping, but they also tend to be more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that you need to place them on an even space, which can be difficult to locate while camping. Some of them also have bars on the head and foot area which you don't want to touch when sleeping.
The top cots we tested were relatively simple to set-up. Some of them are self-standing and are a massive relief since it doesn't require you to figure out how to secure them, and others feature a simple foldout design and a couple of clicks to put them in place. Traditional cots, however, are often a different story since they require you to put together the frame and then tie the fabric yourself and it will require a significant amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the simplest to set-up, so it can be used both for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used on backpacking trips. It's a little heavier than the standard cot, but it folds down to a size about similar to the carry case of a fold-down camping chair. It's also extremely robust, made of an extremely durable and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that doesn't have any plastic parts that are fragile.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is a breeze to set up. It also has a unibody construction that eliminates any bars that run across your head and feet which makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot folds down to a size that is similar to the size of your preferred backpack. It's a bit heavier than the other cots we tested, however, it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is simple to set up. It takes only a few seconds to fold and snap into place and only requires a few pulls to break down for storage. The legs are locked with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy platform for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are built to stand up to lots of abuse and use. They feature durable components like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Baby beds should be tightly woven so that it doesn't break under the weight and tension of a sleeper. A cot that is of good quality will make use of the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The most durable cots have double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress zones like pole sleeves.
They are perfect for camping because they will keep you warm and away from any bugs or other creatures that could be lurking around at night. They are also a great alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. There aren't all cots that offer the same comfort, and some require an additional sleeping pad to use with them. This can be a big problem, particularly for backpackers carrying a heavy bag.
Some cots, for instance 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 don't have to bring a sleeping pad along with you. However this cot is heavy and bulky, which means it can be hard to fit it into a tent, even if your tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another fantastic option, and does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminum frame offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who slept on it during backpacking hiking trips say they were more comfortable than using an air or foam pad.
They are 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 a RV or camper since they are more comfortable than inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than an inflatable mattress or tent and you don't have to fret if they blow up or shift during the middle of the night.