The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When you're out hunting or hiking, a good night's sleep is vital. Cots are a great option to ensure you're comfortable and off the ground. However, they are heavy and hard to transport on the road.
We tested and rated 10 of the top cots for the quality of their comfort, portability, and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep is vital for a successful camping trip. In contrast to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable place to rest in. When selecting a cot, ensure that it is lightweight and offers an adequate amount of support to ensure you get an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots with mattresses are especially attractive and are typically designed to be used with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is crucial 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 do a mixture of car camping and backpacking you should consider a heavier option, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a luxurious option The cots featured on this list are designed to feel as close as possible to the traditional mattress. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still fairly easy to carry and put up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the cot's materials and construction when choosing one. Look for cots constructed from high-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. You should look for specifics like 600D polyester fabrics and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for many years to come.
best crib should also have adequate cushioning, to protect you against the hard rough surface. Certain models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3, come with baffles to stop you from sinking in. A cot should be long and wide enough to accommodate your height. Choose a cot which is able to support your weight to ensure it's able to support your body, especially if you're traveling with a companion or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold down compactly and take up little space in a pack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. The cots are less heavy than other alternatives for camping bedding, which can be an advantage during long hikes and multi-day backcountry excursions. The mobility of the cot is crucial when you think about the amount of time it takes to pack and unpack your gear.
It may only take a few minutes to unfold and assemble a cot depending on the model. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets, or other features that will help to reduce the amount of time you spend making your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most flexible that allow you to adjust them to suit different ground conditions. Some also include a tether to help keep them stable during storms or stormy weather. They're particularly useful for backpacking, when the stability of your shelter can be compromised due to uneven or unstable ground.
Consider how often you will use the cot as well as the place you intend to camp when choosing a cot. Cots that are light and compact in size are great for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and have a larger sleeping space are ideal for camping in car parks or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot primarily at home, it's worth investing in a set of bedding that is specifically made for the type of cot you're using. This includes fitted and flat sheets and a matching pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfy easy-to-set up cot that is suitable for most types of camping The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It packs down into a carry case that's similar in dimensions to a standard camping chair and comes with a strap to make it easy to transport. This cot doesn't have the largest sleeping surface of our top picks. However, its strong materials and durable frames make it a great option for most camping trips.
Ease of Setup
Cots are often a necessity for camping but they can be more difficult to set-up than other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that they require you to place them on a level surface which can be difficult to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars across their foot and head areas that you could prefer not to hit during your sleep.
Thankfully, the best cots we tested are relatively easy to set up. Some are self-standing and are a massive relief as it doesn't require you to figure out how to secure them and others feature simple foldout designs and just a few clicks to set them in place. Traditional cots are not always the best choice as they require you to put together the frame and tie the fabric by yourself and 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 car camping and tent camping. It can also be used for trips to backpack. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, however it can be packed down to the same dimensions as a folding camping chair's carry case. affordable cots 's also extremely durable, made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that is sturdy.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is easy to set up. It's a single-body design that eliminates bars across the head and feet. This makes it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot also packs down to a small size that's roughly the same as the storage bag for your favorite backpack. It's a bit heavier than other cots that we've tested, but it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 pounds.
We were also impressed by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is very easy to install. It takes just the time of a few minutes to unfold, snap into place, and then a few tugs for it to be broken down. The legs are locked using a lever lock system that is extremely secure and offers the perfect base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are built to withstand a lot of use and abuse. These cots are constructed of sturdy materials such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven so that it will not break in the rigors and strain of a person sleeping. A good cot is made of the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which can 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're great for camping as they keep you comfortable and free of any bugs or other creatures that might be lurking around in the dark. They also offer an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. However, not all cots are made in the same way and some require you to pair them with an additional sleeping pad for optimal comfort. This can be a huge issue, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy bag.
Some cots, like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them more comfortable and allow you to get a good night's sleep and don't have to carry a mattress to sleep on. The cot is big and bulky, which means it will be difficult to fit into a tent, even if it has plenty of room.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional mattress to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminum frame provides a good level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who used it on hikes in the mountains say they felt more comfortable than when using an air or foam pad.
They're also ideal for guests staying with you, and you don't want them sleep on the floor. They are also a great addition to a RV or camper since they're much more comfortable than inflatable mattress. Additionally, they're more stable than a tent or air mattress, which means you don't need to worry about them bouncing around or blowing up during the night.