The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is critical when hiking or hunting and cots are a great option to keep you off the ground and comfy. However, they are heavy and hard to transport for travel.
We compared and scored 10 of the best cots in terms of the quality of their comfort, portability, and durability.
Comfort
Sleeping well on the trail is essential for enjoying your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable bed to sleep on. Choose an cot that is not heavy, but also provides a solid foundation. This will guarantee an excellent night's rest. Cots with a mattress-like cover are the most popular. They are often designed to work with an air mattress or sleeping pad, or any other forms of insulation.
Whether you're backpacking or car camping, finding the right cot for your needs is crucial. 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 carried in your backpack. If you are combining car camping and backpacking look into something heavier and larger, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option The cots featured on this list are designed to be as similar as possible to a traditional mattress. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, however, they're easy to carry and set up on the trail.
When selecting a cot it's important to take into account the materials and construction. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, so choose a cot made of high-quality materials that are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. Look for features such as 600D polyester fabrics and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for a long time to come.
A cot should also have adequate cushioning to shield you from the hard rough ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models, such as REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. Also, a cot must be long enough to meet your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lie down in. It is recommended to choose a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, especially if traveling with a companion or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold flat and take up very little space in a pack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear into your backpack. They are also lighter than other camping bedding options and can add up quickly during long hikes or multi-day backcountry trips. The flexibility of the cot's design is important when you consider the amount of time it takes to pack and unpack your equipment.
Depending on the model that you choose, it could take minutes to unfold and put up the coffin. More complicated models require greater assembly, and some come with parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. Some cots are equipped with storage pockets, or other features that help to reduce the amount of time you spend building your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most flexible, letting you adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some cots have a tether to keep them in place during stormy or windy weather. They're particularly suitable for backpacking trips, as the stability of your shelter could be weakened by uneven or unstable ground.
When choosing a cot, think about how often you'll use it, as well as the place you'd like to camp. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, while those with a robust construction and a larger sleeping space are more suitable for basecamps or camping in cars. If you intend to use your cot for the home, it's important to purchase bedding specifically designed to fit the type of bed you've got. This includes fitted and flat sheets and a matching pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a fantastic choice if you are seeking an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most types of camping. It packs down into a case similar in size to the standard camping chair, and has an attached strap to make it easy to transport. The cot doesn't have the largest sleeping platform of all our top picks but its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots are often required when camping, but they are more difficult to put up than other kinds of sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that you need to set them up in an even area, which can be difficult to locate when camping. Some come with bars for the head and foot area that you might not want to strike when sleeping.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots we tested are relatively simple to set up. cots and tots are self-standing which is a huge relief since you don't have to think about how to secure them. Some have simple folding designs and require just a few clicks. Traditional cots aren't the same. They require you to put together the frame yourself and tension the fabric, which requires an enormous amount of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set up, meaning it can be used both for camping in a car or tent camping. It is also suitable for backpacking trips. It's a bit heavier than the standard cot, but it can be folded to a size about the same as the carry case of a fold-down camping chair. It's also extremely durable, made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester and strong aluminum frame.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It's a unibody design that eliminates bars across the head and feet. This makes it perfect for those who sleep on their backs and sides. The cot can also be folded down to a small size, which is about the same as the bag you carry in your favorite backpack. It's a little heavier than some of the other cots we've tried, but it's very 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's extremely easy to set up. It takes only a few seconds to fold and snap into place and just a few twirls to break down to store it. The legs lock in place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy platform for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are made to withstand the rigors of abuse and use. They are constructed with sturdy materials such as aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it doesn't fall apart when an individual sleeping. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester which is heavy duty and can endure 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, comfortable, and safe from bugs and other animals who might be swarming around your campsite during the night. Cots can be a great substitute for sleeping mats and foam bags when backpacking or hiking. There aren't all cots that provide the same comfort and some require a sleeping pad to be used together. This can be a big hassle, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots use an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you have a restful night's sleep without the need to bring a sleeping mat. However the cot is large and bulky, so it can be hard to fit it into a tent, even if the tent is plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional mattress to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminum frame provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test subjects to use on hiking trips than a foam or air cushion.
They are also great for guests staying over, and you don't want them sleep on the floor. They're also a great option to an RV, camper or any vehicle that comes with an air mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more stable than an air mattress or tent and you don't have to fret if they blow up or shift during the middle of the night.