The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful and peaceful night is critical while hunting or hiking, and cots are an excellent option for keeping you off the ground and comfy. However they can be heavy and challenging to pack when you're on the move.
We tested 10 of the best Cots and gave them a score based on comfort and the ability to move, ease of set-up, and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep on the trail is vital to enjoying your camping experience. In contrast to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the cold and uneven terrain, while providing a comfortable bed to sleep on. Find a cot that is lightweight and also offers a solid level of support. This will ensure a good night's sleep. Cots that feature a mattress-like surface are particularly desirable and are often designed to be used with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.
If you're backpacking, or car camping, finding the right cot for your needs is key. Look at lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely mobile sleeping solutions that can be 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 want a more luxurious option All of the cots that made this list are designed to feel as close as they can to a traditional mattress. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still relatively simple to transport and set up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the materials and construction of the cot when choosing one. Look for cots made of top-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years, look for features like a 600D poly material and reinforced seams.
A cot should also have a decent amount of cushioning to shield you from the hard rough ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, whereas others like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot must also be long and wide enough to fit your height. Look for a cot that has an adequate weight capacity to ensure it can support your body, especially if you're traveling with a spouse or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots fold up compactly and take up a small amount of space inside a backpack which allows you to pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. They weigh less than other camping bedding options, which can quickly add up during long hikes or multi-day backcountry trips. The flexibility of the cot's design is crucial when you think about how long it takes to unpack and pack your gear.
Depending on the model that you choose, it could take a couple of minutes to unfold and set up the bed. More complicated models require more assembly, and some have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots are equipped with storage pockets or other features that will help you reduce the amount of time you'll spend building your bed.
The most versatile cots have adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them for different ground conditions. Some cots come with a tether that helps keep them steady in conditions of stormy or windy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking as uneven or unstable terrain could compromise the stability of your shelter.
When choosing a cot, consider how often you'll use it and where you plan to camp. Cots that are lightweight and compact fold are perfect for backpacking, whereas the ones with a strong construction and a larger sleeping space are better suited to basecamps or car camping. If you plan to keep your cot at the home, it's worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the kind of bed you have. This typically includes flat and fitted sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great option when you're seeking a comfortable and easy-to-setup cot. It's also suitable for all types of camping. It folds down into a case similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and has a strap attached to make it easy to transport. The cot doesn't offer the largest sleeping space of our top selections. However, its sturdy materials and durable frames make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots can be a necessity for camping but they can be more difficult to set up than other sleeping gear. This is because they require you to place them on a level surface which is difficult to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars on their foot and head areas that you could prefer not to hit while you sleep.
Fortunately, the top cots we tried are easy to install. Some are self-standing which is a relief as you don't have to think about how to put them in place. Others have a simple folding design and require just a few clicks. Traditional cots are usually a different story since they require you to put together the frame and then tie the fabric yourself, which will require a significant amount of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set-up, so it can be used for camping in a car or tent camping. It is also suitable for trips to backpack. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, however it can be tucked away to the same size as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also incredibly robust, made of a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't have any flimsy plastic parts.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It also has a unique design that eliminates bars across your feet and head which makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot can also be folded down to a size that's about the same as the bag you carry in your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than some of the other cots we've tried, but it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is easy to set-up. It takes just a few seconds to unfold and snap into place. It only requires a few tugs to take it apart for storage. The legs lock into place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can be able to stand up to the rigors of use. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and robust fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure it will not break under the weight and tension of a sleeping person. A good cot will make use of the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best cots are made with double stitching and reinforced seams in high stress zones such as pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping because they keep you away from the ground, comfortable, and safe from bugs and other animals that might be roaming around your campsite at night. Cots are an excellent alternative for sleeping mats and foam mattresses for hiking or backpacking. Some cots don't provide the same level of comfort, and some require a sleeping pad to be used alongside them. This can be a major issue, particularly for backpackers carrying a large backpack.
Some cots use an air mattress to make them more comfortable. best crib for newborn lets you get a good night's sleep without bringing a sleeping mat. This cot is large and bulky so it may be difficult to fit in a tent even if it is spacious enough.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which does not require an additional sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides great support and is comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who used it on backpacking hiking trips say they were more comfortable than using an air or foam pad.
They are also great for guests staying over, and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. They're also a great option to a camper, RV or any vehicle that has a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. Additionally, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, so you don't have to fret about them bouncing around or blowing up in the middle of the night.