The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is essential when hiking or hunting, and cots are an excellent option for keeping you off the ground and comfy. However, cots can be bulky and challenging to pack when you're on the move.
We compared and scored 10 of the best cots for comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
Getting a good night's rest on the trail is essential for 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 in. When selecting a cot ensure that it is lightweight and offers a sturdy level of support to ensure an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like cover are the most sought-after. They are often designed to work with an air mattress or sleeping pad, or any other types of insulation.
The right cot for you is essential for car camping or backpacking. For those who are mostly backpackers, consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which provide a very portable sleeping solution that can be easily carried in your backpack. For those who are combining backpacking and car camping look into something larger and heavier like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for an even more luxurious option, the top-rated cots listed here are all designed to be as close to a traditional bed as possible. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts they're still fairly easy to transport and set up on the trail.
When choosing a cot, it's also important to consider its materials and construction. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to tears and rips, therefore, you should choose an cot that is made of top-quality materials that are made to stand up to regular use. To ensure that your cot will last for many years, look for details such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also have a good amount of cushioning, to protect you from the hard rough surface. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, whereas others, such as REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. Also, a cot must be long enough to fit your height and wide enough to comfortably lie down in. Choose a cot which is able to support your weight to be able to help your body, especially when traveling with a partner or pets.
Portability
The best camping cots fold down compactly and take up a small amount of space in a pack which allows you to pack more sleeping gear in your backpack. They also 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 equipment.
It could take only a few minutes to unfold and assemble a cot, depending on the model. More complicated models require greater assembly, and some include parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots are equipped with storage pockets or other features that help you minimize the amount of time you spend building your bed.
Cots with legs that can be adjusted are the most versatile they can be adjusted to fit various ground conditions. Some cots have a tether that helps keep them in place during stormy or windy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking since uneven or unstable ground can compromise the stability of your shelter.
Think about how often you'll use the cot and the location you plan to camp when choosing a cot. Cots that are light and compact are ideal for backpacking. However, cots with a lot of weight and with a larger sleeping area are better suited for camping in car parks or basecamps. If you intend to use your cot for home primarily, it is important to purchase bedding specifically designed to fit the type of bed you have. This typically includes 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 most types of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great option. It folds into a carrying case that's similar in size to the standard camping chair, and has an attached strap for easy transport. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform among all our top picks however its robust materials and durable frame make it a solid option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity when camping but they also are more difficult to install than other types of sleeping equipment. It is because you have to place them on an even area, which is difficult to locate when camping. Some of them also have bars on the head and foot area that you might not want to hit when sleeping.
The best cots that we tested were fairly easy to set-up. Some of them are self-standing, which is a huge relief as it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them, and others feature an easy fold-out design and a few clicks to set them in the proper position. Traditional cots are different. You have to assemble the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which requires an enormous amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the simplest to set-up, so it can be used for car camping and tent camping. It can also be used for trips to backpack. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, but it can be tucked away to the same size as a foldable campchair's carry case. It's also extremely durable, made from a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't contain any flimsy plastic parts.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is another cinch to set up. It has a unibody design that removes bars across the feet and head. This makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot can also be folded down to a compact size that's about the same as the bag you carry in your backpack of choice. It's a little heavier than some of the other cots we've tried, but it feels very robust and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's easy to set-up. It only takes the time of a few minutes to unfold, snap into place, and then a few tugs for it to be broken down. best infant cribs in place with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy platform for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots will withstand a lot of abuse. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it does not break in the rigors and strain of a person sleeping. A high-quality cot will be constructed of 600D polyester, which is extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed places like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping as they keep you off the ground, comfy and secure from bugs and other creatures who might be swarming around your campsite at night. They are also an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. There aren't all cots that provide the same level of comfort, and some require a sleeping pad to use with them. This can be a big problem, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them more comfortable and allow you to get a good night's sleep and not need to carry a mattress along with you. This cot is large and bulky, which means it will be difficult to fit into a tent even if it is spacious enough.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another excellent option that doesn't need an additional mattress to be comfortable. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides a good level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test subjects to use on hikes than an air or foam cushion.
They're also great for guests who are staying in your home and you don't want them sleep on the floor. They're also a great addition to a camper, RV or any other vehicle with mattresses. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more stable than the tent or air mattress and you don't have to worry if they blow up or shift during the middle of night.