The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful night's sleep is vital when hiking or hunting and cots are an excellent option to keep you off the ground and comfortable. However, cots can be heavy and hard to transport for travel.
We test 10 of the top cots and rated them on comfort mobility, the ability to move, ease of set-up and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep on the trail is vital for enjoying your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable place to sleep in. Look for a cot that is lightweight, but also provides an adequate amount of support. This will guarantee a good night's sleep. Cots with an appearance of a mattress are popular and are usually designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is crucial for car camping or backpacking. For those who are primarily backpackers, look at lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that can be transported in your bag. For those who are combining car camping and backpacking think about something larger and heavier like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a luxurious option The cots that made this list are designed to be as similar as possible to the traditional mattress. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts however, they're easy to carry and set up on the trail.
It is crucial to take into consideration the cot's materials and construction when choosing one. Flimsy fabrics are prone to tears and rips, so look for an cot that is made of top-quality fabrics that are designed to stand up to regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years to come, look for specifics such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide adequate cushioning to shield you from the hard rough ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are quilted and padded, while others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, have baffles to prevent your feet from sinking. A cot should be wide and long enough to accommodate your height. Find a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity to ensure it can help your body, especially if you're traveling with a spouse or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots are lightweight and can be placed in a smaller space in your backpack. This lets you fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. The cots are lighter than other alternatives for camp bedding, which can be an advantage during long hikes and longer backcountry excursions. The mobility of the cot is important when you consider how much time 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 put up a coffin. Certain models are more difficult and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to find or connect. cots 4 tots have built-in storage or other features to help you reduce the time to set up your bed.
The most versatile cots are those with adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them for different ground conditions. Some come with a tether to keep them in place during storms and stormy weather. They're 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 camp when choosing a cot. Cots that are light and fold compactly are perfect for backpacking. However cots that are built to last and have a bigger sleeping area work better for car camping or basecamps. If you intend to use your cot exclusively at home, it's worth purchasing a set of bedding designed specifically for the cot you're using. This includes fitted and flat sheets as well as the pillowcase that matches.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice if you are looking for an easy and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most camping types. It folds down into a carry case that's similar in size to a standard camping chair and comes with a strap for simple haulage. This cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform among all our top picks, but its sturdy frames and sturdy materials make it a solid choice for any camping trip.
Easy Setup
Cots can be a necessity for camping, but they are also more difficult to set up than other sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that they require you to set them up on a level surface, which can be hard to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars on their foot and head areas that you may prefer not to hit while you sleep.
Fortunately, the top cots that we tested are easy to install. They are also self-standing, which is a huge relief since you don't have to worry about how to put them in place. Others feature an easy folding design and require just a few clicks. Traditional cots, however, are usually a different story because they require you to put together the frame and tie the fabric yourself and it could take a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the easiest to set up that's why it can be utilized for tent or car camping as well as backpacking trips. It's heavier than your typical camping cot, but it can be folded down to the same size as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also incredibly durable, made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't contain any plastic parts that are flimsy.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is easy to set up. It has a unibody design that eliminates bars across the head and feet. This makes it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size comparable to the size of your favorite backpack. It's a little heavier than other cots we've tested, however it's extremely solid and suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's easy to set up. It takes just a few seconds to unfold and snap into place and just a few twirls to take it apart to make it easier to store. The legs lock into place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are made to stand up to lots of use and abuse. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure it does not break under the weight and tension of a sleeper. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester that is extremely durable and can endure wear and tear. The best cots use double stitching and reinforced seams in high stress zones such as pole sleeves.
They're great for camping because they will keep you warm and away from bugs or other creatures that could be lurking around at night. They also provide an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're backpacking or hiking. There aren't all cots that provide the same level of comfort, and some require a separate sleeping pad to be used together. This can be a huge hassle, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots come with an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to have a restful night's sleep without bringing the mattress. The cot is big and heavy, so it could 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 aluminum frame, which is lightweight, provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who used it on hikes in the mountains say they felt more comfortable than when using an air or foam pad.
Cots are great for camping however they can be used in other situations for instance, when you have guests stay over and you don't want them sleeping on the floor. They are also a great addition to a RV or camper since they are more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more sturdy than an air mattress or tent, so you won't have to fret if they blow up or shift during the middle of the night.