The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is vital when hiking or hunting and cots are a great option to keep you off the ground and comfy. However they can be heavy and difficult to carry when you're on the move.
We tested and rated 10 of the top cots on comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
Getting a good night's rest on the trail is crucial to enjoy your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable place to sleep on. Find a cot that is lightweight and also offers a solid level of support. This will guarantee you a restful night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like top are the most desirable. They are often designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad as well as other types of insulation.
Finding the right cot is important regardless of whether you're camping in the car or backpacking. For those who are predominantly backpackers, think about lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that can be easily carried in your pack. If you plan to combine car camping and backpacking think about something heavier and larger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a plush option, the top-rated cots on this list are all designed to feel as similar to a traditional bed as they can. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts they're still fairly easy to carry and set up on the trail.
It is important to consider the materials and construction of the cot when selecting one. Find cots made of top-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot will last for many years to come, look for specifics such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer enough cushioning to shield you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be wide enough and long enough to be able to accommodate your height. Look for a cot that is able to support your weight to ensure it can help your body, especially in the case of traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are small and take up less space in your backpack. This lets you put more sleeping gear in your backpack. They are also lighter than other camping bedding options, which can quickly add up on long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. When you consider how much time you'll spend packing and unpacking your gear the mobility of a cot is a major factor in its overall score.
Depending on the model you choose, it could take a few minutes to unroll and set up the bed. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage, or other features that can help you reduce the time to put together your bed.
The most versatile cots have adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them for different terrain conditions. Some also include a tether to help keep them in place during storms or turbulent weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking because uneven or unstable ground could compromise the stability of your shelter.
Consider how often crib sets 'll use the cot and the location you plan to camp when choosing a cot. Cots with a light design and compact fold are great for backpacking, while those with a robust construction and larger sleeping area are better suited to basecamps or camping in cars. If you plan to use your cot for the home, it's worthwhile to invest in bedding specifically designed for the type of bed you have. This usually consists of fitted and flat sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfortable and easy-to-set-up cot suitable for a variety of camping and camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great option. It packs down into a case similar in size to the standard camping chair, and comes with a strap for simple haulage. The cot doesn't have the largest sleeping surface of our top picks. However, its strong materials and durable frames make it a good option for camping trips of all kinds.
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 you need to put them up on an even area, which is difficult to find when camping. Some of them also have bars on the head and foot area which you don't want to strike when sleeping.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots that we tested are simple to install. Some of them are self-standing, which is a huge relief since it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them, while others have an easy fold-out design and a few clicks to put them in the proper position. Traditional cots are different. You have to assemble the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which requires lots 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 on trips to backpack. It's a bit heavier than the average cot, but it folds down to a size that's about the same size as the carry case of a folding camp chair. It's also extremely durable, made from an extremely durable and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that isn't made of any plastic parts that are fragile.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is easy to set up. It also has a unique design that eliminates bars that run across your head and feet which makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot can also be folded down to a compact size that's roughly the same as the bag that you use to store your favorite backpack. It's heavier than other cots we've tried, but it feels very robust and is suitable for adults up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is simple to set up. It takes only a few seconds to unfold and snap back into place. It only requires a few pulls to take it apart to store it. The legs lock in place by a lever lock system that is very secure and provides an excellent base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can withstand a lot of abuse. These cots are made with strong materials like aluminum frames and tough fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure it does not break when strained by the weight of a sleeping person. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester that is heavy duty and can withstand wear and tear. The most durable cots have double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress zones such as pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping, as they keep you away from the ground, comfortable and protected from insects and other creatures who might be swarming around your campsite during the night. They are also an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're backpacking or hiking. Some cots don't offer the same comfort, and some require a separate sleeping pad to be used together. This can be a huge issue, particularly for backpackers carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots, for instance the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable which means you can enjoy a good night's sleep and don't need to bring a sleeping pad with you. The cot is huge and heavy, so it could be difficult to fit into the tent, even though it's spacious.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another great option that doesn't require an additional mattress to be comfortable. The lightweight aluminum frame offers excellent support and is comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our testers to use on hikes than a foam or air cushion.
Cots are ideal for camping, but they can also be used in other scenarios, such as when you have guests stay over and you don't want them to sleep on the floor. They're also a great option to a camper, RV or any vehicle that comes with an air mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more sturdy than the tent or air mattress which means you don't need to fret whether they explode or shift during the middle of night.