The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When hiking or hunting sleeping well is crucial. Cots are an excellent option to keep you cozy and off the ground. However they can be heavy and can be difficult to pack when you're traveling.
We tested and evaluated 10 of the best cots for durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.
Comfort
A good night's sleep is essential for a successful camping trip. In contrast to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the cold and uneven terrain, while giving you a comfortable bed to sleep in. When choosing a cot, look for one that is lightweight and provides solid support to ensure an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like surface are particularly attractive and are typically designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is important, whether you're car camping or backpacking. 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 backpacking and car camping and camping, you might want to consider something heavier, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a luxurious option, all of the cots that made this list are designed to feel as close as they can to a traditional mattress. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, but they're still easy to carry and setup on the trail.
When selecting a cot it's important to take into account the materials and construction. Choose cots that are made of top-quality fabrics that can withstand the rigors of use. You should look for specifics like a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for years to be.
A cot must also offer a good amount of cushioning, to protect you from the hard, uncomfortable surface. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. Also, a cot must be long enough to fit your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lay down in. You should select a cot with an adequate weight capacity, especially if traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold down compactly and take up very little space in your backpack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear into your backpack. They are also lighter than other camping bedding options and can quickly add up during long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. The mobility of the cot is essential when considering how long it takes to unpack and pack your gear.
Depending on the model that you choose, it can take minutes to unfold and put up a cot. small cot beds are more complex and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage or other features to help you cut down on the time it takes to set up your bed.
Cots with legs that can be adjusted are the most flexible that allow you to adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some also include a tether to keep them in place during storms or stormy weather. They're particularly suitable for backpacking trips, as the security of your shelter may be compromised due to uneven or unstable ground.
Consider how often you will use the cot and where you intend to stay when you select a cot. Cots with a light design and compact fold are perfect for backpacking, while cots with a heavy-duty construction and a bigger sleeping area are ideal for basecamps or car camping. If you plan to use your cot mostly at home, it's worth investing in a set bedding designed specifically for the cot you own. This typically includes fitted and flat sheets and a pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a fantastic choice if you are looking for an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most camping types. It folds into a case that resembles a camping chair and comes with straps for easy transportation. This cot does not have the largest sleeping surface of our top selections. However, its sturdy frame and durable materials make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.
Ease of Setup
Cots are usually a necessity when camping but they also are more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping equipment. It is because you have to put them up on an even space, which is difficult to locate when camping. Some of them also come with bars for the foot and head which you don't want to strike when you sleep.
The best cots that we tested were fairly easy to set-up. Some of them are self-standing, which is a huge relief since it doesn't require you to figure out how to secure them while others come with an easy fold-out design and a few clicks to put them in the right position. Traditional cots are a different story. You must assemble the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which requires an enormous amount of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set-up, so it can be used for car camping and tent camping. It is also suitable for trips to backpack. It's heavier than your typical camping cot, however it can be packed down to the same dimensions as a folding camping chair's carry case. It's also incredibly durable, made from a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that doesn't contain any plastic parts that are flimsy.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It's a unibody design that eliminates bars on the head and feet. This makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot can also be folded down to a size that's about similar to the size of the storage bag for your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than other cots we tested, but it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults of up to 225lbs.
We were also impressed with the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a very light cot that is extremely simple to install. It takes only a few seconds to unfold and snap into place and just a few twirls to break down to store it. top ranked cribs are secured with a lever-lock system which is extremely secure and provides an excellent base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are designed to withstand a lot of abuse and use. These cots are constructed of durable materials like aluminum frames and tough fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it does not fall apart when a sleeping individual. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester which is extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear. The best cots use double stitching and reinforced seams in high stress zones like pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfy and secure from bugs and other creatures that might be roaming around your campsite at night. They also provide an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. But there are a few differences between cots. Not all cots are made equal and some will require you to add an additional sleeping pad for optimal comfort. This can be a big hassle, especially for backpackers who are already carrying a large backpack.
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 don't have to carry a sleeping pad with you. However this cot is large and bulky, so it isn't easy 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 aluminum frame is lightweight and offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who slept on it during backpacking hiking trips say they felt more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.
They're also great for guests who are staying in your home and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. They're also an excellent option to a camper, RV or any vehicle that comes with a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more stable than a tent or air mattress, which means you don't have to worry about them shifting or blowing up during the night.