The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful night's sleep is essential while hunting or hiking and cots are an excellent option for keeping you off the ground and in a comfortable position. However, cots are bulky and hard to transport on the road.
We tested and rated 10 of the top cots in terms of durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.
Comfort
A good night's sleep is essential to fully enjoy your camping excursion. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the cold and uneven terrain, while giving you a comfortable bed to rest in. When selecting a cot ensure that it is lightweight and provides solid support to ensure you get a great night's rest. Cots with a mattress-like cover 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.
Whether you're backpacking or car camping, choosing the right cot to meet your needs is essential. For those who are mostly backpackers, think about lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which provide a very portable sleeping solution that can be transported in your bag. If you plan to combine a mix of car camping and backpacking, then 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 featured on this list are designed to feel as close as they can to the traditional mattress. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, but they're still easy to carry and set up on the trail.
When you're choosing a cot it's also important to consider its materials and construction. Look for cots made of high-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. Look for features such as 600D polyester fabrics and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for many years to be.
A cot should also have enough cushioning to shield you from the hard rough ground. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, while others like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be wide enough and long enough to accommodate your height. You should choose a cot with an adequate capacity for weight, especially if traveling with a friend or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are small and can be placed in a smaller space in your pack. This allows you to put more sleeping gear in your backpack. They weigh less than other camping bedding options and can add up quickly during long hikes or multi-day backcountry treks. When Baby beds consider how much time you're spending packing and unpacking your gear the portability of a cot is a major factor in its overall score.
Depending on the model that you choose, it can take minutes to unfold and put up a bed. Certain models are more difficult and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots are equipped with storage pockets or other features that help to reduce the amount of time spent making your bed.
The most versatile cots are those with legs that can be adjusted, allowing you to adjust them for different ground conditions. Some cots have a tether that keeps them steady in windy or stormy weather. They're particularly useful for backpacking, when the stability of your shelter can be weakened by uneven or unstable ground.
Think about how often you'll use the cot as well as the place you intend to camp when selecting a cot. Cots that are lightweight and compact in size are great for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and have a larger sleeping space are ideal for camping in car parks or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot for your home, it's worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the kind of bed you have. This typically includes fitted and flat sheets as well as the pillowcase.
If you're in search of 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 folds down into a case resembling the camping chair, and has straps for easy transportation. This cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform among all our top picks however its robust materials and sturdy frame make it a great choice for any camping trip.
Ease of Setup
Cots are often a necessity for camping, but they also are often more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that they require you to put them up on a level surface which is difficult to find in the wilderness. Some of them have bars over their head and foot areas which you might need to be careful not to hit when you sleep.
Thankfully, the best cots we tested are relatively simple to set up. Some of them are self-standing which is a major relief as it eliminates the need for 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 proper position. Traditional cots, however, are often a different story as they require you to construct the frame and tension the fabric by yourself and will require a significant amount of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set up, meaning it can be used for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used for trips to backpack. It's heavier than the typical cot, but it can be folded to a size that's similar to the carry case of a folding camp chair. It is also extremely durable, being made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester and a sturdy aluminum frame.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It also has a unibody construction that eliminates any bars across your feet and head which makes it ideal for sleepers who are back or side. The cot also packs down to a small size that's about the same as the storage bag for your favorite backpack. It's a little heavier than other cots we've tested, but it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is simple to set up. cot beds takes only the time of a few minutes to unfold, snap into place, and then a few nudges to break it down. The legs are locked with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can stand up to a lot of abuse. These cots are constructed of sturdy materials such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure it will not tear when strained by the weight of a sleeper. A good quality cot is made of high-end 600D polyester that will withstand lots of wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in high stress places like pole sleeves.
They are perfect for camping, as they are comfortable and keep you free of any bugs or other creatures that could be lurking in the night. They are also an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're backpacking or hiking. Some cots don't offer the same comfort, and some require a separate sleeping pad to be used alongside them. This can be a major hassle, especially for backpackers who carry a large bag.
Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them more comfortable, so you can get an excellent night's sleep and don't need to bring a sleeping pad with you. The cot is huge and bulky so it may be difficult to fit into the tent, even though it is spacious enough.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another excellent option that doesn't need an additional mattress to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides excellent support and is very comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who took it on hikes in the mountains say they were more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.
They're ideal for guests who are who are staying in your home and you don't want them sleep on the floor. They're also ideal for a RV or camper since they're more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than the tent or air mattress, so you won't have to be concerned when they explode or shift during the middle of the night.