The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful and peaceful night is vital while hunting or hiking, and cots are an excellent option to keep you off the ground and comfortable. However, cots can be bulky and challenging to pack when you're traveling.
We evaluated 10 of the most comfortable co-teaching cots and scored them on comfort, accessibility, ease of setting up, and durability.
Comfort
Sleeping well on the trail is vital to enjoy your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable bed to sleep on. Choose a cot that is lightweight but also offers an adequate amount of support. This will ensure you a restful night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like top are the most sought-after. They are usually designed to work with an air mattress or sleeping pad as well as other forms of insulation.
The right cot for you is essential, whether you're car camping or backpacking. For those who are primarily backpackers, think about lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which provide a very portable sleeping solution that can be easily carried in your backpack. If you combine car camping and backpacking look into something larger and heavier like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a more comfortable option, the top cots on this list are all made to be as close to a traditional bed as is possible. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, but they're still simple to carry and set up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the materials and construction of the cot when choosing one. Flimsy fabrics are prone to rips and tears, so choose an cot that is made of top-quality fabrics that are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years to come, look for specifics like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide adequate cushioning to keep you from the hard rough ground. Certain models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, feature baffles to keep you from sinking in. A cot must also be long and wide enough to be able to accommodate your height. You should choose a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, particularly if you are you are traveling with a partner or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots fold flat and take up very little space in your backpack, allowing you to fit more sleeping gear into your backpack. They also weigh less than other camping bedding options which can add up quickly during long hikes or multi-day backcountry trips. The portability of the cot is essential when considering how long it takes to unpack and pack your equipment.
It could take only several minutes to fold and assemble a cot depending on the model. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Baby beds have components that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots are equipped with built-in storage, or other features to help you reduce the time to put together your bed.
Cots with legs that can be adjusted are the most versatile that allow you to adjust them to suit different ground conditions. Some cots have a tether that helps keep them steady in conditions of stormy or windy weather. They're especially suitable for backpacking trips, as the stability of your shelter could be compromised by unstable or uneven ground.
When choosing a cot, think about how often you'll use it, as well as the place you'd like to set up camp. Cots that are lightweight and compact are ideal for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and have a larger sleeping area work better for car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot mostly at home, it's worth investing in a set bedding specifically designed for the cot you're using. It usually includes sheets that are flat and fitted and an appropriate pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice if you are looking for an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most camping styles. It packs down into a carrying 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 of the top choices but its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a good choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are a must for camping however they are more difficult to set up than other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that they require you to put them up on an even surface, which is difficult to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars on their feet and head that you could prefer not to hit during your sleep.
Thankfully, the best cots we tested are relatively simple to install. Some are self-standing, which is a relief as you don't have to think about how to secure them. Some have a simple folding design and require just the click of a button. Traditional cots are usually a different story as they require you to construct the frame and tie the fabric yourself and could take a lot of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the simplest to set up, meaning it can be used both for camping in a car or tent camping. It can also be used on trips to backpack. It's heavier than the average camping cot, but it can be folded down to the same size as a foldable campchair's carry case. It's extremely durable, constructed of tough and comfortable 600D polyester with a sturdy aluminum frame.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It also has a unibody design that eliminates bars that run across your feet and head which makes it ideal for back and side sleepers. The cot can also be folded down to a compact size that's roughly the same size as the storage bag for your backpack of choice. Cot Bed than other cots we've tested but it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
We were also impressed with the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is extremely simple to set up. It only takes a few moments to unfold, snap into place, and then a few tugs to break it down. The legs lock in place by a lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides an excellent base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are designed to withstand a lot of abuse and use. They are constructed with strong materials like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure it does not tear in the rigors and strain of a sleeper. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester which is heavy duty and can withstand wear and tear. The top cots also feature reinforced seams and double stitching in high-stress areas such as pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping as they keep you off the ground, comfortable, and safe from insects and other creatures who might be swarming in your campsite at night. They also provide an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. However, not all cots are created in the same way, and some require you to use an additional sleeping pad to provide maximum comfort. This can be a big problem, particularly for backpackers carrying a heavy bag.
Some cots, like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them extra comfortable and allow you to get an excellent night's sleep and not need to bring a sleeping pad to sleep on. However the cot is heavy and bulky, which means it isn't easy to fit it into a tent, even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides good 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 ideal for guests who are staying over, and you don't want to have them sleep on the floor. They're also a great addition to an RV, camper or any vehicle that has an air mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more stable than an inflatable mattress or tent which means you don't need to fret if they blow up or shift during the middle of the night.