The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is vital when hiking or hunting, and cots are a great option for keeping you off the ground and comfortable. However, they are heavy and hard to transport for travel.
We evaluated 10 of the most comfortable co-teaching cots and scored them on comfort and portability, ease of setup and durability.
Comfort
most recommended cribs on the trail is crucial to enjoy your camping experience. Instead of sleeping on the ground you can rest comfortably in a cot. Find a cot that is lightweight, but also provides a solid foundation. This will ensure an excellent night's rest. Cots with a mattress-like cover are the most desirable. They are typically designed to work with an air mattress or sleeping pad as well as other types of insulation.
Finding the right cot is important for car camping or backpacking. Think about lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely mobile sleeping solutions that can be easily carried in your backpack. If you do a mixture of car camping and backpacking you should consider a heavier option such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a comfortable option, the top cots on this list are all made to look 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.
When selecting a cot it's important to take into account the materials and construction. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, therefore, you should choose a cot with high-quality fabrics that are designed to stand up to regular use. To ensure that your cot will last for many years, look for features like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also have adequate cushioning to keep you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, while others like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be long enough to meet your height and wide enough to comfortably lay down in. Look for a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity to be able to support your body, especially when traveling with a spouse or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are compact and can be placed in a smaller space in your backpack. This allows you to pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. The cots are lighter than other alternatives for camping bedding, which is an advantage during long hikes and longer backcountry excursions. Considering how much time you spend packing and unpacking your gear the portability of a cot is a major factor in its overall score.
It can take just a few minutes to unfold and put together a cot depending on the model. Some models are more complicated and require more assembly. Some have components that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets, or other features that can help to reduce the amount of time spent building your bed.
The most versatile cots are those with legs that can be adjusted, allowing the user to adjust them for different ground conditions. Some include an anchor to keep them stable during storms or stormy weather. These are especially useful when backpacking since uneven or unstable terrain can compromise the stability of your shelter.
When you're choosing a cot consider how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to stay. Cots that are lightweight and compact are ideal for backpacking. However cots that are built to last and have a bigger sleeping area are better suited for basecamps or car camping. If you plan to use your cot at the home, it's worthwhile to invest in bedding specifically designed for the kind of bed you've got. This includes fitted and flat sheets as well as a matching pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a fantastic choice if you are seeking an easy and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most camping styles. It packs down into a carry case that's similar in dimensions to a standard camping chair and has a strap attached to make it easy to transport. This cot doesn't have the largest sleeping platform of the top choices, but its sturdy materials and sturdy frame make it a solid choice for any camping trip.
Easy Setup
Cots are often required when camping but they also tend to be more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping equipment. It is because you have to place them on an even area, which can be difficult to locate while camping. Some of them also have bars on the foot and head which you don't want to touch when you sleep.
Fortunately, the top cots we tested are relatively easy to set up. Some are self-standing which is a huge relief since you don't need to worry about how to secure them. Others have an easy folding design and require just an easy few clicks. Traditional cots are different. You have to assemble the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which requires a lot of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set up, which means it can be used for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used on backpacking trips. It's a bit heavier than the average cot but it packs down to a size that's about the same as the carry case for a fold-down camping chair. It's also incredibly robust, made of an extremely durable and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't contain any flimsy plastic parts.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It has a unibody design that removes bars across the head and feet. This makes it perfect for back and side sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size comparable to the size of your preferred backpack. It's a bit heavier than some of the other cots we've tested, but it's very robust and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
We were also impressed by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a cot that is light that is very easy to set up. It takes only a few seconds to fold and snap into place and only requires a few pulls to disassemble to make it easier to store. The legs lock into place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are made to withstand a lot of abuse and use. These cots are constructed of durable materials like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it doesn't tear under the weight of a sleeping individual. A high-quality cot will be made of 600D polyester which is strong and able to endure wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in high-stress areas like pole sleeves.
They're great for camping as they will keep you warm and away from any bugs or other creatures that might be lurking around in the dark. They also offer an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're hiking or backpacking. But, not all cots are created equal, and some require you to use an additional sleeping pad for optimal comfort. This can be a big issue, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them more comfortable which means you can enjoy a good night's sleep and don't need to carry a sleeping pad along with you. The cot is big and heavy, so it could be difficult to fit in the tent, even though it's spacious.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another fantastic option, and does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who took it on backpacking hiking trips say they felt more comfortable than when using an air or foam pad.
They're also ideal for guests staying over, and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. They're also an excellent option for a camper, RV or any other vehicle with an air 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 blowing up or shifting up during the night.