The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is essential when hiking or hunting, and cots are an excellent option for keeping you off the ground and in a comfortable position. However, they are heavy and hard to transport on the road.
We evaluated 10 of the most comfortable co-teaching cots and scored them on comfort, portability, ease of setup and durability.
Comfort
Sleeping well on the trail is vital to enjoy your camping experience. Instead of sleeping on the ground, you can sleep comfortably in a bed. Look for an cot that is not heavy and also offers a solid foundation. This will ensure an excellent night's rest. Cots with mattresses are especially desirable and are often designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.
If you're backpacking or camping, finding the right cot to meet your needs is essential. For those who are predominantly backpackers, consider lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that can be carried in your backpack. If you plan to combine backpacking and car camping, consider something larger and heavier like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a more plush option, the top-rated cots on this list are all designed to feel as similar to a traditional bed as is possible. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts but they're still easy to carry and setup on the trail.
When you're choosing a cot it's also important to consider its materials and construction. Find cots made of high-quality fabrics that can withstand the rigors of use. To ensure that your cot will last for many years to come, look for specifics like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer adequate cushioning, to protect you against the hard rough surface. Some models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are padded and quilted, while others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, have baffles to prevent you from sinking in. Also, a cot must be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough to comfortably lie down in. Find a cot that has an adequate weight capacity to be able to help your body, especially if you're traveling with a companion or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold down compactly and take up little space inside a backpack, allowing you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. They also weigh less than many other camp bedding options, which can add up quickly when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry treks. When you consider how much time you spend packing and unpacking your gear, the ability to move a cot around is a significant factor in its overall rating.
Depending on the model you choose, it can take minutes to unfold and set up a cot. More complicated models require greater assembly, and some include parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage pockets, or other features that can help you minimize the amount of time spent building your bed.
The most flexible cots have legs that can be adjusted, allowing you to adjust them for different ground conditions. Some cots have a tether that keeps them in place during conditions of stormy or windy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking as uneven or unstable terrain could compromise the stability of your shelter.
When choosing a cot, think about how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to set up camp. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are great for backpacking, whereas the ones with a strong construction and a larger sleeping space are more suitable for car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot mostly at home, it's worth investing in a set of bedding designed specifically for the type of cot you own. This usually consists of flat and fitted sheets and an appropriate pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfortable easy-to-set up cot that is suitable for a variety of camping and camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great option. It folds down into a case similar to an outdoor chair, and is equipped with an easy-to-transport strap. This cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping area of our top picks. However, its sturdy frame and durable materials make it a great option for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity for camping however they are more difficult to set up as compared to other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that they require you to put them up on a level surface which can be hard to find in the wilderness. Some of them have bars across their head and foot areas that you could need to be careful not to hit during your sleep.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots that we tested are easy to set up. Some are self-standing which is a great relief because you don't need to worry about how to secure them. Others have an easy folding design and require only an easy few clicks. Traditional cots aren't the same. You must assemble the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which requires a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot one of the easiest to build and can be used for tent or car camping as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, however it can be tucked away to the same dimensions as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also extremely durable, made from a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that isn't made of any plastic parts that are fragile.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is another cinch to set up. cheap cot beds features a unibody construction that eliminates the need for bars across your head and feet, making it perfect for back and side sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size similar to the size of your preferred backpack. It's heavier than some of the other cots we tested but it feels very solid and suitable for adults up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is easy to set up. It only takes some time to unfold, snap into place, and then a few pulls for it to be broken down. The legs lock in place with a lever-lock system which is extremely secure and offers an excellent base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can withstand a lot of abuse. They feature durable components like aluminum frames and robust fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it will not tear when a sleeping individual. A good quality cot will use the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping as they keep you off the ground, comfortable and secure from bugs and other creatures who might be swarming around your campsite at night. Cots are an excellent alternative for sleeping bags and foam mats when backpacking or hiking. Not all cots provide the same comfort and some require a sleeping pad to use alongside them. This can be a big issue, especially for backpackers who carry a large bag.
Some cots have an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you get a good night's sleep without having to bring an extra sleeping mat. This cot is large and bulky so it may be difficult to fit in the tent, even though it is spacious enough.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another great option that doesn't require an additional pad to be comfortable. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use on hiking trips than an air or foam cushion.
Cots are ideal for camping, but they can also be used in other scenarios, such as when you're having guests stay over and don't want them to 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 a tent or air mattress, which means you don't have to fret about them bouncing around or blowing up in the middle of the night.