The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When you're out hunting or hiking, a good night's sleep is essential. Cots are a great option to ensure you're comfortable and off the ground. However they can be a bit heavy and challenging to pack when you're traveling.
best cots compared and rated 10 of the top cots on the quality of their comfort, portability, and durability.
Comfort
A good night's rest is essential for a successful camping excursion. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the cold and uneven terrain, while providing a comfortable bed to sleep in. Choose a cot that is lightweight but also offers an adequate amount of support. This will guarantee you a restful night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like cover are the most popular. They are typically designed to be used with an air mattress, sleeping pad or other insulation.
If you're backpacking or camping, finding the best cot to meet your needs is essential. Consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. They are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be carried in your backpack. If you combine backpacking and car camping look into something heavier and bigger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a comfortable option, the top cots on this list are all made to be as like a traditional mattress as is possible. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts they're still fairly easy to transport and put up on the trail.
It is crucial to take into consideration the materials and construction of the cot when choosing one. The fabric's fragility can lead 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 lasts many years, look for details like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide adequate cushioning to guard from the hard, uncomfortable surface. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, while others, such as REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot should also be long and wide enough to be able to accommodate your height. Choose a cot which has an adequate weight capacity to ensure it's able to support your body, especially if you're traveling with a spouse or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold down compactly and take up little space inside a backpack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear into your backpack. They are also lighter than other camping bedding options, which can quickly add up during long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. The portability of the cot is important when you consider how long it takes to pack and unpack your gear.
It may only take a few minutes to unfold and assemble a cot, dependent on the model. More complex models require more assembly, and some have parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage pockets, or other features that will help you minimize the amount of time you'll spend setting up your bed.
Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most versatile they can be adjusted to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some cots come with a tether that helps keep them in place during windy or stormy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking because uneven or unstable ground can compromise the stability of your shelter.
Consider how often you will use the cot as well as the place you intend to camp when selecting a cot. Cots that are light and fold compactly are perfect for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and have a bigger sleeping space are ideal for camping in car parks or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot at your home, it's worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed to fit the type of bed you've got. This includes flat and fitted sheets as well as a matching pillowcase.
If you're in search of a comfortable, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for most types of camping and camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a fantastic choice. best cots folds into a case that resembles the camping chair, and is equipped with a strap for easy transport. This cot doesn't have the largest sleeping platform of all our top picks however its robust materials and durable frame make it a good option for camping trips of all kinds.
Ease of Setup
Cots are usually a necessity for camping, but they also are often more difficult to install than other types of sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that you need to set them up in an even area, which is difficult to locate while camping. Some of them also have bars on the head and foot area that you might not want to strike when you sleep.
Fortunately, the top cots we tested are relatively simple to set up. Some of them are self-standing, which is a huge relief as it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them, while others come with a simple foldout design and just a few clicks to put them in the proper position. Traditional cots aren't the same. You must assemble the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which takes lots of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the simplest to set up, which means it can be used for car camping and tent camping. It can also be used on backpacking trips. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, however it can be folded down to the same size as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also extremely durable, being made of tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that is sturdy.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is a breeze to set up. It also features a unibody construction that eliminates any bars between your feet and head, making it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot also packs down to a small size that's roughly the same as the bag that you use to store your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than other cots that we tested, but it feels very solid and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is extremely easy to set-up. It only takes the time of a few minutes to unfold and snap it into place and then a few tugs 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 best camping cots are made to withstand the rigors of use and abuse. They feature durable components like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure it doesn't tear in the rigors and strain of a person sleeping. 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 high stress areas like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping, as they keep you away from the ground, comfortable and protected from bugs and other animals that might be roaming around your campsite during the night. They also offer an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. But, not all cots are created to be the same and some will require you to pair them with an additional sleeping pad for optimal comfort. This can be a major issue, particularly for backpackers who are already carrying a large backpack.
Some cots use an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to have a restful night's sleep without the need to bring an extra sleeping mat. However, this cot is quite heavy and bulky, which means it can be hard to fit it into a tent even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another excellent option that doesn't need an additional pad to be comfortable. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides excellent support and is very comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use on hiking trips than a foam or air cushion.
They are also ideal for guests staying with you, and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. They're also an excellent option to a camper, RV or any other vehicle with an air mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more sturdy than the tent or air mattress and you don't have to be concerned whether they explode or shift in the middle night.