The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
If you're hiking or hunting sleeping well is crucial. Cots are an excellent option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However they can be a bit heavy and challenging to pack when you're on the go.
We tested 10 of the best co-teaching cots and scored them on comfort and accessibility, ease of setting up, and durability.
Comfort
Sleeping well on the trail is crucial to enjoying your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground you can rest comfortably in a bed. When selecting a cot, look for one that is lightweight and provides solid support to ensure you get an excellent night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like top are the most desirable. They are typically designed to work with an air mattress, sleeping pad or other forms 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. They are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be carried in your backpack. If you are doing a combination of backpacking and car camping, then consider something heavier 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 designed to look as similar to a traditional bed as is possible. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, however, they're easy to carry and setup on the trail.
When choosing a cot, it's important to take into account its materials and construction. The fabric's fragility can lead to tears and rips, so look for 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 many years to come, look for specifics like a 600D poly material and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer enough cushioning to keep you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, whereas others like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot must also be long and wide enough to fit your height. You should choose a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, particularly if you are traveling with a friend or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold flat and take up little space in a pack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. They weigh less than other camping bedding options, which can quickly add up during long hikes or multi-day backcountry trips. When you consider how much time you're spending packing and unpacking your gear, the mobility of a cot is a major factor in its overall score.
Depending on the model you choose, it can take a couple of minutes to unfold and put up a cot. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets, or other features that will help to reduce the amount of time spent setting up your bed.
Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most versatile that allow you to adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some cots have a tether that helps keep them stable in windy or stormy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking since uneven or unstable ground could compromise the stability of your shelter.
Think about how often you'll use the cot as well as the place you intend to stay when you select a cot. Cots that are lightweight and compact fold are perfect for backpacking, whereas those with a robust construction and a bigger sleeping area are ideal for basecamps or camping in cars. If you intend to use your cot exclusively at home, it's worth investing in a set of bedding designed specifically for the type of cot you have. This includes fitted and flat sheets and a matching pillowcase.
If you're in search of a comfortable easy-to-set up cot that is suitable for a variety of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It folds into a case similar to a camping chair and comes with a strap for easy transport. This cot does not have the biggest sleeping area of our top selections. However, its strong materials and durable frames make it a great choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are a must for camping, but they are also more difficult to set-up as compared to other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that you need to place them on an even area, that can be difficult to find when camping. Some of them also have bars on the head and foot area that you may not want to strike when sleeping.
The top cots we tested were fairly easy to set-up. Some are self-standing, which is a huge relief since it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them, while others have simple foldout designs and a few clicks to set them in place. Traditional cots are different. They require you to put together the frame yourself and tension the fabric, which takes a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double-Kwik-Cot is one of the easiest to build that's why it can be used for car or tent camping, as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than the average camping cot, but it can be tucked away to the same size as a foldable campchair's carry case. It's also incredibly robust, made of a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't have any flimsy plastic parts.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is another cinch to set up. It also features a unibody construction that eliminates any bars between your head and feet, making it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot folds down to a size comparable to the bag that you carry in your preferred backpack. It's a little heavier than other cots we tested but it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is simple to set up. It only takes the time of a few minutes to unfold and snap it into place and then a few nudges to break it down. The legs are secured by a lever lock system that is very secure and provides an excellent base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are designed to stand up to lots of use and abuse. These cots are constructed of strong materials like aluminum frames and tough fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it does not fall apart when an individual sleeping. A good quality cot will make use of heavy-duty 600D polyester, which will withstand lots of wear and tear. The best cots use double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress zones like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfortable and secure from bugs and other animals that might be roaming in your campsite at night. Cots can be a great substitute for sleeping bags and foam mats when backpacking or hiking. But, not all cots are made in the same way, and some require you to pair them with an additional sleeping pad to provide maximum comfort. This can be a major problem, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy backpack.
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 an excellent night's sleep and not need to carry a mattress along with you. However, this cot is quite large and bulky, so it isn't easy to fit it into a tent, even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another excellent option that doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. Its aluminum frame, which is lightweight, offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who used it on backpacking hiking trips say they were more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.
They're ideal for guests who are staying with you, and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. cots4tots to an RV, camper or any vehicle that has a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more stable than the tent or air mattress, so you won't have to be concerned if they blow up or shift in the middle night.