The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When hiking or hunting sleeping well is vital. Cots are a great option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However, cots can be bulky and difficult to carry when you're traveling.
We tested and scored 10 of the best cots for comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
Getting a good night's rest on the trail is vital to enjoy your camping experience. In contrast to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable place to sleep in. When choosing a cot, ensure that it is light and offers an adequate amount of support to ensure you get an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots with an appearance of a mattress are popular and are usually designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or a sleeping pad for an extra layer of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is important regardless of whether you're camping in the car or backpacking. Consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be carried in your backpack. If you plan to combine a mix of backpacking and car camping you should consider a heavier option, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option, all of the cots featured on this list are designed to feel as close as they can to the traditional mattress. While they're more bulky than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still fairly easy to carry and set up on the trail.
Baby beds is crucial to take into consideration the cot's materials and construction when choosing one. Find cots made of top-quality fabrics that can withstand the rigors of use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years, look for features like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide a good amount of cushioning, to protect you from the hard rough surface. Certain models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, like 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 lay down in. Choose a cot which is able to support your weight to ensure it's able to support your body, particularly if you're traveling with a partner or pets.
Portability
The best camping cots are lightweight and take up less space in your pack. This allows you to put more sleeping gear in your backpack. They also weigh less than many other camp bedding options and can add up quickly when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry treks. Considering how much time you spend packing and unpacking your equipment, the portability of a cot is a significant factor in its overall score.
Based on the model you select, it may take a few minutes to unroll and put up a bed. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Some have components that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets or other features that will help you reduce the amount of time spent setting up your bed.
The most versatile cots come with adjustable legs, which allow the user to adjust them for different terrain conditions. Some cots are equipped with a tether to keep them in place during stormy or windy weather. They are particularly suitable for backpacking trips, as the stability of your shelter could be compromised due to uneven or unstable ground.
Think about how often you'll use the cot as well as the place you intend to camp when choosing a cot. Cots that are lightweight and compact are ideal for backpacking. However cots that are built to last and have a bigger sleeping area work better for car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot exclusively at home, you should consider investing in a set bedding specifically designed for the type of cot you own. It usually includes flat and fitted sheets and the pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice when you're looking for a comfortable and easy-to-setup cot. It's also suitable for most camping styles. It folds into a case resembling the camping chair, and has a strap for easy transport. This cot does not offer the largest sleeping space of our top picks. However, its strong materials and durable frames make it a good option for most camping trips.
Ease of Setup
Cots are often a necessity when camping, but they are more difficult to put up than other kinds of sleeping equipment. It is because you have to set them up in an even surface that can be difficult to find when camping. Some come with bars for the foot and head that you might not want to strike while sleeping.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots that we tested are easy to set up. Some are self-standing, which is a huge relief since you don't need to worry about how to put them in place. Others have simple folding designs and require only a few clicks. Traditional cots are different. You have to assemble the frame yourself and tension the fabric, which takes a lot of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot one of the simplest to build that's why it can be used for tent or car camping, as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than your typical camping cot, however it can be packed down to the same dimensions as a folding camping chair's carry case. It is 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 has a unibody construction that eliminates the need for bars that run across your head and feet which makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot folds down to a size that's about the same size as the bag you carry in your backpack of choice. It's a little heavier than other cots we've tried, but it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's simple to set up. It takes only two seconds to unfold and snap into place and just a few twirls to disassemble to store it. The legs lock in place with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The best camping cots are made to withstand the rigors of abuse and use. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it will not break under the weight of an individual sleeping. A cot that is of good quality is made of high-end 600D polyester that is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best cots are made with double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress zones such as pole sleeves.
They are perfect for camping, as they keep you comfortable and away from bugs or other creatures that may be lurking around in the dark. They are also a great alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're hiking or backpacking. However not all cots are made to be the same and some will require you to add an additional sleeping pad to ensure optimal comfort. This can be a major hassle, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy backpack.
Some cots come with an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you have a restful night's sleep without the need to bring a sleeping mat. However the cot is heavy and bulky, which means it isn't easy to fit it into a tent even if your tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another great option that doesn't require an additional mattress to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides great support and is comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use for hiking trips than a foam or air cushion.
Cots are great for camping but they can also be used in other circumstances, such as when you've got guests staying over and you don't want them sleeping on the floor. They are also ideal for a camper or RV because they are more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more sturdy than the tent or air mattress, so you won't have to fret if they blow up or shift during the middle of night.