The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful night's sleep is vital when you're hiking or hunting, and cots are a great option to keep you off the ground and in a comfortable position. However, they are heavy and difficult to pack for travel.
We tested and rated 10 of the top cots on the quality of their comfort, portability, and durability.
Comfort
A restful night's sleep is crucial to enjoy your camping trip. In contrast to sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the cold and uneven terrain while giving you a comfortable bed to sleep on. When selecting a cot, make sure you choose one that is lightweight and offers an adequate amount of support to ensure you get a great night's rest. Cots that feature an appearance of a mattress are popular and are usually designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is essential for car camping or backpacking. For those who are predominantly backpackers, look at lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that can be carried in your pack. If you combine car camping and backpacking, consider something larger and heavier, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a luxurious option The cots on this list are designed to feel as close as they can to a traditional mattress. Although they're more heavy than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still relatively simple to transport and put up on the trail.
When selecting a cot it's also important to consider its materials and construction. The fabric's fragility can lead to rips and tears therefore, you should choose a cot with high-quality materials that are made to withstand the rigors of daily use. Look for details such as a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for a long time to be.
A cot should also have adequate cushioning, to protect you from the hard, uncomfortable surface. Certain models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, come with baffles to stop your feet from sinking. A cot should be wide and long enough to fit your height. Look for a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity to ensure it's able to support your body, especially in the case of traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold up compactly and take up a small amount of space in your backpack, allowing you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. They also weigh less than other camping bedding options, which can add up quickly during long hikes or multi-day backcountry treks. The mobility of the cot is essential when considering the amount of time it takes to unpack and pack your equipment.
Depending on the model that you choose, it could take a few minutes to unroll and put up a cot. More complicated models require more assembly, and some have parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. great crib come with built-in storage pockets or other features that can help you reduce the amount of time you spend making your bed.
Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most flexible, letting you adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some cots have a tether that keeps them in place during conditions of stormy or windy weather. They're particularly useful for backpacking, when the security of your shelter may be weakened by uneven or unstable ground.
Consider how often you will use the cot and where you intend to camp when choosing a cot. Cots that are lightweight and compact in size are great for backpacking. However, cots with a lot of weight and have a bigger sleeping area are better suited for basecamps or car camping. If you intend to use your cot mostly at home, it's worth investing in a set bedding that is specifically made for the type of cot you have. This includes fitted and flat sheets and the pillowcase that matches.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice to consider if you're looking for an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for all camping styles. It folds down into a case similar to a camping chair and comes with a strap for easy transport. This cot doesn't have the largest sleeping surface of our top choices. However, its sturdy materials and durable frames make it an excellent option for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are often required when camping, but they tend to be more difficult to install than other types of 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 feet and head which you might prefer not to hit while you sleep.
Thankfully, the best cots we tried are simple to set up. Some are self-standing and are a massive relief since it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them and others feature a simple foldout design and a couple of clicks to set them in place. Traditional cots are different. You have to assemble the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which requires a lot of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot one of the simplest to install, which means it can be used for car or tent camping, as well as backpacking trips. It's a bit heavier than the standard cot but it packs down to a size that's about similar to the carry case of a fold-down camping chair. It's also extremely durable, being made of a rugged and comfy 600D polyester and strong aluminum frame.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is easy to set up. It also features a unibody construction that eliminates the need for bars that run across your feet and head, making it perfect for sleepers who are back or side. The cot can also be folded down to a compact size that's roughly the same as the bag you carry in your favorite backpack. It's a bit heavier than other cots that we've tested, however, it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's simple to set up. It takes just two seconds to unfold and snap into place and only requires a few tugs to take it apart for storage. The legs are locked using a lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can withstand a lot of abuse. They are constructed with strong materials like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven so that it doesn't break when strained by the weight of a sleeper. A good quality cot is made of the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which will withstand lots of wear and tear. The most durable cots have double stitching and reinforced seams in high stress areas like pole sleeves.
They are ideal for camping as they are comfortable and keep you free of any bugs or other creatures that could be lurking in the night. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping mats and foam mattresses for hiking or backpacking. Not all cots provide the same comfort and some require a sleeping pad to be used with them. This can be a huge problem, especially for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots, for instance the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them more comfortable, so you can get a great night's rest and don't need to carry a sleeping pad along with you. However the cot is big and bulky, so it's not easy to fit it into a tent even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional pad to be comfortable. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides great support and is comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use on hikes than a foam or air cushion.
They are also great for guests staying over, and you don't want them sleep on the floor. They are also a great addition to an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, which means you don't have to worry about them bouncing around or blowing up in the middle of the night.