The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When you're out hunting or hiking sleeping well is vital. Cots are a great option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However, cots can be bulky and can be difficult to pack when you're on the go.
We compared and scored 10 of the best cots on comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep on the trail is vital for enjoying your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable bed to sleep in. Find a cot that is lightweight, but also provides a solid level of support. This will ensure you a restful night's sleep. Cots that feature mattresses are especially popular and are usually designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
If you're backpacking, or car camping, finding the best cot for your needs is key. For those who are primarily backpackers, think about lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that is easily carried in your pack. For those who are combining car camping and backpacking, consider something heavier and larger, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you want a more luxurious option All of the cots on this list are designed to feel as close as possible to the traditional mattress. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, however, they're easy to carry and setup on the trail.
When selecting a cot it is also important to think about the materials used and the construction. Find cots made of top-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. Look for details like a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for years to come.
A cot must also offer a decent amount of cushioning to shield you from the hard rough ground. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be long enough to meet your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lie down in. Choose a cot which is able to support your weight to be able to help your body, especially if you're traveling with a companion or pets.
Portability
The best 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 also weigh less than other camping bedding options which can add up quickly on long hikes or multi-day backcountry treks. The portability of the cot is essential when considering how long it takes to pack and unpack your gear.
Depending on the model that you choose, it can take a few minutes to unroll and put up a bed. More complex models require more assembly, and some include parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage, or other features to help you cut down on the time it takes to put together your bed.
Cots with legs that can be adjusted are the most flexible, letting you adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some cots have a tether to keep them in place during windy or stormy weather. These are especially helpful when backpacking since uneven or unstable ground can compromise the stability of your shelter.
When selecting a cot, take into consideration how often you'll be using it, as well as the place you'd like to set up camp. Cots with a light design and compact fold are great for backpacking, whereas those with a robust construction and a bigger sleeping area are ideal for basecamps or car camping. If you intend to use your cot for home primarily, it is worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the type of bed you've got. This includes flat and fitted sheets, as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
If you're in search of a comfortable and easy-to-set-up cot suitable for a variety of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a fantastic choice. It folds down into a carry case that's similar in size to a standard camping chair and has an attached strap for simple haulage. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform among the top choices but its strong materials and sturdy frame make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots are a must for camping but they can be more difficult to set-up as compared to other sleeping gear. It is because you have to put them up on an even space, which is difficult to find when camping. Some come with bars for the head and foot area that you might not want to strike when you sleep.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots we tried are easy to set up. They are also self-standing, which is a huge relief since you don't have to think about how to fix them. Others feature an easy folding design and require just a few clicks. Traditional cots, however, are usually a different story because they require you to assemble the frame and tension the fabric by yourself, which will require a significant amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set up, meaning it can be used for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used for trips to backpack. It's heavier than the typical cot, but it can be folded to a size that's similar to the carry case for a folding camp chair. It's also extremely robust, made of a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that doesn't have any flimsy plastic parts.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It's a unibody design that eliminates bars on the head and feet. great crib makes it ideal for those who sleep on their backs and sides. The cot also packs down to a small size that's about similar to the size of the bag that you use to store your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than some of the other cots we've tried, however it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults up to 225 pounds.
We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is extremely simple to install. It takes only a few seconds to unfold and snap into place and only requires a few tugs to break down to make it easier to store. The legs are locked with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy platform for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are built to withstand the rigors of use and abuse. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven so that it does not break when strained by the weight of a sleeper. A cot that is of good quality will make use of high-end 600D polyester that will withstand lots of wear and tear. The best cots are made with double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress zones such as pole sleeves.
They're great for camping because they keep you comfortable and away from bugs and other creatures that might be lurking in the night. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping bags and foam mats for hiking or backpacking. But, not all cots are made to be the same and some will require you to pair them with an additional sleeping pad for maximum comfort. This can be a major hassle, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
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 good night's sleep and don't have to carry a sleeping pad to sleep on. However, this cot is quite big and bulky, so it's not easy to fit it into a tent even if the tent is 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 great support and is comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who slept on it during hiking backpacking trips said they felt more comfortable than using an air or foam pad.
Cots are ideal for camping but they can be used in other scenarios, such as when you're having guests stay over and you don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also a great addition to a camper or RV because they're more comfortable than inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than an inflatable mattress or tent and you don't have to be concerned when they explode or shift during the middle of night.