The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When you're out hunting or hiking sleeping well is vital. Cots are an excellent option to keep you cozy and off the ground. However, cots are bulky and hard to transport for travel.
We tested and scored 10 of the best cots for comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
A good night's rest is crucial to enjoy your camping excursion. Instead of sleeping on the ground you can rest comfortably in a sleeping cot. When choosing a cot, look for one that is lightweight and provides an adequate amount of support to ensure you get an enjoyable 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 types of insulation.
If you're backpacking, or car camping, finding the best cot for your needs is crucial. Look at lightweight options like 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 do a mix of backpacking and car camping think about something heavier and larger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option, the top-rated cots listed here are all designed to feel as similar to a traditional bed as possible. Although they're more heavy than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still fairly easy to transport and put up on the trail.
When choosing a cot, it's also important to consider its materials and construction. Flimsy fabrics are prone to rips and tears therefore, you should choose a cot made of high-quality materials that are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years, look for details like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide adequate cushioning to shield you against the hard, uncomfortable surface. Some models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are quilted and padded, while others, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3, feature baffles to keep you from sinking in. Lastly, a cot should be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough to comfortably lie down in. Find a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity to ensure it's able to support your body, particularly if you're traveling with a companion or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold down compactly and take up little space in a pack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear into your backpack. They are less heavy than other options for camp bedding, which can be a big advantage on long hikes and longer backcountry trips. Considering the amount of time you're spending packing and unpacking your gear the ability to move a cot around is a significant aspect in its overall rating.
Based on the model you choose, it can take minutes to unfold and put up the bed. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Baby Cot have components that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots are equipped with built-in storage or other features that can help you cut down on the time it takes to set up your bed.
The most flexible cots come with adjustable legs, which allow the user to adjust them for different terrain conditions. Some cots come with a tether that keeps them in place during windy or stormy weather. These are especially helpful when backpacking since uneven or unstable ground can affect the stability of your shelter.
When selecting a cot, think about how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to stay. Cots that are lightweight and compact are ideal for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and with a larger sleeping space are ideal for basecamps or car camping. If you plan to use your cot exclusively at home, you should consider investing in a set bedding that is specifically made for the type of cot you own. This typically includes sheets that are flat and fitted as well as the pillowcase.
cot beds of Maine easy cot is a fantastic choice to consider if you're seeking an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for all camping types. It folds into a case resembling an outdoor chair, and comes with straps for easy transportation. This cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform of the top choices but its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a solid option for camping trips of all kinds.
Ease of Setup
Cots are often a necessity for camping, but they are also more difficult to set-up as compared to other sleeping gear. This is because they require you to set them up on an even surface, which is difficult to find in the wilderness. Some of them have bars over their foot and head areas which you might want to avoid hitting when you sleep.
Thankfully, the best cots we tried are simple to set up. Some of them are self-standing which is a major relief since it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them, while others have a simple foldout design and a few clicks to set them in the right position. Traditional cots are different. You must assemble the frame yourself and tension the fabric, which requires an enormous amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot one of the simplest to install and can be used for tent or car camping, as in backpacking trips as. It's heavier than the standard cot, but it can be folded to a size that's the same size as the carry case for a fold-down camping chair. It's also incredibly robust, made of a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't have any plastic parts that are fragile.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It also has a unique construction that eliminates the need for bars across your feet and head, making it perfect for sleepers who are back or side. The cot can be folded down to a size that is similar to the storage bag of your preferred backpack. It's a little heavier than other cots we've tested, but it's very robust and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is extremely easy to set up. It takes only two seconds to unfold and snap into place and only requires a few pulls to take it apart to make it easier to store. The legs are locked by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy 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 to ensure that it does not tear when strained by the weight of a sleeping person. A good cot will make use of the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which will withstand lots of wear and tear. The best cots are made with double stitching and reinforced seams in high stress areas like pole sleeves.
They're great for camping because they are comfortable and keep you away from bugs and other creatures that could be lurking in the night. They also offer an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're hiking or backpacking. But not all cots are created to be the same, and some require you to use an additional sleeping pad for optimal comfort. This can be a big problem, particularly for backpackers carrying a heavy bag.
Some cots come with an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you get a good night's sleep without having to bring a sleeping mat. 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 is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional sleeping 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 subjects to use for hiking trips than a foam or air cushion.
Cots are ideal for camping however they can be used in other circumstances like when you've got guests staying over and you don't want them to sleep on the floor. They're also a great option for a camper, RV or any other vehicle with an air mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more sturdy than an air mattress or tent which means you don't need to fret whether they explode or shift in the middle night.