The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful night's sleep is vital when you're hiking or hunting and cots are an excellent option for keeping you off the ground and in a comfortable position. However, they are heavy and difficult to pack for travel.
We evaluated 10 of the most comfortable Cots and gave them a score based on comfort, portability, ease of setup and durability.
Comfort
Getting a good night's rest on the trail is vital to enjoy your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable bed to sleep in. When choosing a cot, ensure that it is lightweight and provides solid support to ensure you get an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots that have a mattress-like top are the most popular. They are typically designed to work with an air mattress or sleeping pad as well as other insulation.
Whether you're backpacking or car camping, finding the right cot to meet your needs is essential. 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 do a mix of backpacking and car camping look into something heavier and bigger, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for an even more luxurious option, the top-rated cots listed here are all made to be as similar to a traditional bed as possible. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts but they're still easy to carry and setup on the trail.
When you're choosing a cot it is also important to think about the materials used and the construction. The fabric's fragility can lead to tears and rips, so choose an cot that is made of top-quality materials that are made to withstand the rigors of daily use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years, look for details like a 600D poly material and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide a good amount of cushioning to shield you from the hard rough surface. Some models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, have baffles to prevent your feet from sinking. A cot must also be long and wide enough to accommodate your height. Look for a cot that is able to support your weight to be able to help your body, especially in the case of traveling with a companion or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold flat and take up little space inside a backpack which allows you to pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. The cots are lighter than other options for camp bedding, which can be an advantage during long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. Considering the amount of time you're spending packing and unpacking your equipment, the mobility of a cot is a significant factor in the overall rating.
Depending on the model that you choose, it can take a few minutes to unroll and put up the coffin. More complicated models require greater assembly, and some have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. linked resource site 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.
Cots with legs that can be adjusted are the most versatile that allow you to adjust them to suit different ground conditions. Some cots come with a tether to keep them stable in windy or stormy weather. They are particularly useful for backpacking, when the stability of your shelter could be compromised by unstable or uneven ground.
Consider how often you'll use the cot and the location you plan to camp when selecting a cot. Cots that are lightweight and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, whereas cots with a heavy-duty construction and a larger sleeping space are better suited to car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot exclusively at home, it's worth investing in a set of bedding designed specifically for the cot you own. It usually includes sheets that are flat and fitted and an appropriate pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfortable, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for most types of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It folds into a case similar to the camping chair and is equipped with an easy-to-transport strap. This cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform of all our top picks, but its sturdy materials and sturdy frame make it a good choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are usually a necessity for camping, but they also are more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping gear. It is because you have to put them up on an even surface that can be difficult to locate while camping. Some come with bars for the foot and head that you might not want to strike when sleeping.
Thankfully, the best cots we tried are easy to install. Some of them are self-standing, which is a huge relief since it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them while others come with a simple foldout design and just a few clicks to set them in place. Traditional cots are a different story. You must assemble the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which requires a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the simplest to set up, meaning it can be used both for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used on backpacking trips. It's heavier than the average camping cot, however it can be packed down to the same dimensions as a folding camping chair's carry case. It's also incredibly robust, made of an extremely durable and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't contain any plastic parts that are flimsy.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is another cinch to set up. It's a single-body design that removes bars across the feet and head. This makes it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size that is similar to the size of your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than other cots that we've tested but it feels very solid and is suitable for adults of 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, snap into place, and then a few tugs to break it down. The legs are locked by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The best camping cots are able to stand up to a lot of abuse. These cots are constructed of strong materials like aluminum frames and tough fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven so that it doesn't break in the rigors and strain of a sleeping person. A cot that is of good quality will use high-end 600D polyester that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best cots use double stitching and reinforced seams in high stress zones such as pole sleeves.
They are ideal for camping as they will keep you warm and free of bugs or other creatures that may be lurking around in the dark. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping mats and foam mattresses when backpacking or hiking. However not all cots are made equal and some will require you to pair them with an additional sleeping pad to provide maximum comfort. This can be a big problem, especially for backpackers carrying a large backpack.
Some cots, such as 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 not need to carry a sleeping pad to sleep on. The cot is huge and bulky so it may be difficult to fit in the tent, even though it has plenty of room.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another fantastic option, and does not require an additional sleeping pad. Its aluminum frame, which is lightweight, provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who slept on it during hiking backpacking trips said they felt more comfortable than when using a foam or air pad.
Cots are ideal for camping, but they can also 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 vehicle that comes with a 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 during the middle of night.