The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful and peaceful night is essential while hunting or hiking, and cots are an excellent option to keep you off the ground and in a comfortable position. However, cots can be heavy and difficult to pack for travel.
We test 10 of the top cots and rated them on comfort and portability, ease of setup and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep is crucial to enjoy your camping trip. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable place to sleep in. When selecting a cot, look for one that is lightweight and provides solid support to ensure you get an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots that feature an appearance of a mattress are desirable and are often designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is essential for car camping or backpacking. For those who are primarily backpackers, look at lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which provide a very portable sleeping solution that can be transported in your bag. For those who are combining 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 more plush option, the top-rated cots listed here are all made to look as like a traditional mattress as they can. While they're more bulky than their ultra-light counterparts they're still relatively simple to transport and put up on the trail.
It is important to consider the materials and construction of the cot when choosing one. Choose cots that are constructed from high-quality fabrics that can withstand the rigors of use. To ensure that your cot will last for many years to come, look for specifics like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide adequate cushioning to shield you from the hard rough ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, whereas others include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be long enough to meet your height and wide enough to comfortably lay down in. 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 spouse or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold flat and take up very little space in a pack, allowing you to fit more sleeping gear into your backpack. They also weigh less than other camping bedding options, which can add up quickly during long hikes or multi-day backcountry trips. When you consider how much time you spend packing and unpacking your gear the portability of a cot is a significant aspect in its overall score.
Depending on the model you choose, it could take a few minutes to unroll and set up a coffin. Some models are more complicated and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage, or other features to help you reduce the time to put together your bed.
The most versatile cots come with adjustable legs, which allow the user to adjust them for different ground conditions. Some include a tether to help keep them in place during storms or turbulent weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking since uneven or unstable ground can compromise the stability of your shelter.
When choosing a cot, think about how often you'll use it, as well as the place you'd like to set up camp. Cots that are lightweight and compact fold are perfect for backpacking, whereas the ones with a strong construction and a larger sleeping space are better suited to basecamps or camping in cars. If you intend to use your cot at the home, it's important to purchase bedding specifically designed for the kind of bed you have. This includes flat and fitted sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a fantastic choice if you are looking for an easy and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for all types of camping. It folds down into a case similar to the camping chair, and comes with an easy-to-transport strap. The cot doesn't have the largest sleeping platform of the top choices, but its sturdy frames and sturdy materials make it a solid choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are often required when camping, but they are more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping equipment. It is because you have to put them up on an even area, that can be difficult to find when camping. Some of them also have bars on the head and foot area that you may not want to hit when sleeping.
The best cots that we tested were fairly easy to set up. Some are self-standing, which is a great relief because you don't have to worry about how to put them in place. Others feature an easy folding design and require just a few clicks. Traditional cots aren't the same. They require you to put together the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which requires an enormous amount of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is one of easiest to set-up, so it can be used for camping in a car or tent camping. It can also be used for backpacking trips. It's heavier than the average camping cot, but it can be packed down to the same size as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also extremely sturdy, constructed from an extremely durable and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that isn't made of any plastic parts that are fragile.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It has a unibody design that removes bars across the feet and head. This makes it perfect for those who sleep on their backs and sides. The cot folds down to a compact size that's about similar to the size of the bag that you use to store your favorite backpack. It's heavier than some of the other cots we've tested, however it's extremely robust and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's easy to set up. It takes only two seconds to unfold and snap into place. It only requires a few pulls to take it apart to make it easier to store. The legs lock into place using a unique lever-lock mechanism that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots will be able to stand up to the rigors of use. online cots feature durable components like aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure it does not tear when strained by the weight of a sleeping person. A high-quality cot will be made of 600D polyester that is extremely durable and can endure wear and tear. The best cots use double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress areas like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfortable and secure from bugs and other creatures who might be swarming in your campsite at night. They also provide a great alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're hiking or backpacking. But there are a few differences between cots. Not all cots are created in the same way and some will require you to pair them with an additional sleeping pad to provide optimal comfort. This can be a huge issue, particularly for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy backpack.
Some cots, like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them extra comfortable and allow you to get a great night's rest and don't need to bring a sleeping pad along with you. However this cot is 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 offers another great option, which does not require an additional sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides great support and is comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who took it on backpacking hiking trips say they felt more comfortable than when using a foam or air pad.
Cots are a great option for camping however they can be used in other situations like when you're having guests stay over and don't want them to sleep on the floor. They are also ideal for an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than a tent or air mattress, which means you don't have to worry about them blowing up or shifting up during the night.