The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When hiking or hunting, a good night's sleep is crucial. Cots are an excellent option to ensure you're comfortable and off the ground. However, cots are bulky and difficult to pack on the road.
We tested 10 of the best co-teaching cots and scored them on comfort and accessibility, ease of setting up and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep is crucial for a successful camping trip. Instead of sleeping on the ground it is possible to sleep comfortably in a cot. When choosing a cot, look for one that is lightweight and offers solid support to ensure you get an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots that feature a mattress-like surface are particularly desirable and are often designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad for an extra layer of insulation.
Finding the right cot is essential, whether you're car camping or backpacking. For those who are predominantly backpackers, consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that is easily carried in your pack. If you are doing a combination of car camping and backpacking, then consider something heavier, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If most recommended cribs looking for a comfortable option, the top cots on this list are all designed to be as like a traditional mattress as is possible. While they're more bulky than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still relatively easy to carry and put up on the trail.
When you're choosing a cot it's important to take into account its materials and construction. Find cots constructed from high-quality fabrics that can withstand regular 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 have adequate cushioning to keep you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, while others include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be long and wide enough to be able to accommodate your height. You should select the cot that has the right capacity for weight, especially if traveling with a friend or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are lightweight and require less space in your pack. This lets you put more sleeping gear in your backpack. They also weigh less than many other camp bedding options, which can quickly add up during long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. The flexibility of the cot's design is essential when considering how long it takes to unpack and pack your equipment.
It may only take some time to fold and put together a cot depending on the model. Some models are more complicated and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage or other features to help reduce the time to set up your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most flexible they can be adjusted to suit different ground conditions. Some also include a tether to help keep them stable during storms or turbulent weather. They're especially useful for backpacking, when the stability of your shelter could be compromised by uneven or unstable ground.
Consider how often you'll use the cot and the location you plan to camp when choosing a cot. Cots with a light design and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, while the ones with a strong construction and larger sleeping area are ideal for basecamps or camping in cars. If you intend to use your cot mostly at home, it's worth investing in a set of bedding that is specifically made for the cot you own. It usually includes flat and fitted sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfortable, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for a variety of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It folds into a case similar to an outdoor chair and comes with an easy-to-transport strap. It doesn't come with the biggest sleeping platform among all our top picks but its strong materials and sturdy frame make it a solid choice for most camping trips.
Ease of Setup
Cots are a must for camping however they are more difficult to set-up as compared to other sleeping gear. It is because you have to put them up on an even space, 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 relatively simple to set-up. Some are self-standing which is a major relief since they don't require you to figure out how to secure them while others have an easy fold-out design and a few clicks to get them into the right position. Traditional cots, however, are often a different story because they require you to construct the frame and tie the fabric yourself, which can take quite a bit of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set up, which means it can be used for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used for backpacking trips. It's heavier than your typical camping cot, but it can be packed down to the same size as a folding camping chair's carry case. It is also extremely durable, made of a rugged and comfy 600D polyester, with a sturdy aluminum frame.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is easy to set up. It has a unibody design that removes bars across the head and feet. This makes it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot is foldable down to a size similar to the bag that you carry in your favorite backpack. It's a little heavier than other cots we've tried, but it feels very sturdy and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a cot that is light that is extremely simple to install. It takes just a few seconds to fold and snap into place and just a few twirls to disassemble to store it. The legs lock in place with a lever-lock system which is extremely secure and offers a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are built to stand up to lots of use and abuse. These cots are constructed of sturdy materials such as aluminum frames and tough fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it does not break under the weight of the sleeping person. A good cot will use high-end 600D polyester that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed places like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping because they keep you off the ground, comfy and secure from bugs and other animals that may be roaming around your campsite during the night. Cots are an excellent alternative for sleeping mats and foam bags for hiking or backpacking. However, not all cots are made to be the same and some require you to pair them with an additional sleeping pad to ensure maximum comfort. This can be a big problem, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots, for instance the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable which means you can enjoy a good night's sleep and don't need to bring a sleeping pad with you. However the cot is large and bulky, so it's not easy to fit it into a tent, even if your tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides great support and is comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test subjects to use on hiking trips than a foam or air cushion.
Cots are ideal for camping however they can also be used in other circumstances like when you're having guests stay over and don't want them to sleep on the floor. They are also a great addition to a camper or RV because they are more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than an inflatable mattress or tent and you don't have to fret when they explode or shift during the middle of night.