The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is essential while hunting or hiking and cots are a great option to keep you off the ground and comfortable. However they can be heavy and challenging to pack when you're traveling.
We compared and scored 10 of the best cots for durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.
Comfort
A restful night's sleep is vital to enjoy your camping trip. In contrast to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable place to rest in. Find an cot that is not heavy but also offers a solid foundation. This will ensure you a restful night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like top are the most popular. They are typically designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad as well as other insulation.
If you're backpacking, or car camping, finding the right cot for your needs is key. For those who are mostly backpackers, look at lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that can be transported in your bag. If you do a mixture of car camping and backpacking and camping, you might want to consider something heavier, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a luxurious option, the top-rated cots on this list are all designed to look as similar to a traditional bed as is possible. While they're more bulky than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still fairly easy to carry and set up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the cot's materials and construction when selecting one. Flimsy fabrics are prone to rips and tears so look for a cot made of high-quality materials that are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. Look for features like 600D polyester fabrics and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for years to come.
A cot should also provide a decent amount of cushioning to keep you from the hard and uncomfortable 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. Lastly, a cot should be long enough to fit your height and wide enough to comfortably lay down in. You should select a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, particularly if you are traveling with a companion 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 are lighter than other options for camp bedding, which is a big advantage on long hikes or multi-day backcountry trips. Considering how much time you'll spend packing and unpacking your gear, the ability to move a cot around is a significant aspect in the overall rating.
It could take only a few minutes to unfold and assemble a cot, depending on the model. More complicated models require more assembly, and some come with parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage pockets, or other features that help you reduce the amount of time spent setting up your bed.
Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most versatile they can be adjusted to fit various ground conditions. Some cots are equipped with a tether that keeps them stable in windy or stormy weather. They're particularly ideal for backpacking, where the stability of your shelter can be compromised by unstable or uneven ground.
Think about how often you'll use the cot as well as the place you intend to stay when you select a cot. Cots that are lightweight and compact in size are great for backpacking. However cots that are built to last and have a bigger sleeping area work better for basecamps or car camping. If you plan to use your cot at your home, it's important to purchase bedding specifically designed for the kind of bed you have. This typically includes fitted and flat sheets as well as the pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a fantastic choice if you are seeking an easy and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most camping styles. It folds down into a carrying case that's similar in dimensions to a standard camping chair and comes with a strap to make it easy to transport. The cot doesn't have the largest sleeping surface of our top picks. However, its sturdy materials and durable frames make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity for camping, but they are also more difficult to set-up than other sleeping equipment. This is because they require you to place them on a level surface, which can be difficult to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars over their feet and head which you might need to be careful not to hit when you sleep.
Fortunately, Full Statement tried are easy to install. 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 come with a simple foldout design and just a few clicks to get them into place. Traditional cots, however, are often a different story as they require you to construct the frame and tie the fabric by yourself and it could take a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the simplest to set-up, so it can be used both for camping in the car and tent camping. It is also suitable for backpacking trips. It's heavier than the average 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 tough and comfortable 600D polyester, with strong aluminum frame.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is a breeze to set up. It's a single-body design that eliminates bars on the feet and head. This makes it perfect for those who sleep on their backs and sides. The cot is foldable down to a size similar to the storage bag of your preferred backpack. It's a bit heavier than other cots we've tested, but it feels very solid and suitable for adults who weigh up to 225lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is easy to set up. It takes only two seconds to unfold and snap into place and just a few twirls to break down to store it. The legs are locked by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are able to withstand a lot of abuse. They are constructed with strong materials like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven so that it will not tear when strained by the weight of a sleeping person. A good cot will use the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The top cots also feature reinforced seams and double stitching in high stress places like pole sleeves.
They are perfect for camping because they are comfortable and keep you away from bugs and other creatures that might be lurking around at night. Cots can be a great substitute for sleeping mats and foam bags when backpacking or hiking. Not all cots provide the same level of comfort, and some require a separate sleeping pad to be used alongside them. This can be a big issue, particularly for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots have an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you get a good night's rest without the need to bring the mattress. The cot is big and heavy, so it could be difficult to fit in a tent even if it is spacious enough.
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 a good level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who took it on backpacking hiking trips say they felt more comfortable than when using an air or foam pad.
Cots are a great option for camping but they can be used in other situations like when you have guests stay over and don't want them to sleep on the floor. They are also an excellent addition to an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than the tent or air mattress which means you don't need to fret when they explode or shift during the middle of night.