The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When you're out hunting or hiking getting a good night's rest is essential. Cots are a great option to keep you cozy and off the ground. However, cots can be heavy and difficult to pack on the road.
We tested and rated 10 of the top cots for comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep is crucial for a successful camping excursion. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable place to rest in. When selecting a cot look for one that is lightweight and provides solid support to ensure you get a great night's rest. Cots with mattresses are especially attractive and are typically designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
If you're backpacking, or car camping, finding the best cot for your needs is crucial. For those who are predominantly backpackers, think about lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that can be carried in your backpack. If you do a mixture of backpacking and car camping and camping, you might want to consider something heavier such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you want a more luxurious option All of the cots featured on this list are designed to be as similar as possible to the traditional mattress. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts however, they're easy to carry and setup on the trail.
It is crucial to take into consideration the materials and construction of the cot when choosing one. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, therefore, you should choose a cot with high-quality materials that are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years, look for features such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also have adequate cushioning to shield you from the hard and uncomfortable surface. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, come with baffles to stop you from sinking in. Lastly, a cot should be long enough to meet your height and wide enough to comfortably lie down in. It is recommended to choose a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, especially if 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 in your backpack. They also weigh less than other camping bedding options and can quickly add up when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry trips. The flexibility of the cot's design is important when you consider the amount of time it takes to pack and unpack your gear.
Depending on the model that you choose, it could take a couple of minutes to unfold and put up the bed. More complicated models require more assembly, and some include parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. Some cots are equipped with built-in storage, or other features to help cut down on the time it takes to set up your bed.
The most versatile cots come with legs that can be adjusted, allowing you to adjust them to different terrain conditions. Some include an anchor to keep them in place during storms or turbulent weather. These are especially helpful when backpacking since uneven or unstable terrain could compromise the stability of your shelter.
When choosing a cot, think about how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to set up camp. Cots that are light and compact are ideal for backpacking. However, cots with a lot of weight and have a bigger sleeping space are ideal for basecamps or car camping. If you plan to use your cot for home primarily, it is worthwhile to invest in bedding specifically designed to fit the type of bed you have. This typically includes flat and fitted sheets and the pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a fantastic choice to consider if you're looking for an easy and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most camping styles. It packs down into a carry case that's similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and comes with a strap to make it easy to transport. This cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform of the top choices but its strong materials and sturdy frame make it a great choice for any camping trip.
Ease of Setup
Cots are usually a necessity for camping, but they also are more difficult to put up than other kinds of sleeping gear. This is because they require you to place them on an even surface, which can be hard to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars across their head and foot areas that you may want to avoid hitting when you sleep.
The best cots that we tested were fairly easy to set-up. Some are self-standing, which is a huge relief since it doesn't require you to figure out how to secure them, while others have an easy fold-out design and just a few clicks to put them in place. Traditional cots are a different story. You must assemble the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which takes an enormous amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the simplest to set up, which means 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 standard cot, but it folds down to a size that's similar to the carry case of the folding camping chair. It's also incredibly durable, made from a rugged 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 a breeze to set up. It also has a unibody construction that eliminates any bars between your feet and head which makes it ideal for back and side sleepers. The cot also packs down to a compact size that's about similar to the size of the storage bag for your favorite backpack. It's a bit heavier than other cots that we tested, but it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's simple to set up. It takes only the time of a few minutes to unfold and snap into place and then a few tugs to break it down. The legs lock into place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can stand up to a lot of abuse. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and robust fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it will not break when an individual sleeping. A good quality cot will make use of heavy-duty 600D polyester, which can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in high-stress places like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping because they keep you off the ground, comfortable and secure from insects and other creatures who might be swarming around your campsite during the night. Cots can be a great substitute for sleeping mats and foam mattresses for hiking or backpacking. But there are a few differences between cots. Not all cots are created to be the same and some require you to add an additional sleeping pad to provide optimal comfort. This can be a big hassle, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots, like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them more comfortable and allow you to get an excellent night's sleep and not need to carry a mattress along with you. However this cot is heavy and bulky, which means it isn't easy to fit it into a tent even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another excellent option that doesn't need an additional mattress to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminum frame offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test subjects to use for hiking trips than an air or foam cushion.
best cot newborn are a great option for camping but they can also be used in other scenarios like when you have guests stay over and you don't want them to sleep on the floor. They're also an excellent addition to a RV or camper since they are more comfortable than inflatable mattress. Additionally, they're more stable than a tent or air mattress, so you don't need to worry about them shifting or blowing up in the middle of the night.