The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
If you're hiking or hunting sleeping well is crucial. Cots are a great option to keep you cozy and off the ground. However they can be heavy and difficult to carry when you're on the go.
We compared and rated 10 of the top cots in terms of comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
Getting a good night's rest on the trail is crucial for enjoying your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the cold and uneven terrain while giving you a comfortable bed to sleep on. When selecting a cot make sure you choose one that is lightweight and provides a sturdy level of support to ensure you get an enjoyable 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 forms of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is crucial for car camping or backpacking. For those who are predominantly backpackers, consider lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that is easily carried in your backpack. If you plan to combine a mix of backpacking and car camping you should consider a heavier option such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option The cots featured on this list are designed to feel as close as possible to the traditional mattress. Although they're more heavy than their ultra-light counterparts they're still fairly easy to carry and set up on the trail.
When selecting a cot it's important to take into account its materials and construction. Find cots made of top-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years, look for details like a 600D poly material and reinforced seams.
A cot should also have enough cushioning to shield you from the hard rough ground. Some models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are quilted and padded, while others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, come with baffles to stop your feet from sinking. Also, a cot must be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough to comfortably lie down in. You should choose a cot with an adequate capacity for weight, especially if you are traveling with a partner or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots fold up compactly and take up little space in a pack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. The cots are lighter than other alternatives for camping bedding, which is an advantage 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 major factor in its overall score.
It could take only several minutes to fold and assemble a cot dependent on the model. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets, or other features that will help you reduce the amount of time you'll spend making your bed.
Cots with legs that can be adjusted are the most flexible that allow you to adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some cots have a tether to keep them stable in conditions of stormy or windy weather. They're especially useful for backpacking, when the security of your shelter may be weakened by unstable or uneven ground.
When you're choosing a cot consider how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to set up camp. Cots that are lightweight and compact fold are great for backpacking, whereas cots with a heavy-duty construction and larger sleeping area are better suited to basecamps or camping in cars. If you intend to use your cot mostly at home, you should consider investing in a set of bedding designed specifically for the type of cot you're using. This typically includes sheets that are flat and fitted as well as the pillowcase.
If you're in search of a comfortable, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for most types of camping and camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great option. It folds into a carrying case that's similar in size to a standard camping chair and has a strap attached for simple haulage. The cot doesn't have the largest sleeping platform of all our top picks, but its sturdy materials and sturdy frame make it a solid choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are a must for camping, but they are also more difficult to set up than other sleeping equipment. This is because they require you to put them up on a level surface which can be hard to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars over their feet and head that you may need to be careful not to hit when you sleep.
The cots we tested were relatively simple to set up. Some of them are self-standing which is a major relief as it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them and others feature simple foldout designs and a few clicks to set them in the proper position. Traditional cots are usually a different story since they require you to construct the frame and then tie the fabric yourself and will require a significant amount of strength and time.
cribs beds 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 on backpacking trips. It's a little heavier than the typical cot, but it folds down to a size that's about the same size as the carry case of a folding camp chair. It's also incredibly robust, made of an extremely durable and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that doesn't have any plastic parts that are flimsy.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is another cinch to set up. It also features a unibody construction that eliminates any bars between your head and feet which makes it ideal for sleepers who are back or side. The cot also packs down to a size that's roughly similar to the size of the storage bag for your favorite backpack. It's heavier than other cots that we've tested, but it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults of up to 225lbs.
We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is extremely simple to set up. It takes only two seconds to unfold and snap back into place. It only requires a few pulls to disassemble for storage. The legs lock into place using a unique lever-lock mechanism that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy platform for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can stand up to a lot of abuse. These cots are made with durable materials like aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven so that it does not tear in the rigors and strain of a sleeper. A good quality cot will make use of the 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 great for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfortable, and safe from bugs and other animals that may be roaming around your campsite during the night. Cots can be a great substitute for sleeping bags and foam mats for hiking or backpacking. There aren't all cots that provide the same comfort and some require a separate sleeping pad to be used alongside them. This can be a huge issue, particularly for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots, for instance the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them more comfortable and allow you to get a great night's rest and not need to bring a sleeping pad to sleep on. However the cot is large 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 excellent option that does not require an additional sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides excellent support and is comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use on hikes than a foam or air cushion.
They're ideal for guests who are staying with you, and you don't want them sleep on the floor. They are also ideal for a RV or camper since they're much more comfortable than inflatable mattress. 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.