The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful and peaceful night is essential when you're hiking or hunting, and cots are an excellent option to keep you off the ground and in a comfortable position. However, they are heavy and difficult to pack for travel.
We tested and scored 10 of the best cots on comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
A restful night's sleep is essential for a successful camping trip. In contrast to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable bed to sleep in. When choosing a cot, make sure you choose one that is light and offers solid support to ensure you get a great night's rest. Cots with a mattress-like top are the most desirable. They are typically designed to work with an air mattress or sleeping pad, or any other insulation.
Finding the right cot is important for car camping or backpacking. For those who are primarily backpackers, think about lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which provide a very portable sleeping solution that can be carried in your pack. If you do a mixture of car camping and backpacking you should consider a heavier option such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If recommended you read looking for a more plush option, the top-rated cots listed here are all made to feel as similar to a traditional bed as possible. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, but they're still simple to carry and set up on the trail.
When selecting a cot it is also important to think about the materials and construction. Find cots made of top-quality fabrics that are durable enough to withstand daily use. To ensure that your cot will last for many years, look for features like a 600D poly material and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer a good amount of cushioning to shield you from the hard and uncomfortable surface. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, while others like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be wide enough and long enough to fit your height. Choose a cot which has an adequate weight capacity to be able to help your body, especially if you're traveling with a partner or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold down compactly and take up little space in a pack which allows you to pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. They also weigh less than other camping bedding options which can add up quickly when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry excursions. The mobility of the cot is important when you consider how long it takes to pack and unpack your equipment.
Based on the model you select, it may take minutes to unfold and put up the coffin. Some models are more complicated and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage pockets or other features that will help you reduce the amount of time you'll spend building your bed.
The most versatile cots come with adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them to different terrain conditions. good cribs are equipped with a tether that helps keep them stable in conditions of stormy or windy weather. These are especially useful when backpacking since uneven or unstable ground can compromise the stability of your shelter.
When choosing a cot, consider how often you'll use it and where you plan to set up camp. Cots that are lightweight and compact are ideal for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and with a larger sleeping area are better suited for car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot mostly at home, it's worth investing in a set bedding designed specifically for the type of cot you own. This includes flat and fitted sheets, as well as the pillowcase that matches.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great option to consider if you're seeking an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's ideal for all types of camping. It folds down into a case similar to an outdoor chair, and has a strap for easy transport. It doesn't come with the largest sleeping platform of all our top picks but its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots are often required for camping, but they also are often more difficult to put up than other kinds of sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that they require you to put them up on a level surface, which can be difficult to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars on their foot and head areas which you might need to be careful not to hit while you sleep.
Thankfully, the best cots we tried are easy to set up. Some are self-standing which is a great relief because you don't have to worry about how to secure them. Others have simple folding designs and require only a few clicks. Traditional cots are often a different story because they require you to put together the frame and then tie the fabric by 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 car camping and tent camping. It can also be used on trips to backpack. It's heavier than the average camping cot, but it can be folded down to the same size as a folding campchair's carry case. It is extremely durable, constructed from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester, with an aluminum frame that is sturdy.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is easy to set up. It also has a unique design that eliminates bars across your head and feet, making it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot is foldable down to a size similar to the storage bag of your favorite backpack. It's heavier than some of the other cots we've tested, however it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225lbs.
We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is extremely simple to install. It takes just a few moments to unfold and snap into place and then a few nudges to break it down. The legs are secured by a lever lock system that is extremely secure and offers the perfect base for your sleeping bag.
Full Statement camping cots are designed to stand up to lots of use and abuse. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure it does not tear in the rigors and strain of a sleeping person. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester that is heavy duty and can stand up to wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed places like pole sleeves.
They are perfect for camping because they are comfortable and keep you free of bugs and other creatures that may be lurking around at night. Cots are an excellent alternative for sleeping bags and foam mats for hiking or backpacking. However, not all cots are created in the same way, and some require you to use an additional sleeping pad to provide optimal comfort. This can be a major hassle, especially for backpackers who are already carrying a large 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 good night's sleep and don't need to carry a mattress to sleep on. The cot is big and bulky, which means it will be difficult to fit in a tent even if it is spacious enough.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use for hiking trips than an air or foam cushion.
Cots are great for camping however they can also be used in other situations, such as when you have guests stay over and don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also a great addition to a camper or RV because they're 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 whether they explode or shift in the middle night.