The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When hiking or hunting, a good night's sleep is essential. Cots are an excellent option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However, cots are bulky and can be difficult to carry for travel.
We tested and scored 10 of the best cots for the quality of their comfort, portability, and durability.
Comfort
Getting a good night's rest on the trail is crucial to enjoy your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable bed to rest in. Look for a cot that is lightweight and also offers a solid level of support. This will guarantee you a restful night's sleep. Cots that feature a mattress-like surface are particularly popular and are usually designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad for an extra layer of insulation.
Whether you're backpacking or car camping, finding the right cot for your needs is key. For those who are mostly backpackers, consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that can be carried in your pack. If you are combining car camping and backpacking, consider something heavier and bigger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you want a more luxurious option, all of the cots on this list are designed to be as similar as possible to a 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 you're choosing a cot it's important to take into account the materials and construction. Flimsy fabrics are prone to rips and tears therefore, you should choose a cot made of high-quality materials that are made to stand up to regular use. To ensure that your cot will last for many years, look for features like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer adequate cushioning to keep you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are quilted and padded, while others, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3, feature baffles to keep your feet from sinking. A cot should be wide enough and long enough to fit your height. Choose a cot which has an adequate weight capacity to ensure it can support your body, particularly when traveling with a partner or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are small and take up less space in your backpack. This lets you put more sleeping gear in your backpack. They are lighter than other options for camp bedding, which can be a big advantage on long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. Considering how much time you're spending packing and unpacking your gear the ability to move a cot around is a major factor in its overall rating.
Depending on the model you select, it may take minutes to unfold and put up a bed. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage or other features to help you reduce the time to set up your bed.
The most versatile cots are those with adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them to different terrain conditions. Some cots are equipped with a tether to keep them stable in stormy or windy weather. These are especially helpful when backpacking because uneven or unstable terrain can affect the stability of your shelter.
Consider how often you'll use the cot and the location you plan to stay when you select a cot. Cots with a light design and compact fold are great for backpacking, while the ones with a strong construction and a larger sleeping space are ideal for car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot mostly at home, it's worth investing in a set of bedding that is specifically made for the cot you're using. This typically includes flat and fitted sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great option to consider if you're seeking an easy and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for all types of camping. It folds down into a case that resembles an outdoor chair and has an easy-to-transport strap. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform of the top choices, but its sturdy frames and sturdy materials make it a good choice for any camping trip.
Easy Setup
Cots are often required for camping, but they also are more difficult to install than other types of sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that they require you to place them on an even surface, which is difficult to find in the wilderness. Some of them have bars over their feet and head that you could want to avoid hitting during your sleep.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots we tested are relatively simple to set up. Some are self-standing which is a relief as you don't have to worry about how to put them in place. Others have a simple folding design and only require an easy few clicks. Traditional cots are a different story. They require you to put together the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which takes lots of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the simplest to build and can be utilized for tent or car camping as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than the average camping cot, but it can be folded down to the same size as a foldable campchair's carry case. It's also extremely durable, made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't have any plastic parts that are fragile.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It also has a unique construction that eliminates the need for bars across your feet and head, making it perfect for sleepers who are back or side. The cot can be folded down to a size comparable to the bag that you carry in your favorite backpack. It's heavier than other cots that we tested, however, it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults of up to 225 lbs.
We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is very easy to install. It takes just some time to unfold, snap into place, and then a few pulls for it to be broken down. The legs lock into place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are able to be able to stand up to the rigors of use. They are constructed with durable materials like aluminum frames and tough fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it does not break when strained by the weight of a person sleeping. cot sales Cots For Tots UK will make use of the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which will withstand lots of wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in high stress areas such as pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping as they keep you off the ground, comfy, and safe from bugs and other animals that may be roaming in your campsite at night. They are also an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're hiking or backpacking. There aren't all cots that provide the same comfort and some require an additional sleeping pad to use alongside them. This can be a major hassle, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots come with an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to have a restful night's sleep without the need to bring a sleeping mat. The cot is big and heavy, so it could be difficult to fit in the tent, even though it's spacious.
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 be used in other scenarios like when you're having guests stay over and you don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also an excellent option to an RV, camper or any vehicle that has an air mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. Plus, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, so you don't have to fret about them blowing up or shifting up in the middle of the night.