The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When you're out hunting or hiking getting a good night's rest is vital. Cots are a great option to keep you cozy and off the ground. However they can be a bit heavy and can be difficult to pack when you're traveling.
We tested and evaluated 10 of the best cots for durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.
Comfort
A good night's sleep is essential to enjoy your camping trip. As opposed to sleeping on the ground it is possible to sleep comfortably in a sleeping cot. Find an cot that is not heavy and also offers a solid foundation. This will guarantee a good night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like top are the most popular. They are often designed to work with an air mattress or sleeping pad, or any other forms of insulation.
If you're backpacking, or car camping, finding the best cot for your needs is crucial. 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 do a mixture of car camping and backpacking you should consider a heavier option like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a more plush option, the top-rated cots on this list are all designed to be as similar to a traditional bed as is possible. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, however, they're easy to carry and set up on the trail.
When selecting a cot it's also important to consider the materials used and the construction. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, so choose a cot made of high-quality materials that are designed to stand up to regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years to come, look for specifics like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide a decent amount of cushioning to shield you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are padded and quilted, while others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, feature baffles to keep your feet from sinking. A cot should also be wide and long enough to fit your height. It is recommended to choose the cot that has the right capacity for weight, especially if traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots fold flat and take up very little space in a pack which allows you to pack more sleeping gear in your backpack. They are less heavy than other options for camp bedding, which can be an advantage during long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. The flexibility of the cot's design is essential when considering the amount of time it takes to pack and unpack your equipment.
It could take only some time to fold and assemble a cot, depending on the model. Some models are more complicated and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage or other features that can help you reduce the time to put together your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most flexible that allow you to adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some include a tether to help keep them in place during storms or stormy weather. They're particularly ideal for backpacking, where the security of your shelter may be weakened due to uneven or unstable ground.
Consider how often you will use the cot and where you intend to camp when selecting a cot. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, whereas the ones with a strong construction and a larger sleeping space are better suited to basecamps or car camping. If you plan to use your cot at the home, it's worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the kind of bed you've got. This includes fitted and flat sheets as well as the pillowcase that matches.
If you're looking for a comfortable easy-to-set up cot that is suitable for all types of camping and camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a fantastic choice. It folds down into a carry case that's similar in size to the standard camping chair, and comes with a strap for simple haulage. cot for sale doesn't have the largest sleeping platform of the top choices but its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a good option for camping trips of all kinds.
Ease of Setup
Cots are a must for camping, but they are also more difficult to set-up than other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that 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 over their head and foot areas that you may prefer not to hit while you sleep.
Fortunately, the top cots we tested are relatively simple to install. Some of them are self-standing and are a massive relief as they don't require you to figure out how to secure them, while others come with a simple foldout design and a few clicks to set them in the right position. Traditional cots are often a different story as they require you to put together the frame and tension the fabric by yourself and will require a significant amount of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is one of easiest to set up, which means it can be used both for camping in a car or tent camping. It can also be used on trips to backpack. It's a bit heavier than the standard cot but it packs down to a size that's about the same size as the carry case of a folding camp chair. It is extremely durable, constructed from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester and strong aluminum frame.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It also has a unibody construction that eliminates the need for bars across your feet and head which makes it ideal for back and side sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size that is similar to the bag that you carry in your preferred backpack. It's a bit heavier than some of the other cots we tested but it feels very solid and suitable for adults up to 225lbs.
We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a cot that is light that's extremely easy to set up. It takes just some time to unfold and snap into place and then a few nudges to break it down. The legs are locked using a unique lever-lock mechanism that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can stand up to a lot of abuse. They are constructed with strong materials like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it will not fall apart under the weight of an individual sleeping. A high-quality cot will be made of 600D polyester which is strong and able to endure wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in high-stress places like pole sleeves.
They're great for camping, as they will keep you warm and away from any bugs or other creatures that could be lurking in the night. They also provide an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. There aren't all cots that provide the same level of comfort, and some require a separate sleeping pad to use together. This can be a big issue, particularly for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy backpack.
Some cots, like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them more comfortable which means you can enjoy a good night's sleep and don't need to carry a sleeping pad to sleep on. The cot is huge and heavy, so it could be difficult to fit into the tent, even though it's spacious.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another excellent option that doesn't need an additional sleeping pad to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminum frame provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who used it on hiking backpacking trips said they felt more comfortable than when using an air or foam pad.
They're also great for guests staying over, and you don't want to have 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 the tent or air mattress which means you don't need to worry whether they explode or shift in the middle night.