The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is critical while hunting or hiking and cots are an excellent option for keeping you off the ground and in a comfortable position. However, cots are bulky and difficult to pack for travel.
We compared and scored 10 of the best cots in terms of durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.
Comfort
A good night's rest is vital to enjoy your camping trip. In contrast to sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the rough and cold terrain while giving you a comfortable bed to rest in. Look for a cot that is lightweight, but also provides a solid level of support. This will ensure a good night's sleep. Cots that have a mattress-like top are the most sought-after. They are typically designed to work with an air mattress, sleeping pad or other forms of insulation.
If you're backpacking or camping, choosing the right cot for your needs is crucial. For those who are mostly backpackers, consider lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that is easily carried in your pack. For those who are combining car camping and backpacking look into something larger and heavier, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you want a more luxurious option, all of 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 relatively easy to transport and set up on the trail.
When selecting a cot it is also important to think about the materials used and the construction. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, so look for an cot that is made of top-quality materials that are designed to stand up to regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years to come, look for specifics such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also have adequate cushioning to protect you from the hard rough ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models, such as REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be wide enough and long enough to be able to accommodate your height. Find a cot that is able to support your weight to be able to support your body, especially if you're traveling with a companion or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold up compactly and take up very little space inside a backpack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. The cots are less heavy than other options for camp bedding, which is an advantage during long hikes and longer backcountry trips. Considering how much time you'll spend packing and unpacking your gear, the ability to move a cot around is a significant factor in the overall rating.
Depending on the model you select, it may take minutes to unfold and put up the bed. Certain models are more difficult and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots have built-in storage or other features to help reduce the time to put together your bed.
The most flexible cots have legs that can be adjusted, allowing you to adjust them to different ground conditions. Some come with a tether to keep them in place during storms and stormy weather. They're especially ideal for backpacking, where the stability of your shelter could be weakened by uneven or unstable ground.
Think about how often you'll use the cot as well as the place you intend to camp when selecting a cot. Cots that are lightweight and compact in size are great for backpacking. However, cots with a lot of weight and have a larger sleeping area are better suited for car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot for the home, it's worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the kind of bed you have. It usually includes fitted and flat sheets as well as the pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice if you are looking for a comfortable and easy-to-setup cot. It's also suitable for most types of camping. It folds down into a carrying case that's similar in dimensions to a standard camping chair and has an attached strap for easy transport. cots to tots does not have the biggest sleeping area of our top selections. However, its strong materials and durable frames make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots are a must for camping however they are more difficult to set up than other sleeping gear. This is because they require you to place them on a level surface which can be hard to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars over their feet and head which you might prefer not to hit during your sleep.
The top cots we tested were relatively simple to set up. Some are self-standing, which is a huge relief since it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them, and others feature an easy fold-out design and just a few clicks to put them in the proper position. Traditional cots, however, are usually a different story as they require you to assemble the frame and then tie the fabric by yourself and could take a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the simplest to set up and can be used for tent or car camping, as in backpacking trips as. It's a little heavier than the typical cot, but it folds down to a size that's about the same as the carry case of the folding camping chair. It's also incredibly sturdy, constructed from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't contain any flimsy plastic parts.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple 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 folds down to a size that is similar to the storage bag of your preferred backpack. It's a bit heavier than other cots we tested, but it feels very solid and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is very easy to install. It takes only a few seconds to unfold and snap into place and only requires a few pulls to disassemble for storage. The legs are locked with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The best camping cots will withstand a lot of abuse. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it doesn't fall apart under the weight of an individual sleeping. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester that is heavy duty and can endure 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 creatures that may be roaming in your campsite at night. They also provide a great alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're backpacking or hiking. However, not all cots are created in the same way, and some require you to pair them with an additional sleeping pad for maximum comfort. This can be a major issue, particularly for backpackers carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots use an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you have a restful night's sleep without having to bring the mattress. However, this cot is quite big and bulky, so it isn't easy to fit it into a tent, even if your tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional pad to be comfortable. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides excellent support and is very comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use on hiking trips than an air or foam cushion.
They're also ideal for guests staying with you, and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. They're also a great option to a camper, RV or any other vehicle with a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. Additionally, they're more stable than a tent or air mattress, so you don't have to fret about them blowing up or shifting up during the night.