The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is vital when hiking or hunting, and cots are an excellent option to keep you off the ground and comfortable. However, cots can be heavy and can be difficult to carry for travel.
We tested and rated 10 of the top cots on durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.
Comfort
Getting a good night's rest on the trail is essential to enjoy your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable place to rest in. When selecting a cot, ensure that it is lightweight and provides an adequate amount of support to ensure you get an excellent night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like cover are the most popular. They are usually designed to work 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. Consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. They are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be easily carried in your backpack. For those who are combining car camping and backpacking look into something heavier and bigger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a comfortable option, the top cots listed here are all made to look as like a traditional mattress as possible. While they're more bulky than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still fairly easy to carry and set up on the trail.
When selecting a cot it's also important to consider the materials and construction. Look for 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 fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide enough cushioning to shield you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, while others include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be long enough to meet your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lay down in. Choose a cot which has an adequate weight capacity to be able to support your body, particularly when traveling with a spouse or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots fold flat and take up a small amount of space in your backpack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear into your backpack. They are lighter than other alternatives for camp bedding, which can be an advantage when you are taking long hikes and longer backcountry excursions. The mobility of the cot is essential when considering how long it takes to unpack and pack your equipment.
Depending on the model you choose, it can take a couple of minutes to unfold and put up the bed. More complex models require more assembly, and some have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets, or other features that will help you minimize the amount of time spent setting up your bed.
The most versatile cots are those with adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them for different terrain conditions. Some cots have a tether that keeps them steady in conditions of stormy or windy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking since uneven or unstable ground can compromise 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 that are light and compact in size are great for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and with a larger sleeping area are better suited for basecamps or car camping. If you intend to use your cot at the home, it's important to purchase bedding specifically designed to fit the type of bed you've got. This usually consists of flat and fitted sheets and a pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfy, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for a variety of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It packs down into a case similar in size to the standard camping chair, and has a strap attached for easy transport. This cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping area of our top selections. However, its strong frame and durable materials make it a great option for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity when camping, but they tend to be more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping gear. It is because you have to place them on an even surface which is difficult to locate when camping. Some of them also have bars on the head and foot area that you may not want to hit while sleeping.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots we tested are relatively simple to install. Some are self-standing which is a relief as you don't have to think about how to secure them. Others have a simple folding design and require only an easy few clicks. Traditional cots, however, are not always the best choice because they require you to put together the frame and then tie the fabric yourself and it can take quite a bit of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the simplest to build, which means it can be utilized for tent or car camping, as well as for backpacking trips. It's a little heavier than the average cot, but it folds down to a size that's the same size as the carry case for a folding camp chair. It is also extremely durable, being made of a rugged and comfy 600D polyester with strong aluminum frame.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is easy to set up. It also has a unibody construction that eliminates the need for bars that run across your feet and head, making it perfect for sleepers who are back or side. The cot folds down to a compact size that's about similar to the size of the bag that you use to store your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than some of the other cots we've tested, however it's extremely robust and is suitable for adults up to 225lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is easy to set up. It takes only two seconds to unfold and snap into place and only requires a few pulls to take it apart to store it. The legs are locked by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy platform for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are designed to stand up to lots of abuse and use. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure it does not break when strained by the weight of a sleeping person. A good cot is made of heavy-duty 600D polyester, which will withstand lots of wear and tear. The best cots use double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress zones such as pole sleeves.
They're great for camping because they keep you comfortable and away from bugs and other creatures that could be lurking around at night. Cots can be a great substitute for sleeping mats and foam mattresses when backpacking or hiking. Some cots don't provide the same comfort and some require a separate sleeping pad to be used together. best cot bed can be a major issue, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable, so you can get a great night's rest and don't have to bring a sleeping pad with you. This cot is large and bulky so it may be difficult to fit in a tent even if it has plenty of room.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which does not require an additional sleeping pad. The lightweight aluminum frame offers excellent support and is very comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who took it on hikes in the mountains say they felt more comfortable than when using an air or foam pad.
They are also great for guests who are staying in your home and you don't want them sleep on the floor. They're also an excellent addition to a RV or camper since they're more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. Additionally, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, which means you don't have to worry about them shifting or blowing up during the night.