The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful night's sleep is essential when you're hiking or hunting, and cots are a great option to keep you off the ground and comfortable. However, cots can be heavy and can be difficult to carry for travel.
We test 10 of the top cots and rated them on comfort mobility, the ability to move, ease of set-up and durability.
Comfort
A good night's rest is vital to enjoy your camping excursion. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable place to rest in. Choose a cot that is light and also offers an adequate amount of support. This will guarantee you a restful night's sleep. Cots with mattresses are especially desirable and are often designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
If you're backpacking or camping, finding the right cot for your needs is key. For those who are mostly backpackers, think about lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that can be easily carried in your backpack. If you do a mixture of backpacking and car camping, then consider something heavier, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a luxurious option, all of the cots that made this list are designed to be as similar as possible to the traditional mattress. Although they're more heavy than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still relatively easy to transport and put up on the trail.
When choosing a cot, it's also important to consider the materials and construction. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, therefore, you should choose a cot with high-quality materials that are made to stand up to regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years to come, look for specifics such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also have enough cushioning to shield you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be long enough to meet your height and wide enough to comfortably lie down in. Look for a cot that has an adequate weight capacity to be able to support your body, especially when traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold flat and take up little space in your backpack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. The cots are less heavy than other alternatives for camp bedding, which is an advantage when you are taking long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. The portability of the cot is essential when considering the amount of time it takes to unpack and pack your equipment.
Depending on the model that you choose, it can take a few minutes to unroll and put up the cot. Certain models are more difficult and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage or other features to help cut down on the time it takes to put together your bed.
The most versatile cots have adjustable legs, which allow the user to adjust them for different ground conditions. Some also include an anchor to keep them in place during storms and windy weather. They're particularly ideal for backpacking, where the security of your shelter may be compromised by unstable or uneven ground.
When selecting a cot, think about how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to camp. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, while cots with a heavy-duty construction and larger sleeping area are more suitable for basecamps or car camping. If you plan to use your cot mostly at home, it's worth investing in a set bedding that is specifically made for the cot you own. This includes flat and fitted sheets, as well as a matching pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great option when you're seeking an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most camping styles. It folds into a carry case that's similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and has an attached strap to make it easy to transport. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform among the top choices but its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a solid choice for any camping trip.
Easy Setup
Cots are often required when camping, but they are more difficult to put up than other kinds of sleeping gear. This is because they require you to put them up on a level surface, which can be difficult to find in the wilderness. Some of them have bars on their foot and head areas that you could want to avoid hitting during your sleep.
Thankfully, the best cots we tried are easy to set up. Some are self-standing which is a major relief since it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them while others come with a simple foldout design and a couple of clicks to put them in place. Traditional cots, however, are often a different story since they require you to construct the frame and then tie the fabric yourself and it could take a lot of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the easiest to build, which means it can be utilized for tent or car camping as well as backpacking trips. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, however it can be packed down to the same size as a folding campchair's carry case. It is also extremely durable, made of a rugged and comfy 600D polyester with a sturdy aluminum frame.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It also has a unique construction that eliminates any bars between your feet and head, making it perfect for back and side sleepers. The cot also packs down to a compact size, which is about similar to the size of the bag you carry in your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than some of the other cots we've tested, however it's extremely solid and suitable for adults up to 225 pounds.
We were also impressed with the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that's extremely easy to set up. It only takes the time of a few minutes to unfold and snap it into place and then a few tugs to break it down. The legs lock into place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are made to withstand a lot of use and abuse. These cots are constructed of durable materials like aluminum frames and tough fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it doesn't break under the weight of the sleeping person. A high-quality cot is constructed of 600D polyester, which is heavy duty and can stand up to wear and tear. The most durable cots have double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress zones such as pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping because they keep you away from the ground, comfortable and secure from bugs and other creatures who might be swarming around your campsite at night. Cots can be a great substitute for sleeping mats and foam bags for hiking or backpacking. But, not all cheap baby cots for sale, www.cots4tots.co.uk, are made in the same way and some require you to add an additional sleeping pad to provide optimal comfort. This can be a huge issue, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy bag.
Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable and allow you to get an excellent night's sleep and don't have to bring a sleeping pad to sleep on. However this cot is heavy and bulky, which means it's not easy to fit it into a tent even if the tent is plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional sleeping pad to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides great support and is comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who used it on hiking backpacking trips said they were more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.
Cots are great for camping but they can also be used in other scenarios, such as when you've got guests staying over and you don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also a great option to a camper, RV or any other vehicle with mattresses. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. Plus, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, which means you don't have to worry about them shifting or blowing up in the middle of the night.