The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful and peaceful night is vital while hunting or hiking and cots are an excellent option for keeping you off the ground and comfortable. However, they are heavy and hard to transport on the road.
We test 10 of the top Cots and gave them a score based on comfort mobility, the ability to move, ease of set-up and durability.
Comfort
Getting a good night's rest on the trail is crucial to enjoying your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground it is possible to sleep comfortably in a sleeping cot. Look for an cot that is not heavy but also offers a solid level of support. This will ensure you a restful night's sleep. Cots with an appearance of a mattress are attractive and are typically 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 best cot to meet your needs is essential. Consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely mobile sleeping solutions that can be easily carried in your backpack. If you are doing a combination of car camping and backpacking, then consider something heavier such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a more plush option, the top-rated cots listed here are all made to be as close to a traditional bed as is possible. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts but they're still simple to carry and set up on the trail.
It is important to consider the cot's materials and construction when choosing one. Fabrics that are thin are more 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 good cribs lasts many years to come, look for specifics such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer enough cushioning to protect you from the hard rough ground. Some models, such as 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 long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough to comfortably lay down in. You should choose the cot that has the right capacity for weight, especially if traveling with a friend or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold down compactly and take up a small amount of space in your backpack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. They are lighter than other alternatives for camp bedding, which is an advantage when you are taking long hikes and multi-day backcountry trips. The flexibility of the cot's design is important when you consider how long it takes to unpack and pack your equipment.
It can take just some time to fold and put together a cot dependent on the model. Certain models are more difficult and require more assembly. Some have components that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage or other features to help you reduce the time it takes to put together your bed.
The most flexible cots have adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them for different terrain conditions. Some cots are equipped with a tether that keeps them steady in windy or stormy weather. These are especially useful when backpacking as uneven or unstable terrain can compromise the stability of your shelter.
Think about how often you'll use the cot as well as the place you intend to camp when selecting a cot. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, while the ones with a strong construction and a bigger sleeping area are ideal for car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot primarily at home, you should consider investing in a set of bedding designed specifically for the cot you're using. This includes flat and fitted sheets and a matching pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great option if you are looking for an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for all types of camping. It folds down into a case resembling a camping chair and is equipped with a strap for easy transport. The cot doesn't have the largest sleeping platform of all our top picks but its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a good choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity for camping but they can be more difficult to set-up than other sleeping equipment. 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. Some of them have bars on their feet and head that you may want to avoid hitting during your sleep.
The top cots we tested were relatively easy to set up. They are also self-standing, which is a huge relief since you don't have to think about how to fix them. Some have simple folding designs and only require the click of a button. Traditional cots are different. You have to assemble the frame yourself and tension the fabric, which takes a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot one of the easiest to build and can be utilized for tent or car camping as well as backpacking trips. It's a little heavier than the standard cot but it packs down to a size that's about the same size as the carry case of a fold-down camping chair. It is also extremely durable, being made of tough and comfortable 600D polyester, with strong aluminum frame.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It has a unibody design that removes bars across the head and feet. This makes it perfect for those who sleep on their backs and sides. The cot can be folded down to a size similar to the storage bag of your favorite backpack. It's a bit heavier than some of the other cots we've tested, but it feels very solid and suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 pounds.
We were also impressed by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a cot that is light that's extremely easy to set up. It takes just the time of a few minutes to unfold and snap it into place and then a few tugs for it to be broken down. The legs lock into place with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can be able to stand up to the rigors of use. These cots are constructed of strong materials like aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure it doesn't break when strained by the weight of a sleeping person. A good cot will make use of high-end 600D polyester that will withstand lots of wear and tear. The best cots are made with double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress areas like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping as they keep you off the ground, comfy and protected from bugs and other creatures that might be roaming around your campsite at night. cot sets offer an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're backpacking or hiking. However, not all cots are created in the same way and some will require you to add an additional sleeping pad for maximum comfort. This can be a big issue, especially for backpackers who carry a large bag.
Some cots, like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them more comfortable, so you can get a great night's rest and don't need to carry a sleeping pad with you. However, this cot is quite big and bulky, so it's not easy to fit it into a tent, even if your tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminum frame offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who used it on backpacking hiking trips say they felt more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.
Cots are a great option for camping, but they can be used in other scenarios for instance, when you're having guests stay over and you don't want them to sleep on the floor. They're also a great addition to an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than inflatable mattress. Additionally, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, so you don't need to worry about them shifting or blowing up in the middle of the night.