The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful night's sleep is vital when hiking or hunting, and cots are a great option for keeping you off the ground and in a comfortable position. However, cots can be bulky and difficult to carry when you're on the go.
We test 10 of the top Cots and gave them a score based on comfort mobility, accessibility, ease of setting up, and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep on the trail is crucial for enjoying your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, you can sleep comfortably in a bed. Find an cot that is not heavy, but also provides an adequate amount of support. This will guarantee a good night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like top are the most popular. They are often designed to be used with an air mattress, sleeping pad or other forms of insulation.
If you're backpacking, or car camping, finding the right cot for your needs is key. For those who are predominantly backpackers, think about lightweight options such as 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 are doing a combination of car camping and backpacking you should consider a heavier option like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you want a more luxurious option All of the cots that made this list are designed to be as similar as possible to the traditional mattress. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts however, they're easy to carry and setup on the trail.
It's important to also consider the materials and construction of the cot when selecting one. The fabric's fragility can lead to rips and tears therefore, you should choose a cot made of high-quality materials that are designed to stand up to regular use. You should look for specifics such as a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for many years to be.
A cot should also provide an adequate amount of cushioning to shield you against the hard rough surface. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, while others like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot must also be long and wide enough to fit your height. Choose a cot which is able to support your weight to ensure it can support your body, particularly in the case of traveling with a companion or pets.
Portability
The best camping cots are lightweight and require less space in your backpack. This allows you to fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. Going Listed here are also lighter than many other camp bedding options, which can quickly add up when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry excursions. When you consider how much time you'll spend packing and unpacking your equipment, the ability to move a cot around is a significant factor in its overall score.
It could take only several minutes to fold and assemble a cot depending on the model. 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 set up your bed.
The most flexible cots have legs that can be adjusted, allowing you to adjust them to different ground conditions. Some also include an anchor to keep them in place during storms or stormy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking as uneven or unstable ground could compromise the stability of your shelter.
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 perfect for backpacking, whereas cots with a heavy-duty construction and larger sleeping area are more suitable for basecamps or car camping. If you intend to use your cot mostly at home, you should consider purchasing a set of bedding that is specifically made for the cot you own. It usually includes fitted and flat sheets as well as a pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfortable easy-to-set up cot that is suitable for most types of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a fantastic choice. It folds down into a case resembling a camping chair and is equipped with a strap for easy transport. It doesn't come with the biggest sleeping platform of the top choices but its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a solid choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are usually a necessity when camping but they also are more difficult to install than other types of sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that you need to put them up on an even surface which can be difficult to find when camping. Some of them also come with bars for the head and foot area that you might not want to hit when sleeping.
Fortunately, the top cots we tested are relatively simple to set up. Some are self-standing which is a major relief as they don't require you to figure out how to secure them while others come with a simple foldout design and just a few clicks to put them in place. Traditional cots are different. You have to assemble the frame yourself and tension the fabric, which takes an enormous amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the easiest to build that's why it can be used for tent or car camping as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, however it can be packed down to the same size as a folding camping chair's carry case. It's also incredibly robust, made of a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't have any flimsy plastic parts.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It has a unibody design that eliminates bars on the head and feet. This makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot folds down to a compact size, which is about similar to the size of the bag that you use to store your backpack of choice. It's a little heavier than some of the other cots we've tested, however it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a cot that is light that is extremely simple to set up. It takes only two seconds to unfold and snap into place and just a few twirls to break down for storage. The legs are locked by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are able to stand up to a lot of abuse. They feature durable components like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it doesn't break when the sleeping person. A good quality cot will make use of heavy-duty 600D polyester, which can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed places like pole sleeves.
They're great for camping as they are comfortable and keep you free of any bugs or other creatures that could be lurking around in the dark. They also provide an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. Not all cots provide the same level of comfort, and some require an additional sleeping pad to be used together. This can be a huge issue, particularly for backpackers who are already carrying a large backpack.
Some cots, like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them more comfortable and allow you to get a good night's sleep and don't have to bring a sleeping pad with you. However this cot is big and bulky, so it's not easy to fit it into a tent, even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another excellent option that doesn't need an additional pad to be comfortable. The lightweight aluminum frame offers great support and is comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use on hiking trips than a foam or air cushion.
They are also great for guests staying over, and you don't want to have them sleep on the floor. They're also an excellent option to a camper, RV or any vehicle that comes with a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more sturdy than an inflatable mattress or tent and you don't have to worry if they blow up or shift during the middle of the night.