The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A good night's rest is essential when hiking or hunting and cots are an excellent option to keep you off the ground and comfy. However, they are heavy and can be difficult to carry on the road.
We tested and scored 10 of the best cots for comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
A restful night's sleep is essential to enjoy your camping trip. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, you can sleep comfortably in a bed. When choosing a cot, ensure that it is light and offers solid support to ensure you get a great night's rest. Cots that feature an appearance of a mattress are desirable and are often designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
Whether you're backpacking or car camping, choosing the right cot for your needs is key. Think about lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be easily carried in your backpack. If you plan to combine a mix 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 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 carry and set up on the trail.
When you're choosing a cot it's also important to consider the materials and construction. Look for cots made of high-quality fabrics that can withstand the rigors of use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years to come, look for specifics like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide a decent amount of cushioning to keep you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot should also be wide and long enough to fit your height. Find a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity to ensure it can support your body, particularly if you're traveling with a partner or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots are compact and take up less space in your backpack. This lets you fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. They are also lighter than other camping bedding options, which can add up quickly when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry excursions. The portability of the cot is essential when considering how long it takes to pack and unpack your equipment.
Depending on the model you select, it may take a couple of minutes to unfold and put up the coffin. More complicated models require more assembly, and some come with parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots are equipped with storage pockets or other features that help to reduce the amount of time spent building your bed.
The most flexible cots have adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them to different ground conditions. Some include a tether to help keep them stable during storms or turbulent weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking since uneven or unstable ground could compromise the stability of your shelter.
When choosing a cot, consider how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to stay. Cots with a light design and compact fold are perfect for backpacking, whereas those with a robust construction and a bigger sleeping area are ideal for basecamps or camping in cars. If you plan to use your cot exclusively at home, it's worth purchasing a set of bedding that is specifically made for the type of cot you're using. This includes flat and fitted sheets and the pillowcase that matches.
If you're in search of a comfortable, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for a variety of camping The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great option. It folds down into a case resembling a camping chair and is equipped with an easy-to-transport strap. This cot doesn't have the largest sleeping platform of the top choices however its robust materials and durable frame make it a solid choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are usually 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 foot and head that you may not want to strike when you sleep.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots we tried are easy to set up. They are also self-standing, which is a great relief because you don't need to worry about how to secure them. Some have an easy folding design and require only a few clicks. Traditional cots aren't the same. They require you to put together the frame yourself and tension the fabric, which takes an enormous amount of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is one of easiest to set-up, so it can be used both for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used for backpacking trips. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, but it can be tucked away to the same dimensions as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also extremely durable, made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't have any plastic parts that are flimsy.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It's a unibody design that removes bars across the feet and head. This makes it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot folds down to a size that is similar to the storage bag of your backpack of choice. It's heavier than some of the other cots we've tried, however it's extremely solid and suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is extremely simple to set up. It takes just two seconds to unfold and snap back into place. It only requires a few tugs to break down to make it easier to store. The legs lock in place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are designed to withstand a lot of use and abuse. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and robust fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure that it does not tear under the weight and tension of a sleeping person. A high-quality cot will be constructed of 600D polyester, which is strong and able to stand up to wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in high-stress areas like pole sleeves.
They are perfect for camping, as they keep you comfortable and away from any bugs or other creatures that may be lurking in the night. They also offer an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're backpacking or hiking. Some cots don't provide the same comfort and some require an additional sleeping pad to use with them. This can be a major problem, particularly for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots, for instance the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them more comfortable which means you can enjoy a good night's sleep and not need to carry a mattress with you. However this cot is big and bulky, so it can be hard to fit it into a tent, even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides excellent support and is very comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who took it on backpacking hiking trips say they felt more comfortable than when using an air or foam pad.
They're also ideal for guests who are staying in your home and you don't want to have them sleep on the floor. They are also an excellent addition to a RV or camper since they're more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than the tent or air mattress, so you won't have to fret when they explode or shift in the middle night.