5 Arguments Best Cots Is Actually A Great Thing
The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When you're out hunting or hiking, a good night's sleep is crucial. Cots are a great option to keep you cozy and off the ground. However, cots can be heavy and can be difficult to carry for travel.
We test 10 of the top Cots and gave them a score based on comfort and portability, ease of setup and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep is essential for a successful camping trip. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable place to sleep on. Choose a cot that is lightweight, but also provides a solid level of support. This will ensure a good night's sleep. Cots with mattresses are especially desirable and are often designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is crucial, whether you're car camping or backpacking. For those who are mostly backpackers, consider lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that can be carried in your backpack. For those who do a mix of car camping and backpacking think about something heavier and larger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you want a more luxurious option All of the cots that made this list are designed to be as similar as they can to a traditional mattress. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, but they're still easy to carry and setup on the trail.
When selecting a cot it's also important to consider the materials and construction. Choose cots that are made of high-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years, look for details like a 600D poly material and reinforced seams.
A cot must also offer enough cushioning to shield 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 that stop you from sinking into the cot. Lastly, a cot should be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lay down in. Find a cot that is able to support your weight to be able to support your body, particularly in the case of traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are compact and take up less space in your pack. This lets you fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. The cots are lighter than other alternatives for camp bedding, which is an advantage during long hikes or multi-day backcountry trips. Considering how much time you spend packing and unpacking your gear, the ability to move a cot around is a significant aspect in the overall rating.
Depending on the model you choose, it can take a couple of minutes to unfold and put up a cot. Certain models are more difficult and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots are equipped with storage pockets or other features that can help you reduce the amount of time you'll spend setting up your bed.
The most versatile cots have adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them to different ground conditions. Some also include a tether to keep them in place during storms and turbulent weather. They are particularly useful for backpacking, when the stability of your shelter could be compromised due to uneven or unstable ground.
When you're choosing a cot consider how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to camp. Cots that are lightweight and compact are ideal for backpacking. However, cots with a lot of weight and have a larger sleeping area work better for camping in car parks or basecamps. If you intend to keep your cot at your home, it's worthwhile to invest in bedding specifically designed to fit the type of bed you've got. It usually includes flat and fitted sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfortable easy-to-set up cot that is suitable for most types of camping and camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a fantastic choice. It folds into a case similar to the camping chair, and is equipped with straps for easy transportation. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform among all our top picks, but its sturdy frames and sturdy materials make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots can be a necessity for camping, but they are also more difficult to set-up than other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that you need to put them up on an even surface that can be difficult to locate when camping. Some of them also come with bars for the foot and head which you don't want to hit while sleeping.
Thankfully, the best cots we tested are relatively simple to set up. Some of them are self-standing which is a major relief as it doesn't require you to figure out how to secure them and others feature a simple foldout design and a few clicks to set them in the right position. Traditional cots are a different story. They require you to put together the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which takes a lot of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the simplest to set up, which means it can be used both for camping in a car or tent camping. It can also be used for trips to backpack. infant cot bed 's a bit heavier than the standard cot but it packs down to a size that's the same size as the carry case of a folding camp chair. It is also extremely durable, being made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with a sturdy aluminum frame.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is another cinch to set up. It also features a unibody design that eliminates bars across your head and feet which makes it ideal for back and side sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size comparable to the size of your backpack of choice. It's a little heavier than other cots we've tested, however it's extremely solid and suitable for adults up to 225lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's easy to set-up. It only takes a few moments to unfold and snap into place and then a few pulls for it to be broken down. The legs lock into place with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can stand up to a lot of abuse. These cots are made with durable materials like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure it will not tear when strained by the weight of a person sleeping. A high-quality cot will be made of 600D polyester that is heavy duty and can stand up to wear and tear. The best cots use double stitching and reinforced seams in high stress zones like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping as they keep you off the ground, comfy, and safe from insects and other creatures that may be roaming in your campsite at night. They are also an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. There aren't all cots that provide the same level of comfort, and some require a sleeping pad to be used with them. This can be a big problem, especially for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy pack.
Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable which means you can enjoy a great night's rest and don't need to carry a sleeping pad along with you. This cot is large and bulky, which means it will be difficult to fit into the tent, even though it is spacious enough.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides excellent support and is comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our testers to use for hiking trips than an air or foam cushion.
Cots are a great option for camping but they can also be used in other situations for instance, when you're having guests stay over and don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also a great addition to an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than inflatable mattress. They're also more sturdy than the tent or air mattress and you don't have to fret if they blow up or shift during the middle of the night.